Four books that might interest you

Corporate communications and PR design methods for strategic planning, control and evaluation. Author: Nanette Aimée Besson Publisher: utb GmbH, 2021 Pages: 291 ISBN: 97838255480 Changes in companies must be carefully planned and communicated - regardless of whether they involve restructuring or a new product. In her book, Nanette Aimée Besson presents the most important instruments [...]

BooksDesign corporate communications and PR Methods for strategic planning, control and evaluation.
  • Author: Nanette Aimée Besson
  • Publisher: utb GmbH, 2021
  • Pages: 291
  • ISBN: 97838255480
Changes in companies must be carefully planned and communicated - regardless of whether they involve restructuring or a new product. In her book, Nanette Aimée Besson presents the most important instruments of corporate communication - from briefing, research and conception to presentation and evaluation. In addition to classic methods, she also looks at newer techniques and trends. A scientifically sound and at the same time pleasingly practice-oriented handbook for all those involved in PR and marketing. Books Practice Guide for Artificial Intelligence in Marketing and Sales Examples, concepts and use cases.
  • Author: Laurenz Wuttke
  • Publisher: Springer Gabler, 2021
  • Pages: 244
  • ISBN: 9783658356255
AI-based marketing makes it possible to address customers in a personalized way and to use advertising in a highly targeted manner. In his book, Laurenz Wuttke explains in detail what is possible with AI in marketing. One example among many is the calculation of purchase probabilities. The author goes into great detail about the technological background and how it works. In comparison, he sketches the practical benefits rather roughly. However, some practical examples help to remedy the situation. Overall, this is a book that offers a good insight into the potential of AI in marketing and sales. Books AQ Why adaptability is the most important future competence.
  • Author: Carl Naughton
  • Publisher: GABAL, 2022
  • Pages: 212
  • ISBN: 9783967390964
In our rapidly changing world of work, adaptability is a key skill. It's even more important than a high IQ or emotional intelligence, says Carl Naughton. He shows how you can become more adaptable - that is, more flexible, creative and innovative. His tips are not entirely new, but he backs them up with numerous studies and anecdotes from everyday work. The emphatically relaxed style may not be everyone's cup of tea, but some valuable advice can still be drawn from the book. Books Empowered How companies motivate every employee to achieve exceptional results.
  • Author: Marty Cagan and Chris Jones
  • Publisher: Wiley-VCH, 2022
  • Pages: 376
  • ISBN: 9783527510870
What is the secret of success for outstanding companies? For Marty Cagan and Chris Jones, there is no doubt: strong product managers and product teams that act on their own responsibility make the difference. They explain in detail and with passion why freedom and real responsibility are essential for the development of really good products. In doing so, they make one thing unmistakably clear: much more important than individual top performers are general enthusiasm, openness and trusting cooperation. Books

Suva again announces low premiums for 2023

Suva posted a positive operating result of CHF 331 million for the past financial year. All insurance lines are financially in balance, as was announced on June 10, 2022, at the annual media conference. The good result also ensures low premiums for Suva policyholders in 2023. Refunds of surplus investment income As already announced at the beginning of March, Suva was able to [...]

Suva
Can again announce low premiums: Felix Weber, left, Chairman of the Executive Board of Suva, Hubert Niggli, center, Chief Financial Officer of Suva and Gabriele Gendotti, right, President Suva Council on Friday, June 10, 2022 at Suva's annual media conference. (SUVA/KEYSTONE/Urs Flüeler)

Suva posted a positive operating result of CHF 331 million for the past financial year. All insurance branches are financially in balance, as was announced on June 10, 2022, at the annual media conference. The good result also ensures low premiums for Suva policyholders in 2023.

Reimbursements of excess investment income

As already communicated at the beginning of March, Suva was able to achieve a good investment result for 2021 due to positive stock market developments. The investment performance reached 7.5 percent. The largest contribution came from investments in equities and private equity as well as real estate and real estate funds.

