„Made in Germany“ is an internationally recognized seal of quality. The achievements of German companies are recognized worldwide. DMB sat down with the entrepreneurs, traders and self-employed people who meet the corporate responsibility and act as one of the pillars of the economy to learn more about what drives them and what obstacles should be overcome to meet future challenges and continue to be successful.
Jörn Halbauer, birkle IT CEO, shared his thoughts about entrepreneurship, the value and social importance of medium-sized companies and his own motivators for further growth.
„Deliberate action, careful consideration of opportunities and risks and always having time for one’s own employees are essential to master the challenges.“
Jörn Halbauer
Entrepreneurs have a decisive influence on German medium-sized businesses. What is your business area? Please describe birkle IT with three sentences.
We are a fast-growing software company in the heart of Munich. We are specialized in the digitization of companies, we help our clients to grow and shape their future success.
Our focus is on three main pillars, the modernization of software systems, projects in the field of artificial intelligence and on-site IT consulting. With our passion for software development and the constant use of intelligent technologies, we ensure a high level of service for our customers and partners.
German medium-sized businesses are known worldwide for their economic and social importance. Why is the German SME sector so important for Germany?
The medium-sized companies employ over 30 million people and are therefore the engine of the German economy. For me, the greatest strengths of “the Mittelstand” are adaptability and flexibility. As a dynamic and flourishing IT company, we put these strengths into practice every day with our customers, both in the project business and in the consulting area, so that the best possible benefit for our customers is guaranteed and achieved.
Quality, creativity, innovation and entrepreneurial responsibility characterize medium-sized companies. What motivates you, what drives you to live up to your entrepreneurial responsibility every day?
We want to make sure that our customers recognize the opportunities of digitization so that they can benefit from it. I am particularly interested in actively shaping the future of many companies, participating in various success stories and increasing the competitiveness of companies. It’s great to see when our customers increase their revenues through digital product enhancements, IT solutions using artificial intelligence or data warehouse implementations.
Crises and challenges are also part of entrepreneurship. Which experiences and skills are particularly important to survive in turbulent times?
The shortage of skilled workers is currently a major challenge. As an entrepreneur, it is important to inspire young people about our respective areas of expertise and to take time for their further education. That is why we have founded the birkle Academy, for example, to regularly discuss the latest software topics and keep ourselves up to date. Our customers benefit greatly from the fact that we always develop state-of-the-art products. They should know that fundamental innovations – especially in the field of AI – now take place every two years. Deliberate action, careful consideration of opportunities and risks and always having time for one’s own employees are essential to master the challenges.
Bureaucratic obstacles, tax burdens, or financial pitfalls make business operations more difficult. What problems and entrepreneurial difficulties must politicians most urgently address so that SMEs can continue to be successful in the future?
In a time of globalization, the economy is becoming ever faster and more complex. I see an urgent need for modern, digital processes and solutions in public administration. Estonia, where we also have an office, already has a major approach. Politicians have recognized the problems, now it’s time to implement them. birkle IT already actively supports public administration with tailor-made software solutions. Competitive framework conditions are crucial for the economy and medium-sized businesses.
Read the full DMS interview in German here. https://www.mittelstandsbund.de/themen/allgemein/dmb-interview-joern-halbauer/