On February 1, 2025, Mitja Schulz will take over as CEO of the Debrunner Koenig Group, headquartered in St.Gallen. Founded in 1755, the Swiss group of companies operates as a B2B trading partner and service provider in the national market. It consists of four divisions: "Reinforcement" supplies reinforcing steel, reinforcement technology and reinforcement accessories. "Steel & Metals" and "Metal Service" serve the market with raw materials and semi-finished products. "Technical Products" covers other areas of the construction needs of construction, industrial and trade customers.

Mitja Schulz succeeds Thomas Liner, who left the company at the end of 2024. According to a statement from the company, a smooth transition is ensured by CFO Heinz Rohrer, who took over the position on an interim basis in January 2025 and will support Mitja Schulz in an advisory capacity during the first few weeks. The new CEO brings with him many years of experience as head of various European industrial companies. Most recently, he was President and CEO of the Swiss industrial group Gurit and was responsible for the successful further development of the group, including its numerous international subsidiaries. Prior to this, Mitja Schulz held various management positions at the ZF Group for over eleven years. Among other things, he was Senior Vice President and CEO of the global business unit "ZF Wind Power" in Belgium.

In addition to the new CEO Mitja Schulz, Oliver Bertignol will complement the Swiss management team as the new CFO from March 1, 2025, as Heinz Rohrer will retire on July 31, 2025. Oliver Bertignol is an experienced manager with extensive financial expertise who previously worked at Trumpf Schweiz AG, among others.

Guido Kerkhoff, Chairman of the Management Board of Klöckner & Co SE, comments on the current change of chair: "I am very much looking forward to working with Mitja Schulz and am firmly convinced that, together with our strong local team, we will continue to consistently align our offering in the Swiss market with customer needs in the future. I would also like to thank Heinz Rohrer, who has played a key role in shaping the development of the Debrunner Koenig Group in recent years and is now ensuring a smooth change of leadership."

Source: Debrunner Koenig

The company Red Hat is regarded by experts as a pioneer in the development of open source solutions, i.e. software whose source code is public and which can be copied, distributed and used as desired. For example, the programming of "Docker", a solution for container virtualization (a method of allowing a host system to be used by several instances of an operating system simultaneously, which is of crucial importance for cloud computing), can be traced back to this company. This widely used solution is now integrated into the "OpenShift" product. Red Hat also provides many other powerful Linux, hybrid cloud, container and Kubernetes technologies.

A tour through the OSS world of Red Hat

Richard Zobrist, Country Manager Switzerland at Red Hat, opened the conference with around 1,000 registered participants and looked back on an eventful - and above all fast-moving - 2024. He revealed that the past year had been dominated by AI and automation. Léonard Bodmer, Revenue Leader Western Europe, noted that many processes in Europe are now open source-based. With regard to AI, he said that it requires a "human touch". "By 2029, 80 percent of decisions made by humans will not yet have been replaced by AI," said Bodmer, referring to the results of a study by consultancy firm Gartner. However, AI is increasingly supporting people in their decisions, according to Bodmer.

Red Hat's CTO Chris Wright then gave an initial overview of how open source and artificial intelligence will interact in the future. "We are only at the beginning of the era of generative AI," said Wright. It goes without saying that Red Hat wants to be at the forefront of this. The company has developed its own data model called "InstructLab" to train large language models (LLMs). What's more, the tool allows AI applications to be built specifically for certain tasks. Red Hat has also developed Ansible Automation, a platform for AI-controlled workflows. And with the acquisition of Neural Magic, Red Hat intends to expand its expertise in the areas of inference performance engineering and model optimization, as Wright announced.

Marcel Haerri then demonstrated a possible use case from the insurance industry. This involved the development of a chatbot that provides policyholders with support when settling claims after car accidents, for example with suggestions for repairs. Haerri used various tools from Red Hat to build this chatbot. Stefanie Chiras' presentation focused on virtualization and containerization. She referred to Red Hat's aforementioned pioneering role in this area and its collaboration with a growing number of partners - including Intel with its "Intel Gaudi" product for deep learning - in a comprehensive ecosystem.

Open source software in public administration

In his keynote speech at the Red Hat Summit Connect 2025, PD Dr. Matthias Stürmer, Professor at the Bern University of Applied Sciences and Head of the Institute for Digital Sustainability at the University of Bern, demonstrated that many things are unlikely to work today without open source solutions. According to recent surveys, 96.6 percent of companies use some form of open source software. But that's not all: Switzerland is also a country with a high production rate of open source software. However, the road to using and programming open source solutions is a rocky one, especially in public administrations. The new Federal Act on the Use of Electronic Means for the Performance of Official Duties (EMBAG) has only been in force for a year. This contains a separate article on the subject of open source, which states that software developed by the authorities (and using taxpayers' money) should be made available to the general public - i.e. companies and private individuals. Furthermore, Swiss providers should be given preference in procurement. In order to create an overview and more transparency in the "open source jungle", an open source directory (www.ossdirectory.com), a "Wikipedia of open source software", as Matthias Stürmer described it. He concluded by expressing his hope that through solid cooperation between partners and the visualization of success stories, open source solutions will now increasingly find their way into public administrations.

