A CNBCTV18-Confederation of Indian Industries snap poll of CEOs reveals that 77 percent of the chief executives want a calibrated exit from the the nationwide lockdown that came into effect from March 24. A short while back, the Home Ministry said that the lockdown would be extended for two more weeks beyond May 4.

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A graded exit from the lockdown would be good for their businesses, felt 86 percent of the CEOs polled.

On the effectiveness of India's COVID-19 strategy, 73 percent of the respndents said that it has been successful so far.

RETURN TO NORMALCY

More than half the respondents--54 percent--said they expected their businesses to return to normal in six months to a year. Another 16 percent said they expected normalcy to return in less than six months and 29 percent said it would take more than a year for things to get back to normal.

EARNINGS IMPACT

One out of every two respndents said they expected an over 25 percent decline in their topline this year. Four out ten CEOs said the fall in revenues could be between 10-25 percent this year.

On operating margins, 44 percent of the CEOs said they expected a decline of over 25 percent this year. Roughly a similar percentage of CEOs said the decline in margins would be between 10-25 percent.

JOB CUTS

Hearteningly, 71 percent of the CEOs said layoffs were not imminent in their organisations. There are widespread concerns over job losses given that many sectors have suffered a damage to their very business model since the outbreak of the pandemic.

PAY CUTS

On wage reduction, 34 percent of the CEOs said salary cuts were imminent in their organisations. Another 37 percent could not say at this point if they would resort to salary cuts.

SOCIAL DISTANCING, WORK FROM HOME

An overwhelming nine out of twn CEOs said their workplaces were equipped for social distancing. Nearly four in ten CEOs said they were taking steps to institutionalise work from home by their employees.

Seven out of ten CEOs say that the lockdown has helped them connect better with their families, and six out of ten CEOs said the lockdown has given them space and time to rethink many aspects of their business.

ECONOMIC RECOVERY

Six in ten CEOs are expecting major economic reforms in the near future.

Expectations of a recovery in the economy were almost evenly divided. One third of the CEOs said the recovery could be 'convoluted'. Another 28 percent said the recovery was likely to be like a 'Nike Swoosh' and 25 percent expected a 'V-shaped recovery'.

First Published:May 1, 2020 7:06 PM IST