Hans Peter Wollseifer, President of the Central Association of German Skilled Crafts. (Photo: © Boris Trenkel)
Read aloud:
July 13, 2022
Anyone who starts a business creates something new and valuable. They create jobs and training opportunities, something that lasts. And they help new ideas break through. Starting a business is part of the DNA of the skilled trades.
Dear entrepreneurs,
"Courage is the beginning of action, happiness the end." This phrase comes from the Greek philosopher Democritus. And yes, every new beginning requires courage. Because starting anew means leaving familiar and safe ground and entering new and unknown territory. But only those who let go of the old can grasp the new: And in the new lies the future.
I speak from my own experience when I say: It's a fantastic feeling to have built something for yourself! It's a joy to train young people and equip them with the tools they need for their careers. It's satisfying to implement your own ideas! And how wonderful the phrase "I'm my own boss" sounds! This and more is the happiness that comes from courageous action.
Inspired by these experiences, I would like to encourage you to become self-employed, too. Regardless of whether you're starting a new business or taking over a company.
Operations management
Operations management
Craft policy
Anyone who starts a business creates something new and valuable. They create jobs and training opportunities, something that lasts. And they help new ideas break through. Starting a business is part of the DNA of the skilled trades.
Taking over a business is also a very exciting way to start a business, and the demographic situation is particularly favorable. In the next five years alone, around 125.000 business successions in the skilled trades are expected. Taking over a business is redesigning tried-and-tested practices and preserving training opportunities, jobs, and valuable expertise.
Whether starting a business or taking over a company, there are excellent prospects for qualified craftsmen and women and master craftspeople in both areas, as they will not run out of work with all the future challenges in climate protection, the energy and mobility transition, housing construction, or providing for an increasingly ageing population.
The GründerNavi (Founder Navigator) makes an important contribution to ensuring a structured approach during the critical initial phase. It contains tips and suggestions on how to overcome initial difficulties more quickly and make the right decisions early on. The more than 900 advisory centers run by chambers of trade and professional associations across Germany also offer free assistance in creating a business plan, supporting market research, evaluating the use of innovative technologies, and much more.
With the advice of the skilled trades organization behind you and the FounderNavi in mind, you'll be well-informed and advised to boldly and successfully build your business and become your own boss. Because, as one of our skilled trades campaigns says: "We know what we're doing."
Hans Peter Wollseifer
President
Central Association of German Crafts (ZDH)
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