In uncertain and unstable times, leaders are needed who can provide orientation and stability. The current challenges facing politics, business and society require trustworthy leaders and a modern corporate culture. The Entrepreneurs' Day on Wednesday, July 6, 2022, in the Spoerry Halle Vaduz is therefore entitled "Leading in times of instability" and will examine this highly topical subject from different angles. The event is already being held for the 17th time. Guests can expect exciting presentations, informative panel discussions and attractive networking opportunities.

Massive changes require leadership

After the welcome address by Liechtenstein's Deputy Head of Government and Minister of Economic Affairs Sabine Monauni, top manager Joe Kaeser explains why leadership is particularly important in times of crisis. He is convinced that society is facing massive disruptive changes and that leaders must respond to them with a clear stance and honest communication. Kaeser is one of the highest-profile representatives of German business and the best-known manager in Europe. He is Chairman of the Supervisory Boards of Siemens Energy and Daimler Truck and has more than 40 years of professional experience in the Siemens Group.

Local entrepreneurial personalities

Afterwards, local heroes Markus Kaiser and Katharina Lehmann will show how they manage their companies in difficult times and explain why family-run companies plan more long-term than, for example, listed companies. Kaiser is CEO and majority owner of Kaiser AG in Schaanwald with 600 employees. The company's main products are vehicles for sewer cleaning and industrial waste disposal as well as mobile walking excavators. Lehmann is CEO and owner of the Lehmann Group in Gossau SG, a general contractor as well as market leader in Switzerland for timber construction, with around 400 employees. Kaiser and Lehmann are also members of the jury for the "Entrepreneur Of The Year" award in Liechtenstein, which will be presented to an entrepreneur for the sixth time in the fall of 2022.

Economic turning point

After the refreshment break, economist Peter Bofinger will take the stage. The German economist will explain to the audience why the Corona pandemic and the war in Ukraine also represent an economic turning point. According to Bofinger, companies must prepare for the fact that economic fundamentals will fundamentally change and have direct consequences on elements such as inflation, monetary policy or supply chains.

Formula 1 simulators experience

At the end of the conference, entrepreneur Monisha Kaltenborn looks back on her career in motor racing in a conversation with presenter Mona Vetsch and reports on her latest company. Racing Unleashed develops Formula 1 racing simulators and aims to open up automobile racing to the general public. The Entrepreneur Day will be rounded off with a networking aperitif. Participants can enjoy a touch of Formula 1 flair in the networking zone by testing racing simulators.

Broad sponsorship

The Entrepreneur Day offers entrepreneurs and people interested in business a special knowledge and networking platform. The organizers again expect several hundred guests from the four-country corner at the Entrepreneur Day. The conference is sponsored by the government of Liechtenstein. On board are numerous partners from the private sector and business associations. The organizer is the Unternehmertag association in cooperation with the event agency Skunk AG.

Information and registration at www.unternehmertag.li

A representative survey conducted by the HWZ with DemoScope on the topic of "Preferences in education and training" in German-speaking Switzerland shows that distance learning is not replacing face-to-face teaching as a form of instruction. The desire for maximum flexibility on the part of prospective students is also less prominent than one might assume, according to another finding of the study. Rather, the teaching methods chosen by the educational institution must fit the respective context and provide students with practical added value. In addition to individualized learning settings, which must be closely related to students' own learning needs, self-directed learning based on active personal responsibility is becoming more important. The task of lecturers is shifting from knowledge transfer to learning coaching, which relies on personal responsibility and intrinsic motivation - without losing efficiency.

Continuing education not an end in itself

The survey of 15-55 year-olds shows that a large majority can only be won over to in-service continuing education at a university of applied sciences (CAS, MAS) if the thematic orientation of the continuing education program and the prospects for networking relate to one's own and concrete field of activity and promise a nameable added value for one's own professional biography. "The desire for continuing education is based exclusively on utilitarian needs that arise from one's own professional context and are intended to fuel one's own career opportunities. In terms of delivery formats, the focus is on a stimulating teaching and learning environment that should include interactive settings as well as high-quality asynchronous online units with a clear focus on the added value specific to each format. These aspects are clearly more important than the free choice of the type of event, especially since planning security is of central importance," emphasizes Dr. Stefan Joller, Head of University Development HWZ.

