Surveys show that more and more Swiss people are also reachable during their vacations and answer work-related mails, SMS or other messages. This may be done from devices that are not included in the secure corporate network. A reply to a corporate email may be exposed to a cyber threat that the user has no idea about.

General IT security tips

Cisco Security Expert Bremtane Moudjeb describes how to behave properly and keep the risk of cyberattacks as low as possible with a few IT security tips. "Cyber threats are more sophisticated today than ever before. Of course, only the most advanced technologies will help with complex attacks, but even ordinary users and small businesses can make their protection more effective by following a few simple rules. This is especially true during the vacations because we are out of the office and not using a secure corporate network," says Bremtane Moudjeb. "The IT industry also offers security technologies, such as VPN or Secure Internet Gateway for secure email and secure access to corporate data. Communicating over a cellular network (e.g., 4G) is a good alternative because it uses encryption. Using a VPN over a cellular network adds an extra layer of security for users. Additionally, there are alternative collaboration tools, such as Webex, that ensure a protected platform for enterprise communications regardless of location."

Seven important tips for secure email during the vacations

1.  Don't trust public Wi-Fi security: One of the risks is that other people's devices infected with malicious software are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Through this WLAN, the malware can also reach your device and spread to your corporate network. If you need to respond to business emails urgently, use VPN - virtual private network - or prefer mobile data instead.
2.  Use VPN connections or a secure Internet gateway: When you send business documents from your computer over WLAN or wired network outside your business network, you use a so-called virtual private network (VPN). How does VPN work? Your computer acts as if it is connecting from your business. If you know you'll need to work during the vacations, ask your IT manager about VPN connection settings. The current trend in protection for remote connections is the so-called secure Internet gateway, which provides a first line of defense against cyberattacks. Cisco Umbrella, for example, prevents access to dangerous sources before a connection is established or a file is downloaded.
3. Before you go on vacation, back up your data: A backup is one of the most important security basics. Make sure that all the data you need to work with even during the vacations is stored in your company or back up your data on an external drive that you do not take with you on vacation.
4.  Never rely entirely on the security of HTTPS pages: There is a widespread assumption among users that encrypted websites, usually with "HTTPS" and the lock icon in the address bar, are perfectly safe. Although encryption improves user privacy, it is increasingly being used by hackers. "Today, 50 percent of all websites are encrypted. However, finding a malicious file in encrypted communications is a big challenge. Only a very advanced security solution that uses machine learning or artificial intelligence is capable of doing that. That's why we need to keep a special eye on these websites that people connect to, because at first glance they seem very secure," warns Bremtane Moudjeb.
5.  Avoid working on public devices in an Internet café: You should not use devices that are not intended for work. Never send business messages and documents from public computers in an Internet café. You can never be sure that the owner of the Internet cafe protects his computers with sufficient security technology.
6. Communicate only through corporate accounts: Corporate policies typically state that all business communications must be done through corporate accounts - whether it's email or another work tool. However, there may not be access to the corporate account when there is an urgent need. In this case, caution should be exercised when using from the private email account that is not included in the company's security network. "Email is still the most popular communication platform today and also still the most common way for infected software to enter the device. A good alternative to email is collaboration tools that use specialized encryption and protection. I also recommend colleagues, partners or customers to use tools such as Webex Teams," says Bremtane Moudjeb.
7.  Do not send confidential data to third parties: This rule applies not only during the vacation season, but in general. Disguised e-mails aim to request confidential information, such as bank data or login passwords, in order to then misuse them. These are not always easily identifiable, so extra caution is needed with such emails. Similarly, cybercriminals like to use the vacation season to demand unauthorized payments. They assume that employees do not like to disturb their bosses during the vacations, and thus false transfers are made.

Recommendations for companies

Companies should also follow some IT security tips so they don't want to unnecessarily expose employees (and their own company) to cyber risk during the vacation season:

1.  Comprehensive protection of corporate communications: The first step for companies that don't want to risk their employees getting an unwanted surprise should be to deploy a solution that protects all email communications.
2. Security from the cloud: The Secure Internet Gateway monitors the current security situation globally and protects those devices that are not connected via VPN. The solution blocks current and future threats, preventing access to dangerous domains, URLs, IPs and files before a connection is established or a file is downloaded.
3. Endpoint security solutions to protect corporate data: These solutions can track who is logged in, when, from which devices and where, and identify or defend against security threats. The administrator has an overview of what is happening on the corporate network.

The ideal solution is a combination of all these compatible tools. The key to successful protection is a threat intelligence concept and a cloud-based approach that monitors all the latest threats in the world, sends data to security solutions, and then updates and protects them against new malware.