 

Reist Telecom relies on OpenShift

At the Red Hat Summit, it was announced that Reist Telecom AG is using Red Hat technologies to modernize its IT infrastructure. Reist Telecom AG is a Swiss telecommunications and information technology company with a focus on flexible solutions. Reist offers solutions for private, public and hybrid cloud services, identity and access management (MAYI ID© product suite) as well as network, telecommunications and cyber security services. The company wanted to introduce microservices and containers to better support its customers in their own modernization projects. Reist planned to expand its offerings beyond virtualization to a cloud-native platform, including MAYI ID©, which is available both as a managed service and as a stand-alone software-as-a-service solution. The company chose Red Hat OpenShift as a hybrid cloud platform that can be operated both on-premises and at the edge, as greater flexibility and coherence of the underlying platform was required. OpenShift enables Reist to minimize operational overhead by providing a single management interface and greater coherence of the development and operations tools provided. The unified platform and DevOps approach has brought Reist's development and operations teams closer together, improving collaboration and breaking down silos, according to the statement. One example of this is the developers of the MAYI ID© solution, who can now work more closely with the operations teams.

www.reist.swiss

 

How will offices be designed in ten years' time? This is what experts from cvapp.de, an online CV editor belonging to the Career.io family of companies, wanted to know. But they didn't just conduct another survey, they wanted to find out how an AI predicts the office environment will change by 2034. They chose ChatGPT as the AI tool and asked it to list the main characteristics of an office environment. This list was initially too long, so they further asked ChatGPT if the characteristics could be summarized into 5 main groups. The characteristics were reduced to workplaces, communication, technology, workforce and office space. And these are now the AI predictions for offices in 2034:

Workplaces

AI predicts that there will be more 'hot-desking' and collaborative workspaces to support hybrid working models. Desks could become compact, modular and reconfigurable to support a variety of tasks. Chairs could also change: AI-powered ergonomic chairs could become widely available to support posture in the workplace. This focus on health will become standard as standing and treadmill desks are also introduced, as well as biophilic workstations with plants that promote mental health.

Communication

Holographic meetings and the use of 3D avatars as an alternative to one's own face could become the new Zoom meeting. Virtual reality and augmented reality will be widely used for immersive remote meetings, utilizing 5G or 6G networks to ensure secure communication. Real-time AI translation could be integrated to bridge multilingual communication in international teams and also enable AI-driven transcription of meetings. Streamlining processes will be a priority for communication as companies will use platforms that combine chat, video and project management. They will also use unified communication systems to combine voice, video and messaging into one interface.

Technology

Technological change will have a major impact on the office environment by 2034. For example, AI-powered assistants could become the standard for automating routine tasks and analyzing data. Robotic process automation (RPA) will also take over repetitive tasks, and service robots will handle administrative tasks such as deliveries, cleaning and managing office supplies. Technological advances will also contribute to office sustainability and security: solar-powered devices and smart lighting systems will become mainstream, and biometric security measures and threat detection systems will improve cyber security.

Workforce

AI predicts that there could be workforce changes in the workplace. AI-supported roles could be introduced to optimize processes and employees will need to learn to use AI efficiently in their job. Alongside flexible working models such as hybrid or remote jobs, new roles for workers could emerge, such as technology and data specialists supporting digital transformation, wellbeing and sustainability officers, and learning and development specialists. 

Office space

As hybrid working reduces the daily occupancy of office space, offices will shift to smaller, more efficient layouts. Office spaces will be experiential, encouraging employees to use the office for specific purposes, such as an innovation lab or social hub. There could also be dedicated quiet zones or soundproof chambers to encourage concentration, as well as AR/VR-equipped tech rooms for meetings and brainstorming.

Source and further information: https://cvapp.de/

It's a well-known fact that people tend to be convenient. Why bother using a browser with a small smartphone display - a QR code is just the thing. Information that is needed on the spot is so quickly at hand. More and more companies are using these advantages, for example to provide customers with additional information on products or their use. And as is always the case, cyber criminals are not far away as soon as a technology has become established in everyday life. QR codes can be a security trap: "quishing" is the name of the type of fraud using QR codes. Sophos has analyzed the trend in this article. We interviewed Chester Wisniewski, Director and Global Field CTO at Sophos. He answers the most important questions about the security of QR codes.

QR codes are proving increasingly popular in sales, marketing and payment systems. How did this development come about and to what extent do they improve the customer experience?

Chester Wisniewski: Nobody likes to talk in computer-speak. The advantage of being able to use a smartphone for quick information or action is a strong motivation for both providers and users of QR codes. This, combined with the environmental benefits of not having to print out documents and the fact that many companies can incorporate complex tracking tokens into URLs, further contributes to the spread of QR codes.

