Dear reader,

Welcome to SIMT's September email newsletter. In this edition you will find information on the SIMT intake 2005, the SIMT symposium in October, the World MBA Tour as well as other upcoming SIMT events. 

This newsletter provides you with information on recent developments at SIMT, new programs, events and all other news. Thank you for subscribing to our free bimonthly information service.

Best regards,

SIMT Public Relations and Marketing Team

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SIMT Newsletter | September 2005

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I. SIMT Intake September 2005

The SIMT has the pleasure to welcome the students of the Class of 2007. The 40 new MBA students are from 17 countries worldwide. The academic year 2005/2006 starts on the 12th of September. At the same time the career-integrated training offerings for specialists and managers from regional companies will be extended. Since 2003, the year in which the "Management Education Network" was launched and since fall 2004, as the new SIMT Seminars were introduced, 150 company representatives sucessfully participated in different SIMT offerings.

SIMT Managing Director Dr. Bernhard Seitz: "With attractive programs and the outstanding commitment of the staff and students the SIMT is on the right track. The trend towards dual qualification is still noticeable. Especially the career-integrated programs are highly accepted."

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II. Challenge Central and Eastern Europe - Consequences for the German Business

Prof. h.c. Dipl.-Ing. J. Menno Harms, Chairman of the SIMT Board of Governors

In comparison to Germany the countries in Central and Eastern Europe show a strong economic growth of 4-7% per year. Many German Businesses use offshoring, nearshoring and innovative partnerships to relocate in-house processes thus establishing a stronger overall competitive position. The effects on the employment market in Germany are mostly overestimated whereas the potential benefits are always underestimated.

German companies are a preferred economical partner in the vibrant markets of Central and Eastern Europe. In the last few years the number of exports and investments rose sustainable. The reasons are not only the new opportunities in this market but also lower labor costs, flexible labor markets and lower tax loads. Responsive and innovative businesses are increasingly active in these markets mainly for strategic reasons. They have to survive in an international environment, which is ultimately in competition for the most attractive industrial locations among the EU-25 and bordering countries.

Using the opportunities of the eastward enlargement

This process does in summary not reduce jobs in Germany, as a current study shows. The companies in contrast gain savings through offshoring, nearshoring and innovative partnerships and are thus able to offer products and services at reduced prices. Companies hence can secure additional market share, grow and recruit new employees, also in Germany. The country is ranked still high in the popularity list of foreign businesses, as a lately published survey shows. Its infrastructure, its well educated workforce and the quality of research and development are appreciated highly.

Key points for growth and productivity

Higher economical growth and productivity as well as increased employment can only be achieved in Germany by focusing on the indicated strengths und by capitalizing on the opportunities of information and knowledge processes.

I would like to outline this with a few key points:

•  Investments in research and development

In addition to public research less than 10 % of the three million German companies invest in R&D and overall less than 1% does it regularly. Support and encouragement must be delivered to accelerate their efforts. Also important is the identification of new networks of innovative value-added chains for new and traditional technologies.

•  Expanding the knowledge transfer

Germany is now on a good way with its Initiative for Excellence for universities, also by providing additional preparation schools for graduate studies. But knowledge transfer from universities to industry must be further improved. Universities must learn and teach more implementation knowledge, i.e. how to turn ideas into successful products and services. Young entrepreneurs but also applied researchers should be enabled early enough to understand best practices of engineering processes, product management tools, sales and service strategies, price management etc. Here business schools like the SIMT are contributing highly.

• Improving the general conditions

Not only companies, also universities need better general conditions and less bureaucracy. Ultimately universities are not companies, they should certainly not be compared directly; however, both have in common individuality, competence and self-confidence while competing for the best talents of the world.

• Management

Without a contemporary management one hardly will be able to achieve the envisioned results. Besides hard work it must be remembered that an open work environment stimulates real innovation. "Having ideas and implementing them" must be done with joy and passion. Management must drive the appropriate technology and business strategies. In light of tough competition it is the principal task of management to be open for continuous and radical change.

On October 10, 2005 the Board of Governors and the SIMT Board of Directors hosts the symposium "Challenge Central and Eastern Europe - Consequences for the German Business" which will be attended by top managers. The congress will show long-term perspectives for German companies in the growth area Eastern Europe.

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III. Visit SIMT at the World MBA Tour

Don't miss the opportunity to get in touch with the SIMT representatives at the World MBA Tour. All of your questions on the SIMT MBA programs - full-time, part-time - can be answered individually. The SIMT offers four different full-time MBA programs:

• International Management
• Finance and Investment
• Management Information Systems
• Technology and Innovation Management

In addition, there are two different part-time MBA programs being offered:

• International Management (career-integrated)
• International Management (modular)

 Please select your perferred city and register for the fair.

• Frankfurt/Main, October 8, 2005 (Messe- und Kongresszentrum)
• Munich, October 11, 2005 (Holiday Inn - City Center)
• Zurich, October 18, 2005 (Kongresshaus)
• Athens, October 26, 2005 (Divani Caravel Hotel)
• Istanbul, October 29,  2005 (Hilton Istanbul)  

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IV.  Upcoming SIMT Events

SIMT Info Session

Once a month the SIMT opens its doors to everyone interested in the MBA program - full-time, part-time. 

On Thursday, October 27, 2005, 5.30 p.m. the next Info Session will feature:

• Welcome by Dr. Bernhard Seitz, SIMT Managing Director
• An overview of the MBA programs, including course content, admissions requirements and the benefit of studying for your MBA at the SIMT
• Presentation by current SIMT MBA student
• Questions and answers

The MBA courses are taught in English. SIMT students benefit from close partnerships with renowned global companies and universities worldwide.

 Event Venue: SIMT, Filderhauptstrasse 142, 70599 Stuttgart

e-mail us to register for this event

Lecturers by Representatives from Companies

Reinhard Hamburger, CEO and Chairmann of Executive Board, Agilent, on Friday, October 28, 2005, 7.30 p.m.

Title: "A Top Manager is talking about his career. What is motivating, guiding and inspiring for successful managers"

"Realization is Part of the Innovation" (German)

bwcon:symposium on Thursday, October 27, 2005, 9.a.m. at the SIMT

Innovations create new markets and are the economical motor of our time. The bwcon:symposium provides instructions of action for young companies and entrepreneurial scientists to develop their ideas into successful products. Among the speakers are: Prof. Dr. D. h.c. Peter Frankenberg, Minister of Science, Research and the Arts of Baden-Württemberg, Dr. rer. nat. Siegfried Dais, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Management of Robert Bosch GmbH, Michael Dreher, Managing Director Philips Medical Systems Böblingen GmbH, Hermann Neher, Head of Dezentral Human Rescoures Festo AG & Co. KG, Thomas Heyder, Director Sales PSG Corporate Clients Hewlett-Packard GmbH, Siegfried Groß, Vice President and General Manager of the Digital Verification Solutions Division Agilent Technologies Deutschland GmbH and Stephan Schambach, CEO Demandware Inc.

For further information please contact bw:con: Steffi Werner, werner(at)bwcon.de.

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