Due to the upper limit of the solvency ratio of 180 percent set by the Suva Council, excess investment income was segregated. The Suva Council subsequently decided to use CHF 824 million of this for the benefit of insured persons. In occupational accident insurance (OI) and non-occupational accident insurance (NIA), this corresponds to a refund of 20 percent of the net premiums for all insured persons. The Suva Council will decide on the use of the remaining withdrawn surpluses in subsequent years, depending on the financial situation. Suva's assets are fully earmarked. They cover Suva's obligations for around 80,000 current pensions as well as future medical expenses and daily allowances and other insurance benefits from accidents and occupational diseases that have already occurred.

Registered accidents increased

In 2021, Suva registered a total of around 450,000 accidents and occupational illnesses (previous year: 430,000). This is more than in the first corona year 2020, but still significantly less than in 2019 before the pandemic. The increase was greater for occupational accidents than for recreational accidents. The reason for this is that many sporting activities were severely restricted during the first five months of 2021.

The number of new disability pensions continues to decline, with 1092 cases (previous year: 1141). According to Suva, this development is due to the fact that workplaces have generally become safer and prevention has reduced the number of accidents resulting in IV pensions. Due to the lower number of new disability pensions, provisions could be released in 2021. This contributes significantly to the positive annual result in 2021.

Continued low premiums in the coming year

Thanks to the favorable risk development and the reimbursement of surpluses from previous years, the average net premium rates in occupational accident insurance decrease significantly. In non-occupational accident insurance, average net premium rates are falling slightly due to the favorable risk development. Depending on the claims experience, however, there are different developments in the individual risk classes, according to the insurer. With the additional reimbursement of excess investment income amounting to 20 percent of net premiums in occupational and non-occupational accident insurance for all Suva insured companies, there will again be low premiums in both BUV and NBUV in 2023.

avance" strategy on track

Suva also announced that it is on track with its "avance" strategy. With the expansion of digitalization in claims management with the "smartCare" program, Suva has reached another milestone. The year 2021 was marked by preparations for the changeover. Starting in 2022, rules and regulations will take over the entire case management process. Specialists will be deployed for complex tasks or for personal support of companies and accident victims.

With the "Structuro" project, Suva has adapted its structures and processes to the changed requirements in claims management and in customer and partner support as of the beginning of 2022. In addition to the 18 existing agency locations, which will now be grouped into seven regions, Suva has created four regional competence centers for claims handling.

Prevention program 2020+

With the "Prevention Program 2020+", prevention work will be sustainably focused on the time horizon 2020 - 2030. Suva will continue to carry out risk- and impact-oriented prevention work and support companies on their way from a culture of rules to a culture of prevention, in which the vital rules become an integral part of daily work. In this way, Suva wants to work together with the insured companies to prevent even more accidents and occupational illnesses in the future.

Source: Suva

This article originally appeared on m-q.ch - https://www.m-q.ch/de/suva-verkuendet-erneut-tiefe-praemien-fuer-2023/

Bosch expands activities in Switzerland

Bosch generated sales of 745 million Swiss francs in Switzerland in 2021. The growth amounts to 11.5 percent compared to the previous year. This is shown in the annual report of the technology company, which is also investing CHF 45 million at its Swiss headquarters.

At its Swiss headquarters in Zuchwil, Bosch will invest 45 million Swiss francs in a CO2-neutral building. (Image: zVg / Bosch)
The international technology and services company Bosch increased its sales in the Swiss market to 745 million Swiss francs in fiscal 2021. This corresponds to growth of around 11.5 percent compared with the previous year. Total net sales including internal deliveries to subsidiaries amounted to 1.65 billion Swiss francs. The company, which has been selling its products in Switzerland since 1904, employs around 2,000 people in this country. "The positive result reflects the good performance of our various business units and the efforts of our associates to take advantage of opportunities in an unfavorable global environment," said Ute Lepple, representative of the Bosch Group in Switzerland.

Integration of acquired companies

Ute Lepple was particularly pleased about the growth resulting from the acquisition of Elpro Group AG in Buchs, as well as the change of name of Buderus Heiztechnik AG to Bosch Thermotechnik AG. With both activities, the company is strengthening the presence of the Bosch brand in Switzerland. "2022 will be another challenging year. We are off to a good start and will do everything we can to grow faster than the market in the important sectors," says Ute Lepple.

