German Federal Association of Management Consultants signs the "Charta of Diversity" on today's first German Diversity Day

Just on today's first German Diversity Day the Federal Association of German Management Consultants (BDU) has signed the "Charta of Diversity". By this step the consulting association underlines that it is convinced of the huge importance of variety within companies and organisations. The sector of consultancy especially is characterized by a very international orientation which concerns the structure of clients as well as of employees.

The Charta of Diversity is a self-commitment of companies and organisations to variety, tolerance, fairness and esteem of working persons. Since 2006 more than 1,500 companies and institutions with more than 6.5 million employees have signed this self-commitment. With their signing they contribute to support specifically Diversity Management in Germany. Dr. Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, is patron of the Charta. Up to now 19 major companies are members of this association: adidas group, BASF SE, Bayer AG, BMW AG, BP Europa SE, Commerzbank AG, Daimler AG, Deutsche Bahn AG, Deutsche Bank AG, Deutsche Post AG, Deutsche Telekom AG, Ernst & Young GmbH, E.ON SE, Ford-Werke GmbH, GE Germany, Henkel AG & Co KGaA, Metro AG, McDonald´s Deutschland, SAP AG.

Report of qualified personnel

The lack of qualified personnel in German economy is a known fact. It was actually verified by  the „Report of qualified personnel for Northrhine-Westfalia“ published by  the  chambers of commerce within this region. This report is an analysis and forecast of the supply and demand of qualified personnel  until 2030 (www.ihk-fachkraefte-nrw.de/):  It predicts a huge lack in the field of vehicle technology, research and construction technology as well as mechanical engineering.

A solution for this problem can be found in long-term measures like the improvement of school education and the strengthening of the dual apprenticeship which is typical for German companies as well as in the selective recruitment of qualified personnel in foreign countries. In this sector we are already active with our international network SIRIUM HR GROUP.

France remains Germanys most important trading partner in 2012

The balance of trade between France in Germany was about 169.2 billion Euro in 2012 (import and export) (see Deutsches Statisches Bundesamt, DESTATIS). This means that France in 2012 has remained Germanys most important trading partner and despite the crisis the volume of trade of both countries has increased about 1.1 %. Since 1961, France has always been the most important customer country for German products. The value of German products exported to France was  about 104.5 billion Euro (plus 3% against 2011). Concerning imported goods the Netherlands and China ranked before France (64.8 billion Euro, minus 1.8 % against 2011). 

On April 18th and 19th 2013 the SIRIUM Group will meet in Bergamo. The regular meetings of the group are important for the deep knwoledge of the labour market of all members so that each member is able to provide the highest standards of professional and tailor-made services. For this meeting we will focus on the admission of a new Spanish partner as well as on discussions about redesigning our common website. 

Create and develop its Management Committee

20 Managers and Human Resources Managers of Lorraine-based companies exchanged on this topicduring our breakfast on April 11th which was held at the Brasserie Excelsior in Nancy.

Jean-Marc Salzard of CALORIVER and Gilles SCHAFF of NOVACARB talked about their experiences. Face different issues: one of business development and the other of transmission of knowledges, they stressedthe importance of being accompanied in their approach.

Both are agreed to say that communication, trust and involvment are the keys to a successful managementof changement.