WIRTSCHAFTSKAMMER ÖSTERREICH FOREWORD Report.pdf · The Professional Association of Manage-ment...

With over 49,000

members from the

professional groups

of management

consultants, infor-

mation technology

providers, telecom

service providers

and self-employed accountants, the Professi-

onal Association of Management Consultancy

and Information Technology (Fachverband

Unternehmensberatung und Informations-

technologie, UBIT) is the second largest pro-

fessional association of the Austrian Economic

Chamber. It represents the majority of the

knowledge-based service providers in Austria,

a rapidly growing industry that is an essential

link between research and economic innovati-

on and thus of considerable economic impor-

tance. This is what makes consulting and ICT

services the engine of the economy and the

driving force in the race to secure Austria‘s

position as a top business location.

With the current report for 2008/09, we will

provide you with an overview of our activities

in this setting: These range from legislative

initiatives, such as those that have opened

up new opportunities for the accounting pro-

fession since 2007, all the way to measures

for increasing the quality and reputation of

the services offered by our members, like

the Austrian National Award for Consulting

or the Austrian National IT and Consultant

Day. Together with the UBIT team, and in

particular with the professional groups from

the provinces, I will continue to pursue these

tasks with the utmost commitment in 2009.

Sincerely,

Alfred Harl, CMC (UBIT Chairman)

FOREWORDTO CONTINUE THE SUCCESS OF 2008 WITH BOLD VISIONS FOR 2009

WIRTSCHAFTSKAMMER ÖSTERREICHUnternehmensberatung • IT



3

variety of subjects exist on regional and fede-

ral levels. This guarantees a democratic, bot-

tom up process of decisions.

Incite – Institute for Management Consul-

tants and Information Technology Experts

– is UBIT‘s platform – organized as a Ltd.

company – for education, accreditation and

certification of members.

The CMC is supported by branding certifica-

tions for IT Consultants, management trainers

(CCT = Customers‘ Certified Trainer) and other

certifications like accredited consultant for

solvency management and controlling, export

consultants etc.

the formal Austrian body in charge of sup-

porting the export business.

www.austriantrade.org/chamberinfo

UBIT, as the legal representation of the con-

sulting and IT industries, negotiates the coll-

ective agreements with the Trade Union on

wages, working conditions etc. Beside this

everybody could found a free association as

long he is member as well in the Chamber.

UBIT has 9 regional chapters (one in each

province) which are legally independent bo-

dies. Individual membership is with the regi-

onal chambers which are also the sources of

finance for the federal association. Together,

the top representatives of these regional

branches are the representatives of the natio-

nal institute: UBIT.

Major decisions are reserved for the

Association‘s Federal Board – Fachverbands-

ausschuss – comprising 32 members who are

elected for a 5-year term. The last elections

took place in March 2005. Since 2002, the im-

plementation of experts groups has allowed

a significant number of members to engage

in effective and visible activities to transfer

know-how and promote their services and

products. A number of Working Groups on a

2

The Professional Association of Manage-

ment Consultancy and Information Tech-

nology – UBIT - National Institute, repre-

sents more than 49,000 companies and

self-employed entrepreneurs, holding

one or more of the following business

licenses. UBIT contains 4 professional

divisions:

Management Consultants:

14,300 members so far

Information Technology Providers:


Self-employed Accountants:


Telecom Service Providers:

500 members so far

UBIT is part of the Austrian Federal Eco-

nomic Chamber which represents nearly

400,000 companies throughout Austria by

legal membership.

The Austrian Federal Economic Chamber

is not comparable with chambers in other

countries because it constitutes, together

with the unions and the Chambers of Labour

and Agriculture, the framework of the Aust-

rian Social Partnership, a strong counterpart

to the government.

The Chamber influences the legislative and

administrative processes and has a strong

position in taking care of the interests of

the whole economy within Austria and is

OUR MISSION







5

In 2009, the Professional Group for Infor-

mation Technology will above all focus on

measures to combat the looming shortage of

IT professionals. In particular, we also want

to motivate women, who are currently clear-

ly underrepresented in the industry to seek

out professions in Information and Commu-

nication Technology – ICT. In addition, we

want to encourage people in the profession

to voluntarily pursue higher qualifications:

Through training certifications, the person-

nel development in ICT companies should

gain new momentum.