Sales development by business sector

In the Mobility Solutions business sector, Bosch again recorded significant growth in the Automotive Aftermarket business unit and in drive and ride assistance systems for eBikes in Switzerland in 2021, according to the annual report. The Consumer Goods business sector once again increased its sales compared with the already strong previous year. Despite the pandemic and economic challenges, the Industrial Technology business sector also succeeded in increasing sales, supplying customers reliably and further raising satisfaction levels. In the Energy and Building Technology business sector, the Thermotechnology division recorded solid growth. Sales in the key heat pump submarket were particularly pleasing, with significant gains in market share.

New CO2-neutral headquarters of Bosch Switzerland

In March 2022, Bosch Switzerland started the construction of a new administration building at its site in Zuchwil (SO). With an investment sum of 45 million Swiss francs, the construction project is one of the company's most important investments during the last few years in Switzerland. By 2024, a CO2-neutral four-story building with a wooden construction will be built on an area of 14,900 m2. The building is planned both as the headquarters for Bosch Switzerland and for the headquarters of the globally active Bosch Power Tools Accessories product division, Scintilla AG.

Bosch Group: Outlook 2022 and strategic course

The company as a whole achieved significant increases in sales and earnings in 2021 despite difficult underlying conditions. In the first quarter of 2022, sales of the technology and services company grew by 5.2 percent. For the year as a whole, Bosch anticipates an increase in sales of more than 6 percent and an EBIT margin in the three to four percent corridor - although the company expects considerable burdens, particularly from cost increases for energy, materials, and logistics. "The successful fiscal year 2021 gives us confidence that we can also master the challenging environment of the current year," said Dr. Stefan Hartung, chairman of the board of management of Robert Bosch GmbH. Among the significant uncertainties is the war in Ukraine with all its implications. According to Hartung, the current situation highlights the pressure on politicians and society to act, to become less dependent on fossil fuels and to vigorously pursue the development of new energies. For this reason, he said, the Bosch Group is systematically continuing its efforts to protect the climate, despite the challenging economic environment. To this end, Hartung announced investments in climate-neutral technology such as electrification and hydrogen amounting to a good three billion euros over three years. Source and further information

This article originally appeared on m-q.ch - https://www.m-q.ch/de/bosch-baut-aktivitaeten-in-der-schweiz-aus/

Felix Partner Design stages the Luisa Zurich

Twenty small apartments are being created in Zurich's Kreis 5 through the renovation of an old building. Despite their compactness, they are intended to offer a high level of comfort for individuals. Especially in the immediate vicinity of the property, urban, young individualists are to be addressed, who want to live in the direct vicinity of the urban nightlife district in Zurich and attach as much importance to lifestyle as to architecture as well as [...]

Luisa Zurich Twenty small apartments are being created in Zurich's Kreis 5 through the renovation of an old building, which, despite their compactness, are intended to offer a high level of comfort for individuals. Urban, young individualists who want to live in the direct vicinity of the urban nightlife district in Zurich and who attach as much importance to lifestyle as to architecture and location are to be addressed, especially in the immediate vicinity of the property. Luisa Zurich Luisa Zurich Luisa Zurich With the name Luisa Zurich, a traditional and today again popular first name was taken as a hook. It is to form the common thread for the modern interplay between old and new. The specially created lettering forms a trendy pattern that is used as a graphic background. The youthful, reduced language with the claim "The minimal maximum" is intended to be cheeky and fresh, as are the black-and-white images of the potential residents. Luisa Zurich Luisa Zurich Luisa Zurich
Client: Nova Property Fund Management. Marketing: Cavegn Real Estate. Responsible agency: Felix Partner Design. Concept, text, design, photography, programming: Rahel M. Felix, Daniel Matter (Headlines), Benjamin Rauber.

Confederation to triple marketing for Swiss wine

On Thursday, the Council approved a corresponding motion of its Committee for Economic Affairs and Taxation (WAK-N) by 98 votes to 61 with 22 abstentions. The picture on the electronic voting board was exceptionally colorful and not very compact. From virtually all groups there were both yes and no votes and abstentions. The business goes to [...]

