MittelstandsWiki

“Europe’s 500“, the ranking of the fastest growing companies in Europe, has now officially been published. The list of winners is available on the internet. With 109 companies on the list Germany is the country strongest represented. The leading German companies ranked by Europe´s 500 are the Leipzig-based Spreadshirt AG, Hirschberg-based pharmexx GmbH as well as the Q-Cells AG located in Thalheim. +++

This time you had to wait a little bit longer for a new edition of our after-work podcast the reason being licensing delays. In contrast to last edition´s stunning example of women power we will this time listen to jazzy music by Martin Lindert from Lindis Bluescast. +++

According to a study by  Kroll Ontrack, which is a software manufacturer and data rescue service provider, most computer users work quite carelessly. Even though about 40 percent of users consider their data to be of inestimable value, back up solutions are made use of either only occasionally or in a negligent manner. Thus, two thirds of users secure their data less often than once a month. +++

According to the six German economic research institutes the economic upswing has gained substantial momentum this year and is going to continue next year. For 2006 the institutes expect the gross domestic product to increase by 2.3 percent in real terms whereas they forecast 1.4 percent for next year. Reason for the smaller increase in 2007 is a temporary economic slowdown expected for the first quarter of 2007 mainly due to the VAT increase. +++

The Kienbaum Executive Search consultancy has gone online with a new jobportal. The renowned company offers job seekers a highly interesting internet application platform giving access to all job adverts published by Kienbaum. Applicants are given the opportunity of applying directly for a certain job and can also leave their profile to be matched with future vacancies. +++

The EU Commission has proposed the foundation of an European Institute of Technology (ETI). From the year 2008 a network consisting of “Knowledge and Innovation Communities” is to fulfill the tasks of the ETI. The ETI is to be financed by public and private sponsors. Says José Manuel Barroso, President of the Commission: “We need innovation in order to secure Europe´s competitiveness on a global scale. And we need a climate of thriving innovation in Europe.” +++

Rumania and Bulgaria will join the EU in 2007. Therefore it is worthwhile having a look at the development of exports into these countries. Preliminary figures for the first six months of 2006 were published at the beginning of this week by the Federal Statistical Office. According to these figures the value of goods exported there rose to three billion Euros which represents an increase by 21.0 percent in the first half year 2006 as compared to the same period in 2005. +++

The European Commission’s message voiced on the occasion of today’s world standardisation day 2006 celebrated in Brussels is: small and medium-sized entities should seize the opportunities provided by standardisation and profit from them by increasing their competitiveness. Among other things, the participants of the world standardization day discuss topics such as methods of user-friendly standardization as well as a stronger integration of small and medium-sized entities in the standardization process. The standards developed by the European standardization organizations CEN, CENELEC und ETSI represent a major contribution to the EU policy of passing more efficient laws. According to the Commission it is up to the several interest groups to integrate necessary details into the new standards. +++

We produce and network magazines, books and websites. Focussed on the presentation of topical stories and the coordination, wording and design of modern content, we support famous publishing houses and reliable clients by editorial products. +++

According to statements by the German institute for small and medium-sized entities (DIKMU) and the Oskar-Patzelt foundation the demand for the “CE – Certified Entrepreneur” certificate is continuously increasing. A current success example is said to be Mr. Dieter Bläsing, who is an entrepreneur running a photographic business to whom the new certificate provides the opportunity to stand out against his competitors objectively verifying his competence. +++