While QR codes offer great added value, there are growing concerns about their security. What types of fraud or malicious activity have emerged in recent years that have targeted users via QR codes?

Anyone can produce QR codes and it is not possible to authenticate them. It requires a high level of trust from the consumer that the QR code they see at the parking ticket machine or on the coffee table is genuine. We've heard of incidents, specifically involving payments, where fraudsters have printed out QR codes and stuck them onto real QR codes to direct people to a phishing website to grab their credit card details and personal information.

For example, what steps can retailers take to ensure that the QR codes they use in-store or online are secure and legitimate? How can they protect their customers from potential fraud or phishing attacks?

Stores, retailers, restaurants, etc. that use QR codes should check them regularly - especially if the QR codes are displayed publicly. This becomes more of a challenge with distributed systems such as parking ticket machines. Consumers are well advised not to scan QR codes that they don't really trust and prefer to use another means of payment with fewer risks. I personally avoid ATMs that have dodgy keyboards or are clearly not in their original condition - the same could be applied to QR stickers. QR codes should really never be used online, as most are just a visual form of a URL. If you want someone to click on a link, then you should use a link. There are exceptions, but generally they prove the rule.

What "red flags" should consumers be wary of when scanning QR codes in public or on products to avoid falling victim to criminals?

QR codes transfer an image into a website address. When the code opens in the browser, you should look at the address bar and check where the user is being directed to. If you do not like this destination, it is wise to close the application. The safest way for the consumer? Don't scan the QR code. Instead, use your favorite search engine. However, there are also applications for mobile devices, such as Sophos Intercept X, which contain QR code scanners that draw attention to malicious links.

A look into the future: How will the role of QR codes in retail and other industries develop? Will they become more secure with new technologies or will security remain a challenge?

I don't see the security of QR codes improving. They were originally developed for machines and not for people to use them in everyday life. Authenticating QR codes is a task that cannot be solved so easily. Ideally, QR codes should be firmly and visibly embedded in posters, product packaging etc. and not just a sticker stuck on somewhere. Ultimately, however, the responsibility lies with the consumer: If a QR code seems strange, it is better to keep your hands off it and rely on a tried-and-tested, secure information retrieval or payment method.

 

Especially now, when Christmas aperitifs are springing up like mushrooms, a little help with small talk is a great idea. welcome gift. With these 10 small talk tips, you're guaranteed not to spend the aperitif alone in a corner and have fun chatting and networking with strangers.

Tip 1: Daily news

Read the news on the day of the meeting and decide which topics are suitable for small talk. Politics and disasters are known to be no-goes. But you can switch from a negative headline to a lighter topic. Headline 1: Volcanic eruption in Iceland. This event can be linked to the question of whether the person has already been to Iceland and what they particularly liked there? And that brings us to travel, which is a good topic anyway. Headline 2: Son finds his mother after 35 years. For years, he shopped in the bakery that his mother ran. But he didn't know it was his mother. He found out through a genealogist he hired. This is a nice feel-good topic that is ideally suited as a theme.

Tip 2: In-depth questions

People tend to respond with "interesting" or "exciting", but this is often taken as the exact opposite. If you say "exciting", always ask a follow-up question. "How exactly did it happen?" - "How did it make you feel?" And please don't immediately turn the conversation to yourself to say that something similar has already happened to you.

Tip 3: Remember

If you have met the person before, remember the last conversation. Ideally, you will even have taken notes after the meeting. There is no greater appreciation than remembering what a person has said. Few people, e.g. sales people, do this professionally because they know they can score points this way. Why not also remember things privately and then ask about the follow-up to what was said the next time you meet? Get in touch at the right time if you know that your colleague is due to have an eye operation on 19.12.2024 and pass on your good wishes.

Tip 4: Entertain with stories

What were my highlights of the week? What positive, funny or interesting conversations could you entertain your counterpart with? Of course with the counter question "What nice things did you experience at the weekend"? If this story leads to conversation, information or laughter, small talk may soon become smart talk.

Tip 5: Similarities

"People like each other tend to like each other" means that similar people or people with things in common automatically like each other better. You should therefore not move too much on the surface, but go deeper and find out what you have in common. It is a good idea to choose a mixture of interest in the other person and your own stories. Always asking questions seems strained.

Tip 6: Ask for an opinion

Market analyses have shown that young people in particular really appreciate it when we ask them for their opinion. "The following happened to me and I wasn't sure how to react, what would you have done in this situation?" - "Do you think it's right that ...?". Here we are no longer quite in small talk, but rather in deep talk. We are afraid of asking questions that are too direct, but it is precisely these that create tension.

Tip 7: Give, give, give

You should feel better after the small talk than before it. This applies to everyone involved. Give first and then take - is a good principle. During small talk, you give attention, a good feeling, appreciation, entertainment or information. If you are only interested in your own benefit, you will quickly be seen through. People want to give something back if they can do so voluntarily.