Swiss wine triple
(Iconic image: Unsplash.com)
On Thursday, the Council approved a corresponding motion of its Committee for Economic Affairs and Taxation (WAK-N) by 98 votes to 61 with 22 abstentions. The picture on the electronic voting board was exceptionally colorful and not very compact. There were both yes and no votes as well as abstentions from practically all groups. The matter goes to the Council of States. Currently, the Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG) supports the promotion of Swiss wine with 2.8 million Swiss francs annually. In the Corona years 2020 and 2021, it spent an additional million francs as emergency aid for concrete projects in the gastronomy and at the wholesalers. However, the FOAG wants to reduce this additional emergency aid by 200,000 francs for the current year and to cancel it completely from 2023.

High marketing pressure from Italy

Commission spokesman Markus Ritter (center/SG) justified the demand for a significant increase in the federal contribution to nine million Swiss francs per year with the great marketing pressure from abroad, especially from Italy. The neighboring country to the south costs the Swiss market 18 million francs in terms of marketing. Therefore, Swiss wines need a level playing field. The entire value chain in Switzerland is prepared to provide the necessary funds for half of the co-financing. A total of 18 million would then be available to bring Swiss wine to the people in terms of marketing. This is also important because there is practically no border protection for Swiss wine anymore, says Ritter. Olivier Feller (FDP/VD) added that the increase in marketing contributions was also completely justifiable in terms of regulatory policy. It is not a direct subsidy of the winegrowers. According to the Federal Council and the Commission minority, the acceptance of the motion would lead to an unequal treatment of the wine industry compared to the other agricultural branches. This would create a disproportion to the economic importance of wine compared to other agricultural products, said Guy Parmelin, Minister of Economy.

Lack of overall view

Kathrin Bertschy (GLP/BE) asked in vain on behalf of the commission minority to handle the federal budget responsibly. After all, the motion would triple sales promotion. No other industry enjoys such a high level of marketing support. This could awaken further desires. It would be better to finally discuss agricultural policy as a whole seriously and align it sustainably. Moreover, the linkage of the sales promotion with sustainability and quality criteria demanded in the proposal would make the business even more complex, which would make an implementation difficult in practice, the Federal Council stated in its written answer to the proposal. Neither in viticulture nor for the entire food chain of the wine industry is there a general sustainability standard today. (SDA)

What does "spoiler" actually mean?

At the latest with the voting campaign for May 15, 2022, the streaming giant Netflix has also made it to the regular and parlor tables of our country. But not only that, because it is also reshaping the meaning of a somewhat retro-looking word in the German-speaking world: Spoiler. When in the 1980s the casuals in white socks and wide-open shirts [...]

SpoilerAt the latest with the voting campaign for May 15, 2022, the streaming giant Netflix has also made it to the regular and parlor tables of our country. But not only that, because it is also reshaping the meaning of a somewhat retro-looking word in the German-speaking world: Spoiler. In the 1980s, when casuals in white socks and wide-open shirts let their elbows hang out of the window while they gleefully pulled on their Muratti cigarettes while driving through the inner cities, there was usually a spoiler attached to the back of the car. The bigger, the cooler. The successors of this type of man - today called autoposers - focus more on horsepower and decibels of the engines than on aerodynamics. Yet in the German-speaking world, this was precisely the only word interpretation of the spoiler. Derived from the English to spoil For a long time it was simply called Reduce air resistancebut actually completely translated also spoil or ruin. But what used to be known to car enthusiasts as a sheet metal or plastic part on vehicles that favorably influenced aerodynamic conditions and was laughed at in car-critical cities is now the talk of the town.

The small subtle difference

In urban lifestyle talk, it's an art in itself to be one of the people who follow the right one in the universe of Netflix series. But to pass this on in a condensed form without giving away the essentials is already a high art of storytelling. Or just not a spoiler. The dictionary has recently started to affectionately call the new interpretation "jargon for the summary of a film, book or the like, which spoils the reader's or viewer's interest in the story by giving away information from the plot that provides suspense." The anger of those who are spoiled is then about the same as that toward autoposers. So this is how Netflix manages to not only change a word interpretation with us, but also to brand and win a vote (even if they are among the losers in the process). That should not only make the hearts of filmmakers beat faster with admiration, but also those of communication and brand experts.