In addition, support will be offered for IT

professionals who attend training to become

a Certified Management Consultant (CMC).

We will also strive for the standardization

of IT systems in the health field. On an

international level, we will mainly engage

in SME relevant ICT issues in the European

Parliament and become involved in the re-

levant bodies. In particular, new Member

States should also be won over for the PIN-

SME Network (Pan European ICT & eBusi-

ness Network for SME) in order to increase

their clout, and thus that of the ICT-SMEs,

in Brussels. Above all, we are forcing the

government to do everything in its power

to secure Austria‘s position as a top ICT lo-

cation in Europe.

Therefore, our goal must be the bundling of

all competencies at the highest level, an in-

dependent ICT manager with wide-ranging

responsibilities and powers, to manage IT

agendas with growth potential comprehen-

sively and with strategic vision. A change

in consciousness that once again awakens

a desire for high-tech and innovation is ur-

gently needed. Only in this way can we suc-

cessfully master the challenges of our time.

4

The core target of the professional group

for management consultants is to com-

municate the high quality of the services

offered by its members and increase public

awareness of the management consultants‘

job description. Furthermore, in 2009 we

will also work to strengthen the network

of management consultants throughout the

EU and push for cooperation with institu-

tions that are important for the industry.

On a legal level, we will work to adapt the

framework to meet the needs of modern,

knowledge-based service providers – within

the service guidelines framework of the Eu-

ropean Union.

A particularly successful development

is an initiative for the approval of stan-

dards in management consultancy by the

European Commission in Brussels. Within

a year, the representatives of UBIT were

not only able to convince a majority in the

worldwide umbrella organization ICMCI –

International Council of Management Con-

sulting Institutes – of the benefits of such

standards on a European level, as well the

FEACO - European Federation of Manage-

ment Consultancies Associations. By 2011,

working groups in every EU Member State

should have approved the targeted ma-

nagement consultancy standards – in the

future this could be turned into a world

standard as well.

OUR GOALS 2009WHAT WE WANT TO ACHIEVE FOR THE PROFESSIONAL GROUPS







6

In 2009, following the introduction of the

law on Management Accounting – Bilanz-

buchhaltungsgesetz 2006, modified 2007 –

and the revision of the accounting professi-

ons, the Professional Group for Self-em-

ployed Accountants will dedicate itself with

renewed vigor to the topics of accounting

boundaries and representation rights. The

catalog of measures to be taken range from

active lobbying for the necessary legislation

to initiatives for education and further trai-

ning for accountants („With incite to MBA“).

In addition, for our members we are also pl-

anning an electronic educational portal of

the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber of

Commerce for the accoun-

ting professions as well as

an event to celebrate the

10-year anniversary of the

accounting professions.

The Professional Group for Telecom Ser-

vice Providers, in keeping with the latest

developments regarding the obligations for

data retention and information disclosure for

internet providers, will continue to engage in

effective lobbying in the coming months. The

same applies for the commercial use of public

information, in which consideration must be

given to the data holders and the EU Commis-

sion. Concrete agreements must be made for

the reimbursement of the investment costs

for data retention. The acceptance of pay-

ment transactions on the internet and elec-

tronic billing should be improved through

security initiatives and awareness-raising

measures. We want to reach a clear agree-

ment with the Austrian Federal Ministry of

Finance regarding FinanzOnline.

UBIT evaluates thousands ofassessments of laws andregulations each year.







The International Council of Manage-

ment Consulting Institutes, ICMCI, was

founded in 1987 „to promote a closer

working relationship between all ma-

nagement consulting institutes or or-

ganizations. The purpose of this closer

working relationship was to accelerate

the achievement of mutual goals of the

national institutes, particularly to as-

sist them in raising the standards of the

profession of management consultancy

to the particular state of the art.

Since 1987, the Council and its national

member institutes have agreed on an inter-

national code of professional conduct, inter-

national definitions within the profession, an

international common body of knowledge,

minimum certification requirements and a ba-

sis for reciprocity between member institutes.

By the end of 1991, almost all nations with

mature management consulting certification

INTERNATIONAL CONNECTIONS ICMCI, FEACO, PIN-SME

8




processes were represented on the Council.

