Coface study: Slow decision-making hinders business growth

An international study by credit insurer Coface, involving executives across 13 countries, reveals that slow decision-making processes are increasingly becoming a competitive disadvantage. Globally, 68 percent of executives view slow decisions as a barrier to growth, a figure that rises to 73 percent in Germany.

The study highlights a significant tension between growth ambitions and risk discipline. In Germany, 81 percent of respondents perceive these two goals as fundamentally conflicting, compared to 62 percent globally. Christian Stoffel, Coface CEO for Northern Europe, noted that successful companies do not avoid risk at all costs, but rather create the conditions to assess risks quickly and seize opportunities decisively.

While only 24 percent of executives worldwide currently view risk and finance teams as strategic growth partners, 60 percent see them as enablers of additional growth. Looking ahead three to five years, 44 percent expect these teams to take on a strategic partnership role. German companies appear to be lagging in this transition, with only 19 percent viewing risk and finance functions as strategic growth partners.