e-leadership and SMEs – a view from the German Mittelstand Dr. Oliver Grün, President BITMi Berlin, April 21st 2015 Presentation Bundesverband IT-Mittelstand (BITMi) BITMi Verbandsprofil Bundesverband IT-Mittelstand (BITMi) • Association of independent medium-sized IT-enterprises in Germany • • • Representation of interest of more than 1,200 enterprises of the software, internet and IT-consulting sector with up to 750 employees Goal: positive development of medium-sized IT-enterprises Networking & Expertise • • • • Networking of members Organization of events Organization of expert groups Cooperation and research in research projects • Initiatives & Products improving the Marketing • • • • • Software Made in Germany BITMi-Gütesiegel ISO 9001 group certification Partner associations and cooperative business models Political representation of interest • • • Political lobbying Involvement in committees (IT-Gipfel, Beirat Bundesregierung, IT-Taskforce BMWi…) Networking in EU via PIN-SME e-skills – Challenges for the SME Community About PIN-SME E-Skills Strategy & BITMi • • • • Not sufficient harmonisation of eskills curricula in Europe. Makes it difficult for SMEs to internationalise in Europe BITMi advocated and supports the e-competence framework eCF. In our opinion eCF should be implemented as European Standard, to support the Grand coalition for Digital Jobs. BITMi advocated for the creation of a standards technical committee at CEN on ICT professions. PIN-SME Vice President (Fabio Massimo) is the chairman. IT SMEs are the best vehicle to bring e-leadership to SMEs of other sectors. Jungle of certifications in Europe About PIN-SME E-Leadership Challenges for SME Community Digital working worlds • • • • • • 1. Expansion of digital communication Mobile devices, growing need for compliance (ByoD, Home-Office) Social media for business 2. Change of work in Digitalisation Change of Business Models (Transformation from analog to digital business) Networking of Production, Services, Things E-Skills are most important for SMEs • • • • Competitiveness of SMEs depends on Plan, Build, Run, Enable and Manage IT Big companies: Some people need to know SOME topics, need to have SOME Skills Small companies: Some people need to know ALL topics, need to have ALL Skills SMEs needs to be more attractive than Big Companies for employees About PIN-SME E-Leadership Challenges for SME Community ICT Professions for SME • • • • • Practitioners with a wide range of general e-Skills. Ability to connect theory and practice. Dual training like in Germany. Recognition of dual training when continuing with academic education (this also keeps e-skills up to date) Additional Specialization The inclusion of social skills is very important. Cost and Expense to implement could be too high for SMEs (must be appropriate for SME)