Source: Cisco

The Japanese IT security company Trend Micro has published the results of a global survey on the Internet of Things (IoT) and its protection. More than 1,150 decision-makers from IT and IT security participated in the survey. Among other things, they were asked about investments made and planned, implementation strategies and technological challenges.

Security plays a secondary role in the Internet of Things

The growing number of networked devices makes companies vulnerable to a variety of cyber threats. Nevertheless, 43 percent of respondents answered that IT security plays only a secondary role in the implementation of IoT projects. Among respondents from Germany, this figure was the highest in the world at 46 percent. While nearly two-thirds of respondents (63 percent) said cyberattacks related to IoT applications have increased in the past 12 months, only half (53 percent) of them classify connected devices as a threat to their business.

The findings also suggest that insufficient security testing may be being done before new devices are added to enterprise environments. The survey also found that companies have experienced an average of three attacks on connected devices in the last 12 months. Just over a third of companies (38 percent) that have implemented or are in the process of implementing IoT solutions have involved IT security experts in the implementation process. Of these, smart factories, smart utilities (31 percent) and wearables (30 percent) each account for about a third (32 percent). But that equally means that a sizable portion of companies worldwide are opening the door to a variety of threats. "Many companies see IoT systems as the future and are therefore deploying new types of connected devices in their network environments," said Udo Schneider, security evangelist at Trend Micro. "While this improves their business processes, it also poses a major problem in terms of new cyber risks, as the built-in operating systems typically cannot be patched easily. Investments in IT security measures should therefore be aligned with investments in upgrading systems. This is the only way to reduce the risk of data loss, which can have a major impact on sales and customer confidence."

Security, accountability, reputation and impact on affected companies

According to the respondents, the most important consequences of a data loss are a loss of customer confidence (52 percent), closely followed by financial damage (49 percent). Although the recently enacted EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a high priority for many, the consequences arising from it were rated as significantly less significant. According to respondents, a security-related IoT incident would have a negative impact on the following areas, among others:

• Customer trust (52 percent)
• Financial damage (49 percent)
• Loss of personal data (32 percent)
• Penalties by authorities (31 percent)
• Data security breaches (28 percent)

Companies invest USD 2.5 million per year in the Internet of Things

Data breaches can have a major impact on business processes: For example, they can put companies' GDPR compliance at risk or cripple critical networks. The research confirms that IT security must not be merely a footnote. Instead, it must play a key role in the implementation of IoT projects and processes from the outset. Udo Schneider continues: "The considerable investment in technology shows that IoT solutions offer many benefits for companies. However, IT security must be built into the design of the solutions and IT experts must be involved in the development and implementation process. Otherwise, companies may face damages that far exceed the potential gains of the technology." The findings also show that there is currently heavy investment in IoT technologies: Companies are spending an average of $2.5 million per year. Given the significant financial outlay and the serious impact a cyber attack can have on businesses, IT security should be prioritized to mitigate risks.

Source: www.trendmicro.ch

A top-class speaker program, best practice presentations by proven experts, intensive master classes led by Google and Adesso, inspiring and sometimes even provocative panel discussions, and a Live Lab with workshops geared to Generation Z await the 350 or so marketers. The new parallel congress to SuisseEMEX will be held in a separate area of Messe Zürich and guarantees participants valuable new learnings as well as the optimal opportunity to expand their personal business network. "With the new congress, SuisseEMEX, as the largest Swiss marketing industry event, will live up to its claim of continuously developing and making relevant expertise available to visitors at the highest level" promises Ewa Ming, Managing Director of SuisseEMEX.

Alibaba, Google and perhaps the hottest startup in the U.S. today

The opening keynote "Alibaba Cloud's View on Digitalization" by Toni Cheng, General Manager DACH of the Internet storage service Alibaba Cloud will mark a brilliant start to the new marketing congress. A few days ago, it was also announced that Google and Uber are investing USD 335 million in LimeBike, a startup founded in 2017. Caen Contee, Head of Marketing and co-founder of LimeBike, will give an insight into the advertising strategy of the company, which is currently conquering the city of Zurich with its bikes and eScooters, in his presentation "The Future of Mobility is Now". The startup has just announced plans to double its electric scooter fleet in Zurich.

Masterclasses by Google on the topics of "YouTube as a performance channel", "Mobile marketing" and "Machine learning as the next chapter in online marketing" as well as the masterclass by Adesso, which explores the question of "How artificial intelligence is revolutionizing customer relationship management" set further highlights at the marketing congress in terms of knowledge transfer.

