"Switzerland is an attractive innovation hub for companies and startups. With Business Innovation Week, we want to make this even more tangible!" says Ewa Ming, initiator of Business Innovation Week (BIW) and known as the long-standing organizer of the Swiss marketing trade fair SuisseEMEX and the Digital Summit. BIW creates a new knowledge and networking platform for Swiss entrepreneurs, future shapers and founders. "Think new, act new". This claim characterizes the BIW program and stands for innovation, future dialogue and sustainability.

Business Innovation in "Festival Style

The large-scale event in festival style transforms the vibrant workplace of Zurich Oerlikon into an inspiring, interactive forum for business-relevant innovations and business models. The focus is on: Digitization, New Work, trends and the latest technologies for the modern working world - implemented in a very practical and understandable way. In the first week of October, around 10,000 trade visitors will experience European premieres from humanoid robotics, 5G applications, artificial intelligence, cyber security and best practices for innovation culture. The program includes 300 keynotes and presentations, 200 events with live experiences, company tours and business networking.

Future-Conference @StageOne

Artificial intelligence, blockchain, cyber security, new work, virtual reality, humanoid robots, smart data - digitization is drastically increasing the pressure to innovate. They are the driving forces for companies and the economic development of Switzerland. The Future Conference from October 1 to 3 at StageOne creates a unique forum for decision-makers and shapers of the future from business, science and politics for dialog and exchange with practical approaches to solutions for the digital world. The Future Conference is aimed at C-level decision-makers and executives and presents a top-class program with international keynote speakers, CEO panel discussions and interviews.

Academy @MFO House

Exciting practical presentations, lectures and master classes take place in the studios of the MFO House. Women in business are increasingly making their mark: competent, authentic, strong - women are still shaping the corporate culture too little, but more and more. The Academy focuses on innovation culture and leadership, self-branding and storytelling, brand building and strategy.

Live Experience @Hall 622

For three days, the former ABB Industry Hall 622 will become an interactive, cross-industry meeting platform and inspiring future exhibition. Around 150 companies will be showing their new products. Visitors can expect robot premieres, drones, VR experiences, 3D printers and services for the new working world, creative marketing solutions and business software. And robot "DJ Mecabot" will then rock Hall 622 at the afterwork parties.

To the program: https://www.businessinnovation.ch/de/future-conference/

Opacc Software AG has been training apprentices for 22 years. Currently, two EFZ media technicians start each year in the promising and sought-after profession. For Marco Stuber, the person responsible for apprenticeships, the effort pays off: "Training young people in ICT professions is enormously important in order to counter the shortage of skilled workers in our industry."

Maximum 90 hours of work!

For the practical final project in his last year as an EFZ media technician, Flavio Waser was able to draw on a wide range of resources: the freshly graduated professional succeeded brilliantly with a short film about the Opacc Software AG campus in Rothenburg. Specific framework conditions had to be met for the project. Flavio Waser: "The rules and conditions are defined by the education ordinance. It also states how much time may be spent on the practical final project. It's a maximum of 90 hours!"

Final project with short film

The topic of the practical work is always defined by the training company. This year, vocational trainer Marco Stuber found the choice of topic particularly easy: "With the move to the OpaccCampus, it quickly became clear that this year's IPA would be based on the new company building. So the idea for a short film came up quickly." The film is intended to express the fascination of the OpaccCampus and to provide an appropriate insight into the workspaces. The length is limited to four minutes and an interview with CEO Beat Bussmann and CTO Christian Reiter is also to be embedded. Flavio Waser: "Now I was able to start with the script, let my drone fly, and then, last but not least, finalize the editing and sound."

The video is available at https://youtu.be/zioPH2k-F9M to see.

"Together, companies can serve customers much better than they can alone," Gabriela Keller, CEO of Ergon, opened the conference. "Sales channels are being supplemented or completely replaced by digital platforms." And fast. In order to keep a clear head for developing innovative approaches amidst the rapid development, a "razor-sharp focus" is needed, said management consultant Nicole Brandes: "I often find in companies that executives fall prey to incredible operational stress. We need people to create a future where we use technology and use people. Not the other way around."

