While the first quarter of 2022 was still dominated by the measures to combat the corona pandemic, sales figures in the trade show and event industry literally exploded in the summer of 2022. At the end of the year, however, volumes fell again as energy shortages and the conflict in Ukraine put the brakes on business once more. This leads to sales figures that, while still only 70 % of those before the pandemic, give the events sector a more hopeful outlook for the future, according to a survey by Expo Event Swiss LiveCom Association and Tectum, the Swiss association of marquee builders and temporary structures. Sales figures for 2022 are put at 3.85 billion. CHF (2021: CHF 2.52 billion, 2020: CHF 2.37 billion). But it is still a long way from the pre-pandemic figure; this was CHF 5.56 billion in 2019. CHF.

The hype on digital events is subsiding

Due to the pandemic, digital events experienced a real boom, which is now, however, slightly put into perspective again, as the surveyed figures show: Last year, an average of 80 to 100 % of the revenues of the companies surveyed were generated by physical events, while the remaining revenue came in equal parts from hybrid and digital events. This suggests that live events will continue to be favored by the market, even though digital formats are here to stay and will continue to play an important role in the future. This is also reported by a current article (chargeable) of this medium.

Shortage of skilled workers and energy costs still key issues

Nevertheless, the event sector continues to struggle with major challenges: Although the total number of people employed has increased slightly again, the shortage of skilled workers is leading to higher wage and recruitment costs. As a result, price increases of 15 to 20 % are expected due to the narrowed margins caused by the combination of ongoing strong inflation and massively higher material and energy costs. Whether and how this will affect the order situation is currently still open. Christoph Kamber, President of Expo Event, nevertheless remains cautiously optimistic: "We are pleased and grateful that the figures and sales are pointing upwards again. Nevertheless, we still have some sticking points to solve in the future. It has been shown once again that uncertainty is poison for our industry and immediately triggers significant sales losses on the event organizer side. However, we are facing this challenge courageously, optimistically and, of course, with creative and convincing solutions. If 2023 goes by without any further substantial restrictions, we hope to return to pre-pandemic revenue levels."

Source: Expo Event

LED instead of incandescent lamps, sealed doors or retrofitted thermal insulation for the factory floor - many companies have already implemented these measures in response to rising energy costs. "This means that the first step has been taken, but the greatest savings potential is still lying fallow," says Jens Rollenmüller, Managing Director of Aras Germany. "In the past, energy costs were negligible due to their low impact, so they could be roughly distributed across the entire product portfolio. The increased prices for electricity, oil, gas and co. are now forcing companies to rethink towards more transparency. Only when I am aware of which component in my product causes the greatest energy consumption can I also optimize this component in this respect - even for supposedly small things such as the plastic packaging of the finished end product." Such a systematic energy audit with a precise analysis of the data collected gives companies an even deeper insight into their entire value chain. The evaluation of all relevant information then forms the basis for energy-optimized production. Compared to the actual state, half of the energy used can be saved in this way.

Digital twin instead of Excel list

In the past, simple Excel lists were sufficient for a rough cost breakdown, but they did not allow for a precise analysis. "In order to transparently uncover all cost drivers, companies must begin to also record, measure and evaluate the data for energy. On this basis, companies can create a digital twin or expand it to include data on energy consumption. This opens up new opportunities: On the one hand, companies receive a snapshot of the product with a listing of all individual parts and the associated energy costs in real time. On the other hand, the companies can use this data in the R&D department, for example, to exploit optimization potential as early as the design phase," says Aras Managing Director Rollenmüller.

Savings potential can be determined from existing data

Much of the data required for such a digital twin is already collected in the companies; now this information must be linked in a meaningful way. In view of the international competitive pressure, the PLM expert urges rapid implementation: "No matter how the geopolitical situation develops, energy prices will not return to the old level. That's why the industry needs to adapt its production promptly - and rely on quickly configurable and stable software solutions for this purpose.

This is an approach that helps companies on their way to achieving climate neutrality and at the same time massively reduces costs. The energy crisis is currently the biggest hurdle for companies on the road to sustainability, as the Aras study "Europe's Changing Industry" shows. More than 440 top decision-makers from 19 European countries were surveyed on behalf of the product innovation platform.

Source: Aras. The study is available at this link available for download free of charge. 

