Avocatul de business Igor Popa

Avocatura de Business din R.Moldova

De ce anume de “business” si nu clasica sau “universala”, asa cum s-a inradacinat de ceva timp ?

Sigur prima explicatie, ar fi legatura logica intre termenul “business” si mediul de afaceri moldovenesc. Acest segment al avocaturii devine tot mai solicitat in topul prioritatilor afaceristilor. Cu cit mai riscanta si mai costisitoare este investitia cu atit mai scumpe sunt si serviciile avocatiale. Necesitatea serviciilor juridice in domeniul afacerilor apare de la “start-up-ul” (drept societar) afacerii si anume documente de constituire, inregistrare, etc… pina la lichidarea intreprinderii. Astfel avocatul de business asista antreprenorul pe perioada ciclului intreg de viata a afacerii.

Cind e oportun sa apelam la avocatul de business ?

Relatia de colaborare dintre un potential om de afaceri care decide sa investeasca in Moldova si o casa specializata pe avocatura de business incepe, sau ar trebui sa inceapa, inca din momentul in care acesta a luat „marea” decizie. Primul domeniu solicitat ar putea fi cel al dreptului societar. Pe langa demararea tuturor procedurilor legate de infiintarea unei noi entitati comerciale (S.R.L sau S.A.), clientul mai poate primi consultanta si in urmatoarele directii: asistarea societatilor in activitatea curenta, asistenta in pregatirea si derularea adunarilor generale, majorari si reduceri de capital social, schimbari de sediu, numiri si revocari de administratori si cenzori, obtinerea de avize si autorizatii etc.Al doilea domeniu vizat ar fi cel al dreptului comercial. Sprijinul pe care un avocat de business l-ar putea oferi ar consta, in principal, la redactarea contractelor comerciale, la asistarea, negocierea si incheierea tranzactiilor comerciale, precum si la asistarea si reprezentarea in litigii comerciale in fata instantelor de judecata.Un alt domeniu de mare interes este dreptul financiar si fiscal. Aici avocatura de business poate oferi asistenta si consultanta cu privire la asistarea si reprezentarea permanenta a firmei respective in fata Fiscului, a CCCEC etc.

Fair Debt Collection Practices Act

§ 1692a. Definitions

As used in this subchapter–

(1) The term “Commission” means the Federal Trade Commission.

(2) The term “communication” means the conveying of information regarding a debt directly or indirectly to any person through any medium.

(3) The term “consumer” means any natural person obligated or allegedly obligated to pay any debt.

(4) The term “creditor” means any person who offers or extends credit creating a debt or to whom a debt is owed, but such term does not include any person to the extent that he receives an assignment or transfer of a debt in default solely for the purpose of facilitating collection of such debt for another.

(5) The term “debt” means any obligation or alleged obligation of a consumer to pay money arising out of a transaction in which the money, property, insurance, or services which are the subject of the transaction are primarily for personal, family, or household purposes, whether or not such obligation has been reduced to judgment.

(6) The term “debt collector” means any person who uses any instrumentality of interstate commerce or the mails in any business the principal purpose of which is the collection of any debts, or who regularly collects or attempts to collect, directly or indirectly, debts owed or due or asserted to be owed or due another. Notwithstanding the exclusion provided by clause (F) of the last sentence of this paragraph, the term includes any creditor who, in the process of collecting his own debts, uses any name other than his own which would indicate that a third person is collecting or attempting to collect such debts. For the purpose of section 1692f(6) of this title, such term also includes any person who uses any instrumentality of interstate commerce or the mails in any business the principal purpose of which is the enforcement of security interests. The term does not include–

(A) any officer or employee of a creditor while, in the name of the creditor, collecting debts for such creditor;

(B) any person while acting as a debt collector for another person, both of whom are related by common ownership or affiliated by corporate control, if the person acting as a debt collector does so only for persons to whom it is so related or affiliated and if the principal business of such person is not the collection of debts;

(C) any officer or employee of the United States or any State to the extent that collecting or attempting to collect any debt is in the performance of his official duties;

(D) any person while serving or attempting to serve legal process on any other person in connection with the judicial enforcement of any debt;

(E) any nonprofit organization which, at the request of consumers, performs bona fide consumer credit counseling and assists consumers in the liquidation of their debts by receiving payments from such consumers and distributing such amounts to creditors; and

(F) any person collecting or attempting to collect any debt owed or due or asserted to be owed or due another to the extent such activity (i) is incidental to a bona fide fiduciary obligation or a bona fide escrow arrangement; (ii) concerns a debt which was originated by such person; (iii) concerns a debt which was not in default at the time it was obtained by such person; or (iv) concerns a debt obtained by such person as a secured party in a commercial credit transaction involving the creditor.

(7) The term “location information” means a consumer’s place of abode and his telephone number at such place, or his place of employment.

(8) The term “State” means any State, territory, or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any political subdivision of any of the foregoing.