Connected world with augmented reality

Ergon demonstrated how this can work in a playful way with an augmented reality app developed especially for the event. The app allowed guests at the "Beer, Bytes and Beats" to find the person they wanted to talk to among Ergon employees and locate them in the Lake Side, as well as contact them via instant messaging. "This is not just gimmicky, but with this we also want to show what is possible with AR and how stable such solutions have become," said AR Technical Lead Daniel Neubig. The app was actively used by guests. Also putting technology to the benefit of people was Anja Graf. "Digital innovation is not an option, but an essential factor that determines the lifespan of a company. If you don't keep up in today's networked world, you've already lost anyway," says the entrepreneur. She founded the company VISIONAPARTMENTS at the age of 21. With her digital platform, Anja Graf wants to become the leading provider in the serviced apartment industry.

Ecosystems and the Cloud

"Switzerland is a high-tech location and there are many companies here that depend on IT and have a strong interest in cloud technologies. Cloud technologies are basic services that are refined and adapted to local needs with the help of strong partnerships and third-party providers," explained Christian Sciullo, Country Manager CH & AT, Google Cloud. He was joined by Roman Hugelshofer, Managing Director Application Security and member of the Ergon Executive Board. Collaboration with third-party providers must also be examined in application development in order to ensure the necessary speed in development. He is convinced that customized solutions are the most successful for this. This is the only way to ensure high agility and adaptability of the company.

Digitization must be part of the corporate culture

"Banking is needed, banks are not," Jan Brzezek, CEO and founder of Crypto Finance AG, quoted Bill Gates. The international lifting of Swiss banking secrecy has opened up the opportunity for the financial industry to reposition itself and establish itself as a hub for digital innovation, for example in the area of blockchain, he said. One company that has been successfully implementing this for years is Hypothekarbank Lenzburg. Its CEO Marianne Wildi was named CEO of the Year by "Finanz und Wirtschaft" for her digital strategy. "Digitalization belongs in the corporate culture," said Marianne Wildi. She added that innovation requires freedom, for which in turn a more flexible budget is needed. Getting the CFO to accept a more dynamic approach to financial planning takes a lot of convincing. The mortgage bank focuses its innovation on the customer and places its future on the three pillars of people, technology and banking license. "I am not afraid of new technologies and I am aware that technical change can happen very quickly," Marianne Wildi concludes.

Source: Ergon computer science

Do we want to give way - or set a course? This is a legitimate question in view of current market developments, noted Christoph Romang, President of ZUSA Independent Shoe Retailers, in his review of the year. "We are confronted with various challenges such as digitalization, new market structures and changing customer behavior. We have decided to set a course and work around the obstacles to remain financially stable and independent in the future."

Sales psychology: the first impression counts

That is why ZUSA consciously invests in the training of its members. Sales psychology, for example, is an important success factor in sales. That's why ZUSA is offering its member stores a one-day workshop with trainer Christine Meyer-Keller on four different dates in the fourth quarter of 2019. "We want to provide valuable impulses, for example, on first impressions in the store, on the topic of clarity and confidence in dealing with customers, or on how to conduct conversations," ZUSA Managing Director Hansjörg Egli promoted this new training offer, emphasizing that stores can use this knowledge to set themselves apart from their competitors.

Digitization and marketing

How can Facebook and Instagram be used successfully for your own business? And how effective is your own website? This is the topic of another digitally oriented training offer for ZUSA members. In a personal training session, they will receive practical advice on how to present themselves in the social media. In addition, the websites of member companies will be assessed. "This new marketing package includes numerous other tools, including Facebook- and Instagram-enabled material with which course participants can professionalize their advertising and PR activities," said Hansjörg Egli.

In the marketing area, ZUSA is launching its own men's shoe brochure "Casual" in view of the spring-summer fashion 2020. As Hansjörg Egli informed, all potential men's shoe suppliers are to be won over for cooperation and cost sharing. According to Hansjörg Egli, ZUSA has created the necessary technical basis for even more efficient cooperation with suppliers and digital data exchange. Members can obtain additional information directly from the ZUSA office.

From succession planning to trend information

Further topics to be included in the training program in the near future are succession planning, occupational pension plans and the organization of deputies. The tried and tested ZUSA specialist course, an important component of apprenticeship training, will also be held this year in the usual framework with the existing team of lecturers. In September 2019, the trend information as of fall/winter 2019 with Marlies Brogli is again on the program.