Adam Gontarz is currently responsible for the strategic and operational management of the industrial sectors "Additive Manufacturing" and "Automotive" at Swissmem. At the same time, he is a guest lecturer for industrial communication, digitalization and innovation management at the Hochschule OST and HSLU. In addition, Adam Gontarz is founder and CEO of the ETH spin-off SIGMAtools GmbH, which offers innovative solutions in the field of data acquisition and analysis as well as resource optimization of complex mechatronic systems, machines and buildings. Prior to 2014, he was a research associate at the Institute for Machine Tools and Manufacturing at ETH in Zurich. Adam Gontarz brings a broad range of expertise and practical industry experience to his new role as Head of Digitalization & Innovation. He replaces Robert Rudolph, who is leaving Swissmem on March 31, 2023 for a new professional challenge.

Noé Blancpain is currently an independent partner at reflecta ag in Bern. He has been leading project management and business management mandates there in the areas of communication, politics and digitalization since 2019. From 2012 to 2018, he worked at the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research as a Personal Assistant to Federal Councillor Johann Schneider-Ammann and from 2014 as Head of Communications. From 2009 to 2012, he was head of communications for the FDP.Die Liberalen Schweiz, among other positions. During his studies, Noé Blancpain practiced journalism and co-founded two startups. Noé Blancpain is regarded as a leader with proven political and communications expertise, who also knows the Swiss political mechanics as well as the media landscape from many years of experience. Accordingly, he has a strong network of contacts in politics, the media, business, academia and associations.

The previous holder of the position, Ivo Zimmermann, is stepping down from the Executive Board at his own request after what will then be 13 years, and at the same time is relinquishing his position as Division Manager. Swissmem is pleased that he will continue his commitment to the association as a communications expert.

Source: Swissmem

Sales in the Swiss tech industry increased by +9.4 percent in 2022 compared to the previous year. This was reported by the industry association Swissmem. In the fourth quarter of 2022, the increase compared to the same quarter of the previous year was +8.8 percent. The industry thus recorded the seventh consecutive quarter with higher sales in each case. Both SMEs and large companies benefited from this upturn, Swissmem added. Incoming orders also increased by +2.4 percent compared to 2021. In the fourth quarter of 2022, they increased by +2.4 percent compared to the same period last year. This was very encouraging, he said, because in the third quarter of 2022, new orders from abroad had slumped by over 20 percent compared with the previous quarter. Coupled with global recession fears, Swissmem then also feared a sharp downturn in industry. This did not materialize for either SMEs or large companies. Instead, capacity utilization in the fourth quarter was a high 89.6 percent, well above the long-term average of 86.2 percent. In line with this, the number of employees in the tech industry continued to increase. It rose to 326,500 in the fourth quarter of 2022 and was +2.7 percent higher than in the prior-year period.

But Swissmem puts this into perspective: These positive figures should not obscure the fact that all companies are suffering from rising costs for energy, raw materials and labor. Energy-intensive companies in particular are at a massive disadvantage in the market due to the industrial policy measures of the EU states. Their company locations in Switzerland are at risk.

Higher exports for all product groups

Exports of goods by the tech industry increased by +5.6% year-on-year in 2022, reaching a value of CHF 72.3 billion. All major markets developed positively. For example, exports to Asia increased by +11.7 percent, to the USA by 7.9 percent and to the EU by +4.3 percent. Exports of all major product groups increased. Compared with 2021, exports increased by +8.5 percent for metals, +7.4 percent for electrical engineering/electronics, +5.4 percent for mechanical engineering and +4.2 percent for precision instruments.   

Significant risks and uncertainties 

Commenting on the 2022 business figures, Swissmem Director Stefan Brupbacher says: "Overall, the situation of the Swiss tech industry is better than feared. After the third quarter of 2022, we expected a downturn. This has not yet occurred." Brupbacher also attributes the good sales figures to the fact that companies were able to work off and deliver the high order backlog. This was made possible because, with the exception of individual key and electronic components, supply chain problems have eased noticeably. "I am cautiously optimistic for the current fiscal year," adds Brupbacher. This is in line with the Assessments of the entrepreneurs and companies from Swissmem membership. According to the latest survey, one third expect higher order intake from abroad in the coming twelve months. Growth impulses are expected above all from the USA and non-European markets. Thirty-nine percent of respondents expect orders to remain unchanged. A decrease in orders is expected by 28 percent. However, there are still considerable risks and uncertainties. "In order to further reduce inflation, there are likely to be further interest rate steps by the national banks. This will cool the economy and thus demand for our products. In addition, there is still the risk of an energy shortage next winter," explains Stefan Brupbacher. However, the greatest risks for the global economy lie in a further escalation of the war in Ukraine and an intensification of tensions between China and the USA.

