The financial crisis is a crisis of greed

In an interview with the "Echos", Director General of the non-rated us group Carlson, present in business travel, catering, catering and services marketing (in total business volume of $ 40 billion), the point on the situation of the company to the crisis. Hubert Joly, who took control March 1, 2008, demonstrated a commitment to development in all the trades of Carlson. Moreover, the leader, one of the rare French at the head of a foreign firm international, stressed the need for a "revolution" of the world economy in terms of CO2 reduction and is a brief opinion on the financial crisis.

What are the consequences of the crisis on the activities of Carlson

They are contrasting. They depend on the activities, countries, or even the types of client. Our event activity in the United States is the most affected, but a contrario, Carlson marketing "work" with a level of new sales in 2008 than the accumulation of those of the previous three years. Similarly, the reduction of activity is 20 on average in the hotel, but it covers situations. Overall, we see a much more pronounced slowdown with businesses and individuals. However, we remain very tied to global trade, the IMF, it could decrease by 10 this year.

In this context, change your walking plan

The crisis we combine strategies defensive and offensive strategies. Defensive strategies, it means adjusting activity costs, preserve the cash. But we particularly discussed the crisis in good health that we already had plans in savings from the first half of 2008. So, we must act to strengthen our positions and prepare for the resumption. The commercial dynamic of Carlson Marketing activities around the loyalty programs is very strong. Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT) continues to gain market share. Although leader of business travel, CWT has only 7 of a market that remains fragmented. The potential for consolidation is considerable. And CWT has made not less than eight acquisitions in 2008. In the hotel, we are content and positioning of our brands. The Radisson brand is boarding a range in the United States to align with the European standard.

Review your development projects in the hotel

Carlson Hotels and our subsidiary Rezidor continued to focus their development on emerging countries, Africa, the Middle East, the Russia, where Rezidor has recently concluded an agreement to develop the Park Inn near the railway stations, and of course the India sign and the China. Our park has a little more than 1,000 hotels worldwide, compared with 4,000 or 5,000 for leaders of the sector. We have the margin!

Are you considering to increase the participation of Carlson in Rezidor capital

Carlson is a non-group, but it does not have subsidiaries with major partners. One Equity Partners (Group JPMorganChase) owns 45 of CWT. On Rezidor, which is our franchisee for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, we are the reference shareholder with 44 of the capital, the company is listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange. This allows us to work closely together, while being a factor of stability.

What is today your ambition in the commercial restoration with TGI Friday's

Since February 16, Carlson Restaurants, the restoration of the Carlson group division, more than 1,000 institutions under signs, for the bulk of the TGI Friday's, has a new Director General, Nick Shepherd. For its part, TGI Friday's already began to implement a new marketing strategy and a more aggressive commercial policy. Furthermore, time is in international development, because only a third of the Park is located outside the United States. But this implies local adaptations, such as the Japan, where EBU has only eight institutions, or in China. India, where the sign is already implemented, could move to the declination of a bar concept, because drinks there represent 40 of sales. Similarly, if we want to revive us in France where we are not present today, need no doubt review our formula, which involves a high staff intensity.

Through the business trip, you are an observer advised the airline. Do you see its challenge for sustainable development

Sustainable development is a real priority for businesses. However, air transport is much to be exemplary. The new devices are more efficient. Air traffic control is another axis of fuel savings determining and traction of the aircraft on the ground is a true subject. For the rest, I do not think the replacement of the aircraft. Not to travel is not sustainable in the long term when the business. On the other hand, I think that the world economy must be his revolution. We must make savings in carbon emissions. I would like to make one further comment: travel, tourism, are not a mere economic issue. It is an issue of understanding among peoples. I also think that if the 20th century was the century of declarations of independence, the 21st century will be that of interdependence. Relations between the United States and China are we already. Similarly, one of the lessons of the crisis, it is that all economic fails. Must be ethical and social anchorage. The financial crisis is a crisis of greed.