Christoph Romang resigns as president

Major personnel changes are imminent in the administration of the ZUSA Cooperative. The long-time president Christoph Romang is stepping down after his 12-year term as chairman and a total of 15 years as a member of the administration. He was honored with great applause at the general assembly for his calm, level-headed and professional way of leading the ZUSA ship. Willy Gwerder, also a long-time member of the administration, was elected as his successor. With Sonja Morger there is another departure at the top of ZUSA. Among other things, she has been involved with topics related to social media and digitalization. The general assembly elected Erika Barth as her successor. Furthermore, Samuel Schneider, whose father Ueli was on the ZUSA board for several years, was also elected to the administration. All other members of the administration stood for re-election. Esther Albiez will take over the office of Vice President.

www.zusa.ch

The website www.annanow.com consists of an online brokerage platform for express courier services as well as connected insurance services and payment solutions. Founded in March 2017, the Fintech company is already spearheading digital transformation in the delivery business. With over 5,000 stores and around 100,000 cabs and bike couriers, Annanow ensures instant deliveries in 10 to 60 minutes - all via an app. All couriers are socially insured and local businesses and jobs are secured.

Striking a chord with the times

"Annanow strikes a chord with the times," says Andreas Buhl, explaining his lead investment and emphasizing: "Wholesalers and local businesses receive the fastest and cheapest delivery service in Switzerland on just one app. The highlight: Annanow determines the geographical availability of products for each order and enables local delivery via the crowd-based supply chain by activating transport participants already available on site, such as cabs, bike couriers and private individuals. Distances become so short that deliveries can even be made on foot or by streetcar.

Fighting Amazon and Alibaba with a multi-million investment

An innovative and environmentally conscious concept that also convinces investors. Serial entrepreneur Andreas Buhl developed over 20 business units himself and is investing a single-digit million amount in the innovative startup as of June 2019. Commenting on his commitment, Buhl says: "Annanow has recognized the needs of consumers, SMEs and wholesalers: Instant gratification through delivery under 60 minutes, easing the burden on our roads by reducing inter-regional transport movements and the associated benefits for our environment. Networking Swiss SMEs, retailers and traders also creates a national distribution structure that can win the battle against Amazon and Alibaba."

Tailwind for further expansion

With his million-dollar investment, Andreas Buhl is sending a clear signal of his confidence in the innovative strength of the young Swiss startup. Patrick Keller, CEO of Annanow, is delighted: "With the financial investment by Andreas Buhl, our company is getting a strong tailwind. This allows us to push Annanow faster throughout Switzerland and to tackle our rollout in Austria and in Germany. Of course, we are still looking for investors to make the market even more efficient."

It was a small, manageable crowd of visitors who gathered at the Hotel Radisson Lakefront in Lucerne on the afternoon of June 26, 2019. However, this "intimate" setting allowed for an in-depth discussion of the conference topic "Leading SMEs to international success". The Institute of Business and Regional Economics of the Lucerne School of Business had invited Prof. Dr. Ingo Stolz to the event. He led a research project on "SME internationalization", which was supported by the Swiss Society for Organization SGO and financed by Innosuisse. This research project dealt, among other things, with the question of how an SME can be led to successful internationalization and how international market success can be secured in the long term. It is surprising how little was known so far about the right answers to this, writes Prof. Stolz in the foreword to the study.

What it takes for international success

Together with Thomas Affolter, Partner and Head of Market Region Central Switzerland at KPMG, Prof. Stolz summarizes some key findings from the research project. SMEs that want to position themselves internationally find themselves in various areas of tension. For example, it is a matter of the role of the manager as well as - and this is often decisive - existing competencies and resources. "SME internationalization is a leadership task," Affolter and Stolz agree. Internationalization essentially results from entrepreneurial processes that are characterized by continuous and proactive action, as a basis for creating and identifying opportunities, they said. From the study of the various "internationalization paths" of SMEs, a pattern consisting of three phases can be identified: First, a start-up phase, which involves the exploration of opportunities. This is followed by a consolidation phase, during which the companies test and evaluate various options. This is followed in the establishment phase by the consistent implementation and scaling of concrete internationalization projects. For this to succeed, risk awareness, strategy, an organization's ability to learn, entrepreneurial spirit, intercultural knowledge, international partnerships and a market orientation based on knowledge of one's own strengths are required. As part of the research project mentioned above, an instrument was developed to measure and benchmark the "internationalization capability" of an SME.