Efficient flexibility is required

Flexibility in learning is highly valued by the 765 respondents. Flexibility is understood to mean being able to work on the content of one's own courses when one has time. This also refers to the option of taking part in lessons regardless of location (live streams, recordings), where this is permitted by the teaching and learning objectives specified in the content. With regard to time management for continuing education, a majority of respondents state that a clear content-related and time-related specification by the university is appreciated in order to thereby have to spend less time on the independent planning of learning phases. This also applies to the selection of learning content and the appropriate format in terms of subject didactics. These results essentially correspond to a conservative learning attitude, which remains dominant and focuses on cost-sensitive efficiency in education and training.

On the basis of this survey, the steadily growing technological opportunities for shaping individual learning and life paths (lifelong learning), which have risen sharply in the educational landscape due to Corona, do not indicate a clear trend toward complete flexibilization. Rather, the multi-option society demands a significantly increased degree of signposting. Educational institutions must master this balancing act between individualization and efficient goal orientation.

Source: HWZ

On November 10, 1896, Heinrich Bachmann founded what is now 4B. Over the past 125 years, the world has changed rapidly - and so has 4B. "However, we have not only reacted to the changes and challenges in the world, but have also consciously anticipated them," says Mark Bachmann, Chairman of the Board of Directors at 4B and great-grandson of the company founder, during the anniversary celebration in Hochdorf. For 125 years, it has been in the company's DNA to question traditions and to dare and promote new things. "We have been living the motto: Innovation is our most important tradition consistently for four generations," says the Chairman of the Board of Directors.

A central motivation for the company's innovative strength is the topic of sustainability. "As a family business with responsibility and a 125-year history, it is important for us to keep an eye on the future," says Otto Bachmann, co-owner of 4B. With the development of sustainable window and façade systems made of wood-aluminum, Otto Bachmann, a trained wood engineer, has been a Swiss pioneer in helping sustainability achieve a breakthrough in the window industry over the past thirty years. This with the aim of leaving a functioning company and a healthy planet for future generations.

Sustainability and shortage of skilled workers

To achieve this goal, Jean-Marc Devaud is operationally involved as CEO of 4B. "We produce almost exclusively wood-aluminum windows and focus with the wood on a 100 percent climate-neutral raw material," says Jean-Marc Devaud on the 125th anniversary. 4B windows primarily play out their positive impact on the environment when in use. "Around 45 percent of Switzerland's energy demand is generated in buildings. By renovating roofs and replacing old windows with 4B windows alone, this demand can be reduced by around 30 percent," says the CEO.

In addition to the issue of sustainability, 4B is currently very concerned about the shortage of skilled workers. "Our 700 employees are our most important asset," says the CEO. That's why 4B consciously invests in its employees - especially in the next generation. And this investment is necessary: Vocational training is in a tough spot - even though Switzerland's dual education system is a success story and serves as a model for many countries around the world. "All together, we are committed to ensuring that 4B continues to set trends in sustainability and training over the next 125 years," says Jean-Marc Devaud.

4B celebrates with 180 guests from business and politics

The 125th anniversary of 4B took place on June 10 from 16.00 to 21.00 at the company headquarters in Hochdorf (LU). The approximately 180 invited guests from business and politics met at 16.00 for a joint production tour. Before the main program, the guests had the opportunity to fortify themselves with an aperitif. For the main program, the guests were then welcomed again in the plenum by Mark and Otto Bachmann, owners of 4B, as well as by 4B CEO, Jean-Marc Devaud. While Mark and Otto Bachmann addressed the eventful past of the company in their greetings, Jean-Marc Devaud spoke about the present.

Afterwards, the moderator Florian Inhauser literally opened the door to the future for the keynote speaker, Dr. David Bosshart. Dr. David Bosshart is a futurist, philosopher and was CEO of the Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute (GDI) for 22 years. In his gripping speech, he explored the interesting question: How much does a company depend on its history and the decisions of previous generations?