Superpower Storytelling and Mystery Algorithm

Commitments from various Swiss industry luminaries underscore the quality of the congress program. Tobias Fueter is one of the most outstanding advertising filmmakers in Switzerland and, as director and co-founder of the production company Stories AG, sets the bar for successful storytelling with his team. The topic of content marketing and algorithms will be addressed in an exclusive "Best Practice" collaboration by Oliver Schibli, CPO, CMO & CTO of Watson and Thierry Pool, Head of Digital Marketing & Media Planning at Digitec Galaxus. Among the other confirmed speakers are top-class national and international names such as Thomas Lang, CEO and owner of Carpathia AG and top expert in the field of digital business and e-commerce, Kishor Sridhar, bestselling author and expert in emotional economics, and Dr. Axel Jockwer, expert in marketing, digitalization and media. Marcel Korner, Director New Business and Digital at Amer Sports will provide insights into successful brand staging in a best practice keynote. The complete speaker program is available on the website of the Marketing Congress apparent.

Marketing congress seeks proximity to Generation Z as well

The "Generation Z Live Lab" led by Yannick Blättler, founder and owner of Neoviso, focuses on successfully addressing the Young Generation. The already confirmed contributors include YouTube star Silvan Müller aka PandaTooth. DJ and producer Fabian Gähwiler, and Robin Pickis, owner of "schwiizchiste" and producer of "Zwei am Morge" on Play SRF. Not to forget Julian Graf and Ramin Yousofzai, known through their Instagram account UniGAG.

The congress days will conclude with after-work parties featuring a star-studded lineup of music and entertainment. Host, actress and comedian Stéphanie Berger will lead through the congress. Together with the internationally successful mentalist Tobias Heinemann, the entertainer will also host the award ceremony for the "MK Thought Leader of the Year" -Awards.

Tickets and further information at www.suisse-emex.ch/Kongress

In an interview a long time ago, football legend Franz Beckenbauer had answered the following, mutatis mutandis, to the reporter's question "What do you want most from your team?": "I would be happy if every player could at least receive the ball correctly."

Even a Franz Beckenbauer has to know the basics

For all non-football fans: Receiving the ball after a pass from a fellow player is a basic requirement for good play. Every amateur player can tell you that this is not always so easy.

What does this have to do with business? Well, if you want to get your team to higher performance and into the famous metaphorical Champions League, then first of all make sure that everyone can "take the ball". In other words, that the "basics" are mastered.

Where the biggest deficits lie

I recommend starting with these three topics, where I see the biggest deficits in "ball reception" from my experience:

1. Reliability. Unreliability is like a disease that, in my observation, is becoming more and more widespread: Requests are ignored, deadlines are missed without warning, clear commitments are not kept with flimsy reasons, etc. Reliability is not only a virtue, but a necessity for high-performing teams! My tip: Make 100% reliability a non-negotiable standard in your team. If you are a leader, you must of course exemplify this at all times.
2. Responsibility. Accepting the ball means taking full responsibility for it. As soon as I have the ball at my feet, I can't blame anyone else for my successes and failures. But that's exactly what's missing in business: many people complain to their environment and others that they can't achieve results themselves.
3. Act. Once you've accepted the ball, you can't just stand still; you have to do something with it. However, many team members in business seem to believe that once they have taken on a task, they can now wait and see, and are then surprised that the ball moves to the opposing team (i.e.: the competition). Incidentally, this occurs not only with operational tasks, but especially with strategic initiatives: people are often much too slow to take action.

The good news is that all three topics can be learned and trained. Top teams master this to a greater degree than average teams. The decision to do so lies with each individual and, of course, with the leaders.

So then: Go to training camp and practice "ball acceptance"!

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

Under the title "Content Marketing 2018: Balancing act between real hurdles and theoretical requirements", the German full-service media provider w&co Media Service recently conducted a survey. For this snapshot study, managing directors as well as marketing and sales managers of online retailers and brand manufacturers in Germany were asked about the topic of content marketing in personal interviews at the Internet World trade fair 2018. A central topic of the w&co study was the goals and hurdles in content marketing. At first, the answers do not appear spectacular: the absolute top answer among the most important goals in content marketing is differentiation from the competition at 37 percent, followed by 15 percent strengthening the brand or corporate image. 13 percent want to use it to strengthen brand awareness. In other words, a full 65 percent are using content marketing to achieve classic goals that are no different from those of traditional advertising formats. Only a few dare to take a more concrete approach. For example, 15 percent state customer loyalty as the most important goal, a good one in ten (11 percent) wants to use it to increase sales to existing customers, and six percent focus primarily on new target groups with content marketing. For only two percent, the focus is on transporting certain corporate values.