Swiss quality for the Asian market

Katharina Ueltschi provided an insight into what internationalization can look like in practice. She is Managing Director of Bernina Singapore. She, who also lives in this city-state, has made it her mission to popularize sewing with Bernina sewing machines in the Asian region. She reported how she was able to use her international network, which she had successively built up during her various professional positions with large luxury brands, to create a branch in Asia. "The network is absolutely crucial," Ueltschi said. It was the only way she was able to gain a foothold with the Bernina brand in the first place. In Singapore, for example, it is crucial to know the important tycoon families personally. In addition, she primarily moves in local networks, "not in the many expat clubs. Because then I could just stay in Switzerland," Ueltschi continues. This cultivation of relationships has also enabled her to open a concept store for Bernina machines in a good location. Her strategy is clear: direct to the end customer, without intermediaries. Accordingly, Katharina Ueltschi is currently investing a lot in marketing at Bernina Singapore in order to increase "brand awareness" - "this is an absolute must!" - to increase.

Workshops show different internationalization strategies

In three workshops, other companies provided insight into their internationalization strategies. Pohland AG, a system supplier for mechatronic assemblies and systems with 17 employees, currently generates only 8 percent of its sales abroad, primarily in Germany. Managing Director Carsten Pohland has set himself the goal of increasing this share to 20 percent in the next five years. The initial approaches have been promising, and now the German market is to be further developed through targeted measures along the customer journey - always within the scope of the possibilities available to the small company. A much larger company is Leister AG, a manufacturer of equipment for welding plastics. In his workshop, management member Christoph Baumgartner gave the attendees practical advice on what companies should look for in their internationalization strategies. Last but not least, he referred to the experiences his company has made, for example with an organically grown network of distribution partners. The startup SwissLuggage AG with CEO Jürg Mischler, on the other hand, proceeded very systematically: For the international distribution strategy, it first analyzed the already existing structure, identified best cases, and used a SWOT analysis to show the targets and strategic options. Based on this, the manufacturer of high-quality luggage developed a concrete scenario, which was then implemented. The results are promising: thanks to a sophisticated display solution, the products attract increased attention and sales figures in the retail trade.

Many correct answers

In front of the plenum, Jürg Brand, Chairman of the Board of vonRoll hydro AG, then explained innovation-driven international perspectives on the one hand - shown by the example of "zerowaterloss", which is intended to prevent water losses through leaking pipes - and on the other hand Oliver Imfeld, manager of DJ Bobo, showed what can be learned from his international business success. After all, even a show star is ultimately an SME.

Overall, the International Leadership Forum Lucerne was characterized by a great closeness to practice. The companies present and involved in the research project were able to show that there are many correct answers to the question of how to lead an SME to international success. We look forward to the further development of the event and its next execution. In any case, we hope that the International Leadership Forum Lucerne will have a broader impact.

More information:

• https://www.hslu.ch/ilfl (with links to the individual speakers)
• To the study (directly as download or to order via a form: https://www.hslu.ch/kmu-international)
• Interview by Ingo Stolz at CNN Money Switzerland: https://www.cnnmoney.ch/shows/living-markets/videos/ingo-stolz-why-swiss-start-ups-shouldnt-compete-price

With 8,877 start-ups, the limited liability company (GmbH) is the most popular legal form for starting your own business. The GmbH even has 4% more company formations than in the record-high first half of 2018, followed by the sole proprietorship with 7,565 formations (+4%), the stock corporation (AG) with 4,256 registrations (-4%) and the general partnership (KlG) with 709 new registrations (+4%). The analysis of the Institute for Young Enterprises IFJ shows that 93% of all GmbH formations are founded with the legal minimum of CHF 20,000 share capital, while 85% of the AGs are registered with the minimum of CHF 100,000 share capital. The highest registered share capital of an AG in the first half of 2019 is a proud CHF 425 million, for the GmbH there are four registrations with more than one million Swiss francs, the highest with CHF 1.2 million share capital.

