MittelstandsWiki

In Germany about 55 percent of the population make currently use of the Internet. In the age bracket from 14 to 49 years this figure is even 75 percent. The recent »Digital Life Report 2006«, a survey carried out by TNS Infratest, reveals how much the importance of the Internet for private decisions has grown. The survey questioned Internet users of a minimum age of 14 years. +++

The presentation of a draft prepared by aides for a »Law for the modernisation of GmbH legislation and fight against abuses« (MoMiG) which was presented in Berlin on May 29th by the Federal Minister of Justice, Mrs. Brigitte Zypries, may be interpreted as a reaction to the growing popularity of the British “Limited” (⇒ Wikipedia) legal form which is already now very popular with German company founders. The draft proposes extensive facilitations for the setting up of a German private limited company (GmbH). +++

A current study of the Cologne based psychonomics AG which was commissioned by the DSL German Seniors reveals that small and medium-sized entities (SMEs) present an ever increasing lack of qualified personnel with extensive experience. According to the study, 42 percent of SMEs are currently unable to staff certain executive, production management and sales positions. Yet there is a huge reservoir of suitable experts which in most cases is not made use of: retired SME executives. +++

As is reported by Pressetext.deutschland there will be a symposium called »creativity: impetus for innovations« taking place at the University of Applied Sciences in Salzburg/Urstein on the 28th and 29th of June. It is organised by the “Innovations- und Technologietransfer Salzburg GmbH” (ITG). For two days top-level speakers from business, culture and politics will report on their experiences and invite you to take part in an exchange of views. +++

A study commissioned by the Accenture consultancy together with Die Welt daily newspaper claims that major enterprises play a role in the Germany economy which is even more important than previously thought. At least this is the opinion of the consultancy experts. According to the study, the 500 biggest enterprises generate about 30 percent of the entire German turnover, although they recruit only 13 percent of all employees. As regards the field of research and development (R&D), the share of the 500 top major enterprises is 70 percent of the total sum spent by the Germany economy as a whole on R&D, whereas this percentage stands at 60 percent for investment in information technoloy. +++

Friday evening´s football match which saw Germany play against Columbia was a true booster to German confidence. Just remember Schweinsteiger´s excellent pass to Ballack who scored by head leaving no chance to the Columbian keeper. And then this spectacular free kick which sent the ball on a beautiful low-level flight passing around a somewhat weird two-man Columbian wall scoring a fantastic goal at a velocity of 119 km/hour. Yes, Schweinsteiger has the potential to become the star of the Championships! Not to forget Borowski who, having been put into the match just a few minutes before, scored another amazing goal. 3:0! There cannot be any better start into the weekend than this. Next Friday the long waiting will come to an end. The Football World Championships will kick off. Of course, we will keep our fingers crossed for our team. +++

As was reported in an online article by the Computerwoche magazine, the majority of German SMEs expect rising expenses on IT security. This is said to be the finding of the »IT security in SMEs – status quo and trends in Germany« study for 2006 carried out by the market research company IDC. The survey questioned heads of IT departments, system administrators as well as IT security commissioners of about 200 companies with less than 500 staff, but at least 50 work posts equipped with personal computers. +++

EU commissioner Mr. Günter Verheugen in a comprehensive statement published by the Hamburger Abendblatt magazine has voiced his personal view on the importance of SMEs for Europe. He is convinced that the real job generators in the EU are the 23 million small and medium-sized entities. +++

As was reported by the Financial Times Deutschland (FTD) with reference to allegations of top-political circles, the Federal minister of Finance, Mr. Peer Steinbrück, intends to introduce a tax-free financial reserve for small and medium-sized entities (SMEs). These companies would be allowed to create reserves of up to 100.000 Euros not subject to taxation, if this sum was to be spent on investment later on. By this measure Steinbrück wants to compensate SMEs, which represent 85 percent of all German companies and are levied income taxes of up to 42 percent, for the planned reduction by 50 percent of corporate tax to be paid by major enterprises. +++