Operations management

"Craftsmanship is an important building block for reconstruction"

Five years after the devastating floods, the North Rhine-Westphalia Ministry of Construction, the WHKT (Westphalian Chamber of Skilled Crafts), and the Cologne Chamber of Skilled Crafts have concluded the state initiative "Skilled Crafts in Reconstruction." In Odenthal, they reviewed their collaboration.

Reforestation of forests to preserve drinking water

Only a healthy, green forest can ensure a balanced water supply. However, persistently high temperatures and drought are currently putting forests under pressure. Since water is an essential source of life, Krombacher supports the preservation of stable forests with a large-scale reforestation program.

Photo: © Konstantin Chagin/123RF.com

Operations management | Aug 2007

Craftsmen in the sights of contract brokers

It's the same story every year. In the summer, cases increase in which dubious attempts are made to convince tradespeople to sign brokerage contracts in the hope of securing contracts. These brokers operate nationwide.

Photo: © Andriy Popov/123RF.com

Operations management | Aug 2007

Company audit: This can affect any tradesman

Tax audit? The mere mention of the word makes the hairs on the back of most tradespeople stand on end. Whether and how much the tax authorities demand depends on the self-employed person.

Photo: © Prudencio Alvarez/123RF.com

Operations management | Aug 2007

Employment contracts: Always in writing, even in the trades

Employment contracts should always be concluded before work begins and, above all, in writing, even if this is not always common practice in the skilled trades, advises lawyer Ralph Bührig of the Potsdam Chamber of Skilled Crafts.

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Operations management | July 2007

Don’t gloss over the tradesman’s invoice

Customers can deduct the labor costs for the painting on their tax return, but not the paint itself. Nevertheless, the material must be included in the invoice.

Photo: © HONGQI ZHANG/123RF.com

Operations management | July 2007

Seal of quality: advertise with satisfied customers

Quality seals as an advertising medium – something long used by the food industry is increasingly being reflected in the construction and renovation sector. Several quality seals compete for consumer favor. These certificates have one thing in common: they incorporate customer feedback.

Photo: © gajus/123RF.com

Operations management | July 2007

New mandatory information on business letters

Since the end of May, traders who are not registered with a company in the commercial register must state their surname with at least one full first name and their address for service on all business letters addressed to a specific recipient.

Operations management | July 2007

Industrial diseases: Red alert on the construction site

The construction site is a dangerous place. But even wearing a helmet isn't completely safe. Toxic solvents or substances like cement can trigger allergies and serious illnesses in construction workers.

Operations management | April 2007

Trips to vocational school are business trips

Travel by trainees to vocational school is generally considered business travel. The training company can therefore reimburse its trainees either the actual costs or a flat rate of €0,30 per kilometer traveled, tax-free.

Operations management | April 2007

Overcoming barriers – hiring disabled employees

Hiring disabled employees? Many employers recoil at the idea. But those who hire people with disabilities can receive several thousand euros in funding.

Opticians: Graduation ceremony with the Prime Minister

Three prizes for final projects of designers (HWK)

Eight success codes for future viability

Mental health in craft businesses

ING launches new fixed-term deposit offer for medium-sized businesses

"A complete disaster": How the packaging tax is burdening bakers

Schufa shadow database: What businesses can do

Süffa with three focus topics at the pulse of the meat industry

Federal Cabinet approves second relief package

"A complete disaster": How the packaging tax is burdening bakers

"Craftsmanship is an important building block for reconstruction"

Craftsmen in Saxony oppose packaging tax

Stylish fastback – the Peugeot 408

How Geely plans to conquer the German market

Uncharted – Subaru's first all-electric SUV

Opticians: Graduation ceremony with the Prime Minister

Vocational school classes awarded for creative ideas against violence

Reforestation of forests to preserve drinking water

Corporate award from "Vocational Training Without Borders"

Growing as a team – healthy and successful

Trades welcome the right to repair: "Strong signal"

Reference: The former employee is sometimes allowed to force the boss to sign it.

Craftsmen in the sights of contract brokers

Company audit: This can affect any tradesman

Employment contracts: Always in writing, even in the trades

Don’t gloss over the tradesman’s invoice

Seal of quality: advertise with satisfied customers

New mandatory information on business letters

Industrial diseases: Red alert on the construction site

Trips to vocational school are business trips

Overcoming barriers – hiring disabled employees