Challenges in the shortage of skilled workers and global market access 

Domestically, the shortage of skilled workers poses the greatest risk to the tech industry. A large proportion of Swissmem member companies complain of difficulties in finding suitable specialists. To counter this, Swissmem is investing substantial resources in the reform of industrial professions, in career marketing and in STEM promotion. However, Swissmem also sees the public sector as having a duty. The public sector has created massive numbers of new jobs in recent years. The administration must not be further bloated, because it is the companies that support the state and not the other way around.

The Swiss tech industry exports almost 80 percent of its products. However, barrier-free access to global sales markets is increasingly becoming a challenge. In the international environment, protectionism and competition-distorting subsidy offensives are on the rise. Examples include the Inflation Reduction Act in the USA, the Green Deal in the EU, and China's Dual Circulation Strategy. Martin Hirzel, President Swissmem is concerned: "This new protectionism poses a serious threat to the tech industry. Our companies are at a significant competitive disadvantage compared to subsidized and tariff-protected foreign competitors." To counteract this, Switzerland must facilitate market access for companies worldwide. For example, the free trade agreement with Mercosur must finally be finalized and ratified, and the negotiations with India must be brought to a conclusion. A free trade agreement already exists with China. However, most high-tech machinery is exempt from customs duties. Talks need to be initiated here for an extension of the agreement. "But the most urgent task is to put the bilateral relationship with the EU - by far the most important trading partner - on a new footing. In an increasingly tripolar world, this is a common sense imperative," Hirzel stresses. In this way, Switzerland can secure access to the European single market, create the conditions for full participation in European research cooperation and, by means of an electricity agreement, reduce the increased risk of an electricity supply bottleneck from 2025. In addition, it would be ensured that companies can recruit missing skilled workers in the EU without much bureaucratic effort. "It is high time to move forward in the European dossier. The goal must be to conclude the negotiations by spring 2024," Hirzel emphasizes.

Source: Swissmem

The number of jobs advertised each month in Switzerland increased by +5.2% (January - February 2023). The IT sector performed best with a monthly job growth of +20%.

Year-on-year, the number of advertised jobs increased by +6.2% (February 2022-February 2023). French-speaking Switzerland led the growth with a monthly increase of +6.5%. In German-speaking Switzerland, where 9 out of 10 jobs are advertised, the number of vacancies increased by +4.9%.

Eastern Switzerland recorded the largest job growth with +7.7 %. More than 50% of the job vacancies in this region were for IT, engineering or technical professionals. All regions recorded positive monthly growth.

"The labor market has started the new year very well, especially in IT and despite the market correction following Covid-driven IT infrastructure growth in 2021 and 2022. Overall, demand for IT professionals is increasing, especially in security, development and data management. Demand in the systems and support areas, on the other hand, is back at pre-Covid levels," says Thibaud de Balby, Manager Technology Recruitment at Michael Page, commenting on the situation. In general, then, the signs in the Swiss labor market are pointing to optimism, as already reported elsewhere was.

Source: Michael Page

Order intake, sales and exports in the MEM sector rose only slightly in the fourth quarter of 2022. Even though the peak in energy and raw material prices has already been passed, the still high prices compared with pre-pandemic levels are reducing MEM customers' willingness to invest. The higher interest rates with which central banks are trying to tame inflation, the weak foreign trade environment and the high level of geopolitical uncertainty are also dampening demand for capital goods. The strong Swiss franc is a further headwind in the European sales market. Although production capacity utilization in the MEM sector and the order backlog secured for the medium term were still relatively high in January 2023, they are showing slight downward trends. Moreover, on balance, the SMEs surveyed expect incoming orders and sales to fall in the first quarter of 2023 compared with the same quarter of the previous year. This is shown by the latest quarterly survey conducted by Swissmechanic, the employers' association for SMEs in the MEM sector.

Swissmechanic business climate index in the green again

Although supply chains are still tighter than average in a longer-term comparison, the survey shows that the situation has improved noticeably. The shortage of labor, on the other hand, has become more important and is now the number one challenge (see Fig. 1).