Nutri-Score: More information should ensure better understanding

With the Nutri-Score, which was originally developed in France, producers can voluntarily label their food. The label shows how well-balanced a product is on a scale from A to E. The Nutri-Score allows similar foods to be compared at a glance. With the Nutri-Score, similar foods can be compared at a glance. The Swiss Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) has adopted 2019 [...]

Nutri-Score
The Nutri-Score is a logo on the front of the packaging that informs about the composition of a product with the help of a colored scale from A - green (= balanced) to E - red (= unbalanced). It helps to compare similar foods with little time and make the healthier choice. (Graphic: Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office FSVO).
With the Nutri-Score, which was originally developed in France, producers can voluntarily label their food. The label shows how well-balanced a product is on a scale from A to E. The Nutri-Score allows similar foods to be compared at a glance. With the Nutri-Score, similar foods can be compared at a glance. In 2019, the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) voted to support the Nutri-Score.

Making Nutri-Score better known

The round table at the general meeting of the Swiss Society for Nutrition SBU was moderated by Ursula Zybach, President of Public Health Switzerland. The participants formed a prominent panel: With Liliane Bruggman, Head of the Nutrition Department at BLV, Josianne Walpen, Nutrition Department at Consumer Protection, Stéphanie Collier, Nutrition & Sensory Evaluation Manager at Nestlé Switzerland, Annina Waser, Head of Nutrition & Health at Migros and Annette Matzke, Member of the Food Labelling Working Group at the Alliance Nutrition and Health, all stakeholders were invited to the round table. Liliane Bruggmann explained that the second phase of dissemination and education on the Nutri-Score is currently underway. The aim is to make it known and to promote understanding and competence for the NutriScore among the population. Annina Waser assumed in her comments that it is important that consumers actively demand this labeling on the products in order to spread it further and to introduce it more quickly into the market.

More understanding at all levels

Josiane Walpen then addressed another important topic. She explained that Consumer Protection, the Fédération romande des consommateurs and Associazione consumatrici e consumatori della Svizzera italiana have investigated children's products in this context. They found that numerous marketing tricks are used to promote these often unhealthy products. The Nutri-Score could help consumers to better assess these products. Annette Matzke has a similar view of convenience products. She went on to explain that individual companies are afraid to publish the Nutri-Score on their packaging because it makes their products look worse. More understanding and education about the Nutri-Score is needed at all levels, both for consumers and on the part of the industry. The participants of the discussion round agreed that the SBU is the mouthpiece to reach the population via the multipliers and then to disseminate information about the Nutri-Score adapted to the target group. Source: SBU. More information about the Nutri-Score: BLV

This article originally appeared on m-q.ch - https://www.m-q.ch/de/nutri-score-mehr-information-soll-fuer-besseres-verstaendnis-sorgen/

Brand Re-Shape for Siemens home appliances

The demands that consumers place on companies and brands they trust have risen significantly. They expect answers to pressing social issues and want meaningful progress. In the future, Siemens Hausgeräte wants to take this social mission into account with a rejuvenated brand identity. This will be shown for the first time at Eurocucina - including a new brand film, an international image and product campaign and a new retail concept. Changing target group expectations Central [...]

Siemens household appliancesThe demands that consumers place on companies and brands they trust have risen significantly. They expect answers to pressing social issues and want meaningful progress. In the future, Siemens Hausgeräte wants to take this social mission into account with a rejuvenated brand identity. This will be shown for the first time at Eurocucina - including a new brand film, an international image and product campaign and a new retail concept.

Changing target group expectations

Of central importance for the repositioning was the question of what people today associate with the topics of "progress" and "home" - key terms for Siemens home appliances. To this end, the brand commissioned a study in seven countries. The results show that the long-running pandemic, growing concerns about climate change and the increasingly visible divisions in society have caused 87 percent of respondents to rethink their previous views on progress as well as their priorities. More than 70 percent believe that people should live and consume more consciously and avoid excessive consumption and waste in order to address the climate crisis. A large majority say they have already started to change their behavior at home in line with these beliefs. In addition, the developments of the last two years in particular have increased the importance of their own four walls for many. In this "new home," family, life and work intertwine in a dynamic way.Siemens household appliances