After the main program, the invited guests ended the evening with a dinner.

More information

Automotive workshop coordinators and automotive diagnosticians face the daily challenges in the workshops and provide the basis for success and customer satisfaction with their expertise and people skills. 163 graduates of the vocational training recently received their professional certificates. Charles-Albert Hediger, member of the AGVS Central Board, thanked the young professionals and their families at the Event Center of Emil Frey Classics AG in Safenwil for taking on this training despite the period of uncertainty caused by the pandemic and war: "The Swiss automotive industry needs you and will continue to need you!" With the knowledge that the two female graduates and 161 male graduates acquired during their two-year training, they laid the foundation for professional success and also demonstrated a passion for the automotive industry.

Young professionals who give their best every day

The top graders, who were awarded a special prize, had particular cause for celebration among the successful specialists. Among the automotive workshop coordinators, this was Raphael Senn from Kaltenbach TG, who completed the advanced training with the top grade of 4.8. Among the automotive diagnosticians in the passenger vehicle sector, Ramon Keel from Balgach SG stood out with a grade of 5.3, Etienne Panchaud from Murist FR with a grade of 5.0, and Yann Lerch from Reconvilier BE with a grade of 4.9. In the commercial vehicle category, the winners included Daniel Hug from Untervaz GR with a grade of 5.5, Roman Schellenberg from Pfäffikon ZH with a grade of 5.4 and Michael Franz Müller from Niederurnen GL with a grade of 5.6. "I want to give my best every day and pass on the human and technical knowledge we acquired during the training," Müller revealed. "We had fun together, which made learning easier." The fact that the demanding training was not a foregone conclusion was also underlined by the two graduates Evelyn Kunz from Adetswil ZH (grade 5.0) and Desirée Schweizer from Glattfelden ZH (grade 4.8). "I had a lot of help from my boyfriend. He completed the training five years ago," explained Desirée Schweizer. "We don't work together in a garage yet, but we have lots of material at home that we tinker around with."

Vehicles arouse emotions

Matthias Krummen, Head of Management Services and Communication at ESA, also pointed out the emotions that vehicles arouse: "It takes personalities like you to deal with new trends, concepts and customer segments. Trends are to be used as opportunities. You have the privilege of working with products that stir emotions." As a purchasing organization for the automotive and motor vehicle trades for more than 90 years, ESA has also been committed to education and training in the industry. Krummen therefore presented AGVS Executive Board member Olivier Maeder with a check for 20,000 Swiss francs to continue promoting the training of young specialists in the future.

Source: Auto Gewerbe Verband Schweiz

Although numerous experiences with robotics have been handed down before, the patent for a programmable manipulator registered by George Devol in 1954 is generally regarded as the birth of the development of industrial robots. Then, as now, robotics dealt with the attempt to implement interactions of the physical world through the use of mechanical solutions in conjunction with information processing. This automates and optimizes processes such as the manufacture of products. Increasing global networking also plays a role: "Modern robots are equipped with sensors and actuators, and the information obtained from them can be processed immediately," explains Wilhelm Heckmann, Managing Director at CNT Management Consulting in Zurich, an international consulting firm focusing on digitalization. By applying artificial intelligence, industrial robots can build up an understanding of the environment, enabling them to identify future problems and associated failures at an early stage. Insights from this, moreover, are not just reserved for robots in one plant, but are distributed globally - contributing to the development of the customer experience.

Robotics promotes flexibility and customer experience

While robotics used to be used primarily to increase efficiency, robots now also support companies in the area of flexibility. "Robotics has been increasingly equipped with artificial intelligence in recent years. This also has an impact on the customer experience, as production runs more uninterrupted and, in the course of this, not only production itself but also delivery reliability is improved," Heckmann emphasizes. In addition, robotics allows real-time monitoring through connected IoT devices that link physical objects to the virtual world. As a result, information about the machine's condition is available at all times to the manufacturer, the service provider and the customer operating the machine. The resulting transparency also has an immediate positive impact on the customer experience.

