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Although the summer in Germany has just begun, there are already the first news on the Systems IT fair which will take place from October 23rd to 27th 2006 in Munich. The organizer of the event, the Messe München International (MMI), considers the SYSTEMS as an information platform to small and medium-sized entities. After all, 74 percent of last year´s SYSTEMS visitors formed part of this target group. As was the case in 2006, the “Systems Forum Mittelstand” will be the central address to turn to for visitors representing SMEs also this year. +++

Many leaders of small and medium-sized entities (SMEs) not only trust their practical experience when it comes to products, but also in leading their company. In general, this approach works well for quite a long time. However, in acccordance to the growth of the company, sooner or later also the rules within the company start changing. Those things which worked within the small circle of a few employees from the founding years do not function any more when the company has grown such that not everybody knows everybody else any more. Familiar solidarity and short information channels will then give way to anonymous structures, career games and mobbing. If the boss on top of all this suddenly falls ill, business may heavily suffer. +++

A recent study called “innovations in SMEs”, carried out by the KfW banking group in co-operation with the Centre for European Economy Resarch (ZEW) which was presented last week in Frankfurt, reveals that in the period between 2002 and 2004 42 percent of all German small and medium-sized entities (SMEs) have carried out successfully at least one innovative project. This represents an increase of 4 percent as compared to the 2000 to 2002 period. However, the survey also criticizes that the quality of innovations, in particular in the processing industries, which are heavily dependent on research and development, is deteriorating. +++

Mrs Annette Schavan, who is German Minister of Education and Research, wants to introduce a bonus for SMEs engaging in research. She expects this bonus to give a fresh impetus to a close co-operation between research institutes and SMEs from 2007 on. The research bonus is considered as a very effective tool for the promotion of research in Germany and is supposed to motivate universities and other research institutions to do more research for small and medium-sized entities. The objective is to quickly turn research results into products to be commercialized on the markets, said Mrs. Schavan during the budged debate in the lower house of German parliament. The bonus is to amount to approx. 25 percent of the total order volume and is part of the High-Tech-Strategy initiative which will be discussed by the government in July. +++

There is good news for SMEs doing business in Bulgaria : As was reported by the bulgaria.de portal, companies with an annual turnover not exceeding 49 million Euros and with less than 250 employees are categorized as small and medium-sized entities (SMEs) from now on. This is laid down in two amendments on SMEs which were passed by parliament on second reading.

Also new is the definition of a very small company which has a maximum annual turnover of 10 million Euros and less than 50 staff. As micro companies will be classified entities with an annual turnover of less than 2 million Euros and less than 10 employees. These new standards correspond to those in the EU and will take effect upon Bulgaria´s joining the EU.

Business documents have to be stored for a period of at least six years, certain documents which are important for fiscal reasons even ten years. We already reported on this in the past. By IT standards such periods represent quite a long time. Over the last decades many data formats have ceased to exist together with the producers of the software on which these formats were based. But it is hardly possible from a financial point of few in particular for SMEs to store outdated and discarded software together with the corresponding operating systems and hardware for audit purposes. +++

In the course of the “999 Blogs” serial Mrs. Verena Schmunk, who is a writer, in the 24th place also reports on our MittelstandsBlog: +++

Graham Cluley, a senior technology consultant with the security specialist Sophos, recommends using Apple computers, as was communicated by the Pressetext news agency. His recommendation was given on the occasion of the presentation of Sophos´ half year report on virus infected computer programs and their spreading. +++

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Company owners, managing directors or decisions makers in small and medium-sized entities (SMEs) who want to be quoted with their important messages can contact the editorial team at any time using this online form. After having checked your data, the team will get back to you as soon as possible and your data will, of course, be processed with discretion.

A clever entrepreneur is said to be the brain of his or her company with the secretary ideally being its heart without which nothing would run smoothly. That is why the bosses of small and medium-sized entities (SMEs) are looking for true magic women for their offices. Once such a super woman has been found, she still has to be won to the company given that they are much sought after. A major survey by Lukossek Consulting among 12.000 qualified secretaries reveals what office angels are looking for in their potential bosses. +++