Despite the slowdown in economic momentum due to various negative factors, SME-MEM businesses are cautiously optimistic in January 2023: 57 percent of SMEs consider the current business climate to be rather or very favorable, while 43 percent consider it to be rather or very unfavorable. This means that the Swissmechanic business climate index is back in the green after its dip in the last quarter (cf. fig. 2).

BAK Economics also shares this optimism. Following the economic slowdown in the winter of 2022/23, more momentum is also expected in the MEM sector from the second quarter of 2023. Behind this is the fact that various negative factors, some of which are already showing signs of weakening, will increasingly fade into the background.

SMEs in the MEM sector show themselves fit for the future

INNOTEQ 2023 will be held in Bern from March 7 to 10. The leitmotif of the event is "Fit for Future". The focus topic "Swiss Manufacturing" is about deglobalization, local sourcing and backshoring, Switzerland as a center for manufacturing and innovation, as well as productivity and competitiveness. The special theme "INNOTEQ Talents" is dedicated to the topics of education and training, promoting young talent and the shortage of skilled workers. Swissmechanic is present with a joint stand covering 800 m2. 24 SMEs from the MEM sector will be presenting themselves there.

Source: Swissmechanic

Last fall, AXA surveyed around 31,000 people between the ages of 18 and 74 from 16 different countries about their mental well-being. The results show: Even before anxiety and depression, stress troubles the respondents. Although Switzerland ranks in the middle of the international stress statistics, more than half (55 percent) suffer from moderate to severe symptoms - in the same survey a year ago, it was only one in three people.

In an international comparison of countries on mental health, however, the Swiss are doing well overall: after Thailand, France and Mexico, Switzerland follows in fourth place. Turkey, Japan and Italy bring up the rear. Switzerland is also in the middle of the pack when it comes to mental illnesses such as depression or anxiety, although around one in four people (26 percent) complain of mental health problems in this country. Mental health problems are most common among respondents from the USA (40 percent).

Gender Gap: Women are under greater pressure

With the exception of China and Japan, the study reveals stark differences between women's mental health and men's in all regions, with women respondents across all age groups reporting poorer well-being. For example, 24 percent more women than men reported feeling lonely, and 22 percent more female respondents suffer from stress. In addition, women find it more difficult to meet the demands of their environment (+29 percent) and on average report slightly lower levels of self-acceptance and enjoyment of life.

The study found an important reason for this gender gap in the decidedly greater pressure to which many women are exposed in various areas of life: Because of their gender, for example, they are almost twice as likely to receive unwanted comments, and their abilities are regularly doubted to the same extent. In the survey, 69 percent of women who are subjected to pressure because of their gender said they felt lonely. By comparison, the figure for non-affected women was not half as high, at 30 percent. At the same time, affected women are almost three times as likely to have a negative body image and have around a quarter lower self-acceptance and joie de vivre scores. At the same time, the stress factor is fueled among affected women in that they suffer more than three times as often from unfairly distributed domestic responsibilities and thus have less time for themselves (see infographic 1).

Online time harms young people in particular

In addition to the differences between the sexes, the new study also reveals clear trends between the age groups surveyed. For example, the results across all regions show that mental well-being also increases with age. Self-acceptance increases and the risk potential of mental health problems decreases at the same time. While older people are generally more stable in both their private and professional lives, almost two-thirds of young people between 18 and 24 are particularly troubled by an uncertain future and loneliness. Almost half of all respondents in this age category have a negative body image (see Infographic 2). They are also more concerned about advancing climate change than the older study participants.

As the study results also reveal, these concerns are additionally influenced by another factor. For example, 38 percent of young people between the ages of 18 and 24 said their mental health was being severely negatively affected by technological dependency, i.e., by the time they spend online and on social media. Among those over 45, just under a quarter of respondents still feel stressed by online media; among those over 55, the figure is just 18 percent.

The comparison of young people with and without negative technological dependency makes the strong influence of this factor on general well-being clear: The number of lonely young people increases by almost half when they are negatively affected by their time online and in social media, and around a third more see themselves facing an uncertain future. They are also more than twice as likely to have a negative body image and their self-acceptance is also significantly lower (see infographic 3).

Source: AXA

A targeted commitment to employee health is becoming increasingly important, especially among employees of the younger generations. Accordingly, BGM has a positive impact on employer branding. At the same time, it promotes motivation, productivity, and the physical and mental health of existing employees.