§ 1692b. Acquisition of location information

Any debt collector communicating with any person other than the consumer for the purpose of acquiring location information about the consumer shall–

(1) identify himself, state that he is confirming or correcting location information concerning the consumer, and, only if expressly requested, identify his employer;

(2) not state that such consumer owes any debt;

(3) not communicate with any such person more than once unless requested to do so by such person or unless the debt collector reasonably believes that the earlier response of such person is erroneous or incomplete and that such person now has correct or complete location information;

(4) not communicate by post card;

(5) not use any language or symbol on any envelope or in the contents of any communication effected by the mails or telegram that indicates that the debt collector is in the debt collection business or that the communication relates to the collection of a debt; and

(6) after the debt collector knows the consumer is represented by an attorney with regard to the subject debt and has knowledge of, or can readily ascertain, such attorney’s name and address, not communicate with any person other than that attorney, unless the attorney fails to respond within a reasonable period of time to communication from the debt collector.

§ 1692c. Communication in connection with debt collection

(a) Communication with the consumer generally

Without the prior consent of the consumer given directly to the debt collector or the express permission of a court of competent jurisdiction, a debt collector may not communicate with a consumer in connection with the collection of any debt–

(1) at any unusual time or place or a time or place known or which should be known to be inconvenient to the consumer. In the absence of knowledge of circumstances to the contrary, a debt collector shall assume that the convenient time for communicating with a consumer is after 8 o’clock antimeridian and before 9 o’clock postmeridian, local time at the consumer’s location;

(2) if the debt collector knows the consumer is represented by an attorney with respect to such debt and has knowledge of, or can readily ascertain, such attorney’s name and address, unless the attorney fails to respond within a reasonable period of time to a communication from the debt collector or unless the attorney consents to direct communication with the consumer; or

(3) at the consumer’s place of employment if the debt collector knows or has reason to know that the consumer’s employer prohibits the consumer from receiving such communication.

(b) Communication with third parties

Except as provided in section 1692b of this title, without the prior consent of the consumer given directly to the debt collector, or the express permission of a court of competent jurisdiction, or as reasonably necessary to effectuate a postjudgment judicial remedy, a debt collector may not communicate, in connection with the collection of any debt, with any person other than the consumer, his attorney, a consumer reporting agency if otherwise permitted by law, the creditor, the attorney of the creditor, or the attorney of the debt collector.

If a consumer notifies a debt collector in writing that the consumer refuses to pay a debt or that the consumer wishes the debt collector to cease further communication with the consumer, the debt collector shall not communicate further with the consumer with respect to such debt, except–

(1) to advise the consumer that the debt collector’s further efforts are being terminated;

(2) to notify the consumer that the debt collector or creditor may invoke specified remedies which are ordinarily invoked by such debt collector or creditor; or

(3) where applicable, to notify the consumer that the debt collector or creditor intends to invoke a specified remedy.

If such notice from the consumer is made by mail, notification shall be complete upon receipt.

(d) “Consumer” defined

For the purpose of this section, the term “consumer” includes the consumer’s spouse, parent (if the consumer is a minor), guardian, executor, or administrator.

§ 1692d. Harassment or abuse

A debt collector may not engage in any conduct the natural consequence of which is to harass, oppress, or abuse any person in connection with the collection of a debt. Without limiting the general application of the foregoing, the following conduct is a violation of this section:

(1) The use or threat of use of violence or other criminal means to harm the physical person, reputation, or property of any person.

(2) The use of obscene or profane language or language the natural consequence of which is to abuse the hearer or reader.

(3) The publication of a list of consumers who allegedly refuse to pay debts, except to a consumer reporting agency or to persons meeting the requirements of section 1681a(f) or 1681b(3) of this title.

(4) The advertisement for sale of any debt to coerce payment of the debt.

(5) Causing a telephone to ring or engaging any person in telephone conversation repeatedly or continuously with intent to annoy, abuse, or harass any person at the called number.

(6) Except as provided in section 1692b of this title, the placement of telephone calls without meaningful disclosure of the caller’s identity.

§ 1692e. False or misleading representations

A debt collector may not use any false, deceptive, or misleading representation or means in connection with the collection of any debt. Without limiting the general application of the foregoing, the following conduct is a violation of this section:

(1) The false representation or implication that the debt collector is vouched for, bonded by, or affiliated with the United States or any State, including the use of any badge, uniform, or facsimile thereof.

(2) The false representation of–

(A) the character, amount, or legal status of any debt; or

(B) any services rendered or compensation which may be lawfully received by any debt collector for the collection of a debt.

(3) The false representation or implication that any individual is an attorney or that any communication is from an attorney.

(4) The representation or implication that nonpayment of any debt will result in the arrest or imprisonment of any person or the seizure, garnishment, attachment, or sale of any property or wages of any person unless such action is lawful and the debt collector or creditor intends to take such action.