Missing answers reveal interesting insights on content marketing

However, no one opted for the response option to better understand customer needs from the response analysis of content marketing. There was also no agreement on generating leads or customer contact data for a personalized approach. It is therefore not surprising that building a community or influencers who actively engage with the brand did not receive a vote either. "When it comes to the question of content marketing goals - given the answer options in the survey - it is much more exciting what is not one of the goals in practice today," explains Janina Pielken, Marketing Manager at w&co MediaServices. "In content marketing - at least in theory - the possibilities for personalization, analysis of customer needs and multiplier effects through communities and influencers are considered key advantages and are discussed in all facets. It is unlikely that executives from marketing, sales and management are unaware of the diverse potential of content marketing."

The reasons for these vague objectives in content marketing are technical and organizational. About one-third (31 percent) see complex processes as the biggest challenge. Many interfaces and time delays in coordination between teams and service providers stand in the way of content development, production and release.
Another 14 percent say their content management is inadequate and error-prone. Searching for specific versions and formats of content takes time, approvals are complex, and much is done manually without system-supported workflows. A good one in ten (11 percent) consider the lack of control options during content production to be the biggest problem, and corrections are only made at a very late stage.

Majority cannot achieve content marketing goals

A total of 56 percent - over half - therefore lack suitable IT infrastructures and workflow control via media platforms. "This makes content marketing cumbersome, responsiveness decreases, and active interaction with customers or communities is thus impossible," adds Pielken. "The technical deficiencies significantly impact the marketing team, making them unproductive and - much worse - stifling creativity, a core competency that makes all the difference in content marketing in particular to differentiate a brand."
For almost one in four (23 percent), the problem is that content is not produced in a coherent way. Content marketing via individual channels therefore contributes too little to overarching brand development and identity. This means that the current highest goals of these measures cannot be achieved from the outset for 79 percent of those surveyed.

Unnecessary increases in cost

Almost one in five (18 percent) complain that different teams are responsible for different channels. As a result, multiple use of existing content is hardly possible, and no synergy effects can be exploited in content creation for different channels. This makes content marketing unnecessarily expensive for organizational reasons alone. No resources are left for the actual requirement of positioning oneself consistently on the market with unique selling points.

Source: www.w-co.de

Travel prices are expected to rise sharply in the coming year, according to the fifth Global Travel Forecast, published annually by the Global Business Travel Association GBTA and Carlson Wagonlit Travel with support from the Carlson Family Foundation. Alone in Western Europe, hotel prices are expected to increase by 5.6% and airfares by 4.8%. "Although most markets are on a good path economically, there are several factors that could have a negative impact on the global economy. These include protectionist measures, the risk of trade wars and the uncertainties surrounding Brexit," explains Michael W. McCormick, Executive Director and COO of GBTA. And Kurt Ekert, president and CEO of Carlson Wagonlit Travel, adds, "Prices are expected to rise in many markets around the world, even as inflation remains subdued."

Forecasts for airfares 2019

The airline sector will be characterized by the introduction of ultra-long-haul flights, the tendency of airlines towards new distribution models and growing competition from low-cost carriers, which are now also entering the market for intercontinental flights. Higher airfares are ultimately to be expected as a result of the rising price of oil, increased competition due to a shortage of pilots, possible trade wars and an increase in price segmentation.

• In Western Europe, a price increase of up to 4.8% can be expected for flights. The increase is particularly significant in Norway (+11.5%), Germany (+7.3%), France (+6.9%) and Spain (+6.7%). In contrast, airfares in Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa will fall between 2% and 2.3%.
• In North America, only a slight price increase of 1.8% is expected, according to the forecast. Airlines in the U.S. are revising their offerings to better respond to market demand, depending on how trade relations between the U.S. and other countries will develop. Prices for flights in Latin America are expected to fall by 2% in the coming year. However, a slight increase of 0.1% and 1.2% can be observed in Mexico and Colombia, respectively. The price increase will be very significant in Chile (+7.5%).
• In the Asia-Pacific region, the forecast predicts a price increase of 3.2%. Demand in China remains high (+3.9% for airfares) - the country will also be the world's largest travel market in 2020. In addition to China, however, other countries in the region see rising airfares ahead - particularly New Zealand (+7.5%) and India (+7.3%). The only country in the region where prices will fall is Japan, at -3.9%, because the country has already expanded its capacity for the 2020 Olympics.

