MittelstandsWiki

You worked hard all day long and now look forward to a well-deserved evening? Well then let us sweeten this pleasant part of the day. Close your email programme, put your feet on the desk, relax and take 20 minutes off before you hit the road and get stuck in the after-work traffic jam. +++

Although already effective for some years the GDPdU provisions are still unknown to some entrepreneurs, decision makers and experts in small and medium-sized entities (SMEs). This was found out in a flash survey carried out among readers and partners of the Mittelstandsblog. The abbreviation GDPdU stands for guidelines on data access and verifiability of digitalized documents. Since the 1st of January 2002 these guidelines “have opened up unprecedented opportunities to company auditors” is the opinion voiced on the Entscheiderkompass website which is sponsored by Oracle. +++

As was reported by the Pressetext news agency a current survey by the Confederation of German consultants (BDU) carried out among 189 chief executives and managing directors of German management consultancies showed that the takeover business will continue growing in particular in the chemical/pharmaceutical, telecommunications and banking/insurance industry over the next year in Germany. +++

Until the 31st of August there is still time for small and medium-sized entities (SMEs) to submit applications for taking part in the German Internet Award competition. This year the prize is awarded for the first time by the Confederation of information technology, telecommunications and new media (BITKOM) in co-operation with renowned businesses and media enterprises. The event’s sponsor is Mr. Michael Glos, German Minister for economic affairs. +++

Knowing their employer’s business strategy is of high importance to German employees. More than two thirds of people questioned think that without knowing the company´s strategy they are not able to do their work properly. Only a minority believe that knowing or not knowing the plans was irrelevant to achieving business objectives. This is the finding of the current survey carried out among almost 10.000 site visitors of the StepStone Internet job portal from 8 European countries. +++

The European Commission has adopted guidelines on establishing the compatibility of public grants aimed at promoting venture capital investment in small and medium-sized entities (SMEs) with the stipulations concerning grants laid down in the EC treaty (Article 87 (⇒ Wikipedia)). The objective is to facilitate the access of SMEs to financial means during their early development phases. +++

Since the launch of Tchibo´s mobile communications business activities in 2004 several other companies called Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) have entered this market segment. Are activities of this kind only a method aimed at reaching new target groups by offering low prices or is the MVNO model a promising business model with real potential? Dr. Jürgen Kaack, writer, consultant and managing director of the STZ Consulting Group has no doubts on that: “In particular small and medium-sized entities (SMEs) should implement this new business model.” +++

The Haufe Mediengruppe, which is a publishing house specialized on judicial literature, points to the fact that from July 1st employers have to pay standardized social contributions of 30 percent instead of hitherto 25 percent for employing so-called mini jobbers. According to Haufe the Taxpayers´ Confederation had found out through a survey in North Rhine-Westphalia that in most cases auditors sent by the pension insurance had detected irregularities examining these so-called 400 Euros employment relationships. +++

The economic forecasting for Germany by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) has been less promising for July 2006 with a fall of 22.7 points to 15.1 points on the rating scale as compared to the previous month (37.8 points in July). Above all economic development in Germany is put at risk by the rapidly growing oil price. Furthermore it is expected that exports are going to lose momentum over the next six months due to a weakening US economy and a strong European currency. It is rather unlikely that this development could be compensated for by domestic demand given that there will be a VAT increase next year. “The repeated reduction in ZEW´s economic indicator is a clear sign for the government´s reform policies not meeting expectations so far. German citizens have to face new financial burdens without the reforms being successful, let alone their being realized”, says Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Franz who is the ZEW´s chairman. +++

350 senior EU officials from the directorate general of companies and industry (GD ENTR) are to work for one week in small and medium-sized entities (SMEs). This unusual kind of work at the economic frontline is part of a so-called “company experience” programme launched on the 17th of July by the Commission. It aims at making the officials better understand the needs of SMEs and assess their problems more realistically. Says Günter Verheugen, who is EU vice president: “Working in SMEs my colleagues and I will gather practical experience on the situation of small and medium-sized entities. On the other hand companies will not only get motivated “interns”, but also “EU ambassadors” who will be able to present and explain those political measures which affect SMEs.” +++