(5) The threat to take any action that cannot legally be taken or that is not intended to be taken.

(6) The false representation or implication that a sale, referral, or other transfer of any interest in a debt shall cause the consumer to–

(A) lose any claim or defense to payment of the debt; or

(B) become subject to any practice prohibited by this subchapter.

(7) The false representation or implication that the consumer committed any crime or other conduct in order to disgrace the consumer.

(8) Communicating or threatening to communicate to any person credit information which is known or which should be known to be false, including the failure to communicate that a disputed debt is disputed.

(9) The use or distribution of any written communication which simulates or is falsely represented to be a document authorized, issued, or approved by any court, official, or agency of the United States or any State, or which creates a false impression as to its source, authorization, or approval.

(10) The use of any false representation or deceptive means to collect or attempt to collect any debt or to obtain information concerning a consumer.

(11) The failure to disclose in the initial written communication with the consumer and, in addition, if the initial communication with the consumer is oral, in that initial oral communication, that the debt collector is attempting to collect a debt and that any information obtained will be used for that purpose, and the failure to disclose in subsequent communications that the communication is from a debt collector, except that this paragraph shall not apply to a formal pleading made in connection with a legal action.

(12) The false representation or implication that accounts have been turned over to innocent purchasers for value.

(13) The false representation or implication that documents are legal process.

(14) The use of any business, company, or organization name other than the true name of the debt collector’s business, company, or organization.

(15) The false representation or implication that documents are not legal process forms or do not require action by the consumer.

(16) The false representation or implication that a debt collector operates or is employed by a consumer reporting agency as defined by section 1681a(f) of this title.

§ 1692f. Unfair practices

A debt collector may not use unfair or unconscionable means to collect or attempt to collect any debt. Without limiting the general application of the foregoing, the following conduct is a violation of this section:

(1) The collection of any amount (including any interest, fee, charge, or expense incidental to the principal obligation) unless such amount is expressly authorized by the agreement creating the debt or permitted by law.

(2) The acceptance by a debt collector from any person of a check or other payment instrument postdated by more than five days unless such person is notified in writing of the debt collector’s intent to deposit such check or instrument not more than ten nor less than three business days prior to such deposit.

(3) The solicitation by a debt collector of any postdated check or other postdated payment instrument for the purpose of threatening or instituting criminal prosecution.

(4) Depositing or threatening to deposit any postdated check or other postdated payment instrument prior to the date on such check or instrument.

(5) Causing charges to be made to any person for communications by concealment of the true purpose of the communication. Such charges include, but are not limited to, collect telephone calls and telegram fees.

(6) Taking or threatening to take any nonjudicial action to effect dispossession or disablement of property if–

(A) there is no present right to possession of the property claimed as collateral through an enforceable security interest;

(B) there is no present intention to take possession of the property; or

(C) the property is exempt by law from such dispossession or disablement.

(7) Communicating with a consumer regarding a debt by post card.

(8) Using any language or symbol, other than the debt collector’s address, on any envelope when communicating with a consumer by use of the mails or by telegram, except that a debt collector may use his business name if such name does not indicate that he is in the debt collection business.

§ 1692g. Validation of debts

(a) Notice of debt; contents

Within five days after the initial communication with a consumer in connection with the collection of any debt, a debt collector shall, unless the following information is contained in the initial communication or the consumer has paid the debt, send the consumer a written notice containing–

(1) the amount of the debt;

(2) the name of the creditor to whom the debt is owed;

(3) a statement that unless the consumer, within thirty days after receipt of the notice, disputes the validity of the debt, or any portion thereof, the debt will be assumed to be valid by the debt collector;

(4) a statement that if the consumer notifies the debt collector in writing within the thirty-day period that the debt, or any portion thereof, is disputed, the debt collector will obtain verification of the debt or a copy of a judgment against the consumer and a copy of such verification or judgment will be mailed to the consumer by the debt collector; and

(5) a statement that, upon the consumer’s written request within the thirty- day period, the debt collector will provide the consumer with the name and address of the original creditor, if different from the current creditor.

(b) Disputed debts

If the consumer notifies the debt collector in writing within the thirty-day period described in subsection (a) of this section that the debt, or any portion thereof, is disputed, or that the consumer requests the name and address of the original creditor, the debt collector shall cease collection of the debt, or any disputed portion thereof, until the debt collector obtains verification of the debt or a copy of a judgment, or the name and address of the original creditor, and a copy of such verification or judgment, or name and address of the original creditor, is mailed to the consumer by the debt collector.

The failure of a consumer to dispute the validity of a debt under this section may not be construed by any court as an admission of liability by the consumer.

§ 1692h. Multiple debts

If any consumer owes multiple debts and makes any single payment to any debt collector with respect to such debts, such debt collector may not apply such payment to any debt which is disputed by the consumer and, where applicable, shall apply such payment in accordance with the consumer’s directions.