Hotel price forecasts 2019

The forecasts for hotel prices are directly related to the growth in the airline sector, which is creating greater demand for hotel rooms. Hotels are focusing on the use of new technologies to offer their guests a personalized travel experience. The hotel landscape will also change with further mergers, as high-priced hotels will have to compete with mid-priced hotels for younger travelers who are increasingly turning to boutique hotels.

• In the Europe, Middle East and Africa region, prices in Western Europe are expected to rise by 5.6% for overnight hotel stays. Prices in Eastern Europe and Middle East/Africa, on the other hand, will fall by 1.9% and 1.5%, respectively. The price increase is particularly pronounced in Norway (11.8%), Spain (8.5%), Finland (7.1%) and France as well as Germany with 6.8% each.
• Hotel prices in North America will also rise, according to the forecast - 5% in Canada and 2.7% in the US.
• The Asia-Pacific region will see a price increase of 5.1%. There are major differences: while prices in Japan are expected to fall by 3.2%, there is likely to be a price increase of 11.8% in New Zealand.
• In Latin America, the forecast predicts falling prices of 1.3%. While hotel prices are expected to decline by 3.5% in Argentina, 1.9% in Brazil, and 0.7% in Colombia, prices are expected to increase in Chile (+6.4%), Peru (+2.1%), and Mexico (+0.6%).

Price forecast for bus, train, rental car and cab

According to the Travel Price Forecast, only North America is expected to see a slight increase in prices for means of transport such as buses, trains and cabs in the coming year (+0.6%). In all other regions, prices will remain stable. However, rental car companies may raise their prices, especially in the fourth quarter of 2019. Travelers will increasingly rely on apps for private ride services, while interest in high-speed trains will decline due to high costs associated with low expansion of the required technology. In the rental car sector, new technologies are setting trends, such as the use of connected cars.

• The forecast predicts stable prices for the Europe, Middle East and Africa region. However, in some Western European countries, such as Finland, France, Germany, Italy and Spain, price increases of over 4% may be possible - in Norway it is expected to be as much as +10%. In turn, Sweden can expect a price drop of 13.9%.
• While prices in the overall North America region will increase only slightly (+0.6%), they are expected to rise by 3.6% in Canada. The trendsetter in the region could be Audi's app-based car rental provider Silvercar, which enables mobile bookings and has greatly simplified the pick-up and billing process.
• In the Asia-Pacific region, the price development for road and rail transportation will also remain stable. Only in New Zealand (+4%), India (+2.7%) and Australia (+2.4%) will prices increase. Didi Chuxing will continue to expand its investments in autonomous driving, while Uber has already conceded the field to domestic private ride services in Southeast Asia.

Business travel is becoming increasingly personalized

In addition to economic outlooks and forecasts for hotel and airfares, the report also provides an overview of current trends in the business travel industry. "The future of business travel can be described as accelerated personalization. Mobile technologies, artificial intelligence and the use of chatbots and predictive data play an important role in this," says Kurt Ekert. "The success of a travel program is closely linked to new technologies and intelligent processing of data."

Source: Carlson Wagonlit Travel

Company sales abroad reached a new record between January and June 2018: 40 Swiss SMEs passed into foreign ownership, a striking increase of 38% compared to the same period last year. The majority of buyers are in Europe, with nine from Germany, three each from France and the UK, and two from Sweden. Six buyers are from the USA and only two from China, according to the half-year evaluation of the Deloitte SME M&A study.

Company sales to Chinese investors on the decline

"The increase in sales abroad is a clear sign of the strength and attractiveness of Swiss SMEs. Many of them have established significant positions in niche markets and are well networked internationally. As a result, they are also sought-after targets, whether for financial investors or for companies in the same industry. With the weakening of the Swiss franc, prices have also become somewhat more affordable. The vast majority of investors also have long-term plans and want to keep know-how and jobs in Switzerland," explains Jean-François Lagassé, Partner Financial Advisory at Deloitte Switzerland. Chinese investors have become more cautious and are also divesting their Swiss investments again, observes Stephan Brücher, also Partner Financial Advisory and Corporate Finance Advisory.

Swiss SMEs were able to buy less

SMEs have been somewhat cautious or less successful so far this year with investments and acquisitions of competitors in Switzerland and abroad. While 65 companies dared to take this step in the same period of the previous year, only 60 did so in the current year. As in previous years, Swiss SMEs went on a buying spree primarily in neighboring countries. Of the total of 31 companies that became the property of Swiss SMEs, 24 came from Europe and 11 from Germany alone. Swiss companies made 5 of their acquisitions in the USA, making it the second most attractive market for takeovers.