Tip 8: Hand out compliments

"I'm always happy when I see you! You radiate so much positivity." - "I can always rely on you, you always arrive on time. That helps me a lot." Such praise makes everyone happy. However, it should come from the heart. If you can't think of any praise, at least show your pleasure at the encounter.

Tip 9: Positive body language

If your inner attitude is "I'm looking forward to the conversation", your body language will automatically change. Look forward to the occasion, to the new acquaintances and then you will also succeed in making small talk.

Tip 10: Show emotions

Introverted people in particular rarely show their feelings. However, even subtle reactions to what the other person is saying motivate them to continue. Adding some gestures and a smile to your own story makes it easier for the listener to follow the narrator.

The last of these small talk tips is probably the most difficult for introverts to implement. Start modestly with the GEGG formula (see box), follow it and you will find that family celebrations, networking events or waiting times in front of the elevator become more interesting, enjoyable and pleasant. Think about what good friendships or long-standing business relationships once began with small talk. Anyone who avoids small talk in silence is missing out on something, even if it's just a tip on where to get the best mulled wine in town.

 

The GEGG formula

• Giving - Attention
• Emotions - show joy
• Stories - Entertaining
• Commonalities - Interests

 

Author:
Susanne Abplanalp is Managing Director of Knigge Today. She organizes seminars on business etiquette, social skills and knowledge of human nature.

www.kniggetoday.ch

On November 26, the SVC (Swiss Venture Club) awarded the Prix SVC Wirtschaftsraum Zürich to exemplary small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for the ninth time. The award ceremony at the Kongresshaus Zurich was hosted by Nik Hartmann and The Blackouts, Switzerland's leading LED show act, provided inspiring entertainment. The event offered over 1,100 guests from business, science, politics and the media inspiring insights into the region's diverse entrepreneurship. Hannes Weibel, OC President of the Prix SVC Zurich Economic Area, emphasized: "Our SMEs are the backbone of the economy and the Zurich region. This evening, we were able to experience and appreciate the impressive innovative spirit of the five outstanding award winners at first hand." Sabine Keller-Busse, Head of UBS Switzerland, also emphasized the importance of SMEs for Switzerland as a business location. "We promise to be there for SMEs," she said in her opening speech. 

Hawa Sliding Solutions: On top of the podium with innovative sliding solutions

Five companies were in the final for the ninth Prix SVC Zurich Economic Area award: Hauenstein AG, Hawa Sliding Solutions AG, Luzi AG, RepRisk AG and Schneider Umwelttechnik AG. In the end, it was Ezequiel di Claudio, CEO of Hawa Sliding Solutions, who lifted the winner's trophy. The company develops and manufactures outstanding sliding solutions combined with a first-class customer experience. With dedication and creativity, it creates the conditions for rethinking spaces and adapting them to the needs of a changing society. The innovative sliding hardware for doors, partition walls and furniture is produced at the Mettmenstetten and Sirnach sites. The company is supported by sales companies in the USA, Dubai and Singapore as well as over 200 sales and specialist partners. More than 250 patents testify to the innovative strength of the Swiss company. Jury president Christopher Blaufelder, Partner at McKinsey & Company Switzerland, praised Hawa Sliding Solutions AG in his laudatory speech: "For almost 60 years, this family-run company has been setting standards in global competition through quality and innovative strength. It shows that sliding doors are far more than just practical building elements. They make entire room sections invisible, transform them into design elements and combine functionality with aesthetics at the highest level."

Schneider Umweltservice AG and RepRisk AG in 2nd and 3rd place

Second place goes to Schneider Umweltservice AG, which has grown into a successful recycling and waste disposal company over four generations. In a supposedly traditional, regional industry, Schneider has embarked on a genuine course for the future: its innovations range from the electrification of its vehicle fleet to ultra-modern recycling processes. Founded in 1905, the company is the leading disposal service provider for all recyclable materials and waste in the economic region of Zurich, Zug and Lucerne.

RepRisk AG, the global market leader in the identification and assessment of business and ESG risks, took bronze. RepRisk uncovers risks that companies do not disclose, such as deforestation, human rights violations and corruption. "We want to make the world a better place," says CEO and co-founder Philipp Aeby. AI is also used in the creation of ESG data. Eighty of the world's leading banks, 17 of the 25 largest investment managers, leading global companies and the world's largest sovereign wealth funds rely on RepRisk's data, which is updated daily.

Diploma ranks for LUZI AG and Hauenstein AG

The third-generation family business LUZI AG, which specializes in the development and production of fragrance creations, was awarded a diploma. As a globally active fragrance house, LUZI AG supplies discerning customers in the perfume, cosmetics and household goods industries.

Hauenstein AG, founded in 1890, was also awarded a diploma. The company, which operates in the "green sector", employs around 180 people in its impressive tree nursery in Rafz and its four garden centers in Rafz, Zurich, Baar and Winterthur. With innovative in-house production of hardy plants and a wide range of products, it serves garden lovers and professionals alike.