§ 1692i. Legal actions by debt collectors

(a) Venue

Any debt collector who brings any legal action on a debt against any consumer shall–

(1) in the case of an action to enforce an interest in real property securing the consumer’s obligation, bring such action only in a judicial district or similar legal entity in which such real property is located; or

(2) in the case of an action not described in paragraph (1), bring such action only in the judicial district or similar legal entity–

(A) in which such consumer signed the contract sued upon; or

(B) in which such consumer resides at the commencement of the action.

(b) Authorization of actions

Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed to authorize the bringing of legal actions by debt collectors.

§ 1692j. Furnishing certain deceptive forms

(a) It is unlawful to design, compile, and furnish any form knowing that such form would be used to create the false belief in a consumer that a person other than the creditor of such consumer is participating in the collection of or in an attempt to collect a debt such consumer allegedly owes such creditor, when in fact such person is not so participating.

(b) Any person who violates this section shall be liable to the same extent and in the same manner as a debt collector is liable under section 1692k of this title for failure to comply with a provision of this subchapter.

§ 1692k. Civil liability

(a) Amount of damages

Except as otherwise provided by this section, any debt collector who fails to comply with any provision of this subchapter with respect to any person is liable to such person in an amount equal to the sum of–

(1) any actual damage sustained by such person as a result of such failure;

(2)(A) in the case of any action by an individual, such additional damages as the court may allow, but not exceeding $1,000; or

(B) in the case of a class action, (i) such amount for each named plaintiff as could be recovered under subparagraph (A), and (ii) such amount as the court may allow for all other class members, without regard to a minimum individual recovery, not to exceed the lesser of $500,000 or 1 per centum of the net worth of the debt collector; and

(3) in the case of any successful action to enforce the foregoing liability, the costs of the action, together with a reasonable attorney’s fee as determined by the court. On a finding by the court that an action under this section was brought in bad faith and for the purpose of harassment, the court may award to the defendant attorney’s fees reasonable in relation to the work expended and costs.

(b) Factors considered by court

In determining the amount of liability in any action under subsection (a) of this section, the court shall consider, among other relevant factors–

(1) in any individual action under subsection (a)(2)(A) of this section, the frequency and persistence of noncompliance by the debt collector, the nature of such noncompliance, and the extent to which such noncompliance was intentional; or

(2) in any class action under subsection (a)(2)(B) of this section, the frequency and persistence of noncompliance by the debt collector, the nature of such noncompliance, the resources of the debt collector, the number of persons adversely affected, and the extent to which the debt collector’s noncompliance was intentional.

A debt collector may not be held liable in any action brought under this subchapter if the debt collector shows by a preponderance of evidence that the violation was not intentional and resulted from a bona fide error notwithstanding the maintenance of procedures reasonably adapted to avoid any such error.

(d) Jurisdiction

An action to enforce any liability created by this subchapter may be brought in any appropriate United States district court without regard to the amount in controversy, or in any other court of competent jurisdiction, within one year from the date on which the violation occurs.

(e) Advisory opinions of Commission

No provision of this section imposing any liability shall apply to any act done or omitted in good faith in conformity with any advisory opinion of the Commission, notwithstanding that after such act or omission has occurred, such opinion is amended, rescinded, or determined by judicial or other authority to be invalid for any reason.

§ 1692l. Administrative enforcement

(a) Federal Trade Commission

Compliance with this subchapter shall be enforced by the Commission, except to the extent that enforcement of the requirements imposed under this subchapter is specifically committed to another agency under subsection (b) of this section. For purpose of the exercise by the Commission of its functions and powers under the Federal Trade Commission Act [15 U.S.C.A. § 41 et seq.], a violation of this subchapter shall be deemed an unfair or deceptive act or practice in violation of that Act. All of the functions and powers of the Commission under the Federal Trade Commission Act are available to the Commission to enforce compliance by any person with this subchapter, irrespective of whether that person is engaged in commerce or meets any other jurisdictional tests in the Federal Trade Commission Act, including the power to enforce the provisions of this subchapter in the same manner as if the violation had been a violation of a Federal Trade Commission trade regulation rule.