This should guarantee equal and as far as pos-

sible, predictable quality levels worldwide in

the profession of management consultancy.

In partnership with the members and national

certifying institutes, the mission of ICMCI is:

* To elevate the standards of management

consultants worldwide and to provide the in-

ternational community with the confidence

that these standards, combined with the cer-

tification process of its member institutes,

will ensure that certified management con-

sultants serve their clients with world-class

competency and professionalism.

* To support the creation and develop-

ment of national professional institutes

throughout the world, as well as encourage

information sharing, networking and reci-

procity between institutes adhering to ICM-

CI international standards and its code of

conduct – meanwhile between more than 50

countries worldwide.

Dr. Ilse Ennsfellner, CMC, actual Vice Chair of

ICMCI, aims for ICMCI to earn recognition as

the authoritative international organization

for the development of world-class professi-

onal standards, and to create the CMC desi-

gnation as the international benchmark for

individual management consultants.

The Professional Association for Management

Consultancy and Information Technology is

a member of the international professional

association ICMCI and co-operates with the

European association FEACO. FEACO promotes

the profession of management consultancy in

Europe by providing support to its constitu-

ent National Association membership in those

areas where a collective voice is stronger than

the sum of its individual members. Its main

activities, apart from representation of the

profession on a European level, are:

* Developing the management consultancy

market and raising its image and profile on a

European and international level by the pro-

motion of common professional ethical and

quality standards (Best Practice), the deve-

lopment of a website, and the publication

of surveys, newsletters and contributions to

professional publications.

* Promoting the interests of management

consultancy with the different European and

international organizations, by maintaining a

close relationship with the European institu-

tions and other pan-European and internati-

onal organizations in order to ensure aware-

ness of and to defend professional interests.

* Developing a dynamic forum for networ-

king and providing services by encouraging

networking by members and between mem-

bers‘ members through the sponsorship and

organization of conferences, meetings and

the establishment of mutual interest wor-

king groups.

FEACO comprises a number of working

groups and discussion forums. They are con-

cerned with the following subjects:

* Relations with the European Commissi-

on on procurement related issues – ECIC

* Relations between the European insti-

tutions and leading international manage-

ment consultancy companies on the free

movement of services and other issues of

interest to the MC sector – Pendo Group.

Dr. Ilse Ennsfellner, CMC, Vice Chair of ICMCI




10

The Institute for Management Consul-

tants and Information Technology Ex-

perts, or „INCITE“ for short, is the Quali-

ty Academy of UBIT. The Focus: Training,

Certification and Accreditation.

The demand for qualified consultancy with

a certification is on the rise in Austria and

abroad because of the demand for qualifi-

cation. At INCITE, IT consultants, manage-

ment consultants and professional accoun-

tants are at the right place: The high quality

training and certification offered at INCITE

provides concrete competitive advantages in

dynamic markets. Certifications are special

certificates issued by a hearing committee

after a thorough evaluation. They confirm

a high level of qualification and social com-

petence, such as those of the CMC (Certified

Management Consultants), or the CTEs (Cer-

tified Turnaround Experts). Accreditations

document extensive experience and speci-

alist knowledge and prove one is a specia-

lists in their profession. Such as accredited

export consultants or accredited industry

trainers (Customers‘ Certified Trainers). In

2008, the range of accreditations was ex-

panded to include CSR consultants. All tho-

se requirements for the profession are not a

step backwards to regulation. They in fact

give the clients more security and the free-

dom to choose the right consultant for their

specific needs.

QUALITY ACADEMY INCITE ACCREDITATIONS DOCUMENT EXPERIENCE

Certified Management Consultant

„The qualifications for consultancy are not

derived directly from education, but from

experience, ability and accomplishment in

the technical or professional skills“, states

Prof. Dr. Gerd Prechtl,CMC, past Chair of

ICMCI Euro Hub.

As per definition, the Certified Management

Consultant, CMC, is a management consul-

tant who meets certain requirements pertai-

ning to character, qualifications, experience,

independence and competence as defined by

the CMC competency framework. It implies

that a CMC possesses a certain profile of

competencies, such as

− consultancy competence,

− management competence,

− professional specialism,

− socio/technological/economic/political

awareness, and should progress further.