Shaping meaningful progress

With the Re-Shape brand, Siemens Hausgeräte wants to commit to meaningful progress as well as the desire to help shape a more sustainable future. In doing so, smart technologies and increasing connectivity can help solve a variety of problems that go beyond the individual. "With our research-based brand focus, we are putting people first: helping consumers effortlessly overcome their daily challenges while achieving higher goals," said Matthias Ginthum, chief markets officer at BSH Hausgeräte. The campaign, which can be seen immediately in all major Siemens markets, is aimed at a target group described as curious and ambitious, progress-oriented and technology-savvy.Siemens household appliances

CD: more power, more closeness

Driven by this idea of meaningful progress and lofty goals, a new visual identity was created: the combination of deep blue, pure white and the Siemens petrol is intended to provide fresh color impulses. In addition, the brand design uses the power of typography and imagery to create a more dynamic and modern look.

Wide-ranging use

Following its premiere at Eurocucina, the new brand design will be presented at other international trade shows such as AWE in China and IFA in Berlin. It will also be used in over 8,500 brand and flagship stores, showrooms and shop-in-shops worldwide. As the global campaign emphasizes direct contact with the end consumer, there is a particular focus on social media - Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and LinkedIn - as well as on the brand's own channels. Direct involvement in the brand themes of "progress" and "inquisitiveness" is intended to reach a broad audience and create more proximity in order to build sustainable relationships with potential consumers, partners, multipliers and future employees.

Schläfle Trittibach develops brand identity for Neoviva

Neoviva treats international clients in the heart of Switzerland. Located on Lake Lucerne, surrounded by beautiful nature and good mountain air. The clinic is committed to helping its clients improve their lifestyles in a decisive and lasting way. The Zurich agency Schläfle Trittibach was entrusted with the task of developing the corporate design, the website and the [...]

NeovivaNeoviva treats international clients in the heart of Switzerland. Located on Lake Lucerne, surrounded by beautiful nature and good mountain air. The clinic is committed to helping its clients make significant and lasting improvements to their lifestyles. Neoviva The Zurich agency Schläfle Trittibach was entrusted with the task of developing the corporate design, the Website and to design and implement the print products. The newly developed brand is reminiscent of the coat of arms of a noble residence - simply in a more modern implementation. Visually, the hospitality and discretion of the company stands in front of the medical position. The logo idea depicts the reflection of the past and the future. Depicted with a mirrored N as a monogram, in the form of a mythical creature. Neoviva Neoviva Neoviva Neoviva Neoviva Neoviva
Responsible at Neoviva: Oliver Neubert (Founder and VRP), Fenina Erpf (Management). Responsible at Schläfle Trittibach: Marcel Schläfle, Christoph Trittibach (creative direction), Marke 17 (web development), Beat Brechbühl, Thomas Biasotto (photography), Aschmann Klauser (retouching), Barbara R. Thoma (text).

Independent test institute enhances national cyber security in Switzerland

A new National Test Institute for Cybersecurity (NTC) is taking on an important function in strengthening Switzerland's cybersecurity and independence. It is located in Zug. Start-up funding has now been secured after the referendum deadline expired on June 7, 2022, and the unanimous decision of the Zug Cantonal Council on March 31, 2022, has become legally binding. After the successful pilot phase [...]

Cybersecurity
In the future, the NTC will test networked IT products and digital applications for cyber security.
A new National Test Institute for Cybersecurity (NTC) is taking on an important function in strengthening Switzerland's cybersecurity and independence. It is located in Zug. Start-up funding has now been secured after the referendum deadline expired on June 7, 2022, and the unanimous decision of the Zug Cantonal Council on March 31, 2022, has become legally binding. After the successful pilot phase, the actual establishment of the NTC as an independent test institute can now take place. The NTC has existed as an association domiciled in the canton of Zug since December 2020.

Increasing cyber risks demand differentiated security checks

In Switzerland, millions of digital components, devices and apps are in use every day. According to prevailing expert opinion, almost every digital product has unknown vulnerabilities. Due to increasing networking and widespread use, this leads to considerable risks for society and the economy. Numerous digital products are not subject to any central testing obligation. In addition, there is a lack of incentives for private sector security companies to conduct security audits on their own initiative and at their own expense. As a result, security audits for the benefit of society do not take place to the required extent and depth today.