(b) Applicable provisions of law

Compliance with any requirements imposed under this subchapter shall be enforced under–

(1) section 8 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act [12 U.S.C.A. § 1818], in the case of–

(A) national banks, and Federal branches and Federal agencies of foreign banks, by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency;

(B) member banks of the Federal Reserve System (other than national banks), branches and agencies of foreign banks (other than Federal branches, Federal agencies, and insured State branches of foreign banks), commercial lending companies owned or controlled by foreign banks, and organizations operating under section 25 or 25(a) [FN1] of the Federal Reserve Act [12 U.S.C.A. §§ 601 et seq., 611 et seq.], by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; and

(C) banks insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (other than members of the Federal Reserve System) and insured State branches of foreign banks, by the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation;

(2) section 8 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act [12 U.S.C.A. § 1818], by the Director of the Office of Thrift Supervision, in the case of a savings association the deposits of which are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation;

(3) the Federal Credit Union Act [12 U.S.C.A. § 1751 et seq.], by the National Credit Union Administration Board with respect to any Federal credit union;

(4) subtitle IV of Title 49, by the Secretary of Transportation, with respect to all carriers subject to the jurisdiction of the Surface Transportation Board;

(5) part A of subtitle VII of Title 49, by the Secretary of Transportation with respect to any air carrier or any foreign air carrier subject to that part; and

(6) the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 [7 U.S.C.A. § 181 et seq.] (except as provided in section 406 of that Act [7 U.S.C.A. §§ 226, 227]), by the Secretary of Agriculture with respect to any activities subject to that Act.

The terms used in paragraph (1) that are not defined in this subchapter or otherwise defined in section 3(s) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813(s)) shall have the meaning given to them in section 1(b) of the International Banking Act of 1978 (12 U.S.C. 3101).

For the purpose of the exercise by any agency referred to in subsection (b) of this section of its powers under any Act referred to in that subsection, a violation of any requirement imposed under this subchapter shall be deemed to be a violation of a requirement imposed under that Act. In addition to its powers under any provision of law specifically referred to in subsection (b) of this section, each of the agencies referred to in that subsection may exercise, for the purpose of enforcing compliance with any requirement imposed under this subchapter any other authority conferred on it by law, except as provided in subsection (d) of this section.

(d) Rules and regulations

Neither the Commission nor any other agency referred to in subsection (b) of this section may promulgate trade regulation rules or other regulations with respect to the collection of debts by debt collectors as defined in this subchapter.

FDCPA and State Court

It should be noted that inasmuch as the FDCPA is a federal statute, courts have to look to state law in interpreting this statute from time to time. Hence, if you are doing research on an FDCPA issue in Michigan, be sure to see how the 6th Circuit has treated these issues.

Collection Agencies - protect yourselves

I never blog about pending litigation but in this case, I am going to make an exception.

I have filed an Fair Debt Collection Practices Act case against a collection agency. Allegedly, that agency called my client and threatened him with a wage garnishment if he did not pay the debt. Since the agency did not have a judgment, its threat of a wage garnishment is a per se violation of the FDCPA.

A few days ago, I received a telephone call from the agency’s attorney. He said that the threats that my client allegedly received from the agency, never happened (yeah…right….). And then, he emailed me an audio file of the conversation between our clients. His agency was well protected by having that audio file. I am still waiting to hear back from my client about his response to that audio file, but I am pretty confident that if he does respond, he is not going to have enough good information to convince me to continue representing him. While I am no fan of collection agencies, I tip my hat to this agency because it was smart enough to take precautions to protect itself. I am certain that the money it saved today by staving off my lawsuit was enough to pay for its recording system. Nice job, agency!

Moral of the story to collection agencies – Invest is a decent audio recording system so that when your agents contact debtors, that you can prove that no violation of the FDCPA took place. These audio recording systems are cheap enough that when they save you from one lawsuit, they will have paid for themselves.

Igor POPA, managing partner Consult Group: Există reguli pe care business-ul ar trebui să le respecte oricând

În vremuri în care firmele falimentează, afacerile merg mai prost, se fac disponibilizări de personal şi salariile scad, Igor Popa, managing partner Consult Group, crede că atunci când este vorba despre lecţii importante de învăţat din această criză, ar prefera să le numească „puncte strategice”, reguli pe care dacă le respecţi poţi rezista recesiunii. „Sunt acele reguli de care business-ul a uitat şi nu le-a implementat”.

În primul rând, formarea profesională continuă este o oportunitate. Văd lipsa de formare profesională continuă a angajaţilor, lipsa de investiţii în resurse umane şi lipsa atât a cadrului motivaţional din interiorul întreprinderii, cât şi a cadrului legal din exterior pentru ca angajatul să fie format. Cunoaştem foarte bine că în Europa, în ţările apropiate, aceeaşi România, orice angajat care este instruit pe parcursul activităţii sale în firmă este motivat prin faptul că compania poate să-i finanţeze studiile şi aceasta nu plăteşte impozite din suma pe care o cheltuieşte pentru instruirea angajatului. Dacă, de exemplu, se plăteşte 1000 de euro pentru studiile de masterat, apoi această sumă, de 1000 de euro, se exclude din baza impozabilă.

Există exemplul ţărilor vecine unde au fost introduse unele mecanisme, cum ar fi tichetele de studii, tichetele de masă şi tichetele cadou, care sunt nişte hârtii de valoare deductibile din baza impozabilă. Adică, pe de o parte, aşi vedea aportul politicului sau a factorilor de decizie în implementarea reformelor orientate spre motivare, astfel ca angajatul şi compania să se formeze continuu, iar, pe de altă parte, iniţiativa din interiorul întreprinderii, astfel ca angajatorul să nu se teamă să trimită angajatul la studii pentru că mai devreme sau mai târziu acest efort se va regăsi în companie.

