The Cologne-based Institute for the German Economy (IW) has questioned trade associations on the economic situation and their expectations for the year 2007. 32 of the 45 associations surveyed said that the mood in their member companies was better than one year ago. Nine associations reported about an unchanged and only four about a less optimistic assessment of the general economic framework. Thus, most branches expect the economic upswing to continue next year. more…

German mechanical engineering and plant construction will set up a new production record of about 158 billion Euros in 2006 which corresponds to a seven percent increase. Thus, in real terms German mechanical engineering has grown by 18% in the period from 2004 to 2006, as is estimated by the German Mechanical Engineering Association (VDMA). more…

The traditional strengths of small and medium-sized entities such as flexibility, quick decision making as well as local co-operation lose their effectiveness in a business environment which is becoming more and more global. Quite often small and medium-sized entities have to co-operate with business partners, clients and suppliers from all over the world. Therefore, in order to keep their strengths small and medium-sized entities have to make more use of information and communications technology and work together in virtual networked teams. more…

Careers which do not reflect continuous professional development are still perceived as problematic for further success. But white spots on people’s CVs are ever more frequent and always less a sign of professional failure, as reveals a study conducted by the IAB institute. In the course of the study only careers of West German professionals were analyzed. more…

The “Industry report 2006/2007″compiled by the Association of German Chambers of Commerce (DIHK) is quite encouraging. This report forecasts quite a robust industrial upswing and 30.000 new jobs. According to a current DIHK survey conducted among member companies, in 2006 the assessment of the economic situation by industrial enterprises has even been as positive as never before since the year 1991. more…

In spite of all the croaking by copyright holder associations this year the business with legal downloads has really gotten under way. Whether this be music, talking books, videos, games or software – never before have Germans spent that much money as in 2006 for legal downloads onto their computers. Turnovers amount to more than 120 million Euros which corresponds to a market growth by about 20% as compared to the year 2005, says the German Association for Information Management, Telecommunications and New Media (BITKOM). more…

Unfortunately this year again there will be some people pulling a long face because of disliked Christmas presents. However, this is not a problem given that an ever increasing number of people order their presents over the Internet. Presents ordered online may be particularly easily returned, says the German Association for Information Management, Telecommunications and New Media (BITCOM) giving tips on what to bear in mind in this respect: more…

Dear visitors and users of MittelstandsBlog and MittelstandsWiki,

For many of us Christmas is one of the rare occasions on which we can allow ourselves some rest. Given that Christmas Eve this year happened to coincide with a Sunday even business this time was granted a calm start into the holiday season. Over the next few days the team of MittelstandsBlog and MittelsstandsWiki will take some rest too. However, you will not miss out on any important news. Our entire team wishes you all a peaceful and merry Christmas!

Many small and medium-sized entities as well as major enterprises shy at doing business on the highly interesting US market due to product liability regulations in the US which, by European standards, seem to be completely exaggerated and inscrutable. As a matter of fact, US product liability rules have the effect of a barrier protecting US companies from their European competitors. However, according to the USAforum, there are means in order to face this situation. more…

Unions are losing members on an unprecedented scale. This is demonstrated by the ALLBUS survey. In the old federal states only 21 percent of all employees are still unionised, whereas in 1980 this figure amounted to one third. Any age bracket with the sole exception of that of employees between the age of fourty and fifty has become weary of unions. more…