Independent testing institute increases cyber resilience

The NTC is an objective and neutral institute that tests networked products and digital applications for trustworthiness and security. The tests are carried out in cooperation with industry, IT security companies and universities, and are initiated on the institute's own initiative if necessary. The NTC is a non-profit organization. It acts completely independently; financial participation by product manufacturers and service providers is excluded by statute.

Center for competence and knowledge transfer

In its work, the testing institute is guided by internationally accepted recommendations and standards. The high quality of the testing service is ensured by its own expertise as well as by an active exchange of knowledge with international experts. The close exchange with other cybersecurity organizations in Germany and abroad, as well as with the National Cyber Security Center (NCSC), ensures that existing measures are synergistically intertwined and that retrievable capacities are available. In addition, the NTC points out vulnerabilities in products and services and makes its expertise available to manufacturers of IT components and digital applications, as well as to the business community and the general public. With its testing and research projects, the NTC fulfills its mission to increase security in Switzerland. To this end, local and international cybersecurity specialists are now invited to fulfill this mission together with the NTC. More information: ntc.swiss

This article originally appeared on m-q.ch - https://www.m-q.ch/de/unabhaengiges-testinstitut-erhoeht-nationale-cybersicherheit-in-der-schweiz/

Cyberattacks on industrial facilities cost companies millions

Cybersecurity solutions provider Trend Micro surveyed 900 industrial cybersecurity managers in Germany, the U.S. and Japan from the manufacturing, oil and gas and electricity sectors for a study. Fifty-two percent of the companies surveyed said they "always" or "usually" respond to a cyberattack that has occurred against industrial facilities with improvements to their cybersecurity infrastructure. Despite this, still [...]

Cyber Attacks
Cyberattacks on industrial facilities: Average amount of damage as a result of a cyberattack overall and by industry. (Graphic: Trend Micro)
Cybersecurity solutions provider Trend Micro surveyed 900 industrial cybersecurity managers in Germany, the U.S. and Japan from the manufacturing, oil and gas and electricity sectors for a study. Fifty-two percent of the companies surveyed said they "always" or "usually" respond to a cyberattack that has occurred against industrial facilities with improvements to their cybersecurity infrastructure. Nevertheless, not all companies still have sufficient resources or knowledge to protect themselves against future threats. As a result, 48 percent only "sometimes" or "hardly" respond.

Cyber attacks on industrial plants with large financial damage

For companies whose OT (operational technology) and industrial control systems were affected by cyberattacks, the average financial loss amounts to around 2.6 million euros, according to the company's own figures. The oil and gas industry suffered the greatest loss. For 89 percent of the companies, the supply chain was also affected in addition to core operations, so that they had to temporarily reduce deliveries or change their delivery planning.
Cyber Attacks
For 89% of the companies affected by cyberattacks, the attack also had an impact on the supply chain. (Graphic: Trend Micro)
Nearly three-quarters (72 percent) of respondents said they had been affected by cyberattacks on their industrial environments as many as six times or more over the course of a year.

Increased threat potential

In addition, the study by Trend Micro comes to the following conclusions:
  • 40 percent of companies were already unable to fend off the initial attack.
  • The top two factors for improving cybersecurity levels are future investments in cloud systems (28 percent) and the implementation of 5G campus networks (26 percent).
  • Compared to IT security, OT security is less mature in terms of risk-based threat prevention.
The integration of cloud computing, edge computing and 5G into mixed IT and OT environments has fundamentally changed industrial systems and processes. Enterprises should stay ahead of this evolution and proactively implement security measures to protect their business assets. Improving risk and threat visibility is an important first step in securing the private network and industrial cloud. "Industrial sites around the world are turning to digitization to drive sustainable growth. However, this has led to a flood of security threats that many companies are not armed against and can cause great damage - both financially and reputationally," said Udo Schneider, IoT Security Evangelist Europe at Trend Micro. "To secure what are now highly interconnected IT and OT environments, enterprises need experienced partners who have the foresight and the right toolbox of solutions." Source and further information: Trend Micro

This article originally appeared on m-q.ch - https://www.m-q.ch/de/cyberangriffe-auf-industrieanlagen-kosten-unternehmen-millionen/

Effective brand management brings more creativity and team spirit

A guest post by Patrick Hummel, Product Designer at Frontify. He works "fully remote" from Brazil. Ideally, everyone in the company should know about the central brand guidelines. Because if these are communicated - internally or externally - and are not correct, this can lead to confusion and loss of trust, for example in social media campaigns. Especially with [...]