The Prix SVC Zurich Economic Area puts successful companies in the public eye

The sponsor and initiator of the Prix SVC is the SVC (Swiss Venture Club), an independent, non-profit association of entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs. The award ceremonies as a high-profile activity of the SVC have developed into well-known events throughout Switzerland, which are now held every two years in eight economic regions. The SVC is supported by the strategic Premium Gold Partner UBS, the Gold Partners Emil Frey, Forvis Mazars, IWB, Mobiliar and Swisscom as well as numerous other sponsors. The prize for the Zurich economic region has been awarded since 2006.

Source: www.svc.swiss

Short portraits of the finalists:

• Hawa Sliding Solutions AG
• Schneider Umweltservice AG
• RepRisk AG
• Hauenstein AG
• Luzi AG

It may sound provocative, but it's true: Crises are practically always caused by our own failings or a lack of clarity and consistency. The good thing is that if crises are home-made, you can actively do something about them. There are three decisive levers that every senior leader should know - and implement consistently.

1. systematic market cultivation (or cultivation of the recipients of your service if you do not address an external market)

Many companies stagnate because they reduce their market activities in difficult times. Successful companies do exactly the opposite: they actively work the market, find new customers and strengthen existing relationships. This is less about the product itself and more about what you promise your customers.

Ask yourself: Why should someone buy from you or ask for your services? Regularly review your sales processes and ensure that your team acts actively and strategically - instead of passively waiting for better times.

And even better: work continuously to create fans who will stick with you even in difficult times.

2. clear vision

If there is no vision, the team loses direction. It is indispensable, especially in turbulent times. Without a clear direction, every challenge becomes a problem. A vision gives your company focus, motivates the team and prevents aimless action.

Tip: Communicate your vision regularly. Where do you want to be in three years? Why does your company exist? If your team knows this, they will act more proactively.

3. consistent leadership

Crises are often caused by hesitant or indecisive action. As a leader, you set the pace. This means making decisions clearly and promptly - even when there is uncertainty. Even more important: encourage personal responsibility in your team. You cannot solve everything on your own.

Ask yourself: Am I giving my team the clarity they need to act independently? A lack of responsibility leads to stagnation - and you can't afford that.

Conclusion: Act instead of complain

Crises are indications that something is going wrong - usually in areas that you can influence directly. Use these three levers:

1. Work the market systematically.
2. Communicate a clear vision.
3. Lead consistently and encourage personal responsibility.

Crises are home-made - but that is exactly what gives you the control to prevent them. Make the right adjustments and you will see how quickly things change. Now it's up to you.

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

Those who rely on word of quality getting around so that customers come and buy on their own often have to wait a long time. Too long! Customers assume quality and experience shows that they prefer to talk about negative experiences rather than positive ones. This makes it all the more important for founders to be strong sellers right from the start.

An elementary building block for every business start-up: paying customers

Without turnover, every company is nothing. But especially in the initial euphoria, you think far too much about other things - and lose focus. Almost every founder lives in a tunnel: "Hey, I've got a great idea. Now I'm going to take care of premises, suppliers, etc." One day, everything is ready and the first orders start rolling in. But somehow the business doesn't really take off.

Instead of finally taking care of acquisition and the like, some founders are still in the "wrong movie". They go to networking events to exchange ideas with other founders instead of finally going to where potential customers are. Why is that? Well, it is of course more pleasant to philosophize about experiences and successes than to enter into direct dialogue with potential customers. Because rejection and failure are much more painful for the latter.

Founders who cannot cope with rejection will fail

Many founders have been waiting for years for friends and acquaintances who have promised to place orders or at least give you a good review. Just because someone says "I like your idea" doesn't mean they will buy from you or recommend you. As a founder, you often have to deal with rejection and disappointment.

The interesting question is: Do you take it personally, become emotional and accusatory in the sense of "Why not?", or do you take a sporting view and ask yourself: "Okay, if it can't be done this way, how could it be done differently?" But it is precisely when you are up to your neck in water, for example because you lack liquidity, that (negative) feelings quickly arise. And what happens after the twentieth no? Do you continue acquiring the next day or do you say to yourself "No, I'm not good at acquiring. Then I'll (continue to) hope that the customers will come of their own accord."

Helpful thoughts for founders on dealing with rejection during acquisition

• The customer never rejects you personally as a person, but only your offer to talk.
• A no is part of the statistics - and is part of it. After all, where would customers end up if they always said yes?
• Before making contact, think about why your target customer should agree to your offer.
• Don't end the conversation prematurely. Stay on the ball in an appreciative manner as long as you have the feeling that your customer is skeptical, but you still have opportunities.
• Just because a target customer rejects you once, doesn't mean it's forever. Develop a plan for how you can seek and maintain regular contact.

