KEY MESSAGES

 

Messages

Mention

Neg. OTS

(‘000)

Pos. OTS

(‘000)

Neg. PRV

(€)

Pos. PRV

(€)

A new strong financial instrument

1

0

0

0

14

Achieving price stability and low interest rates

1

0

0

0

14

Businesses must prepare for the Euro

5

0

660

0

1,981,13

Current markets are expanding

1

0

0

0

51

Economic benefits for everybody

2

0

110

0

39,648

Eliminates transaction costs (globalisation / single market)

3

0

110

0

43,187

Enough management / staff resources available

2

0

2

0

26,563

Entire timetable for Euro introduction documented

7

0

757

0

179,268

Euro implementation date is 01-01-2002

5

0

664

0

160,685

Euro introduction is a costly process for SMEs

1

0

0

0

37

Explains which countries are joining the Euro

4

0

99

0

82,158

Explains which countries are not joining

3

0

97

0

62,758

History of Euro introduction clearly explained

3

0

140

0

100,645

It problems have been addressed

3

0

88

0

57,224

New competitors enter current markets

1

0

0

0

51

Our country is joining the EMU

3

0

103

0

52,757

Promotes a culture of stability and peace in Europe

1

0

0

0

12

SMEs are ready for the Euro

3

0

103

0

47,197

SMEs have been well informed about the Euro launch

5

0

617

0

120,334

SMEs welcome the Euro introduction

3

0

18

0

24,232

SMEs will benefit

2

0

108

0

29,198

Time elements have an impact for SMEs

3

0

545

0

55,249

Training is an issue for SMEs

1

0

0

0

37

 
There were 63 messages in total observed from the Austrian contribution (see table above). 

 

All publications and media tools feature a very enthusiastic and proactive approach, focussing on the opportunities and challenges of the euro.  It is noteworthy how the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber is proactively attempting to give practical assistance to its member organisations.  The strongest positive message is clearly “Businesses must prepare for the euro” and again the Austrian Chamber communicates clearly that they are there to help.

 

The expansion of current markets is no threat to Austrian SMEs.  Dominant positive messages state the fact that Austrian businesses are welcoming the euro introduction and have been well informed about its launch.  Training issues do not seem to be such an issue in this country.  The emphasis is that time, cost and resource implications have been addressed and shall be overcome.

 

There were no messages carrying any negative message content in the coverage. This is even more astonishing considering the fact that the communication tools are strongly based on feedback garnered directly from small businesses.

 

This leads to the conclusion that the communication strategy of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber has worked very well indeed.