German Economy 2008

Early on a Thursday morning Torsten Woyke told us more about Germany's economy. Torsten is the owner of a business close to Tuebingen here in Germany. He was wearing a suit - typical of a business man. I could see that he knows how to work with people by the way that he spoke. He is also very dynamic, because he told us that he had first studied machine building for four semesters, but then switched to economy when he had realised that the machine builders live in their own world. Torsten Woyke is proof that being dynamic, presenting yourself professionally and knowing how to work with people are necessary traits for any business man.
Torsten gave us more background/historical information about the German economy. He told us how Germany became more and more unified through the use of standard measurements and currency. This made doing business in Germany easier. There was also technological development. What I could conclude was that as technology in Germany improved, so did its economy.
Torsten explained to us the importance of the invention of the steam engine and how it resulted in the development of the locomotive. The development of the locomotive resulted in the creation of many new disciplines. Thus: more jobs, more money, better economy etc. This has made me realise that the creation of something new could always result in the creation of a whole lot of other things too. Things that we need, but perhaps have never realised that we did need it.
We also discussed the German economy of today. Here I learnt that Germany is exporting mainly cars, machines and chemical products. These things are very important and necessary to other countries and I can understand why Germany is such an important factor in the international market - their product quality is superb.
I was really fascinated and impressed when Torsten told us that the government pays you an unemployment salary while you are busy building your business. This does not happen in South Africa! Another wonderful thing he told us is that being debt free is a good thing in Germany, because it will benefit you when applying for financing. Unfortunately in South Africa and America the banks will not help you if you are debt free! Thus, Germany seems like a really good place to start a business in.
Germans unfortunately have to pay quite a lot of tax in comparison with South Africans. Yet, Germany seems to be the best country in Europe to start a business in, because the state looks after you. It is also a very dynamic country, because they know that change is necessary for survival and growth.
I really enjoyed the seminar. It gave me a new perspective on European economics - starting a business here seems like less of a 'rat race' than in South Africa or America.

by Michelle Fouche

 

Last Update (20/01/08)