Customized mass production

Especially with regard to personalized customer requests, robotics offers significant advantages, for example in the areas of (on-time) delivery or costs. The use of robots even makes adjustments in assembly line production possible, opening up completely new opportunities for companies in terms of their customer experience. "With the use of robotics, companies can flexibly adapt their products to individual customer requirements at any time, which can become a differentiating factor, especially in the face of competing companies," says Heckmann. So-called production cells, which consist of several similar machining centers combined into a single unit, make mass production particularly flexible. "If people and robots work together effectively, companies can deliver exactly what their customers want," says Heckmann, explaining the concept of customized mass production. Ultimately, this allows companies to increase not only their sales but also their profitability - while at the same time the customer benefits from short delivery times and good prices. The use of robotics also offers advantages in terms of sustainability, which is becoming increasingly important in production and purchasing: "For example, it can reduce energy costs and keep production waste and material costs low," Heckmann knows.

CNT & SAP Event in Zurich

Those who are interested in sustainability in the purchasing process will soon have the opportunity to deal with the topic in person. On June 29, 2022, CNT Management Consulting, together with Q_PERIOR and SAP, invites to the event "CNT Procurement Afterwork" at "The Circle" in Zurich. "Guests can look forward to, among other things, an exciting customer presentation by a well-known company and further valuable expertise from the procurement sector," Heckmann reveals in the run-up to the event. So anyone who wants to learn more about how the SAP Business Network can provide insight into the supply chain and thus make a positive contribution to the future themselves should find interesting information at this event.

Source and further information

For Swiss pension funds, 2021 was a successful year. This is shown by the 22nd edition of the Swisscanto Pension Fund Study, published by Zürcher Kantonalbank. The pension funds generated an average net return of 8.4%. According to Swisscanto, this is the second-best result of the last decade and is significantly above the ten-year average of 5.4%. The high returns generated over the past few years are being used by the funds in a targeted manner to increase their financial fitness. This starting position now gives them more room for maneuver - especially when it comes to interest on retirement assets. Active insured benefited from a higher interest rate - across all funds, this averaged 4.25% in 2021, the highest since 2001, as the Pension Fund Study 2022 shows.

Redistribution from active insured to pensioners stopped

The pension funds have used the profitable years to prepare for the future. They have adjusted the technical interest rate, built up the fluctuation reserves, switched to generation tables, lowered the conversion rate and increased the retirement age. All this has resulted in a halt to the systemic redistribution of benefits from active insured to pensioners.

However, a two-tier society has emerged among pension funds: Funds that have already accumulated fluctuation reserves in excess of 75% have been able to pay twice as much interest on their insured's retirement assets as funds with lower reserves. For the model students among the pension funds, the way is clear for a trend reversal: In the future, they will be able to pay higher interest on the retirement assets of their active insured. Insured persons of funds that are behind schedule with the implementation of their homework will lose out. If the reserves are insufficiently accumulated, their pension fund assets will only earn below-average interest. For insured persons, it plays a decisive role with which fund they are insured via their employer.

Top cash registers make over ten times as much return as others

A sustainably high investment return will remain indispensable in the future to ensure a good return on retirement assets. In terms of performance, the range between the lowest and highest returns is very wide - a trend that has been apparent in the study for years. In 2021, the lowest value was 1.34%; the best fund achieved a return of 15.97%, which is over ten times higher. This is also reflected in the medium term over five years: The tenth of the funds with the lowest performance generated a return of 3.88% per year; the most successful tenth achieved a return of 7.21% per year. The reasons for these differences are structural, such as fund size, industry characteristics and asset allocation.

Bonds offer no security in current market turbulence

In terms of investment mix, pension funds relied on a record high equity allocation of 33.7% on average in 2021. Asset allocation is crucial, and its relevance has become even more important since the beginning of 2022 with the war in Ukraine, the global supply chain problems and the rise in interest rates: Bonds, as a supposedly safe form of investment, have not been able to play out their defensive qualities at the beginning of the year. This caused losses for all Swiss pension funds (on average -7.9% for bonds in CHF and -7.2% in foreign currencies). As a result, defensive pension funds with a high bond allocation suffered almost the same losses as equity-heavy funds from January to April: the decile with the lowest performance over the past five years suffered losses of 5.2%, while the decile with the highest performance lost about the same amount last year, at 5.1%. There is no way around equities in the investment mix.