Furthermore, compliance with the code of

conduct is required. The certification is

on a voluntary basis and can be obtained

through a professional assessment. The Pro-

fessional Association for Management Con-

sultancy and IT so far has about 400 certi-

fied management consultants operating in

the market.

www.incite.at

Alfons Helml, ManagingDirector of Incite GmbH







Prof. Dr. Gerd Prechtl, CMC,Chairman of the sector Information &Consultancy of Lower Austria

projects of the year were awarded. Besides

the four main categories Management Con-

sulting, Information Technology, Communi-

cation & Networks and Personnel & Training

five further special prizes were awarded on

excellent consulting performances. A top-

class jury had selected the winners from a

total of 147 applications. In the category

“Constantinus International”, applicants

came from Italy, India and Croatia.

A World Consultant´s Day full of energy

In the course of the World Consultant’s Day

12

Constantinus 2009: Consultants show

best practise

The seventh annual Constantinus Award of

the professional association of Management

Consultancy and Information Technology

(UBIT) of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce

was awarded on June 16th 2009: The solemn

ceremony took place at Grafenegg Castle in

Lower Austria, where the best consulting

THE CONSTANTINUS AWARDAUSTRIA’S COVETED IT AND CONSULTANCY AWARD







a special highlight was set: Directed by Prof.

Dr. Gerd Prechtl, CMC, an extraordinary per-

formance called „Energy. Quintessence of life

– Quintessence of consultancy” was shown.

Even before, an international discussion

round had headed a meeting of „CMC Mas-

ters Club” with more than 70 Certified Ma-

nagement Consultants (CMC). The topic of

the discussion was “An International Com-

parison of Consultancy Markets”.

www.constantinus.net

Prof. Dr. Gerd Prechtl, CMC,Chairman of the sector Information &

Consultancy of Lower Austria

Brian Ing, CMC, Chairman of ICMCI

Brian Ing, CMC, Chairman of ICMCI, Dr. Ilse Ennsfellner, CMC, Vice Chair of ICMCI, and the Italian applicant Francesco D’Aprile,second-place winner in the category “Constantinus International”

ces of the participating small and medium-

sized businesses a comprehensive insight

into the complex business processes.

Category „Engineering Consulting“

Austrian National Award Winner in the cate-

gory „Engineering Consulting“ is tyromoti-

on GmbH who developed the „Amadeo Hand

Therapy System“. The therapy device for

finger and hand was commissioned by the

rehabilitation clinic Judendorf-Straßengel.

„Amadeo“ is used for all ailments of the

central nervous system - CNS. Through the

mechanical movement of the finger, areas of

the brain relevant to movement are verifia-

bly activated.

Spearhead of the Economy

The successful projects show that the invest-

ment in consultation clearly brings profits

for the customers that are often worth much

more than the consultation costs. Thus, the

assessment of projects contributes to the

economic importance of knowledge-based

services and their spearhead role in opening

new markets for Austrian businesses. By the

way, companies who received the Constanti-

nus Award are also automatically eligible for

an award in the category „Business and In-

formation Technology“, namely for the first

three winners for the main categories, the

winners of the special categories, as well as

the provincial winner.

On November 24th, 2008, the Federal

Ministry for Economy and Labour to-

gether with UBIT and the ACA (Austrian

Consultants Association) awarded the

Austrian National Award for Consulting

for the fourth time.

Awards were presented for the knowledge-

based services of Austrian companies and IT

consultants as well as engineering firms and

civil engineers. As in the previous year, the-

re were two categories: The category „Ma-

nagement Consulting and IT“ was awarded

in cooperation with UBIT, and the category

of „Engineering Consulting“ was awarded in

cooperation with the ACA, the representati-

ve of the engineering firms and engineering

consultants.