18 cantons were able to increase their values and only 8 cantons had losses. Most cantons show a slight to strong increase in the number of start-ups compared to the previous year. The cantons with percentage losses are Lucerne with -3%, Obwalden -7%, Uri -15%, Zug -9%, Appenzell Ausserrhoden -11%, Schaffhausen -1% and Ticino with -5%. The cantons with the strongest percentage growth are Appenzell Innerrhoden (+49% or +19 startups), Thurgau (+16% or +83 startups), Glarus (+12% or +10 startups), Bern (+11% or +194 startups) as well as Fribourg (+9% or +63 startups) and Nidwalden (+9% or +9 startups). From the perspective of the major regions, the Espace Mittelland (+8%), Eastern Switzerland (+5%) and Zurich (+4%) in particular set positive accents.

While individuality is sought in the cultural and social context, the work of national and international standardization continues to establish itself in the economic environment. Companies have an unrestrained interest in standardization, which opens up access to new international markets for them.

Foundation of CEN - Strengthening the European economy with standards work

In 1961, the European Committee for Standardization (CEN, Comité Européen de Normalisation) was founded with the aim of strengthening the European economy and promoting environmental protection. Thanks to uniform standards throughout Europe, goods and services in the single European market should be freed from technical barriers to trade and thus be able to compete successfully in the global market. The foundation stone for CEN was laid as early as 1960 in Zurich; CEN's headquarters are in Brussels.

Today, more than 200,000 experts are involved in CEN's work. The results of their activities reach more than 600 million people. CEN has 34 national members representing their country. Switzerland and its interests are represented by SNV. CEN is the official European standardization organization for all areas except electrical engineering and telecommunications (ETSI). More information about CEN is available at www.cen.eu

The SNV is constituted as an association

The 1960s were also significant for the Swiss Association for Standardization (SNV). In 1962, the SNV's leaders found the appropriate organizational form that is still valid today. The SNV is constituted as an association with Willi Ruggaber as president (1962-1972).

In 1968, the SNV celebrates its 50th anniversary and looks back on half a century of successful activity with several hundred specialists involved. In the NZZ of September 25, 1968, Willi Ruggaber explains standardization to readers as follows: "The main goal of standardization, however, is to achieve increased performance in technology, business, administration and science. From a business point of view, profitability is to be improved through savings in material costs, labor wages and general overheads, whereby type reduction has the greatest influence on pricing and competitiveness. Type reduction not only brings significant cost degression for the manufacturer, but also frees up capital for the user by reducing inventories. Thanks to standardization, mass-produced goods in particular can be manufactured more economically and selling prices can be lowered, so that an ever larger proportion of the population can afford more and more goods. It can be deduced that standardization can be an important means of raising the standard of living."

In the same 1968 issue of the NZZ, Alfred J. Furrer, then Head of Rieter Technology and later President of the SNV (1981-1991), explains the achievements of textile standardization that are of vital importance for successful export activities of the Swiss textile industry. For example, the length of natural and synthetic yarns on bobbins, color fastness testing, shrinkage of fabrics during washing, and also care labeling of textiles.

Flower power with standards

While in the 1960s young people in particular went against social conventions, their lifestyle was shaped by norms unnoticed by them. Whether the followers of the flower power movement realized that their colorful and individual clothing probably also involved various Swiss experts from the field of standardization? Or that, for example, cross-border rail and road traffic as well as lighting and sound at concerts are simplified thanks to uniform standards?

How does a standard come into being?

Standardization has long influenced daily life, although not all areas are affected equally. Musical instruments, for example, are not very well standardized internationally. In 2017, the Standardization Authority of China (SAC) submits an application to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) to establish a committee to decide on standards for musical instruments. The application is rejected because too few members want to commit themselves to this application.

However, if an application is accepted, the corresponding working group starts its standardization work. Standards are not developed by the legislator, an authority or a state regulator, but by the interested parties themselves. All those interested in the subject can participate in the technical work in the standards committees and contribute their expertise. To ensure that the market accepts the standards produced, it is important to achieve the broadest possible participation in the standardization process. In this way, a wide range of opinions and interests are incorporated into the standard that is developed. Each standard is submitted to the expert public for comment before it is finally adopted. In this public enquiry phase, the draft standard is published for the first time outside the responsible standards committee and is also available to specialists who are not members of a recognized standards organization.