Team spiritA guest article by Patrick Hummel, Product Designer at Frontify. He works "fully remote" from Brazil. Ideally, everyone in the company should know about the central brand guidelines. If these are communicated - internally or externally - and are not correct, this can lead to confusion and a loss of trust, for example in social media campaigns. Particularly in the case of large, international brands with regional characteristics, confusion and incorrectly communicated information can quickly arise. The solution: digital brand management tools. They offer brands the opportunity to store and edit all important guidelines, presentations or assets in one central location. Everyone who works with brand guidelines is always up to date. No one has to send out PDFs or answer questions about logos or corporate design anymore. This saves time and makes work easier for everyone involved. The time saved can be invested wisely, for example in creative campaigns or team-building activities.

Brand Guidelines - The heart of every brand

Every company has brand messages and values that are directly linked to the brand and its products. When consumers identify with these values, the likelihood that a product will be purchased increases. These important brand messages are often stored internally in various places and created manually. PDFs and presentations filled with confusing information are still often found in internal databases. The associated administrative effort is high and time-consuming. In addition, the sometimes poor user-friendliness due to a multitude of folders and unclear data structure can lead to a loss of motivation in the team, among other things. However, the goal should be to create uniform brand consistency through quickly available guidelines. For example, before introducing a brand management tool, Bosch was working with a 3,600-page PDF for its brand guidelines. Accordingly, searching for specific information was tedious, despite the search function. Another challenge was to create a uniform and global brand consistency across all touchpoints. Now, everything related to the brand is centrally located on a platform with online access and can be accessed from anywhere. All employees can access guidelines, marketing materials and other documents such as brand assets or presentations, depending on their access rights. This makes optimal use of resources and increases efficiency - important elements for making business units more agile and reducing costs within the Group. When working with external partners, they can also access specific documents and information and incorporate their feedback directly into the tool. Access rights can be easily modified as needed. Marketing teams thus gain up to 16 hours per week that would otherwise be spent on unpleasant operational tasks (Source: TEI Study, 2021, Forrester commissioned by Frontify.).

More creativity and self-realization

A big part of projects is voting, approvals and feedback loops. Documents are downloaded, changed and uploaded again. Projects therefore often drag on and the distribution of tasks is not 100 percent clear. By introducing a brand management tool, marketing teams have proven to work more effectively. One click is all it takes to share. For remote teams working from different locations, a brand management tool is also an opportunity for better and faster communication. A brand management tool frees up time for other important tasks, such as brainstorming or the creative implementation of ideas, which are often neglected in everyday marketing. This time can also be invested in self-development on a professional level. For example, in continuing education seminars on a specific topic. It is not only the respective employees who benefit from this. In internal training courses, they pass on the knowledge they have gained and bring back new food for thought.

Good cooperation strengthens productivity

In addition to an effective, well thought-out brand management tool, however, good teamwork requires even more. The Corona pandemic has amplified and accelerated the rise of remote work and hybrid working over the past two years. With many alternating between working from home and working from the office, small talk or face-to-face conversations over lunch are happening less or not at all. Creative initiatives such as "speed dates" - short online calls between randomly selected employees - can help remedy this situation and have a positive impact on corporate culture. After all, it is precisely this culture that needs to be strengthened at the present time and adapted to new challenges. Creating a good atmosphere of togetherness makes a significant contribution to a better working atmosphere - and raises working relationships to a new level. This enables teams to work more productively. In addition, the hurdle to ask for help is lower, should something not work as desired. Challenges suddenly don't look so difficult when the whole team is pulling in the same direction. In addition, brainstorming sessions become more creative when everyone dares to present their ideas. In the end, the performance of any company is only as good as that of the individual employees. That's why it's enormously important to create a relaxed working atmosphere and provide the right tools that make working as easy as possible.
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