Business calendar Münsterland

Digitising business processes, investing in IT security or researching a new product and bringing it to market? Anyone tackling these tasks can access publicly available financial support. For many, however, the funding jungle presents a challenge.

Funding expert Dr. Kai Pflanz from NRW.BANK's Economic Development Advisory Centre answers all questions about grant funding for innovation and digitisation projects in a 30-minute initial consultation.

The offer is aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises that want to invest in innovation or digitisation topics.

ChatGPT and other artificial intelligences offer companies a wide range of possibilities to automate workflows and communication and to initiate new processes. Currently, however, there are still a number of legal problems and questions that could stand in the way of widespread use.

At the digital information event "ChatGPT and Co. - legal challenges, legal possibilities", Dr. Stefan Bischoff from the law firm Wolter Hoppenberg will give valuable tips and advice on how ChatGPT and similar programmes can be used in companies in a legally secure manner. The focus is in particular on questions of data protection and copyright, which are relevant when using AI tools in a corporate context.

At the next exchange meeting of the Augmented Reality focus group, we will be looking in two directions - into the future and into practice!

A look into the future

Lukas Rengbers and Tim Seyock from Münster University of Applied Sciences will present what is currently possible in the field of augmented reality and where the technology is heading. In doing so, they also address the linking of AR and AI as well as current hardware. They also show what AR glasses could look like in the future.

In addition, the two present their "AR Assembling Guide". This ensures that 3D models of products are processed into a three-dimensional and easy-to-understand instruction manual. Appropriate instructions and animations can be used to achieve an intuitive user experience.

A look into practice

Together with his colleague Marvin Baumeister, Patrick Leufkens from NFT automates GmbH will demonstrate the possible applications of augmented reality in industry. They will share their experiences from research and development as well as from realised projects in production. In addition, they will show in two small live demos how AR can be implemented in a short time without CAD data of the plant and simultaneously connected with plant and machine data and what possibilities this opens up for any production

Many comprehensive further training courses such as the Master Craftsman, the Business Administrator HwO or the Designer in Crafts are eligible for funding through the Upgrading Training Assistance Act (Aufstiegs-BAföG). In this event, you will learn what you need to consider when applying for the funding, which requirements you need to fulfil and how the funding is structured in detail. You will also be shown step by step where to find the application forms and how to fill them out correctly.

At the information evenings, the participants get an insight into the state-recognised further training courses "Designer:in im Handwerk" and "Designer:in (HWK)". They will also learn how it is possible to attend a master craftsperson school in their own trade at the same time if they are interested.

The information evening will be held as a hybrid, i.e. simultaneously online and on site.

The shopping behaviour of customers has changed enormously in recent years. Online retailing has been able to record enormous growth - especially in assortments relevant to city centres. The stationary trade must adapt to this pressure of change and play to its strengths. Above all, the topics of "experience" and "convenience" play an important role. Digitisation can provide support here and bring new impetus to stationary retail. In the lecture, wfc will show which advantages digital assistants offer, how they can be used and what needs to be considered. In addition, examples will be shown of what digitalisation can look like on the shop floor and how it can offer customers added value.

On Saturday, 10 June from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Überwasserkirchplatz, you can visit around 50 stands to find out what is already on offer in Münster on the subject of sustainability, how you can make your everyday life more sustainable and where you can get involved in more sustainability.

The actors will present their projects and invite you to join in!

There will also be a colourful stage programme with contributions from our network partners and a wide range of culinary delicacies with regional, ecological, vegetarian and fair trade products.

In this event, participants will learn more about the contents, dates, admission requirements, examination procedures and funding for the certified commercial specialist (Bachelor Professional for Commercial Management).

What does sustainability mean for people - for their rights and their individual needs? Does sustainable management have other positive effects for companies besides ecological and economic aspects? Can social sustainability even be a problem solver?

The #Chefsache event will address precisely these questions.

Marian Hüer, Mittelstand-Digital Zentrum Lingen.Münster.Osnabrück, will give an overview of the tasks and opportunities of companies in the context of sustainable change in the economy and society. In particular, he will shed light on how sustainability in social terms can go hand in hand with employee retention and securing skilled workers.

Falko Hellmich, managing director of the company Hellmich Backwelt, will report from practice. Hellmich GmbH is an innovative company, sustainability is lived holistically: in the areas of product development, supply chains and flow of goods as well as in the new building through the use of fuel cells to generate energy and heat. The company has also developed innovative and sustainable social measures that contribute to employee loyalty and have a positive impact on recruiting.