An up-to-date overview of draft standards for comment can be found on the drafting portal of the Swiss Information Center for Technical Rules (SWITEC design portal). The graphic below shows how a standard is created:

And here's why: Your subconscious mind will make decisions for you on an ongoing basis that will move you closer to your goals. And studies show that we make about 95% of our decisions completely unconsciously, so we don't even realize it.

So if you are not having the success in business and life that you dream of, the cause is that you are continually giving your subconscious the wrong goals.

Intervene in the subconscious

Don't worry: you are not alone. It's the same for all people, teams and entire companies: those things that correspond to subconscious goals will always come true.

The consequence: In order to be more successful and achieve something different than before, you have to intervene in this subconscious control process. This usually requires intensive work, preferably with an external expert (coach, sparring partner).

How do you achieve more success?

Here are three simple steps for doing so if you want to change the direction of your team or business:

1. Awareness. Realize for yourself and your team that you are exactly where you are today because of your subconscious goals. Note what those goals might be. Example: If you are not growing enough, then your subconscious goal might be "maximum stability." If you are always competing on price, then the goal might be "don't stand out too much at all." These subconscious goals are usually very uncomfortable.
2. Replacement. Replace the identified subconscious goals with ones that bring your team and company closer to the desired state. In the example above with price competition, this could be "always attract positive attention" (and charge appropriate prices for it). Starbucks has risen to become the world's largest coffee house chain with this philosophy. At the beginning, the coffee there cost five times as much as that of the "competition.
3. Anchoring. You need to anchor these new (unusual) goals consistently with everyone involved, and without deviation. That's tough. But it is: Every big change is hard at the beginning. The good news: as soon as this anchoring takes hold, nothing can stop you and your team.

The most successful individuals, teams and companies have different goals anchored in their subconscious, their culture, than the average. You can do the same - if you want to!

To the author:
Volkmar Völzke is a success maximizer. Book author. Consultant. Coach. Speaker. www.volkmarvoelzke.ch

Switzerland is one of the countries that benefit most from globalization and the European single market. And trade, as Switzerland's largest employer and trainer, is right in the middle of this development with 680,000 employees.

Keynote speaker Prof. Dr. Dr. Hans-Werner Sinn, Germany's best-known economist and one of the defining figures in economic and social policy debates, explained today's global economic situation and outlined possible future developments.

EU agricultural deal with Trump and Brexit

For example, the US has long since lost economic dominance to China - thanks to the fact that China is the largest creditor of US government bonds. The sale of these securities is expected to have a strong impact on the American economy. As soon as the trade agreement between the USA and China is concluded, Trump will turn his attention more to the EU. This recommends Prof. Sinn, who is counted among the world's best economists, to secure free trade on industrial tariffs and to grant the USA facilitations in agricultural trade. This would lower prices for agricultural products in the EU, which would be good for consumers; moreover, this deal would protect the auto industry.

If the escalating trade dispute with the U.S. were prevented, the EU would be better able to counteract the possible turbulence surrounding the Brexit. After all, as Prof. Sinn pointed out on Trade Day, the UK's exit will greatly change the EU - after all, the trade volume of the fourth-largest EU member is equivalent to that of 18 of the 28 EU members. With Brexit, the current balance of power between the north and south of Europe would shift significantly in favor of the poorer south.

Country club for emissions trading

Sinn estimates that economic problems can be expected between fall 2019 and the second half of 2020, which could also affect Switzerland. After all, the EU is Switzerland's most important trading partner. Prof. Sinn warned: "Protectionist forces arise in difficult times. That's when you should become politically active and put barriers in the way of protectionism." The importance of trade should not be underestimated in any way, he said, because "global economic prosperity comes from trade and the division of labor in trade. Free trade is the basic prerequisite for general prosperity." Trade makes it possible to buy goods where the energy is available, for example, to import agricultural products from sunny countries instead of growing them in greenhouses with environmentally harmful fertilizers and a lot of energy at high cost. Prof. Sinn has been working intensively on the subject of energy for many years. He sees the solution to the climate crisis in a follow-up project to the Paris Agreement, which also provides for sanctions in the event of violations. In terms of implementation, global emissions trading under the supervision of the UN would be expedient. Country solutions, on the other hand, would have too little effect, according to Prof. Sinn. Instead, the leading economist supports the proposal of the American Nobel Prize winner William Nordhaus: In a preliminary stage or transitional phase to global emissions trading, a club of countries could be created that would engage in multilateral emissions trading. If a country that did not belong to this club wanted to export to the club countries, it would have to pay drastic tariffs.

