KMU Swiss Forum calls for courage to change

The KMU Swiss Forum is one of the most important business events in German-speaking Switzerland. The program of this year's anniversary event met with great interest - over 500 guests from politics and business took part. The day's program was packed with top-class speakers. They discussed and illuminated the topic of "Change - the constant constant" from various perspectives. Hugo Bigi led through the event. He is the same as he was 15 years ago, but not the same anymore, the moderator emphasized good-humoredly at the beginning of the program.

Armin Baumann, initiator of the KMU Swiss Forum and CEO of KMU Swiss AG, emphasized in his welcoming speech that the mood among Swiss SMEs was encouraging. "Swiss SMEs are increasingly creating jobs and in this way form the backbone of the economy," said Armin Baumann. "The change is there. Always and everywhere. It is important to recognize it and use it as an opportunity." This statement is also reinforced by Federal President Doris Leuthard in her opening speech.

Federal President pleads for investment in education and training of skilled workers

After twelve years, the President of the Swiss Confederation honors the KMU Swiss Forum for the second time as guest speaker. As head of the Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC), Doris Leuthard is confronted with change on a daily basis. Since the financial crisis in 2008, Switzerland has been in constant change, which is accompanied by much uncertainty. "Nevertheless, our country is the only constant in the world. Despite the crisis, Switzerland has been able to reduce debt and has stable growth figures," the President of the Swiss Confederation explains with pleasure. This shows that the business landscape here is quite capable of adapting in difficult times, she added. The state government is convinced that it can provide even more support for training and continuing education with a partial amount from the surpluses in the state budget. "But the SMEs themselves must come up with ideas for change," Doris Leuthard emphasized.

"From the root to the fruit"

Bruno Aregger has learned to sensitize and open his mind to change. Growing up in an entrepreneurial family, he was strongly influenced by the drive to do everything himself and to take charge. He is the founder of APPLETREE Think Thank and now lectures on business values. Aregger advised participants that in today's world, they need to be aware of their values. Employees are an important asset. As an entrepreneur, it pays to invest in your employees. He compared an SME to an apple tree and the cycle. If the tree has a good root system (employees, managers and owners), the apple tree yields a higher harvest.

Revolutionizing the world with electric guitars

The young entrepreneurs Silvan Küng and Pirmin Giger from Relish Brother AG are childhood friends. Due to their passion for music and the guitar, they founded their startup four years ago. Since then, they have successfully mixed up the international market with novel, high-quality electric guitars and produce 600 instruments. With the premium guitar "Jane", they have succeeded in creating a first hit that sets new standards in the music world. Well-known guitarists such as Philipp Fankhauser or Phil Campell from Motörhead are enthusiastic about this top product. "Thanks to our curiosity for change, we have managed to establish guitars as one of Switzerland's most important export goods, alongside chocolate and watches," said Silvan Küng proudly. The focus was not on earnings, but on the joy and passion of creating something new.

The man behind the stage

Love, desire and passion! These characteristics shaped Freddy Burger, owner of the Freddy Burger Management Group, throughout his life. He is an affirmative doer type who always tested his decisions on "brain, gut and heart". Values are very important to him, he said, and he referred to Bruno Aregger's presentation. He himself had planted a tree with Udo Jürgens at the beginning of their collaboration. Today, this tree is immortalized as a wallpaper on Freddy Burger's cell phone - as a reminder of a long-standing, loyal friendship.

"I learned from the experience, fell down, picked myself up and started all over again," the 71-year-old recounted. He learned how to deal with change, he said. Except for one, which he still resists today. He can't do anything with digitalization, the entrepreneur revealed. "There's no laptop on my desk and I don't write short messages or e-mails." When asked by moderator Hugo Bigi how he manages the work that comes his way, Freddy Burger replied mischievously, "I have two assistants who do this work for me." Cheerful laughter went through the rows of seats.

Today the villain, tomorrow the comedian

He knows best how to deal with change: Actor Anatole Taubman. His profession brings challenges, as he has already played the lead and supporting roles in more than 90 cinema and television productions. With a lot of wit and charm, he told of his everyday professional life. Among other things, he has been a priest, a lover, a warrior and a forensic doctor. "But my favorite part is playing a villain," he revealed with a grin. Asked if he was afraid that he might suddenly stop getting assignments, Taubman denied it: "It's important for an actor to stay hungry and brave." That's the only way he can take advantage of opportunities.

Surprise - A musical treat

Other renowned speakers entertained the guests at the anniversary SME Swiss Forum with exciting content on mobility and global changes. After a review of the past 15 years by Armin Baumann and Hugo Bigi, surprise guest and soul singer Nubya brought the anniversary forum to a crowning conclusion. The Basel singer performed three of her songs and sang about courage, strength and change.

More information: www.kmuswiss.ch