The bit group wins the Styrian Export Prize
14.07.2010
Approximately 400 participants welcomed the Styrian representative for the economy Dr. Christian Buchmann in the framework of the sixth Styrian Export Days and the 10th day of the foreign trade convention at the Graz Convention Center. "The export economy remains an important pillar of the Styrian economy", said Rep. Buchmann.
Winner in the category Service: the bit group, represented by big media e-learning solution GmbH & Co. KG
The Graz training and qualification company "bit -- best in training" is Austria's largest private provider in this area. 228 bit employees will achieve a turnover of €35 million in 2010. Of this amount, 29% will be contributed by exports. As is so often the case, the training center was founded as a one-man operation.
Growth since 1986 has been so rapid that more than 500,000 training days have been held and more than 15,000 e-learning customers have been supported. The core of the company is the training center, which offers standardized and certified EDP courses throughout Austria.
All other trainings are provided by a consultation company founded specifically for this purpose. The drive behind the company and its founder Stephan Sticher can be seen in the following example: Since 2007, bit has been the official distribution partner for the US corporation Microsoft in Europe, the Middle East and Africa and thereby the first distributor of Microsoft e-Learning courses outside the USA.
Klaus Kersten DI, Director of International Distribution is proud to be able to present the services offered by the bit group in foreign countries. He regularly visits all of the export countries to provide personal, on-location support for running projects and to prepare the ground for new ones.
Manfred Brandner MBA – CEO bit media international:
Due to the weak worldwide economic situation as a result of the financial crisis, we have placed great emphasis on maintaining our market share particularly in difficult markets – often developing countries or countries that have been much less affected by the financial crisis. This has been possible through intensive attention to the need of the customers in difficult times and by concentrating our activities on promising regions. Iraq, for example, whose budget is primarily dependent on oil, has been much less affected by the financial crisis that Russia. Also, because the products and services that we offer in foreign countries remain our exclusive property, we have a great deal of flexibility in the design of pricing. This advantage has also allowed us to maintain customers and market share.
Stephan Sticher – Founder and owner of the bit group:
We have concluded in the past years numerous international projects. Our export quota is now 29% and rising. Our goal in the next 2 to 3 years is to achieve an increase of up to 50%. Knowledge-based services have proven to serve as an important door opener in the development of new markets.
The transport of our Know-how raises the export standard of the Austrian economy and has helped to establish Austria as a preferred place to do business, thereby also securing jobs.