"The past year has impressively shown how much insured persons benefit when their pension fund does its homework and the investment performance is right. Those who have good reserves should now pass on these surpluses to the insured," says Iwan Deplazes, Head of Asset Management at Zürcher Kantonalbank. "Investments remain the lifeblood for pension funds. The right investment strategy is more important than ever given the current market situation."

Health insurance funds fulfill their performance promises

Coverage ratios have never been as high as at the end of 2021: these averaged over 122.1% for private-law funds - 6 percentage points more than in the previous year. The positive development on the stock market was particularly responsible for this. While the coverage ratios had long oscillated around 110%, the curve has risen steeply since 2018, increasing by more than 13 percentage points. With the value of 122.1% at the end of 2021, the funds have exceeded the self-imposed target values for the fluctuation reserves of 18.5% for the first time. This is despite the fact that the boards of trustees have increased the targets for the average value for private-law pension funds from 15.9% to 18.5% since 2012. As a result, the funds have unrestricted funds for benefit improvements. However, the current market situation has resulted in the funding ratios falling slightly below the target again to 117.3% by the end of March 2022.

Interest Rate Turnaround Stops Decline in Technical Interest Rate

The solid reserves enable a trend reversal in the technical interest rate. This is based on the recommended upper limit of the Swiss Chamber of Pension Fund Experts and shows the long-term financial obligations with which the institutions are calculating. In 2021, the experts recommended on the basis of their calculations that the rate be increased in view of rising interest rates; in 2022, another such recommendation could follow. This means that the current average technical interest rates are now below the recommended upper limit - the pension funds are therefore making realistic estimates of their pension promises. The conversion rate, on the other hand, will continue to fall, according to the pension fund study figures: for men with retirement age 65, from an average of 5.43% in 2022 to 5.25% in 2026. "The funds are fit and can fulfill their benefit promises. We are seeing a turnaround: The redistribution from active insured to pensioners could finally be stopped. Higher pensions are coming into sight," says Heini Dändliker, Head of Key Account Management Corporate Clients Switzerland at Zürcher Kantonalbank.

Many health insurance funds anticipate BVG reform

The National Council and the Council of States Commission would like to lower the entry threshold in their proposals for the reform projects currently under discussion, whereas the Federal Council has not touched this issue in the BVG reform. Part-time workers and multi-jobbers are currently disadvantaged if they earn less than CHF 21,510 per year. In a quarter of the funds surveyed, this threshold has already been lowered or made variable. There are also discussions about reducing the coordination deduction, which disadvantages part-time workers in particular. However, flexible coordination deduction models are already offered by 86% the pension funds. The deduction is linked either to the degree of employment or to the insured salary. Some pension funds do not make any deductions at all. Only a minority of 14% still rely on fixed coordination deductions without weighting of the degree of employment. In some cases, the pension funds are one step ahead of the politicians on these issues.

Little progress on CO₂-measures

By contrast, the picture is different for another relevant topic: the integration of sustainability criteria. In 2021, 33% of the funds had already incorporated environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) criteria into their investment regulations, compared with just 25% in 2020. However, it is primarily the large funds that attach the necessary relevance to this topic. Smaller insurers are six years behind. There is hardly any movement in the measurement of CO₂-intensities of the portfolios or in setting actual reduction targets: Only 6% have a concrete reduction target, while as many as 10% are giving this some initial thought.

Women strongly underrepresented on foundation boards

For the first time, pension funds were asked about the composition and work of their boards of trustees as part of the study. On average, the board of trustees consists of eight people, who usually belong to the company. With regard to investment decisions, around 80% of all pension funds rely on an investment committee, with almost all of the larger funds doing so. Although women represent 43% of the insured, only 22% of them are represented in the top management body of the funds.

Source: ZKB. More information to the study you can find here. The ORGANIZER has in a current articles (subject to a fee) also took a close look at a number of pension plans.

