The presence of companies from the retail trade and technology sectors in the final stage of the Manager of the Year 2020 contest is strongest. 40 companies applied to take part at the prestigious contest and 10 of them – 5 Bulgarian and 5 foreign companies – reached the final stage. They are evaluated under different criteria such as: financial indicators, management practices, personals and leadership skills, etc. Last year, the annual revenues of the 10 finalists amounted to EUR 1.7 billion.

Although the winner of the contest will be awarded for its achievements before the Covid-19 crisis, a special jury will ask questions on the effect of the pandemic on the business and the working decisions adopted by the companies to minimize the damages stemming from the coronavirus crisis.

In 2021, the first major consequence of the pandemic will be related to overall restructuring of supply chains or individual subdivisions. In this respect, Bulgaria has new chances, as long as it manages to create a suitable business climate for these things to happen, Milena Dragiyska, CEO of a company operating in the trade sector forecasted.

“Caution in consumption. We must be prepared to compete with price sensitivity. Consumption will focus on basic products and packages, but will at the same time look for that inertial added value from the time of eternal-looking prosperity before the Covid-19 period”, Milena Dragiyska said further.

The business lesson of the pandemic is that it has become the best environment in which people can demonstrate and develop their skills to work amid crisis and react during unexpected circumstances – Svetla Nestorova who heads an insurance company said for BNR.

“The moment of “global economic pause” allowed many managers to reconsider their business decisions and plan their next move. The position a given company has on the market and the respect among its business rivals is mainly achieved through the work it has done to achieve the current business results, rather than through a given award”, Svetla Nestorova who won last year’s edition of the Manager of the Year said further. The contest aims to honor the best company leaders, inspire the rest and create competition that would improve business environment and have positive effect on the Bulgarian economy.

Compiled by:  Yoan Kolev

Photos: manager.bg