In France, it takes four days to create a box, says the World Bank, as in the United States, against 5 days in the United Kingdom, 8 in Germany, 11 in Italy or 13 in Spain. A very short deadline which is perhaps not unrelated to the positive development in the number of business creations in France.
Last year, these peaked at 815,257, according to INSEE, including almost half of micro-enterprises. A new record, after a 2018 vintage - 691,000 - already exceptional. Another notable fact: 19% of French people plan to start a business in the next three years, according to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 2019. Among our neighbors, less than one in ten adults is motivated by such a project, Italy (9 %), the United Kingdom (7%) and Germany (6%) not offering such an attractive environment.
Reputed to be reckless, the French seem to better understand the risk inherent in any entrepreneurial project. According to the second French entrepreneurial index, 30% of adults were placed at some point in their lives in an entrepreneurial dynamic. Many see it as a way to build their own jobs.
In addition, still according to this index, "almost half of French people believe that the most interesting career choice is that of business manager, whether it be working on their own account (Editor's note: as a self-employed ) or by having their own company ”.
For women as for men entrepreneurs, emphasizes this barometer, being independent, fulfilling and achieving a dream are the most frequent motivations. A dream that the French model encourages by incentive systems ...
An environment conducive to risk taking
The unemployment insurance system, which guarantees redundant workers benefits for up to two years, reassures beginners: from the worker who becomes a self-catering caterer to the engineer who bounces in consulting after thirty years of career in large groups. But the declining allowances, introduced on November 1, will undoubtedly push the unemployed to seek paid employment rather than to create their box.
The adventure candidate also benefits from numerous and accessible funding. The public investment bank (Bpifrance) boosts innovative companies, the Association for the right to economic initiative (Adie) grants loans of honor to entrepreneurs in disadvantaged areas…
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Sufficient to declare France a nation of entrepreneurs? “In the UK it is simple to start a business, but only from an administrative point of view. There are not as many financing facilities or public support structures ”, analyzes Ben Khenkine, marketing director of Legal Start, a Parisian company which helps companies based across the Channel to set up in France.
Less expensive formalities than with our neighbors
“In 1993, I chose to launch myself in France because you have enormous assets, masked by political controversies. Between its economic situation and its geographic location, close to Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany, the country attracts long-term investors, ”says Edoardo Secchi, founder of the consultancy company Italy-France Group.
“In Italy, to create a limited liability company (SARL), the notary fees cost 2,000 to 3,000 euros. In France, this initial expense is avoided and you can request an accounting firm for all the paperwork. Between registration and the Chamber of Commerce, this amounts to 650 euros maximum, ”he calculates.
In Germany also the notary is essential. “In the best of cases, it takes 48 hours to contact him and draft the statutes of a GMBH, the equivalent of our SARL. It costs between 2,000 and 5,000 euros in fees, ”observes Régis Wallet, adviser to the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) France Germany. In addition, the minimum capital of 25,000 euros can cool some.
Other forms, more streamlined in statutory terms, do not appeal. "They have never been acclaimed even if they cost less, like the UG, the equivalent of the simplified SARL at 1 euro in France, which is aimed at an audience of microentrepreneurs", continues- he.
Low unemployment benefits also drive entrepreneurship
On the other side of the Rhine, the 4 million self-employed people (home helpers, delivery people, etc.) represent nearly 10% of the workforce, or as much as in France. "This freelance status does not require registration with the commercial register," emphasizes Régis Wallet. You just have to report to the municipality. Furthermore, contributions are not compulsory even if they have an interest in doing so. "
On the other side of the Alps, a dismissed employee has the right to unemployment for one year, against two years in France. Is it an obstacle to entrepreneurship? "On the contrary, the allowances are so low for living that people are pushed to set up a microenterprise, very often in catering and personal services", analyzes Edoardo Secchi.
"In the United Kingdom, unemployment benefits are extremely low, do not allow you to live in a sustainable way, so if you have the taste for entrepreneurship, you get started," adds Ben Khenkine.
In Germany, the shortage of labor pushes to the salaried
In Germany, compensation capped at 2,500 euros is paid for a maximum of 12 months for those under 50, up to 24 months for those over 58. "The job market encourages becoming an employee, not a micro-entrepreneur," explains Régis Wallet. With an unemployment rate of 3% and a shortage of labor, the public authorities are putting the means in training so that companies find employees, earlier and earlier. Especially for its manufacturing industry, which weighs more than 20% of GDP, against 10% in France.
It is therefore understandable that the incentive for the unemployed to undertake is less strong there than at home, with Pôle Emploi. Since 2015, the organization has been working hard to support redundant employees looking for a new professional life ... Evidenced by the highlight of its Help for founders or business takeovers (Acre), with contribution exemptions.
As a result, the number of micro-converted job seekers or just entrepreneurs continues to increase. They were 194,000 in the first eleven months of 2019, mainly in trade, construction, accommodation and catering.
The risk culture of Italians
Pampered, the French? "They need to be reassured before getting started," notes Edoardo Secchi. In Italy, the risk culture is more developed. For example, the approach of those who want to climb the social ladder is: I will have nothing from the state, so I get started and if it works, I will change my life . "
And in Germany? “The businesses, mainly family-run, are managed like a good father. The choices are more reasoned, with a long-term vision. German culture is prudence, anticipation of risk, ”says Régis Wallet.
"In the United Kingdom, there is no public aid, loans of honor, so the people who start are more reckless. Whatever the tax environment, "confirms Ben Khenkine, before touting" the credit facilities of Bpifrance, unique in its kind ".
"British banks practice very little fixed rates and ask the project owner for a huge contribution of 15% of the borrowed capital," he explains. This led a French entrepreneur in England - who prefers to remain anonymous - to finance the work of her crèche "for 50 children" by contracting, in France, a consumer loan, "theoretically unattractive for companies".
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