Leadership task employee health

One company that has recognized this added value is Achermann ICT-Services AG. Systematic occupational health management is integrated into a corporate culture that is focused on the well-being of employees. Gregor R. Naef, owner and CEO of the IT service provider headquartered in Kriens, explains: "Our employees generally play a key role for me. We can only achieve the goals we have set together and ideally in good health. To achieve this, my management team and I are happy to go the extra mile. In this context, we learned in 2016 about the potential of systematic occupational health management, and the decision to implement it was made."

The development of the BGM was based on the criteria of "Friendly Work Space", the BGM of Health Promotion Switzerland. In 2017, Achermann ICT-Services was awarded the BGM quality label "Friendly Work Space" for the first time and successfully completed the re-assessment in 2021.

BGM - a benefit for all

The 85 employees benefit from a broad-based annual health management program. The program ranges from a variety of sports activities to a twice-monthly joint lunch event. The latter is a popular opportunity for professional and private exchange and a pool for new ideas. A member of the "Feelgood Management" team, which was set up specifically for BGM, provides a healthy lunch for these events. This is a five-person interdisciplinary team that is responsible for BGM planning and implementation in coordination with the management. The ideas for this come from the employees, who are also happy to lend a hand with the organization.

The members of the SME's management are crucial to the overall success of the health management system. They are committed to health-promoting leadership based on trust and are trained in this thanks to regular further training.

Raising awareness from the start of the career

This attitude also benefits the eight apprentices. From the moment they start work, they are made aware of and trained in how to maintain their health and their own part in it. "The focus is on promoting important skills for a healthy working life, e.g. personal resilience. At the same time, they learn how to deal with responsibility and transparency at an early stage as firmly integrated team members," says Simon Peter, Head of ICT Service Management at Achermann ICT Services, outlining his task as vocational training manager.

External suggestions for the targeted promotion of learners' mental health are welcome. This is provided by the "Apprentice" offer from Health Promotion Switzerland with a variety of case studies and background information. Other content includes regular ERFA meetings for the cross-sectoral exchange of vocational educators as well as specific further training and individual advice.

More information: www.gesundheitsfoerderung.ch, www.fws-apprentice.ch

Over the past few months, hundreds of entrepreneurs in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have gathered at the Compass Coworking Centre in Ras Al Khaimah to share their insights, success stories and business opportunities. Launched in 2022, the monthly B2B networking series hosted by Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) continues to welcome members of the SME community to share experiences about their concerns and successes on their journey to the top and learn from each other in a conducive environment.

Diversify the economy: Away from oil

The B2B events address various topics such as improving customer experience, the ups and downs of the entrepreneurial journey, optimizing user experience and web presences, building a culture of innovation in the workplace, and the impact of corporate tax in the UAE. Compass Coworking Centre also offers casual networking sessions over coffee and breakfast every Friday, open to freelancers, entrepreneurs, digital nomads and other members of the business community. It has also recently hosted informative seminars on UAE labor law and taxation. In addition, some of the events bring together stakeholders from different industries such as automotive, construction, F&B, chemicals and manufacturing to develop new methods of collaboration.

RAKEZ Group CEO Ramy Jallad said, "The entrepreneurial journey is not an easy one, and this is where we come in. As a hub for thousands of SMEs, we provide a platform for them to meet and collaborate," he said. "Our B2B events are designed to help new entrepreneurs gain knowledge and expand their networks, which will facilitate their growth and, in the long run, help diversify the UAE economy away from oil - something that is essential for our future growth and development."

International mix of entrepreneurs and customers

In the age of virtual networking, many business meetings take place online. However, as we all know, it is of great advantage to be able to meet in person as well. Accordingly, after the pandemic, many founders, entrepreneurs and students took the opportunity to once again shake hands and exchange ideas in a lively and welcoming physical space - the Compass Coworking Centre. "Face-to-face meetings are an enriching experience compared to social media or digital media contacts, as you don't really know the people behind the screens," says Ernesta Puodzuilaityte, Sales Manager at F&S Real Estate Building. The Lithuanian brokers exclusive apartments in the emerging economic zone. "Establishing relationships is one way to attract long-term clients," she says.