Industrial sector and telecommunications very active

The largest number of transactions was recorded in the industrial sector with 22, followed by services (16) and consumer goods (14). A striking number of companies from the technology, media and telecommunications (TMT) sector changed hands, with eight sold abroad and three finding a new owner from Switzerland. "New technologies and digitalization promote growth and increase productivity in many sectors: forward-looking SMEs are actively exploiting this potential and finding suitable purchase candidates in Switzerland. This is hardly surprising, given that Switzerland has world-class universities that regularly produce exciting startups and spin-offs," Lagassé explains.

Swiss companies buy many industrial companies abroad; 12 of 31 acquisitions came from this sector, half of which were German companies. Of these six, four were strategic investors buying up companies matching their product portfolio, and two were financial investors.

Private equity under investment pressure

In the first half of 2017, private equity funds were still involved in 28% of the transactions, but this figure has now risen to 36%. Many PE companies are benefiting from the still attractive interest rate environment and are raising a lot of money to invest. "They are under high investment pressure and are looking hard for investment opportunities. High-quality and underfunded companies are highly sought after and expensive. The companies that are bought up are being purposefully realigned. Processes as well as structures are improved in order to sell the company again later. This development makes sense from an economic point of view, because unused potential is being exploited. Today, investors are also more conscious of assets such as long-standing employees or brand names that have been established in the market," says Brücher.

In addition to PE firms, strategic investors with healthy balance sheets also have investment pressure and are therefore also on the lookout for suitable acquisition targets. Prices therefore continue to rise and the valuation indicator for the so-called 'deal multiples' has already been increasing for six years, and in the first half of 2018 it climbed again, from 9 to 9.5. "This is a new record high and clearly shows that the prices paid do not always correspond to the real values. We see this trend not only in Switzerland, but also throughout the eurozone. Sooner or later, a correction is on the cards here," warn the specialists at Deloitte.

High uncertainty makes forecasts difficult

Internationally, political and economic uncertainties have tended to increase this year. "There is no end in sight to the trade war, interest rates are slowly rising, Italy is causing instability in the eurozone and the franc has picked up again somewhat. We never know when the markets will turn again, which is why we remain cautiously optimistic for the rest of the year," Lagassé explains.

However, the trend toward more disruptive acquisitions (disruptive M&A), which is already becoming clearer at the global level, could gain in importance and stimulate business. In the last six months, buyers and sellers were from different industries in only ten percent of transactions. "More and more companies are buying digital know-how in order to expand their own business model or turn it completely upside down. Traditionally oriented companies are now under particular pressure to make themselves fit for the future through strategic acquisitions, with SMEs from the areas of fintech, artificial intelligence, robotics or cyber security under particular scrutiny," adds Brücher.

Source: Deloitte

The consulting firm Deloitte surveyed 1,000 office workers in Switzerland on how the much-discussed current changes in the world of work are actually reflected in everyday life today. The respondents spend at least half of their working time in front of a computer. Two-thirds of them are no longer permanently tied to their employer's office. 40 percent work at least one day a week at home or in another location, such as a coworking space.

Majority still with permanent job

Although agile and flexible working concepts such as home office or the flexible sharing of office workplaces (so-called hotdesking) are becoming socially acceptable in companies in Switzerland, the vast majority (77%) of Swiss employees are still permanently assigned to a workplace. By contrast, time allocation is much more flexible: 72 percent are largely free to organize their time in the office and only 9 percent say they have to adhere to rigid working hours. Only one-third of office employees work a fixed schedule at their employer's office every day. The majority can therefore work regularly without being tied to a specific location. However, there are large differences: 28 percent do this less than one day per week, 12 percent exactly one day per week and more than a quarter (27%) do not work in the employer's office for more than one day per week.

Workplace design adaptation often ignored

If employees work away from home more often and hotdesking is introduced in the office, the number of fixed workstations can be reduced. This creates space for special zones for concentrated work, exchange or rest. Carefully planned and implemented measures promote cross-divisional collaboration and employee satisfaction. "Many Swiss companies ignore necessary adjustments to workplace design and work models and lose money and employees as a result," Matthias Thalmann, Partner for Human Capital at Deloitte Switzerland, is convinced. "If they want to continue to have productive, creative and motivated employees in the future, they need to provide an innovative and inspiring work environment, regardless of where and how they work. To reconcile the high demands of young employees for more flexibility and the desire for security and orientation of the older workforce, intelligent and strategically supported concepts are needed."