În al doilea rând, este lipsa de sisteme de management implementate la standarde europene. Mă refer la managementul strategic, managementul financiar. Nu în ultimul rând, la managementul creanţelor. De ce nu? Acum cel mai actual este managementul creanţelor (drept al creditorului de a cere debitorului executarea unei obligaţii – Business Expert). Nemaivorbind de sistemul de management al calităţii prestării serviciilor, care trebuie să conchidă din alte sisteme.

Mă voi opri la managementul creanţelor, pentru că celelalte cred că sunt destul de clare. Managementul creanţelor presupune gestionarea eficientă a cash inflow (intrărilor de lichidităţi – Business Expert) întreprinderii şi cash outflow. O gestionare corectă a acestor fluxuri asigură ridicarea lichidităţii companiei şi micşorarea riscurilor. Dacă facem o paranteză şi ne gândim la potenţialele companii care vor supravieţui crizei, nu vom greşi dacă vom spune că vor fi anume acelea care au ştiut să ţină în hăţuri lichidităţile.

Orice investitor care vrea să vină într-o companie sau vrea să colaboreze cu o companie atrage atenţia la aceşti indicatori. Investitorii care vin în Moldova şi discută cu un potenţial partener pentru a lega o colaborare pun întrebarea: câţi bani lichizi ai? Şi atunci când aude această întrebare, moldoveanul de regulă îşi închipuie că este vorba despre cifra de afaceri, pe când, de fapt, investitorul are în vedere lichiditatea.

Multe companii care vor supravieţui crizei vor fi tocmai acelea care au lichiditate, nu acele care au apartamente construite, fie chiar o mie-două mii şi toate sunt proprietatea băncii, dar directorul companiei crede că sunt proprietate lui, neavând un management eficient.

Există mai multe metode de a gestiona efectiv debitele şi creditele dintr-o companie. Dacă ne referim la sistemul bancar, vreau să spun că contractele de creditare sunt la un nivel destul de primitiv. Contractele tipizate care au fost elaborate acum 6-10 ani s-au modificat foarte puţin, doar în partea acelor mici modificări care au avut loc în Codul Civil şi atât. Pe când sistemul nostru legal permite inserarea unor clauze, nu pur juridice, dar a unor clauze care vin din managementul riscului, cum ar fi, de exemplu, în cazul în care debitorul nu-şi întoarce datoria la bancă ea este externalizată către o companie de avocaţi care percepe un procent anumit. Niciodată nu am putut să înţeleg de ce bancherii din Moldova refuză ofertele unor companii de colectare a debitelor.

Avem şi noi un departament care se ocupă de aceasta. Vine avocatul de la noi şi îi propune: aveţi de colectat un debit, daţi-ni-l nouă şi vi-l recuperăm. Enumeră clar prin puncte ce avantaje are el. În primul rând, nu are costuri fixe. Adică, dacă angajezi un jurist să se ocupe de dosarele acestea, trebuie să-i plăteşti salariu, eventualele litigii de muncă, Juriştii sunt deştepţi, mai pot da banca în judecată. În afară de aceasta se ştirbeşte imaginea băncii, pentru că juristul când sună se prezintă din partea băncii şi atunci clientul crede că este forţat să dea banii. Companiile terţe oferă aceste servicii după principiul, s-a întors debitul, ne plăteşti, nu s-a întors – nu plăteşti nimic.

Un mare accent punem pe soluţionarea extrajudiciară. Nu în judecată, care costă timp şi bani. Plăteşti la stat 3%, aştepţi ore în şir prin coridoare, plăteşti juriştii băncii, procesele durează, ai emoţii negative, la adunare probabil managementul timpului nu se duce, pentru că la adunări în bănci 80 la sută se discută dosarele problematice.

Este altceva că atunci când angajezi un furnizor de servicii, acelaşi avocat, trebuie să-l verifici foarte bine, să vezi cine este şi să construieşti o relaţie de lungă durată, să ai încredere pentru că nu poţi cu oricine să închei un contract, de aceasta poate şi băncile nu merg deschis la colaborare.

În al treilea rând, lipsa managementului proiectelor în companiile din Republica Moldova. Am observat doar câteva companii de la noi care lucrează după proiecte.