Biosimo is a chemical engineering startup that develops and operates processes for the production of biobased bulk chemicals. These chemicals are the basis of all synthetic products such as plastics, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals and are derived from fossil raw materials through energy-intensive and toxic processes. Biosimo has developed an innovative process using bioethanol to produce bioacetic acid and its derivatives. Biosimo will use the Venture Kick award of CHF 150,000 to start pilot production of bio-acetic acid and deliver the desired quantities to customers.

Renewable chemicals as an alternative to fossil raw materials

Biosimo's vision is to support global efforts to reduce carbon emissions by eliminating the need for fossil resources in our product supply chain. Biosimo's solution offers its customers in the chemical, pharmaceutical and materials industries a direct replacement for their fossil resources. Biosimo's bio-based chemicals can make everyday products such as textiles, adhesives, cosmetics and medicines more environmentally friendly without changing their properties and market prices. Biosimo's sustainability strategy and expected cost competitiveness will offer significant advantages over existing solutions. The global market for acetic acid is estimated at CHF 13 billion and growing at 6.2% annually.

Capital for the preparation of the pilot phase

In the coming year, Biosimo aims to demonstrate the scalability of the process and bring the first tons of bioacetic acid to market in 2023. In parallel, Biosimo's team is exploring the production of acetic acid derivatives such as ethyl acetate and cellulose acetate, both 100% bio-based chemicals. Venture Kick financial support will be used to prepare for the pilot phase and build the right team to design, build and operate the pilot phase. The pilot phase is the first upscaling that will reduce the risk to Biosimo's technology and provide enough product to secure initial revenue, customers and investment for commercial production.

Research work brought to market

The Biosimo team combines essential technical know-how with entrepreneurial acumen, according to Venture Kick's tribute. The co-founders are Dr. Sotiria Mostrou, chief executive office, and Dr. Maximilian Moser, chief technology officer. "Venture Kick has been a fantastic journey that has helped the company and founders move closer to our goals," said Dr. Mostrou. "We are grateful for the financial support that has accelerated our path to market." Dr. Moser adds, "For us, it was much more than just the financial support; Venture Kick provided structure, education, resources and connections. The program has really put us in the right direction and brought us closer to commercializing sustainable chemicals." Source and further information The post Renewable chemicals: Startup receives financial injection appeared first on Organizer.

Following its great success in private pension provision, Pax is also implementing the innovative concept of selectable guarantees for companies in occupational pension provision with Pax DuoStar.

Security and return

Pax DuoStar combines the advantages of full insurance with the benefits of a semi-autonomous solution. In the fully insured part, customers enjoy 100 percent security and bear no risk of a possible shortfall in coverage - exactly as in full insurance. In the return-oriented opportunity part, the retirement assets are invested in such a way that customers can participate in the development of the financial markets - as is the case in a semi-autonomous solution. Compared with full insurance, premiums are reduced with the prospect of a higher return. And compared with the semi-autonomous solution, the fully insured guarantee component offers 100 percent protection.

"Pax DuoStar combines the benefits of full insurance with the advantages of a semi-autonomous solution."

The third dimension

With Pax DuoStar, SMEs find a third, pioneering dimension in the evaluation of their occupational pension solution alongside full insurance and semi-autonomous offerings, and benefit from the concept of selectable guarantees. This creates a way out of the previous either-or tension in occupational pension provision and towards the both/and option. In this way, companies can optimally cover their individual requirements in their various planning phases.

Modern pension provision for modern SMEs

Thanks to Pax DuoStar, companies can weight their security needs and risk profile more systematically and balance them on the basis of their future challenges and risk situation. In this way, they anchor their corporate strategy considerations in the occupational pension plan, while at the same time bringing them into line with the demands of their employees. After all, companies need interesting pension solutions in order to find and retain qualified employees in the long term. A generous and modern occupational pension plan that meets the circumstances and needs is increasingly becoming part of a modern employer and attractive employment conditions. This is because it can increasingly become a decisive factor in job selection and retention. Particularly in difficult times, it is becoming more important to have a pension plan that offers security in terms of future prospects and guarantees that can be selected.