Clear need to catch up with technology

There is great potential for improvement in the hardware provided by companies. Only just under half (47%) have received a laptop from their employer that enables mobile working. 11 percent have only a smartphone or tablet. A total of 42 percent of all employees surveyed are not provided with any digital device at all by their employer that allows them to work on the move and access company data. Just over half (53%) use chats or instant messaging, 39 percent use modern document management and 36 percent can conduct video conferences. Just under a third of companies, however, do not use any modern collaboration solutions at all.

New corporate culture and less regulation

An agile and modern workplace concept can only function properly and have a positive impact on employee performance and satisfaction if it is also communicated in a comprehensible manner and strategically supported. Many Swiss companies do not seem to have tackled this issue yet, as another Deloitte survey of HR managers already shows. The current study confirms this: Only 39 percent state that there are guidelines for flexible working in their company. However, there are clear differences depending on the size of the company: the proportion is 55 percent for companies with more than 250 employees, and only 24 percent for those with fewer than 50 employees.

Even more impressive: While flexible working hours are supported by more than half (56%) of the supervisors, only one-third of the respondents' supervisors are in favor of flexible work locations such as home offices or coworking spaces. Against the backdrop of an open and modern corporate culture, it is important that superiors not only support flexible working but also set an example and lead by example. However, a full 38 percent state that their superiors do not exemplify flexible working in any way.

Legislation lags behind reality

"The space design, workspace concept and technology can be as sophisticated as they are - ultimately, their impact can only be fully realized if the corporate culture is actively adapted and the attitudes of employees and managers change accordingly," says Luc Zobrist, economist at Deloitte Switzerland and co-author of the study. "Companies that only focus on cost reduction and ignore employee satisfaction will not successfully manage a sustainable workplace transformation."

The legal framework in Switzerland should also not be forgotten. In addition to flexible workplaces and forms of work, modern technology and a trusting corporate culture, there also needs to be a concession from the legislator: "Our labor law still stems from the industrial age and would have to be adapted accordingly for the digital age," explains Zobrist.

Source: Deloitte

The company bexio was founded four years ago and developed a simple, cloud-based business software for small businesses in Switzerland. Thanks to rapid growth, it is now one of the leading providers with over 15,000 customers. Now the company has been acquired by Mobiliar, which claims to be the largest SME insurance company in Switzerland. With this acquisition, Mobiliar wants to strengthen its position in the SME market. "also expand digitally," as it communicates. „Together with a strong partner and solid parent company, we will be able to further develop our platform even faster and more sustainably," bexio itself writes on its own Company Blog. It is emphasized that the company will not be integrated into Mobiliar, but will remain independent. Current contracts will remain in force, as will the management and founders as well as the entire team as contact persons. The existing cooperation between bexio and Swiss Life is also not affected by the new ownership. To the new owners it is important that the company retains its start-up character and can concentrate fully on its own growth, according to the statement. "Mobiliar gives us additional impetus to develop further as an SME platform and to quickly realize the needs of our customers," bexio continues to write.

"If someone authorized to represent another enters into a contract on his behalf, the represented person, and not the representative, becomes entitled and obligated." This is stated in Article 32 of the Code of Obligations - as far as it is relatively clear. But what happens if there is actually no authorization, but the supplier assumes in good faith that it exists? If the employer has created the appearance of a corresponding authorization to the outside world, the representative effect nevertheless comes into effect on the basis of Art. 33 Para. 3 OR. The good faith of the supplier is protected insofar as he has not acted carelessly. This is intended to strengthen legal certainty in commercial dealings.

What is a prima facie power of attorney?

A so-called "prima facie power of attorney" may already exist, for example, if an employee uses the employer's business stationery or e-mail address, at least if he orders items that correspond to the company's business purpose. This would, for example, easily be affirmed in the case of a large order of meat for a restaurant, but not for a trust company. The quantity must also be correct; if an employee orders a few boxes of chocolate bars for a kiosk, a prima facie power of attorney would be assumed, but not if a ton of chocolate is ordered.

When may goods acceptance be refused?

If, for example, an employee is entered in the commercial register with individual signing authority and the supplier is not aware of any internal restrictions on the power of representation, the purchase agreement also binds the employer and the latter must pay the purchase price. However, if there is already a lack of appearance of authorization, the supplier must take action against the employee if the employer does not subsequently approve the contract (Art. 38 para. 1 CO). If the authorization is not given, the employee is liable unless he proves that the supplier knew or should have known of the lack of authorization. In other words, the employer may only refuse to accept the goods if there is neither an expressly announced nor a prima facie power of attorney.

