Ask anyone on the Whitehall Resources international team where the best place to work in the world is in 2012 and the answer is quite clear.  Germany or Switzerland.  While the rest of Europe wallows in fear of a double dip recession, in Switzerland the price of property continues to climb unabated.  In Germany, tax cuts to encourage domestic spend in the wake of reduced demand from external sources means that GDP grew by 2.7% in 2011 whilst the budget deficit of 1.7% is well within the 3% maximum prescribed by the European Commission.

So why is it that these two powerhouses seem to be avoiding the worst of the last ten years of bank collapses, massive unemployment and the need for bailouts and outside intervention?  According to Alex Parr, one of Whitehall Resources’ international consultants for the region, the level of industrial output and the incentives offered to big businesses certainly contribute.  Of course, Switzerland, a small non-European island in our midst has the freedom to offer tax advantages which members of the EU find hard to match.  With the likes of Nestle, Sika and Novartis running some of the biggest SAP sites from the beautiful terrain on offer it is easy to see how, with virtually no unemployment, the country was able to achieve an 11.9% GDP surplus in 2010.  With Germany’s continuing output of machinery, vehicles and chemicals to name but a few, it would seem to be poised for regional dominance in terms of solid export potential and engineering achievement.

So, do we risk a “brain drain” of talent to these attractive regions?  Certainly the pay rates on offer surpass those achievable from the price conscious UK.  Spain, Italy, Portugal and most of all Greece cannot even hope to compete in the pay stakes, and already we are seeing a significant increase in the migration of talented IT professionals throughout Europe.  Certainly the major destinations include Germany and Switzerland.  However, the UK still holds an allure which cannot be matched by our non-English speaking competitors for talent.  I don’t think we need to panic just yet.  For those SAP professionals who want to capitalise on the demand from those regions and the high profile, cutting edge projects which are happening, the question to ask yourselves is “Sprechen Sie Deutsch?”.  Next question. Have you talked to the team at Whitehall about your requirements?”

DATELINE: Thursday, February 16, 2012