CEE (Global) Business Briefing

8.15am    Registration and coffee

9.00am  The Outlook for the Global Economy and CEE - Managing Directors’ Panel (1)
•    Where do we get business/sales growth?
•    Is the current business model sustainable?
•    What’s happening with digitisation and e-commerce? Good news or bad news?
•    The global economy is having a good patch but does this mean better business at the top line?
•    Trump: an 8-year President?   
•    Europe still improving a bit but with some major underlying challenges?
•    Just how bad will Brexit be for the UK and Europe? Doesn’t look good.
•    Why is the global consumer under severe pressure?
•    What are the top 5 issues which will shape your company’s business in the next 5 years?
•    The oil price, interest rates, FX rates: how is the CEE region and Russia impacted?
•    What can companies do to obtain market share and what is Best Practice?

Confirmed guest speakers:
Johannes Koch, Vice President Enterprise Group, Managing Director CEE & Israel, HPE
Wolfgang Heuchel, Managing Director & CEO, Lanxess CEE

10.45am    Networking coffee break

11.15 am  The Outlook for Central and South East European Markets and Managing Directors Panel (2)
•    The CEE and SEE region: still doing well after 5 years?
•    What can go wrong? Politics, EU funds? Seems a safe haven
•    A few case studies of just how good the CEE region is for business
•    How high are salaries going?
•    What are the drivers and dynamics behind this?
•    What are the GDP and business (sales/profit) trends in 2018-19?
•    Is Romania still so “sexy”!? or will it decelerate a bit?
•    What are the operational challenges faced by regional executives?

Confirmed guest speaker:
Wolfram Senger-Weiss, Managing Director, Gebrüder Weiss

12.15pm    The Business Outlook for Russia, Ukraine and CIS
•    How is 2018 shaping up for sales and profits?  
•    Top-line rouble sales outlook still good at 5-15% for 75% of companies? On budget?
•    What is the mood of the Russian consumer?
•    Has IT finally recovered? Still mixed news in the health sector?   
•    When does the “hockey stick” effect take place in Russia for e-commerce?
•    About 25% of companies plan new investment in 2018. Why?  
•    Everything you need to know about Russian HR: salaries, turnover?
•    What are the scenarios for the Russian economy 2018-2022: GDP, rouble, spending?

1.15pm    Lunch and end of meeting