Category „Management Consulting and IT“

In the category „Management Consulting

and IT“, the management consulting compa-

ny Gamon and Partner was able to take home

the Austrian National Award. They received

the award for their project „HiPos Apprenti-

ce Campaign Walgau“, a comprehensive de-

velopment and education concept for busi-

nesses that provide apprenticeship training

in the business community of Walgau. The

HiPos training platform offers the apprenti-

AUSTRIAN NATIONAL AWARD FOR CONSULTING GALA OF INNOVATIONS IN VIENNA

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Sche

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cker

“Consulting is the link between research and the implementation of innovations in business.” Alfred Harl







14

16

The who‘s who in Austria’s business

world accepted the invitation to the 6th

Austrian IT and Consultant Day on No-

vember 27th, 2008 in Vienna’s Hofburg

Palace. Under the motto „Success in Red

White Red“, Austria’s top entrepreneurs

presented their success strategies at the

country’s most important industry event.

The Austrian IT & Consultant Day has es-

tablished itself as a meeting place for in-

ternational entrepreneurs and experts from

business, politics and media and captured

the interest of all who attended last year

with first-rate expert speakers. „The Consul-

tant Day is the largest industry event for all

UBIT members and their clients,“ said UBIT

Chairman Alfred Harl, explaining the impor-

tance of this event for Austria’s businesses.

Illustrious Guests

The speakers at the Austrian IT & Consul-

tant Day read like a who‘s who of Austria’s

top businesses. ORF presenter Peter Re-

setarits welcomed among others Benno

Weißmann, Managing Director of the main

sponsor SAP Österreich GmbH, the CEO of

IBM, Leo Steiner, and Antonio Schnieder,

President of the Federal Association of Ger-

man Management Consultants and Mana-

ging Director of Capgemini Germany. The

Oscar winning director Stefan Ruzowitzky

received a standing ovation for outlining

IT & CONSULTANT DAY ‚09„SUCCESS IN RED WHITE RED“ – AUSTRIA’S TOP COMPANIES

his path to success in the movie business.

As the highlight of the evening gala, Nor-

bert Zimmermann, Chairman of the Board

for Berndorf AG and accomplished tenor

saxophonist, gave a benefit performance

with his band “Swinging Leaders” for the

non-profit organization „Rote Nasen“.

An Impressive Exhibition

More than 1,400 guests accepted the invi-

tation to the conference in Vienna‘s Hof-

burg Palace as well as for the evening gala

that followed where they took advantage of

the elegant setting to exchange ideas and

engage in networking. As in the previous

year, the IT & Consultant Day 2008 proved

itself to be a target group-oriented commu-

nication platform that combined outstan-

ding know-how from Austria and abroad.

„Austria has very successful companies. At

the 6th Austrian IT & Consultant Day we

were able to present an impressive exhibi-

tion ranging from century-old family busi-

nesses to the successful start-ups of today.

That gives us confidence for the future“,

summed up organizer Alfred Harl.

www.beratertag.at

Among the first-rate expert speakers

Heidegunde Senger-Weiss, Gebrüder Weiss

GmbH | Georg Kapsch, Kapsch AG | Gerhard

Gössl, Trachtenmoden | Monika Thurnher,

iku®intelligente Fenstersysteme AG | Jo-

hannes Gutmann, Sonnentor Kräuterhan-

delsges. m. b. H. | Hans Staud, Staud’s

GmbH | Reinhold Stumpfl, AV Stumpfl

GmbH | Ulrike Haslauer, Compact Electric

| Erwin Kotányi, Kotányi GmbH Gewürze

| Berndt Querfeld, Café Landtmann | Ga-

bor Rose, Jones | Jürgen Pansy, sms.at |

Fidel Peugeot, Walking-Chair design stu-

dio GmbH | Reinhold Schärf, Coffeeshop

GmbHYear for year, the

Austrian IT and

Consultant Day ne

ver fails to captur

e

the interest of all

those who attend

with first-rate spe

akers.







