Jack Welch at Warsaw's Forum 500 meeting

Asked how Polish business leaders can cope with difficult market conditions he answered, "Firstly - efficiency, secondly - efficiency and thirdly - efficiency." He urged entrepreneurs to be determined, both in motivating employees to increase their efficiency and sacking the weakest. In his speech, Welch concentrated on stressing the value of proper management and making good use of the positive sides of Polish companies. Referring to the recently famous case of over generous social agreements in the energy sector, Welch said that, "The Economy Minister should oppose group privileges". Andrzej Malinowski, president of Polish Employers Confederation (KPP) commenting on the event said, "Such meetings are necessary. It was an occasion to widen our knowledge and a Polish entrepreneur has to learn all the time". (Rzeczpospolita, pp. A1, B1) D.W.