Framework agreement: Set the course now for Switzerland's prosperity

In the subsequent panel discussion, moderated by Marc Lehmann, head of the daily talk show at SRF, the framework agreement was one of the key topics. Elisabeth Schneider-Schneiter, President of the Foreign Policy Committee APK and National Councilor CVP, appealed to the companies. They should make it clear to politicians and the population how good framework conditions for imports and exports ensure the continued existence and success of trade. She would like to see unity from the Federal Council: "The Federal Council must decide whether it wants to go down the bilateral path. In recent years, it has been torn on this issue. Let's get this EU dossier wrapped up now - that way we'll create legal certainty for Swiss companies." Christa Markwalder, APK member and National Councilor FDP, stressed that the majority of the Swiss population is already very sensitive to the need for good relations between Switzerland and the EU: "Switzerland has a foreign trade quota of 93%. Every day, goods worth CHF 1 billion cross the border. Market access and openness are the most urgent issues so that we can maintain and develop our prosperity. On the other hand, we have to do our homework in Switzerland: Reduce bureaucracy, curb regulatory frenzy and use digitalization intelligently." Both National Councilors wanted the Federal Council to take a similarly clear stance as it did with the Schengen Agreement. There, the Federal Council stood before the people and clearly signaled that this was the right solution for Switzerland.

Andreas Aebi, President of the APK and SVP National Councillor as well as farmer and travel entrepreneur, also backed free trade and, for example, a new free trade agreement with the USA. For him, however, the framework agreement with the EU affects Switzerland's sovereignty, which is why he and his party reject it.

Courage for the next step

Marco Düerkop, trade counselor from the European Commission's delegation in Switzerland, said on the sidelines of the event that from the EU's perspective, the framework agreement is the next step in making the bilateral agreements future-proof. "This is the wish we have expressed for several years. Brexit reinforces this concern. After all, we are not only linked to Switzerland by common values, but also by a very special partnership. Switzerland is in the middle of Europe and, on the one hand, does not want to be a member of the EU, but on the other hand wants to participate in this large single market. There is no other country with which we are linked by contractual framework conditions like Switzerland," emphasized the economic attaché. "Framework conditions like Switzerland have so no other country, Turkey not and Ukraine not. Nor do Norway and Liechtenstein, both of which are integrated through the EEA." Marco Düerkop appealed to Switzerland's courage to take the next step in its decades-long successful relations with the EU.

The president of Handel Schweiz, Jean-Marc Probst, explains in his speech the position of Handel Schweiz on the framework agreement. As is well known, the umbrella organization of trade demands leadership from the Federal Council and an immediate signing of the framework agreement. Jean-Marc Probst also stressed that transparency is no substitute for trust. Rather, in a time of increasing supposed transparency, we all need to learn to trust again. Kaspar Engeli, Director of Handel Schweiz, announced that Handel Schweiz would not only be involved in the discussion on the Framework Agreement, but also in the Fair Prices and Termination Initiatives. The aim is to find solutions that move Switzerland forward instead of blocking it.

Source and information: Trade Switzerland

"Innovations, creations and emotions are the ingredients that have fully motivated me to tackle the 17th edition of the Alpine Symposium after a year's break," explains founder and host Oliver Stoldt. "I want to offer participants experiences on January 14 and 15 at the Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa that will inspire them both in business and in their private lives." Stoldt is convinced that a sparkling idea, a vision, is at the beginning of all success. There are not only the Jobs, Musks, Zuckerbergs, Gates and Pages, who innovated, inspired and above all led with intensity to global success and even changed the world. Also at the beginning of many successful SMEs and start-ups there is a flash of inspiration, an intuition that is profitably implemented with great perseverance and forcefulness.

Futurist with prospects

Already booked is Chris Riddell, an award-winning global futurist and recognized speaker on emerging trends in the hyper-connected digital world. His global expertise offers unique perspectives and insights for businesses of the future. With a talent for analyzing emerging trends, patterns and behaviors, Chris Riddell's insights are compelling, thought-provoking and inspiring. As a speaker, he provides audiences with the tools and knowledge to transform their digital journey into a success story.