19

In more than 600 personal consultations in

2007 alone, exporters of knowledge-based

services were given support quickly and ef-

ficiently.

www.a-i-c.at

Johann Steszgal, CMC, is the Founding

President of “PIN-SME“

The European Union of ICT companies,

„PIN-SME“ - Pan European ICT & eBusiness

Network for SME, was founded within the

framework of the Union of Small and Medi-

um-sized Businesses. Founding members are

the business organizations in the ICT sector

from eight European countries (Bulgaria,

Denmark, Germany, France, Britain, Italy,

Austria and Spain). Johann Steszgal, CMC,

Chairman for Information and Consulting

in Burgenland was elected as the Founding

President of PIN-SME. Thus, an Austrian

was once again appointed to the head of a

European professional association. „We are

convinced that standards, provided they

are set accordingly, are very helpful for ICT

companies. Therefore, we must ensure that

the concerns of the SMEs are not only heard,

but also taken into account when develo-

ping these standards,“ said Steszgal in his

inaugural speech.

www.pin-sme.eu

18

The contracting practices of multina-

tional companies show: International

consultant firms are preferred. The

Austrian International Consultants as-

sist smaller consultants to better po-

sition themselves in the international

environment.

Even the best consultants rely on net-

working and cooperation. The ARGE Pl-

anning and Consultancy Export is a solid

platform for the small structured Austrian

consulting business: It ensures that the

Austrian International Consultants – AIC,

part of the Professional Association - are

perceived better and helps in finding do-

mestic and international partners. „Be it

gathering information, initiating contacts

abroad, or representing cross-industry in-

terests in Austria and in Europe, by joi-

ning forces we can achieve much more,“

emphasizes Walter Mayr, who at the begin

of 2008 succeeded Hannes Posch as Pre-

sident of the AIC. With this in mind, the

ARGE 2008 organized numerous activities

ranging from special events, to collabora-

tive forums, and all the way to market ex-

ploration trips, in which 463 members and

interested parties from Austria and abroad

participated.

JOINING FORCESAUSTRIAN INTERNATIONAL CONSULTANTS - ARGE PLANNING AND CONSULTANCY EXPORT

EUROPEAN IT PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS„PIN-SME“ UNDER AUSTRIAN PRESIDENCY

Dr. Walter Mayr, President of ARGE Pla-nungs- und Beratungsexport, and Mag.a Maria Kollmann, Management

Johann Steszgal







In recent years, the membership numbers

have developed positively. In 2007, the

Economic Chambers of Vienna, Lower Aus-

tria and Salzburg also became sponsoring

organizations for ARGE proEthik.

www.wko.at/proEthik

20

The working group ProEthik is a vo-

luntary association of members of the

Austrian Federal Economic Chamber

that are particularly committed to the

modern principles of ethical conduct.

The members of proEthik, under their

Chairman, Prof. Dr. DDr. h. c. Ludwig Ada-

movich - retired President of the Consti-

tutional Court and current adviser of the

President of the Federal Republic of Aust-

ria - have committed themselves to ethical

behavior, fair management and the promo-

tion of integrity and competence in their

respective professions. They are aware of

their responsibility to their partners and

the entire national economy. This commit-

ment is expressed in codes of conduct and

ethics for the working groups who in doing

so wish to create more trust and transpa-

rency with this voluntary self-regulation

measure. „Especially in times of economic

uncertainty, it is important to follow ethi-

cal business principles,“ emphasizes Prof.

Dr. Gerd Prechtl, CMC, initiator of ARGE

proEthik.

The ethics committee formed by ARGE of-

fers support in preparing such principles

and can also be contacted to serve as a

mediator.

ARGE proEthik

Achieve more, together.

FOR MORE TRUST AND TRANSPARENCY







22

YOUR CONTACTS AT UBIT

UBIT Head Office

Wiedner Hauptstraße 63 · 1045 ViennaTel. +43 (0)590 900-3760 · [email protected]

Mag.a Andrea FraunschielAdministrative Officer

UBIT Head Office


Cornelia SummerSpecial Projects

UBIT Head Office


Larissa NolzAssistent




UBIT Head Office


Alfred Harl, CMCUBIT Chairman

CHAIRPERSONS OF THEPROFESSIONAL GROUPS

UBIT Head Office


KommR Robert Bodenstein, CMCChairman of the professional

group Management Consultants

UBIT Head Office


Mag. René Tritscher, LL.M.Managing Director

UBIT Head Office


DI Wilfried SeyruckChairman of the professional

group InformationTechnology Providers

UBIT Head Office


Andreas Stadler, CMCChairman of the professional

group Self-employedConsultants

UBIT Head Office


DI Dieter Zoubek, CMCChairman of the

professional groupTelecom Service Provider




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