Participants in the RAKEZ community events, such as Ras Al Khaimah-based grocer Eun-Jin Shin, greatly appreciated the opportunity to network and learn: "Startups need a coworking community where they can access B2B events. Many may not know how to do everything right, and that's where being in a community helps." Naina Kaur of Jersey Real Estate Brokers agrees, "The most important thing we take away from startup networking events is sharing stories about our journeys and learning from each other's mistakes." Rakhi of Desert Art Collective echoes this sentiment, "Sometimes you feel very alone when you're trying to get your business off the ground, but when you meet and share with others, you realize that they too are struggling with similar obstacles. RAKEZ's community events have changed my life because I've connected with many entrepreneurs from different industries here."

Ras Al Khaimah: Attracting new businesses

With a packed schedule of social and professional events, the center has been a platform for experts in real estate, digital transformation and finance to inspire those planning or just starting their ventures since its inception in 2021. At the same time, Compass Coworking Centre members benefit from sharing space with a community of like-minded people who support each other. Such an established ecosystem helps new entrepreneurs find the right support they might not otherwise have found in the vast, competitive and fast-moving marketplace.

Tim Wicker of The Compliance Connection is one of the center's frequent visitors. "Compass is a fantastic place," he says. "As a small business owner, you're very much on your own. So when you're working in an open space, it's easy to connect with other entrepreneurs, share your experiences over coffee, and build not only friendships, but strategic partnerships. I look forward to more events where special topics - like compliance, what do you need to know from an accounting or regulatory perspective - can be highlighted to help small businesses.

Source and further information: RAKEZ

RAKEZ

The Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) is a special economic zone in the United Arab Emirates. It was established in 2017 by the Ras Al Khaimah government and is one of a total of 37 such free zones in the UAE. It is currently home to over 16,500 companies from more than 100 countries operating in more than 50 industries - and the number is growing. There is talk of a projected growth of 20 percent. During the COVID-19 pandemic, RAKEZ also moved strongly toward digitalization. RAKEZ offers entrepreneurs, startups, SMEs and manufacturing companies a wide range of solutions, including free zone and non-free zone licenses, customizable facilities and various other one-stop services. In addition, RAKEZ has specialized zones tailored to the specific needs of investors: Al Nakheel and Al Hamra Business Zones for commercial and service companies; Al Ghail, Al Hamra and Al Hulaila Industrial Zones for manufacturers and industrialists; and an Academic Zone for education providers.

"Food waste" is on everyone's lips. Not literally, of course. But the topic of food waste has been a hot topic in Switzerland - at least since reader reporters sounded the alarm at "20 Minuten" in September 2022: terrible pictures of waste containers filled to the brim with baked goods and hundreds of spoiled, still packaged menus at a disposal site caused a lack of understanding.

The concern is well-founded: 91.8 kilos of food thrown away per capita each year is no laughing matter. Around 750,000 tons of food waste per year, whose food, climate and monetary value is forfeited, is a clear call for more sustainability in food management.

Private individuals are responding to the need for action with targeted purchases and even cooking courses to prevent food waste, such as those offered by the Aargau municipality of Kirchdorf. But employee catering also has a responsibility.

How to perceive them shows the SV Group with its smart fridge gustav. The smart fridge is not only the simplest autonomous food station, where employees can select and consume up to 300 delicious and healthy snacks, seasonal, nutritious or international SV menus and drinks 24/7 using "Tap, Grab & Go" (while billing and payment take place automatically on the app). A key benefit of gustav is also that it reduces food waste.

➜ The intelligent Smartfridge analyzes and knows the culinary preferences of its guests. This enables SV to plan the filling and delivery of the popular menus precisely, in line with demand, and individually. This results in less food waste - because at gustav, what people like to eat is put on the table.

➜ High-quality fresh produce from SV-Manufaktur is ideally protected against contamination and recontamination during production in the pressurized clean room and thus has a longer shelf life. This additionally reduces the likelihood of throwaway.

➜ Items with use-by dates are offered at half price 10 hours before expiration, i.e., starting at 2 p.m.; customers receive push messages via app about the anti-food waste discount.

➜ Unsold food is collected in German-speaking Switzerland before midnight and placed on the food platform toogoodtogo.com at a further reduced price.

➜ The very last food leftover is recycled for biogas production in accordance with the Swiss Food Ordinance - which means that even leftovers that are no longer edible can still be turned into something good.

gustav and SV have an overall sustainability record that is impressive.

