The Senate of the Economy is a non-partisan organisation that wants to be a driving force in shaping the (economic) future.
Being a non-partisan business organisation, the Senate of the Economy sees itself as a driving force for shaping an eco-social and sustainable economy and society. It offers concrete and practical know-how for entrepreneurs and political decision- makers. The Senate does not only see itself as a think tank but also an action group, especially in the fields of economy, ecology, education and health. Chairman Hans Harrer, Mahdi Allagha and Ludwig Stepan, Members of the Executive Board, explain how the Senate works.
What does the Senate of the Economy do?
Mahdi Allagha: The Senate of the Economy is Austria’s largest,
independent and cross-sector business organisation for the promotion
of a strong and resilient business location and serves as the
mouthpiece of Austria’s small and medium-sized enterprises. We
focus on constructive, sustainable and long-term foundations, free
of any particular interests. When political actors commit to only one
side, this leads to a lack of diversity in the political debate and impairs
democratic discourse. Since we do not allow ourselves to be
taken in by any side and stand for expertise and integrity, the Senate
has developed into a recognised voice of the Austrian business
community since its foundation in 2005.
Who is appointed to the Senate? On the internet you can find
the description that the Senate is “an exclusive business organisation”.
Hans Harrer: Fundamentally, we are very inclusive, we represent
the centre of the entrepreneurial society. With us, the focus is on
the sovereign, the citizens, the doers, the entrepreneurs. The Senate
stands for an eco-social economy, a society in balance. People
who want to face the challenges of society outside political convictions
and particular interest groups. Most companies and their
creators are appointed to the Senate because other entrepreneurs
who have already identified with the Senate’s tasks recommend
them to our entrepreneurial community sharing the same values.
That is why we ask, ‘who fits in with us?’. Admission requires a
personal interview with our management to determine whether our
values match.
Ludwig Stepan: Due to this admission procedure, you notice quite
quickly, especially at Senate events, that we are a special community
of values. A partnership in the Senate is not an alliance of
convenience of a lobbying association, but a connection out of
conviction. There are synergies, cooperation, an unlimited transfer
of knowledge and know-how.
You describe the Senate itself as a think tank, but “above all as
a do tank”. What is the process like from thinking to doing?
Allagha: Our task as an organisation is to promote innovation at all
levels of our society, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises,
free of ideologies and party politics, to point out pressing
problems and to discuss them in a solution-oriented manner. In this
way, we can provide politicians with concrete proposals for solutions
and act efficiently and excellently for the benefit of the economy
and society. We bring the actors into the companies and advocate
for knowledge transfer at European and international level.
The problems of the future can only be solved together. It is important
that this is done with respect and at eye level!
What do you mean by “practical support for companies and
politicians to ensure future viability”?
Harrer: The Senate’s partners are primarily entrepreneurs, personalities
from Austrian companies from the SME sector, but also from
corporations. The expertise of these drivers and shakers makes it
possible to enrich practically all socio-political and entrepreneurial
concerns through solutions with user knowledge. The Senate is
essentially also a communicator at eye level, in order to bring the
data and facts precisely and efficiently to bear where the highest
degree of effectiveness for solutions can arise.
How do you prioritise your fields of economy, ecology, education
and health?
Ludwig Stepan: There is no prioritising between the four pillars of
the Senate, because all areas are necessary to shape a healthy society
and economy. Prioritising only arises when focal points are
worked on, such as cooperation with universities, universities of
applied sciences and teaching institutions, with which the Senate
works on topic-driven projects for the future. In all the areas mentioned,
the Senate of the Economy has its experts who support and
stimulate each other with their practical knowledge. These are, for
example, the MittelstandsAllianz, the KlimaAllianz, the Hospitality-
Allianz, the Bildungsallianz or the Allianz für Ethik in der Wirtschaft
How can you support your members with
your international business network?
Allagha: Our broad thematic positioning and the
cooperation with other network partners and
internationally operating organisations create
many opportunities. For example, we maintain
an extensive, qualified, factual and thematic
knowledge transfer to Senates in other countries,
both at European and international level.
This is reflected in expert studies, delegation
trips, congresses and project cooperation. The
Senate’s goal is to initiate and support the efficient,
solution-oriented exchange between our partner companies
at eye level. The Senate places great emphasis on an appreciative
exchange and understanding of cultures. After all, they are the
foundation for long-term successful professional and system-oriented
business relationships.
It is often said that Austria is in danger of losing out in the areas
of IT and AI. Is this issue on your agenda?
Harrer: Of course. It is our fundamental mandate of every entrepreneur,
every politician and every institution to promote education
and research. Investments in educational institutions, universities
and research centres specialised in IT and AI must lay the foundations
for innovation and skilled labour. Collaboration between academia,
industry and policymakers must help to promote joint research
projects and expand knowledge in IT, AI and all other
technology fields nationally and internationally. The establishment
of collaboration platforms and networks
must facilitate knowledge
exchange and the development of
best practices. It is necessary to
create a conducive environment
for a founder and start-up scene,
especially in the field of future
technologies. This includes a modern
financing and capital culture,
the provision of practice-oriented
incubators and technology centres,
as well as the complete reduction
of bureaucratic hurdles by
politics and its institutions. Continued
reform of the FlexKap law (NB:law on flexible incorporated enterprises) is needed.
Only recently, there was a generational
change at the top of the Senate. What changes
are in store?
Allagha: There is no generational change, there
is a generational alliance not only within the
Senate itself. This reflects what the Senate is
doing for our partner companies as well. A generational
alliance always has the task of making
the best of youth and experience available to the
sovereign, i.e. the organisations or the companies. When it comes
to shaping a sustainably balanced future, all decisions, freed from
the sensitivities of individuals, must be subordinated to the founding
culture and the greater good. Functioning generational adjustments
and changes never happen in assessments of yesterday and
tomorrow. They only work when they are almost unobtrusive in
their processes.
What are the greatest challenges for Austria as a business
location?
Harrer: Many problems are home-made and have the same causes.
We need doers with expertise, courage and a sense of responsibility
for the future. The rampant bureaucracy can only be contained by
professional management, for example. At the same time, we must
fight the deplorable particularism that kills every good idea before it
has even been discussed, just because it was formulated by a politically
different group. The trust of
entrepreneurs and the population in
political processes is crucial for a
balanced, stable democracy. When
actors are perceived as puppets of
certain interests, public trust is undermined
and damages our social
order. Every action of an economic
and political actor must therefore be
scrutinised for its meaning and its
added value for the citizens. Expertise,
transparency and a sense of
proportion, and above all common
sense, are the foundation for decisions
that serve the people.