5 tips for more sales strength with customers, employees and suppliers

• If you don't have clear goals, you are always working for someone else's goals. So ask yourself beforehand what your negotiation goal is.
• Planning is the mental anticipation of the future: some behaviors and (critical) situations that can occur in a negotiation are foreseeable. How do you want to deal with these and what do you want to do specifically?
• Don't say yes if you want to say no. If you find it difficult to say no, then say "I would like to say yes, but I can't yet. I want to think about it and will come back to you tomorrow with an answer".
• Never put too much pressure on yourself: If the negotiation stalls or you are not satisfied with the result so far, then simply make a new appointment. But never agree prematurely!
• Regularly deal with topics such as leadership, sales and marketing. Because if you are well versed in these areas, you will find it much easier to sell yourself and your offer.

 

Author:

The sales trainer Oliver Schumacher is a speech scientist (M.A.) and sets new accents in sales training in a likeable, well-founded manner. The multiple book author is known to many through his numerous videos on YouTube. Before starting his own business in 2009, he worked very successfully for over 10 years in the sales force for a listed manufacturer of branded goods. https://www.oliver-schumacher.de

If you would like to ask Oliver Schumacher your questions about founding a company live online, you will have the chance to do so on 22.11.2024 in an exclusive and free live lecture as part of the start-up week: Founders' Week - How to sell yourself successfully as a founder (oliver-schumacher.de)

On the Friday after OLMA, managers from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) met for "their" day, the Swiss SME Day, for the 21st time. In the once again well-filled Hall 9, Tobi Wolf opened the event with his thoughts and humorous associations on the conference theme, which he recorded using multimedia. People often feel powerless in everyday life, Wolf reported, e.g. as a new father faced with a crying baby who can't be calmed down by anything. However, there are various factors for power: reach in social media, a lot of money or, more recently, data. Tobi Wolf also presented several findings from the annual SME Day study, according to which 6% of the entrepreneurs surveyed feel powerless in a professional context very often and 40% feel powerless at least sometimes. The three most important issues, situations and factors that lead to powerlessness are a shortage of skilled workers, technological changes and changes in the needs of employees. In addition, 44 percent of the SMEs surveyed believe that the balance of power has shifted to their disadvantage. In summary, Tobi Wolf noted that feeling powerless does not have to be synonymous with "being powerless".  

From natural (football) power to artificial intelligence

Then a personality made his appearance who has already been ranked in those Forbes lists of the most powerful people in the world: Josef "Sepp" Blatter, former FIFA President. Visibly aged, he nevertheless recounted with a touch of mischief his career, how he developed Fifa from an SME into a global organization worth billions. When Blatter joined the organization in 1974, Fifa had just 11 employees. He joined as the twelfth man. And this is where the power man Sepp Blatter briefly shone through: He emphasized that he did not want to see himself as a "substitute player" who only intervenes in the game towards the end. According to Blatter, success starts with believing in yourself and your own abilities. He describes how he dealt with the loss of his position in 2015 with the words: "I never resigned, I made my mandate available." And he borrows a quote from Nelson Mandela, who said: "Forgive, but do not forget."

Miriam Meckel and Léa Steinacker, researchers and successful authors, then addressed the question of "how artificial intelligence is changing the world and what we can gain from it". They argued that artificial intelligence should be seen as a basic technology like electricity and less as a threat to people or jobs. We need to learn and practice when to rely on humans and when to rely on AI, and they emphasized: "We decide how we use the technology and we invented it." The two speakers concluded by saying that it remains important to continue to be creative. After all, without enough new real data, generative models would fall into an "autophagic loop" and their quality and diversity would continue to deteriorate.

Global political coffee grounds reading and learning from a profiler

Presenter Fabian Unteregger, who hosted the entire day, talked to Prof. Dr. Claudia Brühwiler, a specialist in US politics, and Prof. Dr. Ulrich Schmid, an expert on Russia, about the current political situation in the world. The focus was on the presidential elections in the USA on November 5, 2024 and the situation in Ukraine. In which direction will the balance of power shift? Neither the specialist nor the expert had a conclusive answer. No forecasts are possible for the US elections. However, Claudia Brühwiler said that the initial euphoria surrounding candidate Kamala Harris had fizzled out. Ulrich Schmid, on the other hand, noted that we will probably be confronted with a war of attrition in Ukraine for a long time to come - although the Kremlin is likely to have the longer breath here. What the outcome of the US elections and the armed conflicts in Eastern Europe ultimately mean for entrepreneurs in Switzerland could perhaps have been answered in more detail.

As an experienced profiler and criminal psychologist, Thomas Müller gave advice on how to assess other people and their behavior and in which situations it is best to get to know other people. He highlighted the greatest contradictions of our time and focused in particular on the topic of "resilience". In his experience, this is based on four pillars: the willingness to develop oneself further, the willingness to dare to change one's perspective, the knowledge of how one's own self-esteem is distributed and the open, honest and fair way of communicating. According to Müller, everyone's biggest enemy is their own ego.