Verify signing authority

Conclusion: As a supplier, things must not get this far in the first place. The creditworthiness check is also accompanied by a check of the authorization to sign. This requires reliable information from a reliable partner!

To the author:
Raoul Egeli has been President of the Swiss Creditreform Association since 2008 and President of Creditreform International since 2014, as well as a member of the Chamber of Commerce of the SGV. He is also Managing Director of the Creditreform Egeli companies in Basel, St. Gallen and Zurich. From 2009 to 2013, he was the central president of TREUHAND|SUISSE. Raoul Egeli is the author of several specialist books on the subject of credit and receivables management. www.creditreform.ch

Once a year, St.Gallen becomes the meeting place for Swiss SMEs - this year for the sixteenth time. This year, the Swiss SME Day will once again focus on the current challenges facing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs): What do SMEs have to pay attention to, how do they make decisions, and how confident can they be in doing so - this is what expert speakers will be talking about.

Transform and turn

After the introduction to this year's SME Day by host Tobias Wolf, Elgar Fleisch, researcher in the "Internet of Things", explains his topic "the digital belly". Miriam Baumann-Blocher, Managing Director and Chairman of the Board of Läckerli Huus AG, deals with the aspect of "tradition versus innovation". After lunch, Myriam Locher, founder and CEO of Bettermind, talks about "how artificial intelligence teaches us to think bigger." This will be followed by the presentation "How to decide in the South Pacific?" by Hansjörg Hinrichs, owner "Pacific Society". "The art of clear thinking" reveals Rolf Dobelli, author, while former soccer referee Markus Merk closes the conference by "Sich(er) entscheiden".

At no other conference are Swiss SMEs closer to each other.

The Swiss SME Day is an established and sought-after platform for the exchange of entrepreneurs and executives from Swiss SMEs - in line with the motto "At no other conference are Swiss SMEs closer to each other". Patronage for the Swiss SME Day has been assumed by important institutions: The Swiss Trade Association (SGV), economiesuisse, the St.Gallen-Appenzell Chamber of Industry and Commerce, and the Cantonal Trade Association of St.Gallen. The event is supported by a number of co-sponsors and long-standing main sponsors to whom SME concerns are very important: Raiffeisen, Helvetia, ABACUS, OBT and Swisscom, as well as numerous SMEs from the industrial and service sectors.

The event is offered and organized by the Swiss Institute for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises at the University of St.Gallen (KMU-HSG) and the agency alea iacta ag. Registration for the Swiss SME Day is now open via http://www.kmu-tag.ch/Anmeldung possible. In recent years, the event was always sold out early.

It was in 1998 that Alexis Caceda, together with his friends Reto Kasser and Dominik Breitenmoser, launched Netstream. Since then, the company has established itself as one of the most successful providers of Internet, telephony, hosting and TV solutions in the Swiss business customer environment. It has also enjoyed good success so far with the cloud solutions it launched at the beginning of 2018. Today, the company employs around 90 people and operates its own data center in Switzerland. More than 30,000 customers benefit from its services in the areas of cloud, connectivity, hosting, streaming, voice and wholesale. According to Netstream, the company is committed to continuity, both in terms of its customer relationships and in the management of the company. All three founding members are still active in the company. They share a passion for IT and telecommunications projects as well as the pleasure of working with their employees and customers, according to the statement.

Innovative products with added value for customers

"The ICT market is subject to a continuous development process. Netstream's goal is not only to keep up with this process, but to always be one step ahead of it and to inspire our customers with groundbreaking products," explains Alexis Caceda, CEO of Netstream AG. To ensure this, the focus in the design of all products is on added value for customers. In the future, this intention will also be reflected via Netstream's brand world. To this end, the company will present itself with a new logo and a new website, among other things, from September 2018.

Anniversary marks milestone

In addition to the new brand identity, further innovative new products will be presented to the public in the fall. For example, work is currently underway on a new solution in the TV area. With this, the company wants to continue a success story, as it was Netstream that launched the first Internet TV offering on the Swiss market in 2004 with "ADSL.TV". "The launch of ADSL.TV marked the beginning for the distribution of TV programs via the Internet in Switzerland," recalls Caceda. Since then, the offering has developed rapidly and is now indispensable. In fact, customers are constantly enjoying new services. Caceda promises, "Fall 2018 will be a milestone: for our customers as well as for Netstream as a company." This will be underpinned by a branding show on September 5 at the Air Force Center in Dübendorf.

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