Managementul proiectelor presupune câteva subpuncte simpatice, cum le numesc eu, care dacă le aplică corect întreprinderea nu poate să aibă insucces. De la orice idee care apare într-o întreprindere şi devine o oportunitate, ea se transformă automat într-un proiect. Se face o fişă de prezentare a proiectului şi acolo se scrie numărul proiectului, iniţialele autorului, iniţialele proiectului şi data. Acest număr se înregistrează în companie. După număr urmează prezentarea succintă a proiectului. Urmează obiectivele proiectului. Echipa de proiect şi rolul fiecăruia. De foarte multe ori la noi se discută haotic la orice şedinţă. Am fost martorul diagnosticului unei întreprinderi din Republica Moldova, când la şedinţă se vorbea despre lucruri total diferite şi pe care lumea, jumătate dintre care nu avea agendă, sunt sigur că le-a uitat când a ieşit din sală.

Eu personal aplic practica proiectelor şi m-am convins că este foarte eficientă. Managementul proiectului este un mecanism de rezolvare a problemelor, de la idee până la soluţionarea lor definitivă, de o echipă din care fac parte atât angajaţi ai firmei, cât şi colaboratori externi. Cel mai important în proiect este să se distribuie rolurile şi responsabilităţile.

Punctul patru şi foarte important este accesarea fondurilor de finanţare alternative şi netradiţionale. În Republica Moldova s-a format un stereotip de finanţare bancă-firma şi atât. Sunt foarte rare cazurile de parteneriat cu investitori. Unele din metodele alternative de finanţare ar fi aşa-numita „echitate privată”. Acest sistem este o varietate a acţionariatului. El poate fi sub formă de societate pe acţiuni, poate fi sub formă de organizaţii obşteşti, chiar sub forma unui parteneriat. Poate îmbrăca diferite forme, dar până la urmă esenţa constă în faptul că mai mulţi investitori sau businessmeni se adună împreună pentru a realiza un obiectiv, fiecare investeşte suma disponibilă, respectiv are cota de participare.

O metodă interesantă este ventures capital, ceea ce înseamnă companii cu capital de risc. În Republica Moldova avem un precedent foarte frumos când o companie vinicolă a făcut un parteneriat de ventures capital cu un fond de investiţii. Fondurile acestea de investiţii preponderent americane au obiectivul de a găsi companii vulnerabile, care au logistică foarte bună, care au active impunătoare, lucrează ca albinuţele, dar care nu au profit, nu au piaţă de distribuţie şi relaţii. Cât de straniu ar părea sunt investitori care caută companii cu puncte de acestea critice şi de aceasta se numeşte capital de risc pentru că ei intră în companie cu o cotă de participare nu mai mare de cea de control, de regulă 20-30%. Adică îi permit acţionarului care solicită finanţarea să rămână stăpân pe afacere. Ei vin cu bani ieftini, cu reţea de distribuţie în afara ţării, vin cu tehnologii moderne şi un standard excelent de management. Managementul general sunt oamenii lor, care impun un anumit model de conduită şi de activitate în continuare. Cu părere de rău multă lume din Republica Moldova nu cunoaşte acest fel de finanţare.

Un model eficient ar putea fi parteneriatul public-privat între investitori, locali sau străini, şi autorităţile municipale sau de stat. Un exemplu elocvent îl constituie contractul semnat de Primăria Chişinău şi o firmă italiană care va investi 200 milioane de euro în construcţia unei uzine de prelucrare a deşeurilor din Chişinău.

Nu înţeleg de ce nu aplicăm metoda de concesionare pentru a revigora unele domenii, ca, de exemplu, parcul de troleibuze din Chişinău. În nici un caz nu trebuie de vândut, mai ales la preţuri derizorii, ci concesionat şi puşi nişte indici de performanţă între investitori şi primărie. Legea ne permite, de ce nu facem acest lucru ? De ce nu aplicăm aceste metode netradiţionale şi alternative?

În condiţiile în care companiile din Moldova, mediul de afaceri şi mediul public vor lua în considerare aceste lucruri de care am vorbit, sunt sigur că efectele crizei în scurt timp vor fi diminuate.

http://www.businessexpert.md/index.php?r=6&s=1926

Fără o concurenţă sănătoasă nu există piaţă liberă şi deschisă

În cadrul unei pieţe libere şi deschise, afacerile ar trebui să fie un joc în care companiile concurente de regulă se întrec. Însă uneori, firmele pot fi tentate să evite această întrecere şi să încerce să-şi stabilească propriile reguli de joc. Câteodată chiar, un jucător de talie mare poate încerca să-şi elimine concurenţii de pe piaţă. Asigurarea concurenţei neloiale se impune, deci, ca un mijloc indispensabil pentru a se asigura că toate firmele joacă după aceleaşi reguli, susţine Igor Popa, avocatul coordonator al Casei de Avocatură “POPA&Asociaţii”.

Potrivit lui, în ultima perioadă, exact pe aceasta mizează şi marii producătorii autohtoni, ce popularizează piaţa produselor prin intermediul înţelegerii de carteluri. Acest tip de animozităţi garantează un profit mult mai mare decât s-ar putea obţine folosind canalele oficiale.