Everything about Pax DuoStar: www.pax.ch/duostar

Authors:
Yvonne Häring is a member of the Executive Board, Pax, Swiss Life Insurance Company Ltd.
Lien Nguyen is Managing Director Pax, Collective Foundation Balance

More information:
Customer Service Occupational Pension Plans
kundenservice-bvg@pax.ch
+41 61 277 66 80
www.pax.ch/berufliche-vorsorge

Do you immediately think of flexibility when it comes to occupational pension plans? No? Then you are probably not alone. The pension fund is a long-term provision for the time after retirement and is therefore primarily associated with security and continuity. Tellco pk, however, is convinced that flexibility must also be an important attribute of a pension fund. Because just as companies change, their pension provision should also be able to adapt.

Extra: The flexibility of Tellco pk is also reflected in the due dates of the savings premiums. Most of the premiums are not due until the end of the year, giving the companies more time. Incidentally, those who pay before the due date receive interest of 1 % on the amount.

Individual choices

What is remarkable about Tellco pk is its individualized approach: "We believe that occupational pension provision cannot be thought of in static terms: It should grow with the company." That's why Tellco pk gives affiliated companies the option of choosing the one that suits them best from a range of offerings, and can even adjust it annually free of charge.

There are three so-called compartments to choose from: PRO, PULSE and INDIVIDUA. They differ in terms of investment strategy - from security to return-oriented - and the option of defining individual components of the pension fund solution yourself.

At PRO, with an equity component of 25 %, the focus is on stability: price fluctuations remain low and the assets grow moderately but regularly.

At PULSE In contrast, the focus is on growth: a higher equity component of 40 % provides more opportunities, but may also lead to greater price fluctuations.

At INDIVIDUA Finally, the insured company has the say: whether asset manager or custodian, direct investments or funds - the pension fund commission decides.

While the PRO and PULSE compartments are suitable for all companies, the INDIVIDUA option is a special solution for companies with 10 or more insured employees and investment capital of at least CHF 20 million.

Leading Swiss pension fund

Tellco pk is one of the most important pension funds on the Swiss market. With continuous growth, it currently has around 10,000 affiliated companies and 88,000 insured persons. It manages total assets of around CHF 4.3 billion (as of the end of 2021).

tellco.ch/kmu

Since June 6, 2022, it has been online on the Treuhand Suisse website, the new information platform on the topic of "Cybersecurity". Important information about cybersecurity can be found there. It also shows what measures should be taken after an attack and how the professional association of Swiss fiduciaries can provide support. Various guides, services from partner companies for cybersecurity, and selected continuing education offerings round out the offering.

In detail, the new platform provides information on important topics in the field of cybersecurity and a compilation of the most important information sites on the web, including a directory of specialists and providers who support users with specific questions and concerns. For example, explanations of the most important technical terms such as CEO fraud, phishing, malware, etc. can be found. A checklist lists the most important measures to be taken after a hacker attack and provides links to partner companies that can offer further support in an emergency. Guides and checklists are also available for prevention, which can also be downloaded by non-members. A training video on data privacy is also available.

To ensure that the information platform is always up to date, Treuhand Suisse will publish current news on an ongoing basis. Currently, for example, there is information on the new data protection law, which is expected to come into force on September 1, 2023.

More information: https://www.treuhandsuisse.ch/hilfe-services/cybersecurity

Launched in 2005 by the Haute École d'Ingénierie et de Gestion du canton de Vaud (HEIG-VD), the Swiss Ethics Award is an independent prize that promotes the integration of business ethics and sustainable development into the strategy of companies and public and private organizations. Each year, the prize recognizes projects that can be adopted or imitated by others, with the aim of popularizing these strategic approaches and establishing concrete best practices.

Swiss Ethics Award presented for the 17th time

The two juries of the Swiss Ethics Award - the jury made up of representatives from professional, business and association circles and the student jury - have now reached their verdicts. The winners of the 17th edition of the competition are the Wepot company, Alternative Bank Switzerland, the Mes mains t'accompagnent association and the Bloom Biorenewables company. They were recognized for their commitment to business ethics and sustainable development.