It's Showtime...

Christian Lindemann has been a passionate artist for 20 years, entertaining and fascinating others. With 1'500 shows at Cirque du Soleil he celebrated global success as the "King of Pickpockets". As a speaker, he bridges the gap between the show stages of the world and the everyday stages of life. With creativity, passion, courage, self-confidence and quick-wittedness, he teaches the techniques of an artist to win people over, inspire them and make an impact.

Getting up again after a heavy blow of fate

On her way to her third Olympic Games and the world's best female cyclist of all time, Germany's Kristina Vogel suffered a serious blow in 2018. In a collision with a junior rider, she suffered multiple fractures and injuries and was left a paraplegic. Three months later, she came back to the public with an emotional interview. Since then, she has defied her fate and shared this with the public as a role model. With her infectious energy for life, she stands for faith in oneself.

New presenter

The well-known SRF Tagesschau presenter and experienced foreign correspondent Florian Inhauser will now moderate the two-day event. The Alpine Symposium regularly brings together 950 participants at the Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa in Interlaken. Among entrepreneurs, CEOs, innovative entrepreneurs and representatives of SMEs, the event has established itself as one of the leading events for knowledge transfer and networking. This has also convinced UPC Business and Xing, which Oliver Stoldt was able to win over as a new Presenting Partner for the Alpine Symposium. As a result, tickets for the Alpensymposium can now be purchased both via the Event website and about Xing be booked directly. On this topic, the New Work Sessions will be held in Zurich on September 25, 2019, which XING and Premium Speakers are organizing and conducting in close cooperation.

The dice have been cast at the Esprix anniversary gala: Campus Sursee wins the Esprix Swiss Award for Excellence 2019. In addition to Campus Sursee, "Tamedia AG, Publishing Services Printing and Logistics", Zurich and "die rodtegg, Foundation for People with Physical Disabilities", Lucerne were also nominated for the award. The "Oscar of the Swiss Economy" is awarded to outstanding Swiss companies. The aim of the award was and is to promote competitiveness in all entrepreneurial areas and to motivate the Swiss and Liechtenstein business community to achieve top entrepreneurial performance through competition. The Esprix Award differs from all other Swiss business awards because it has to be earned hard and often over years.

Lucky winner

Campus Sursee was founded in 1972 to promote vocational training in the Swiss construction industry and is now a leading Swiss training and seminar center for all professionals involved in the construction process. But it is also popular with other industries for its consistent customer focus, its efficiency and its pleasant learning environment. The Sursee Campus Foundation is the owner of Bildungszentrum Bau AG and Seminarzentrum AG. All activities of the Bildungszentrum Bau, the Seminarzentrum and the Foundation are bundled under the umbrella brand Campus Sursee. Most recently, Campus Sursee is establishing itself with the sports arena both in the professional sports sector as a training and competition location and in popular sports as a public sports facility for clubs, schools and the region. And on May 14, 2019, the site was designated a "2000-Watt Site" by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE).

Campus Director Daniel Suter was overjoyed at the award presentation in front of around 230 invited guests from business, science and politics at the Bürgenstock Resort: "We have proven that we are among the best and are proud of our team's achievements. The award will strengthen our role model function in the construction industry and our image as a whole," said Suter. "Finally, of course, our customers also benefit from our proven service quality."

Put through its paces

Independent assessors put the nominated companies through their paces over the course of a week. The assessment is based on the principles of the EFQM Excellence Model of the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM). This helps companies and organizations to improve sustainably and continuously. The Sursee Campus, which had already introduced a management system according to ISO standards, has also been working according to the EFQM model since 2015. Today, the Sursee Campus shows itself to be "excellent" in a wide variety of areas. An important success factor is the employees. "They know our strategy and vision and know how to use personal freedom profitably," says Suter. This freedom results in the realization of impressive projects. The new sports arena, the blended learning courses in the Construction Training Center or the certification as an environmentally friendly 2000-watt site are just a few examples. All of this, in turn, leads to high employee satisfaction and a low turnover rate. Or in Suter's words, "Our employees are proud to work at Campus Sursee."

Source and further information: www.campus-sursee.ch