Kitro wins startup pitch

For the fifth time, three start-ups presented 10-minute pitches to the audience in the "Inspiration Session" after the lunch break. This year, it was Nicholas Hänny and Robin Gnehm from Nikin, who have been planting a tree for every (textile) product sold for 8 years and now want to create 100 % circular products, Christian Naef from RY3T ONE, who uses waste heat from computing power to heat houses, and Anastasia Hofmann from Kitro, who is trying to solve the problem of food waste in the hospitality industry with artificial intelligence and data. The SME Day guests were most impressed by Kitro's business idea, as the live voting in the hall revealed.

Humorous nuances and exciting "SME talk"

Timo Wopp from Berlin offered a mixture of keynote speech and cabaret, combining juggling with a firework display of humorous content and receiving much applause in return. Among other things, he exposed many coaching wisdoms as empty phrases and created some himself, because: "A little trumpeter doesn't shy away from the fog around the unicorn."

For the second time, there was also the "SME Talk": Fabian Unteregger interviewed Martin Kelterborn and Lea von Bidder (former CEO of Ava) about their very specific experiences with power, powerlessness and entrepreneurship: both spoke authentically about how they gave up power in their (former) companies and in which situations they felt helpless, e.g. in the case of a cybercrime incident, as experienced by Martin Kelterborn. Lea von Bidder, on the other hand, whose highly praised (and thoroughly successful) company Ava ended up with an insolvent investment company, described her greatest strength as the knowledge that you can always do something new. Accordingly, she is now on the road with her new company Expeerly.

More information: www.kmu-tag.ch

 

"No other conference brings Swiss SMEs closer together"


The next Swiss SME Day will take place on Friday, October 24, 2025. The conference has been organized since 2003 by the Swiss Institute for SMEs and Entrepreneurship at the University of St.Gallen (KMU-HSG) and the communications agency alea iacta ag. The Swiss SME Day is under the patronage of the Swiss Trade Association (SGV), economiesuisse, the St.Gallen-Appenzell Chamber of Industry and Commerce and the St.Gallen Cantonal Trade Association. The event is supported by long-standing main sponsors for whom SME issues are very important: Helvetia, Raiffeisen, OBT, ABACUS and Swisscom.

Do you feel that your attempts to keep everything under control often have the opposite effect? You are not alone. In fact, striving for control often leads to loss of control - a lesson that applies not only to pilots, but also to managers.

The example of supersonic airplanes

After the Second World War, American pilots found it difficult to maintain control of their supersonic aircraft at high altitude. Interestingly, it was often the pilots who frantically tried to regain control who failed. Those who accepted the chaos and waited for the aircraft to drop to lower altitudes were able to regain control. What can we learn from this?

Control in leadership: less is more

The lesson can be applied directly to leadership. In stressful situations - when there is uncertainty, time pressure or a lack of trust - many managers tend to exert even more control. However, this often leads to the exact opposite: instead of creating stability, trust decreases, uncertainty increases and the pressure becomes unbearable. 

Less control - better team performance

Here are three examples of situations in which less control brings more success:

• Situation no. 1: Trust instead of control. When trust in a team member dwindles, the natural reaction is to introduce more rules and control mechanisms. But this only increases mistrust. The solution? Less control and more freedom. Trust will give you back more control in the long term.
• Situation no. 2: Uncertainty as an opportunity. In unpredictable markets, many try to introduce detailed processes to tame the chaos. But more control does not lead to stability. Accept the chaos and train your team to react flexibly to new opportunities. Uncertainty offers room for creative ideas.
• Situation no. 3: Time pressure? Let go of control. When under time pressure, managers tend to monitor more closely. But more control increases the pressure. Instead, you should set clear goals for your team and let them go. Give them autonomy instead of monitoring every step. This promotes efficiency and creativity.

Conclusion: Letting go of control to regain control

Less control can often lead to more success. Instead of wanting to have everything under control, you should focus on vision, clear goals and trust. This will allow your team to develop its full potential. So the call to action is: Less control, more success.

When was the last time you consciously relinquished control? Think about where you could give yourself more freedom in order to promote long-term stability and success.

 

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

 

If you would like to travel with SBB as a wheelchair user and require assistance, you can register this in advance. This is now done online via the Customer Center. The "engine" behind the complex registration and reservation process is the platform from ServiceNow. Or the handling of IT ordering processes in a large industrial group: thanks to ServiceNow's solutions, the entire process can be handled digitally.

Xanadu: On the road with AI agents

The company is now taking the next big step, as Dino Minichiello, ServiceNow's Country Manager Switzerland since January 2024, explained at a recent media event. Although digitalization is progressing steadily, it is not yet universal everywhere, especially in industry, according to Minichiello. That is why there is still some growth potential for ServiceNow. Generative AI is also opening up new opportunities. AI is now being used in many companies, but is often isolated to individual fields of application. This is where ServiceNow wants to start with the Xanadu release, namely through the integration of so-called AI agents. These enable round-the-clock productivity on a large scale for numerous use cases, including IT, customer service, procurement, human resources, software development and more. The ServiceNow AI Agents use advanced analytics that are integrated into the Now Platform. They evolve from simple, command-based tasks to deeper, context-based processing, while keeping humans involved to ensure optimal control and transparency, according to the statement. The first AI agent applications for customer service management (CSM) and IT service management (ITSM) will be available from November. These should significantly reduce the processing time of problems and at the same time increase the productivity of service employees. 