Old technology revolutionized

Wepot has set itself the goal of revolutionizing the irrigation of plants with the help of a technology that is thousands of years old. In 2018, the company helped olla, irrigation with jugs, make a comeback. This technique consists of filling clay pots with water and burying them next to the plants. The porous clay allows the water to seep slowly through the walls into the soil, so that the plant can get the water it needs as needed. This system provides ten days of autonomy, saving up to 70 % of water while avoiding water stress as the plant regulates itself. The company is based on a circular, local and social economy.

Bank that puts ethical values first

Alternative Bank Schweiz AG (ABS) was founded in 1990. It distinguishes itself from other banking institutions by placing ethical values at the forefront and refraining from profit maximization. It invests its clientele's money in social and ecological enterprises and projects that must have a positive impact on society and the environment. To show what the money it receives is used for, the ABS publishes a list of all the loans it has granted.

Accompaniment for the dying and mourners

The association Mes mains t'accompagnent (My hands accompany you) supports elderly, dying, grieving, sick and disabled people and their caring relatives with words and touch. The organization visits these people in nursing homes, institutions, hospitals or at home. The therapists are trained to accompany people at the end of life and are approved by supplementary insurance companies.

Alternative to petroleum: the students' coup de coeur

Bloom Biorenewables SA is a start-up company that emerged from the EPFL. It aims to make biomass a real alternative to petroleum using sustainable and efficient technologies that enable the production of high-performance and competitive products from plant by-products. In doing so, the company is responding to the needs of industries seeking to reduce their dependence on fossil resources in markets such as those for perfumes, packaging and building materials. More information: www.prixethique.ch The post Swiss Ethics Award honors four projects appeared first on Organizer.

The Swiss Sustainable Funds Awards 2022 (SSFA) honored the most successful asset managers as well as the funds, which are most committed to socially responsible investment (SRI). The virtual award ceremony took place on June 1, 2022. The prize was awarded for the fourth time. "The jury was very pleased to award seven funds distributed in Switzerland, as well as the asset manager who managed to best combine performance and sustainability. The SSFA have once again succeeded in taking up the challenge of promoting the development of SRI and raising the visibility of the players who are committed to it. These awards respond to a real need for recognition of best practices and know-how," commented Prof. René Sieber, Chairman of the Jury.

Appreciation of socially responsible investments

The SSFAs base their assessment on a process that notably incorporates proprietary ESG analysis by Conser - an independent auditor and selector of sustainability funds - as well as analysis of quantitative performance and risk data by consulting firm Anglo-Swiss Advisors. The awards are primarily a response to developments in the Swiss financial landscape, where socially responsible investing has become imperative. The SSFA are supported by the main umbrella organizations Swiss Financial Analysts Association (SFAA), Swiss Training Centre for Investment Professionals (AZEK), Swiss Pension Fund Association (ASIP), Asset Management Association Switzerland (AMA), as well as Swiss Sustainable Finance (SSF). They are organized by the Geneva Forum for Sustainable Investment and the Zurich Forum for Sustainable Investment under the leadership of Voxia communication.

The winners of the Swiss Sustainable Funds Awards 2022

Best Asset Management Company

• Zurich Cantonal Bank

Shares" category

• Global equities: Aegon Global Sustainable Equity C Acc GBP (Aegon Asset Management)
• Equities Europe: NN (L) European Sustainable Equity I Cap EUR (NN Investment Partners)
• Emerging Markets Equities: Candriam Sustainable Equity Emerging Mkt V EUR C (Candriam Investors Group)
• Swiss Equities: GAM Swiss Sustainable Companies D (GAM Investment Management (CH) SA)
• Shares Thematic: green benefit - Global Impact Fund - P (Green Benefit AG)

Bonds" category

• Bonds Global (2 winners): Franklin European Total Return I (acc) EUR (Franklin Templeton International) and JSS Sustainable Bond - Euro Broad C EUR acc (Banque J. Safra Sarasin SA).

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