• gustav's latest version cools with propane. Propane has a global warming potential value of 3, conventional refrigerants in competitor refrigerators have one of 1036.
• At its sister company, Office Delivery gustav, SV relies fully on reusable tableware. The delivery service's means of transport operate in a certified climate-neutral manner.
• In addition, the use of recycled and further recyclable cardboard packaging is a unique selling point of SV. Unlike competitors, plastic is reduced to a minimum - for the benefit of the environment.
• Finally, SV systematically measures and reduces food waste in all its restaurants; at SV events, guests are kindly invited to take home leftover tidbits.
• The non-profit SV Foundation and majority shareholder of SV supports projects and organizations working to promote healthy nutrition and reduce food waste (e.g. Foodsave Bankette, Schweizer Tafel, Madame Frigo, Partage Foundation and Tischlein deck dich).

gustav Smartfridge feeds workers well, sustainably and revitalizes many an SME in the food desert with smart, intuitive and simple technology. Moreover, sustainability has been an integral part of SV's strategy for many years.

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Future leaders of the digital economy need more than a first-class university degree. The seeds for digital entrepreneurship must be sown early. This is where the name of a global Huawei program for budding entrepreneurs comes from: "Seeds for the Future". Under this umbrella, the "Digital Seeds" initiative is taking place in German-speaking countries. The goal is to equip 100 students with problem-solving skills and to sharpen their analytical thinking and digital creativity. For the first time, students from Swiss universities and technical colleges are also allowed to participate in the young entrepreneur platform.

A modular program with an attractive final destination

In the program presented here, students learn entrepreneurial thinking, exchange ideas and gain the hard and soft skills to develop their own technology-driven business ideas. Formats such as roundtables, EXEC briefings, ideathons or pitch rounds are combined to elicit the best of the best. An exclusive network of young leaders and changemakers is created. In several stages, a jury selects the best teams and finally sends the three best to China. There, they come into contact with Chinese students, immerse themselves in the innovation culture of this country and together cultivate the entrepreneurial spirit of the coming tech generation, which is measuring itself across borders.

From Mensa to Management in 4 Months

Interested students can apply by the end of March to participate at. www.digitalseeds.de apply. All the criteria for the application documents - such as a form or the specifications for the application video - can be seen on the young entrepreneur platform website. Huawei bears all costs for travel to and from the study location to the events within the DACH region as well as the costs for any overnight stays.

Source: Huawei

Whether we like it or not, the need for leadership from a distance will grow in importance. We will see fewer and fewer teams where all members work together in one place all the time. Most leaders will have less and less ability to mandate attendance - at least not if they want to attract the best people. We will have to live with "hybrid." And that's a good thing. Because ultimately, physical distance is just an amplifier of previous leadership deficiencies: previous deficiencies become more obvious when people are remote and not "directly tangible." But outstanding leadership also works remotely without major problems. Here are three keys to remote leadership success:

Key #1: Clear goals and expectations

The lack of clear goals reduces the effectiveness of leadership in any situation. In leadership at a distance - where you have less insight into the progress of work - the importance is amplified. If you as a leader do not agree on clear and jointly supported goals that are worked on with full force to achieve, then it will be difficult.

Tip: Help your people by suggesting that they derive personal daily goals from the agreed quarterly or monthly goals each morning. This helps immensely to maintain focus.

Key No. 2: Regular conversations

It is recommended anyway that as a leader you have a short calibration meeting with each team member every week or at least every 14 days to discuss successes, progress, barriers and support needs. I recommend a clear agenda for this and a duration of 15-30 minutes. In remote leadership, this is essential as you will not "accidentally" run into each other.

Sometimes I hear from managers that you can hardly find the time to talk to every team member every week. Beware: If you can't find time for that, what else can you find time for? This is one of the foundations of leadership!

Key No. 3: Make communication simple

This is a topic where I see huge deficits in most companies. If your people are scattered, you need a platform where people can exchange information easily and intuitively. Why do you think almost everyone (the younger the more) prefers chat platforms like WhatsApp or iMessage for exchanges? Because it's easy and you can also convey certain emotions. In this day and age - and if you want to attract young people, you need a modern communication platform that works intuitively and emotionally.

Tip: Have your people trained in the proper use of these tools as well, so above all, don't get distracted by them. That works!

Conclusion:

If you take these three keys to heart and put them into action, remote leadership is not much different than on-site leadership - only with more freedom and then even higher productivity and greater engagement.

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