„Pentru a ne convinge de acest fapt, nu este necesar de a face apel la careva studii în domenii. Este suficient să analizam situţia pe piaţa serviciilor din ultimele luni. Astfel, cazul recent de înţelegere de cartel în care au fost acuzate cele patru companii de asigurări: Asito, Carat, Moldova-Astrovaz şi Moldasig este o dovadă a acestuia. Agenţia Naţională pentru Protecţia Concurenţei susţinând că ar fi depistat o încălcare gravă a legislaţiei concurenţiale pe piaţa asigurărilor internaţionale de răspundere civilă auto în baza poliţelor „Carte Verde”, care se manifestă printr-o înţelegere de cartel între patru companii de asigurare din Republica Moldova. Deşi companiile de asigurări nu exclud că decizia autorităţii ar putea fi influenţată de anumite cercuri de interese”, menţionează Popa.

Agenţia Naţională pentru Protecţia Concurenţei a comunicat că la moment efectuează şi o analiză a pieţei sării alimentare. Au fost depistate unele semne ale încălcării legislaţiei cu privire la protecţia concurenţei de către unii participanţi pe această piaţă. Încălcările fiind manifestate prin fixarea preţurilor la comercializarea sării alimentare, limitarea accesului pe piaţă a potenţialilor participanţi, precum şi divizarea pieţei între participanţii existenţi. Aceste încălcări gravi ale regulelor concurenţei pe piaţă denaturează porofund procesul de formare a preţurilor pe principiile liberei concurenţe. De asemenea, prejudează considerabil interesele consumatorului, doarece acesta din urma este consumatorul final al serviciilor şi produselor.

De ce sunt cartelurile atât de dăunătoare pentru economie şi interesele cui le prejudiciază acestea?

Înţelegerile dintre firme rivale pot restricţiona concurenţa, dar ele pot fi, pe de altă parte, necesare pentru a îmbunătăţi produsele sau serviciile, pentru a crea noi produse sau a găsi modalităţi noi, mai bune, de a pune produsele respective la dispoziţia consumatorilor.

Deşi întreaga industrie este lovită de mediatizata recesiune economică, deşi companii de renume îşi închid sau îşi vor închide porţile, în final cele doua interese majore ale pieţei trebuie să iasă la suprafaţă. Pe de o parte avem interesul producătorilor, care trebuie să vândă, trebuie să ramână pe piaţă, trebuie să obţină profit. La polul opus, avem interesul consumatorilor, care au nevoie de produse cât mai bune la preturi cât mai mici, care au nevoie de servicii post-achiziţie de calitate. Cele două grupuri au nevoi diferite, uneori chiar opuse, dar un numitor comun trebuie să existe deoarece relaţia producator-consumator este una simbiotică.

Din păcate situaţia ultimilor ani nu mai urmează de mult cursul firesc descris mai sus. Dincolo de impactul direct asupra vânzării anumitor produse, capitalul de imagine câştigat de anumiţi producători s-a dovedit a fi suficient pentru a convinge consumatorul în momentul achiziţiei. Astfel încât, în acest moment avem de-a face cu o situaţie pe care o regăsim în orice segment comercial, în care puterea numelui, a brand-ului, surclasează avantajele sau dezavantajele produsului.

O dezvoltare firească a pieţei implică un factor de dinamism, care implică anumite schimbări. Cu regret, în prezent avem de-a face cu producători incapabili de a se adapta pieţei, care mizează pe capitalul de imagine de care dispun în rândul consumatorilor. Aceştia practic nu oferă un progres substanţial, încetinind progresul şi împiedicând procesul concurenţial să se desfăşoare aşa cum ar trebui. Pentru că de pe urma unei astfel de situaţii cel mai mult profită cel aflat la vârf, care îşi adaptează producţia şi preţurile în funcţie de concurenţă nu neapărat de cerere.

Aparenţa înflorire economică pe care am putut-o observa până la mijlocul anului trecut s-a dovedit a fi doar un bluf bine mascat. Adevarata faţă a pieţei urmează de abia să ni se dezvăluie în perioada care urmează. O serie de companii cunoscute au părăsit deja sfera noastră de interes odata cu închiderea facilităţilor de producţie, iar altele o vor face în perioada următoare.

Revenirea la parametrii precursori crizei va avea loc probabil de-abia în următorii 1-2 ani. Cei ce vor ieşi victorioşi din această perioadă vor domina piaţa pentru o perioada nedefinită. Pentru a putea beneficia de pe urma unui climat comercial concurenţial şi sănătos va trebui să fim responsabili, conştienţi, informaţi.

Întrucât concurenţa normală poate fi afectată de practice anti-competiţie ale unor firme, este imperioasă promovarea unor proiecte care să dezvolte capacitatea de protecţie a consumatorilor. Totodată, implicit să ducă la creşterea calităţii produselor şi serviciilor oferite pe piaţă.

autor: Tatiana MARCU, ECOnomist

http://www.eco.md/article/6406/

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