New and expanded applications for the retail sector

With the Xanadu version, ServiceNow is massively expanding its GenAI offering, for example into security and threat management, where rapid responses can be crucial for securing IT environments. Now Assist for Security Operations (SecOps) uses AI-supported incident summaries and interactive Q&As to accelerate and streamline workflows and thus combat security threats more quickly. Now Assist for Sourcing and Procurement Operations is another tool that ensures a smooth and simplified order acceptance process. Particularly worth mentioning: Employees can use Now Assist to initiate a purchasing request or access information via a natural language dialog without having to navigate complex systems.

New target groups within organizations can now also be addressed by the enhancements. For example, Retail Operations and Retail Service Management are new solutions available in the Xanadu version that unite the entire ecosystem of a retailer. Retail Operations uses AI and employee self-service to automate and simplify everyday processes for store employees. Seamless integration between different departments enables field service technicians to process support requests faster, and data analytics help managers make intelligent, data-driven decisions. Retail Service Management provides retailers with ServiceNow's customer service management capabilities, allowing customers to submit requests in-store and online for a holistic customer experience, while head office teams resolve support requests from both customers and store colleagues through a single system. 

Partnership with Microsoft

With these solutions, ServiceNow is not only focusing on large companies, but also increasingly on SMEs. The new partnership with Microsoft can play an important role here, especially as their products are already in use in most companies. Microsoft Co-Pilot, for example, is now integrated into the Now Assist Platform. This allows Co-Pilot to forward automated self-service requests from employees - e.g. ordering a new laptop - to Now Assist in Microsoft Teams. Now Assist responds to the requests from Teams in real time and automatically initiates the necessary workflows.

In principle, ServiceNow's solutions are also aimed at all users who are under high regulatory pressure, such as energy service providers, public transport companies and financial service providers. With the aforementioned Now Assist for Sourcing and Procurement, supply chain risks can also be better taken into account, leading to greater compliance with regulations. Overall, ServiceNow sees its new solutions as tools for companies to save costs thanks to digitized processes. Nadia Bischof, responsible for the SME business at ServiceNow Switzerland, put it this way at the media orientation: "Today it's all about saving money with ITno longer about saving in IT".

The innovations mentioned here as part of the Now Platform Xanadu are now available for all customers in the ServiceNow Store. 

It has almost become something of a tradition: The Business Talk, held on the premises of Felfel AG in Zurich by rb Rüttimann consultingOffice for Communication and Management Consulting. Its owner and managing director Barbara Rüttimann created this event to bring together owners and/or managers of SMEs and large companies once a year after work in an informal setting. To differentiate herself from many other similar after-work events, Barbara Rüttimann has come up with something special: "speed speeches" with a maximum speaking time of 10 minutes, presented by the speakers in a "slam poetry" style - not necessarily literary, but with a similar "drive".

Inspiring speed speeches

The format seems to have gone down well, as almost 50 guests once again gathered at Felfel AG's headquarters in Zurich's Binz district. Known for "Good Food at Work", the presenting partner took care of the physical well-being, while Barbara Rüttimann, moderator of the talk, set the pace with her catchphrase-like slam poetry in the introduction. Then the six speakers, who this year were competing for the winner's prize - donated by Emil Frey AG - made their appearance. The motto of this year's event was "Next Generation". Diane Hürlimann, Head of Human Resources at Felfel, spoke about Gen Z and what employers need to do for them today, namely create space for self-realization and development. She said: "People are the key to a successful company; let's treat them as such!" Carsten Menke, Head of Next Generation, explained the influence of megatrends on investment themes and warned against short-term hypes. Stefan Fahrländer from Fahrländer & Partner AG dedicated his short presentation to the challenges in spatial planning for future generations with the need to build more densely in cities. Dr. Peter Acél, owner of Dr. Acél & Partner AG, gave a brief insight into the possibilities that already exist for the mobility of the future, which does not only consist of self-driving vehicles. Dominique Zygmont, CEO of the Zurich City Association, quoted the "Kleine Niederdorfoper" and called on the audience to "sell a calf", as the protagonist Heiri did in this cult musical. After all, Zurich has potential and should not become an open-air museum. Finally, Caroline Wüest, Managing Director of sauna manufacturer Klafs AG, made a plea for sauna culture as a form of "digital detox" and an answer to stress and burnout.

Award for most captivating presentation

All speed speeches became a real live experience without any digital support. Similar to slam poetry events, the winner of the speed speaking competition was determined by clapping. In the end, Dominique Zygmont was chosen with great enthusiasm for his captivating presentation. Barbara Rüttimann was also delighted. Once again, she succeeded in inspiring the guests with the program. The next edition of the Business Talk is already being planned for 2025.