Around one third of all pupils acquire a higher education entrance qualification, and the trend is still rising. Many high school graduates are looking for a demanding practical training or the possibility to combine training and studies. This is an opportunity to recruit high-performing and motivated trainees for the skilled crafts sector and to secure the next generation of managers for tomorrow today.

The study programme Craft Management B. A. combines training in the skilled crafts with business studies and master craftsman school. In around four and a half years, graduates acquire the degree of Gesell:in, the title of Bachelor of Arts and various further education qualifications that are recognised as parts of the master craftsman's examination.

At the event, the Chamber of Skilled Crafts will provide information about this course of study.

Young people hardly read newspapers, but they are on social networks. In order to successfully reach young people via social media and win them over for your training, it is important to observe certain rules. The Chamber of Skilled Crafts provides practical advice from a skilled crafts enterprise.

The Gründerstipendium NRW - a project of the Ministry for Economic Affairs, Innovation, Digitalisation and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia - gives founders the chance to get their innovative business idea off the ground and enter the start-up scene in their region. Scholarship holders receive a monthly amount of 1,000 euros for a maximum of one year to help them get started in the world of entrepreneurship. In addition, they are given the opportunity to receive individual coaching.

Anyone who has already developed initial ideas, is about to start up or is one step further along and has launched a start-up within the past twelve months can apply now and present their own start-up idea at the jury meeting.

Pride in what has been achieved. The Chamber of Skilled Crafts explains in this lecture which projects and tasks are suitable for handing over to junior staff and where to draw the line for handing over assignments to the 'youngest'.

The labour market is currently changing dramatically. Due to demographic factors, the potential of skilled workers is decreasing more and more. Added to this are global crises and upheavals. These developments are exacerbating the already existing problem of a shortage of skilled workers. At the same time, digitalisation in particular is creating completely new demands on companies and their employees. This event is about the topic of "New Work".

Today's young people are more interested in the climate and politics than previous generations. In this event, the Chamber of Skilled Crafts shows how companies can use the social commitment of these young people to recruit highly motivated trainees.

Setting up your own business should be well prepared in advance. This online event will provide answers to the most important questions: What belongs in a business plan? Which funding programmes can I take advantage of? What does company and private insurance look like? And what registration formalities do I have to go through?

This one-hour online seminar is designed to give founders an introduction to the topic and an overview of the next steps. The speakers are the experienced business consultants of the Münster Chamber of Skilled Crafts.

Six young entrepreneurs and start-ups report on their start-up experiences at various stations in the Mühlenhof Open-Air Museum in Münster and provide additional information on specific topics such as: Customer acquisition via social media, branding, investor financing, NRW start-up scholarship, team formation and business succession.

Who likes to expect the worst? Unfortunately, it can happen to anyone! A sudden accident, a serious illness or even the death of the entrepreneur. Even a short absence can be enough to put the business in an existentially threatening situation.

An emergency folder with the most important regulations is therefore an entrepreneur's duty. In practice, however, this often looks different. But:

• What happens next? Which regulations come into force?
• Who is allowed to decide what?
• Where are access codes, powers of attorney and contracts?
• What does the succession look like?

All these questions will be answered in this seminar.

The title "Certified Business Administrator HwO" represents the highest level of further training in business management in the skilled crafts sector and is particularly interesting for anyone who wants to make a career in the skilled crafts sector or in small and medium-sized enterprises.

In the online event, the Chamber of Industry and Commerce provides information about the advanced training "Certified Business Administrator HwO". Among other things, it deals with the contents, dates, admission requirements and examination procedures as well as possibilities for funding and financing the course and examination fees. The possible career prospects and experiences of other graduates are also on the agenda.

he state and federal governments offer interesting financing and promotion products for business expansions, relocations, restructurings, takeovers or even reorganisations. Together with the experts from NRW.BANK and Bürgschaftsbank, the North Westphalia Chamber of Industry and Commerce provides information about this in personal talks that end with targeted recommendations for action.

The support and advisory services are aimed at existing companies and potential successors who have a concrete need for capital and want to know more about a sustainable financing structure. Start-up projects with capital requirements of more than 150,000 euros are also in the right place here.

The project-related individual talks are currently still taking place via video conference. Representatives of tax and business consultancies or the house bank can also take part.

Appointments by arrangement.