Reply to: German business sentiment hits record low in December

[BrilloPad]

In fact looking at the FT today - its looking pretty grim for Germany

German business confidence has plunged to its lowest since the early 1980s, highlighting the speed of the country’s industrial collapse.


Thats scary stuff.

So still having a manufacturing base has done them alot of good.

[AlfredJPruffock]

In fact looking at the FT today - its looking pretty grim for Germany

German business confidence has plunged to its lowest since the early 1980s, highlighting the speed of the country’s industrial collapse.


Thats scary stuff.

[Mich the Tester]

They're working on that. Or rather Western unions and management of major car companies are working on it for them, for free. Remember Rover, IBM PCs...

What happened to all those wonderful British brands that died with BL-Rover-AustinMG-Leyland? Like Morris, Triumph, Hillman, Humber, Riley and so on? The Italians are doing a pretty good job of reviving Lancia, ze Germans have done a good job with Skoda, so why can’t Britain do the same with some of these great names?

[ace00]

They won't have the brand name......

They're working on that. Or rather Western unions and management of major car companies are working on it for them, for free. Remember Rover, IBM PCs...

[Mich the Tester]

Its because the unemployed receive 70 per cent of their takehome as Unemployment Benefit- so theres very little incentive to find a job - I think this benefit lasts for a year then drops a bit then another year later then you're down to a pitttance.

East Germany’s still full of people for whom a West German pittance is a life of leisure and luxury.

[AlfredJPruffock]

According to the Centre for Economic Policy Research to name but one, Germany has the highest skills gap in Europe with over 1 million vacancies it can't fill due to insufficient skills in the labour market (despite having an unemployment rate of over 10%, depending on who's figures you believe).

So please tell us what you base this priceless little gem on?

PERHAPS ... its because the unemployed receive 70 per cent of their takehome as Unemployment Benefit- so theres very little incentive to find a job - I think this benefit lasts for a year then drops a bit then another year later then you're down to a pitttance.

PS I will offer either Five Pound Notes or Five Euros - cash deal - for last years BMW series flash.

[PM-Junkie]

The big difference is that German has a far higher amount of skilled workers with a better work ethic.

According to the Centre for Economic Policy Research to name but one, Germany has the highest skills gap in Europe with over 1 million vacancies it can't fill due to insufficient skills in the labour market (despite having an unemployment rate of over 10%, depending on who's figures you believe).

So please tell us what you base this priceless little gem on?

[DiscoStu]

The big difference is that German has a far higher amount of skilled workers with a better work ethic.

You all sit here and moan about the state of the nation but then turn over 800 posts a day on TPD.

Didn't you go to contractor school? That's what you're meant to do!!

[sasguru]

The big difference is that German has a far higher amount of skilled workers with a better work ethic.

You all sit here and moan about the state of the nation but then turn over 800 posts a day on TPD.

But we're cleverer than the Germans.
That's why there are 10 Bob Shawadiwadis working for me, so I can let you have the benefit of my wit, intellect and wisdom.

[minestrone]

The big difference is that German has a far higher amount of skilled workers with a better work ethic.

You all sit here and moan about the state of the nation but then turn over 800 posts a day on TPD.

[sasguru]

that is what I like about Germans and Germany: they're not cheap and they're not superficial.

No but they're inflexible and unwieldy.

[expat]

Quite. That's why Siemens (and others) who make Wind Turbines, Solar Panels have order book filled up for many years in advance

I'd say so long as Germany is not run by greedy, short-term barstewards who would sell their country on the cheap (ie like you) then it will deal with the problems just fine.

I am just hoping they would buy railways in this country and finally get here affordable fast trains that run on time.

that is what I like about Germans and Germany: they're not cheap and they're not superficial.

[AtW]

So you mean that you would feel like a Pr1ck if you were in a Zil?

Yes - word "member" in Russian is the same as that

[AtW]

When the oil runs out, Germany is fooked then. We will have had experience in developing the first post-industrial economy, they won't know what to do.

Quite. That's why Siemens (and others) who make Wind Turbines, Solar Panels have order book filled up for many years in advance

I'd say so long as Germany is not run by greedy, short-term barstewards who would sell their country on the cheap (ie like you) then it will deal with the problems just fine.

I am just hoping they would buy railways in this country and finally get here affordable fast trains that run on time.

[expat]

When the oil runs out, Germany is fooked then. We will have had experience in developing the first post-industrial economy, they won't know what to do.

Hth.

I remember exactly that being said in the 1970s.