economic crisis

A graduate of the Rennes business school, Yannick Le Borgne-Larivière started out in a Spanish subsidiary of Thomson. In 1998, this 50-year-old agreed to take over the gate manufacturing company founded thirty-four years earlier by his father and grandfather. This SME employs 14 people and has a turnover of 2 million euros. Happy in his job, this “rather leftist” boss plans to close the loop by putting his experience and his interest in science at the service of National Education. He hopes to become a maths teacher in a professional high school within five to seven years.

The Cross The Weekly : What makes you get up in the morning?

Yannick Le Borgne-Lariviere: The hope of a day that will be even better than the day before. What is too standardized or predictable tends to worry me. I like living in the unknown, having to solve problems that are imposed on me in an emergency. It’s fun to see the difference with my wife, who needs things organized so she doesn’t get stressed. I work in reverse. Me, I’m never as comfortable as when I have something to do at the last moment and I’m faced with the unexpected.

At work, how is it going?

Y. L. B.-L. : Overall good, although I must admit that it has been more complicated since the relative end of the health crisis, which has been very beneficial for companies like mine. People, who could not go on vacation, took the opportunity to spend their money renovating their homes. The working atmosphere was very good, easy to plan because people were always at home.

The current period is proving to be much more uncertain: the war in Ukraine, inflation, the rise in the price of raw materials, pension reform, the culmination of this bad news. I feel everyone on edge. More closed and less patient, customers take less time to chat. I have the impression that we are experiencing the backlash of the Covid on all fronts. We have to deal with a disorganization of work. Orders that arrive are no longer in order. Either they are very urgent, or they relate to very long-term projects, often linked to old or historic buildings. This requires great know-how, greater follow-up and treatment well in advance of production.

Who do you trust?

Y. L. B.-L. : Except in my wife and my children, whose trust is natural and unconditional, not in many people. I am a skeptic by nature. When I hear information or if someone tells me something, I always feel the need to check for myself. This frame of mind undoubtedly comes from my interest in science in general. This deeply annoys my wife because I never take anything at face value. But I rather trust my clients. The day it stops, I stop this job.

I attach great importance to words and commitment. It sometimes happens that I place an order for equipment for urgent interventions without having received a signed estimate. And so far, I have never been disappointed. We are not against each other but with each other. This does not apply to large groups, with whom there is always a balance of power even before starting to work.

A scene that has marked you recently?

Y. L. B.-L. : I talk every morning over coffee with my employees. Very little politics. But with the pension reform, the subject returned to our discussions. Many, especially young people, affirm – out of anger – their intention to vote for Marine Le Pen. I am saddened by it. However, I understand their frustration. I see the difference with the old ones that my father had hired. Relatively less paid, they have managed to build their house or go on vacation regularly, whereas today’s employee, who earns €1,900 net per month, will find it very difficult to borrow and live with dignity.

Right now, what would change your life?

Y. L. B.-L. : Repay my credits! It’s a little down to earth, but it’s what will change my life. I plan to finish my career as a mathematics teacher in a professional high school. In my work, I see every day the low level in maths of my apprentices. For having been rather bad in this subject until second, I know the joy of having met a teacher who, in a few lessons, was able to restore my confidence and help me put the whole puzzle back in order.

I want to take on this challenge. This will be an opportunity to immerse myself in my lessons. If I could, I would have re-enrolled in maths or physics a long time ago. I will have finished paying my bills in 2028. Before thinking about my project, I will have to manage to sell my business.

And for tomorrow, an idea to change the world?

Y. L. B.-L. : I would like to see an end to the reign of extreme communication and the development of a real social project, valuing the professions of reality, the happiness of people and the common well-being. Health workers or teachers should be better paid. The adage that “Today’s profits are tomorrow’s investments” doesn’t mean anything anymore. Today’s profits are today’s profits. Point. We are always asking more of our employees. For me, the economy should be at the service of people and not of finance. This is why it would be interesting to have indicators other than GDP.