Resilience as part of the new normal
On January 20, the 28th Rheintaler Wirtschaftsforum took place in Widnau. In front of a sold-out audience, prominent speakers addressed the topic of the new normal. This can be mastered with two essential skills: with resilience and adaptability, i.e. resilience.
In the wake of crises, the economy, society and politics are at the beginning of a new normal. This was also the focus of this year's Rheintal Economic Forum. With former Federal Councillor Kaspar Villiger, Sulzer Chairman of the Board Suzanne Thoma, Corps Commander Hans-Peter Walser and Johannes Gutmann, owner of Sonnentor Kräuterhandels GmbH, the conference was again extremely prominent. The speakers provided the numerous audience members with a lot of food for thought. The surprise musical guest was Alexander Frei from Balgach, known by his stage name Crimer.
Democracies with homegrown problems
At almost 82 years of age, 20 years after stepping down from the Federal Council, Kaspar Villiger is still a wise observer of politics and a sought-after advisor. He proved this in an eloquent manner at the Rheintal Economic Forum. He reminded the audience that liberal democracy is not an innate form of government, but requires constant care because of its vulnerability. Many of today's problems in democracies are homemade, he said, especially because the popular rather than the necessary is often pursued. According to Villiger, "even the best democracy needs a living civil society that defends it tooth and nail and actively lives its values. It is particularly important to remain resilient by democracies doing their homework, defending themselves militarily, standing together and finding ways to coexist with autocracies.
War and peace
Corps Commander Hans-Peter Walser, head of training for the Swiss Armed Forces, outlined the new security landscape in the wake of Russia's war of aggression on Ukraine. Today, he said, no clear line can be drawn between war and peace. Cyberattacks by an aggressor are as much a part of it as targeting the weakest and economic targets. Walser cited the example of China, which deliberately creates dependencies in the West with its economic holdings. If there is a military attack, it takes place on several levels, including cyberspace, outer space and information space. But wars would still be decided militarily on the ground. From the point of view of young Swiss people, Walser's obvious conclusion is that it is still worthwhile to do military service and to continue their education there.
A praise for sobriety
Suzanne Thoma, Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of Sulzer, spoke about the challenges facing the economy and corporate management. She also emphasized the importance of resilient development. She sees the Swiss economy under more pressure on a global level "than we would like," especially due to Switzerland's strong export orientation. Deglobalization will make things more uncomfortable in the coming years, she said. There is only one solution left for companies: "We have to come back to a certain sobriety."
Economy of the common good as a recipe for success in the new normality
Sunshine into the Aegeten sports hall was brought by Johannes Gutmann, owner of Sonnentor Kräuterhandels GmbH from Austria. In 1988, he pioneered a small organic farm in the Waldviertel region on the Czech border, together with three farmers. This has grown into a company with 500 employees today and 900 products from around the world. Gutmann told the story of his company as a story of farmers who wanted to become free. He cited a number of success factors that can probably also make life easier in the new normal: Empathy, with an eye on the common good, appreciation combined with value creation, maximizing meaning instead of maximizing profit. And above all, "I wanted balance and a good life."
Prize of the Rheintaler Economy
Traditionally, the prize of the Rheintaler Wirtschaft is also awarded on the occasion of the Rheintaler Wirtschaftsforum. This year, Sterngarage in Heerbrugg wins this award. From the hands of jury president Klaus Brammertz, the couple Klara and Bruno Bischofberger, the patrons of the family business, were able to receive the prize sculpture. The garage with its 70 employees is distinguished by innovations and exemplary employee management, according to the tribute.
The next Rhine Valley Economic Forum will take place on January 26, 2024.
More information: www.wifo.ch
