During the first two weeks, our members have been very active in sharing information about how they adjusted their businesses during the state of emergency and have been helping other companies that didn’t adapt on time. We can clearly see great solidarity between our members.
»Immediately after the outbreak of the new crisis, the Slovenian Business Club, together with other economic and business associations, chambers, associations and clubs, addressed the Ministry of Finance on behalf of all businesspeople in the Republic of Serbia with a joint request to facilitate the operations of companies during the state of emergency by reducing certain levies and postponing the payment of others. We expected concrete support from the Government and they have agreed to most of our suggestions, ” says Ms Fišakov.
How did you organize your business activities during the state of emergency?
First of all and the most important thing in this situation is that we all stay healthy. Only a healthy person can work, love, and even fight and grumble. Following the instructions of the medical profession and the orders of the authorities, the SPC’s activities have changed somewhat. We have temporarily stopped organizing events and meetings that require the physical presence. That activity will have to wait for better times. Even before this crisis, the SPC had already adjusted a lot of its activities to the Industry 4.0 standards. We used to work from home before if the need arose, we were available on our phones for at least 8 hours every day and we used social media and e-mail a lot. Now, just like in the regular times, we monitor all relevant content and information daily and inform the membership promptly.
We will also organize webinars and web conferences covering current topics in order to stay in touch with each other even in these difficult times and maintain the connection between our members and information flow as much as possible. Our activities relating to networking and establishing contacts, as well as one-on-one work will continue to be fully used thanks to modern technology. During the first two weeks, our members have been very active in sharing information about how they adjusted their businesses during the state of emergency and have been helping other companies that didn’t adapt on time. We can clearly see great solidarity between our members.
The Government of Serbia has announced its package of economic measures to overcome the consequences of the current situation. Did the government, and if so, to what extent take on board the suggestions that you, along with other business associations, gave to the Finance Minister?
Immediately after the outbreak of the new crisis, the Slovenian Business Club, together with other economic and business associations, chambers, associations and clubs, addressed the Ministry of Finance on behalf of all businesspeople in the Republic of Serbia with a joint request to facilitate the operations of companies during the state of emergency by reducing certain levies and postponing the payment of others. We expected concrete support from the Government and they have agreed to most of our suggestions. The government classified the economic measures in nine groups and, if implemented consistently as the government has announced, they will significantly facilitate the survival, above all, of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, i.e. those companies which are the most vulnerable in these situations. However, the economic measures are linear and relate to the widest range of businesses. Some of these companies have, however, experienced additional, specific problems resulting from the pandemic. The Slovenian Business Club will continue to help its members overcome these problems and insist on additional measures from the authorities.
How do you spend your private time during the pandemic?
Considering that my entire family is confined all day in the common space, there is, in fact, no boundary between work and private time. To tell you the truth, my days are going by at the speed of light and thank God for that. Just like always, I start my morning with a warm lemonade and ginger. Now, I have coffee at home instead of in the office. Then I sit down, take my laptop and phone and begin my daily activities with the Club. The most significant change is that, in this state of emergency, the time allocated for meetings is now occupied with my children. My son, who is in the second grade, and the daughter, who is a fourth-grader, are slowly adjusting to the new circumstances and aspects of school work. Not being able to spend time with their friends is the hardest thing for them. Online home schooling is good solution in this situation, but children are nonetheless social beings and have a great need with social life. During the day, I cook and do my share of house chores. My husband and I finish with our work in the evening, after which we usually play a board game with the children or watch a movie or read books or, simply, answer countless questions from our children.
What will you do first after the state of emergency is abolished?
I am confident that this situation will last until the summer. And then when all this ends, hopefully on a good note, and when all curfews are cancelled, I will first stroll through our beautiful Belgrade and then go to Slovenia with my family to see my parents.