Switzerland's first MAS AI Leadership launched

The HWZ Zurich University of Applied Sciences is introducing Switzerland's first Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in AI Leadership. The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly demanding agile and innovation-oriented managers from Swiss companies.

Afke Schouten heads Switzerland's first MAS in AI Leadership. (Image: HWZ)

The MAS in AI Leadership HWZ was designed to equip specialists and managers with the necessary knowledge of AI and application-oriented, contemporary leadership skills to actively drive the AI transformation forward.

Competitive thanks to AI

The program, which requires a university degree (Bachelor), combines an in-depth understanding of AI with strategic business knowledge to optimally prepare future managers for the challenges of the AI working world. The course is aimed at specialists, junior managers and established managers who aspire to a leading position in the field of AI.

"The MAS AI Leadership can be completed on a part-time basis and teaches essential skills for the successful implementation of AI in SMEs and corporations," says Afke Schouten, Head of the HWZ degree program. "This includes not only aspects of digitalization, but also in-depth specialist knowledge in the field of AI. The continuing education programme requires a solid understanding of AI strategies, current technologies and methods in the field of AI as well as effective team and organizational building for AI projects."

Structure and content

The MAS AI Leadership HWZ is aimed at decision-makers, project managers and specialists with responsibility or reference to strategy, management or operation of data-driven projects or systems in the field of AI. Participants can come from a variety of relevant business fields, including Strategy & Business Development, Transformation & Innovation Management, AI Management, AI Transformation and more. A customized curriculum is offered, consisting of three Certificates of Advanced Studies (CAS): AI Management, AI Transformation and AI Innovation. The modular structure allows students to design their learning journey independently of the semester and according to their individual needs.

The lecturers on the program are well-known personalities and decision-makers from business and academia who ensure that teaching is practical and application-oriented. With a part-time study program and 1001TP3 days of work during the course, the MAS AI Leadership offers maximum flexibility for working students. This program concludes with the Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in AI Leadership HWZ.

Source and further information: HWZ

Artificial intelligence exacerbates skills shortage

A survey by Adecco shows that artificial intelligence is increasingly exacerbating the skills shortage. This is because a majority of companies are pursuing an unbalanced "buy vs. build" approach. There is an urgent need to develop skills in order to exploit the potential of AI instead of hiring additional specialists.

Marcel Keller, Country President Adecco Group Switzerland: "While we find ourselves in a very dynamic economic environment, it is crucial to maintain internal coherence and invest in internal potential in order to strengthen employee loyalty, build trust and thus jointly create innovations and beat competitors. It is important that people - more than ever - are at the center of this change. Artificial intelligence is a helpful tool that helps people to develop their creativity and full potential." (Image: Adecco)

Over half of the companies surveyed that operate in leading global economies are planning to hire new talent to cope with the imminent massive deployment of artificial intelligence (AI). This is instead of retraining existing staff, which will lead to a veritable battle for specialists with digital skills. This is shown by the results of the study "Leading Through the Great Disruption", a survey of 2000 managers in nine countries conducted by the Adecco Group. 66% of those surveyed stated that they buy AI specialists externally. Only 34% stated that they would retrain their existing employees. Given the expected demand for these skills, 37% of executives expect salaries for AI-related roles to "increase significantly" over the next 12 months, compared to just 24% for white-collar roles and 9% for support staff.

Still a shortage of skilled workers despite a slowing economy

With regard to the Swiss labor market, the results of the Adecco Group Skills Shortage Index Switzerland 2023that the shortage of skilled workers in Switzerland has reached a new high of 24% despite the slowdown in economic momentum. Recruitment remains a challenge for companies. Vacancies for healthcare specialists, IT experts and technical engineers are currently particularly difficult to fill.

Marcel Keller, Country President of the Adecco Group Switzerland, says: "AI is forcing many companies to rethink and is presenting them with challenging decisions: Either they specifically restructure certain departments/teams or they invest in the targeted training and development of existing employees. The latter is more sustainable in the long term and ensures that existing knowledge remains within the company, but requires focus, resources, patience and perseverance."

"Buy vs. build" for other digital skills too 

While the gap between "buy" and "build" is widest for AI talent, this is also true for other digital skills: 62% of executives say they will hire external experts in data skills, while 36% say they will retrain or upskill their teams. Similarly, 60% of executives plan to hire staff to fill gaps in digital skills, while 37% say they will build skills in this area.

Managing directors expect considerable upheaval in the entire labor market. Only 46% of respondents stated that they will replace employees whose jobs are eliminated due to AI. In addition, 41% assume that they will employ fewer staff in five years' time due to artificial intelligence.

AI skills gaps among managers too

The survey also shows that the AI skills gap extends all the way to the management levels of companies. 57% of respondents have little confidence in their own management's ability to understand the "risks and opportunities" of AI. Only 43% of this group indicated that they have formal training programs in place to improve AI skills, while only 50% indicated that they provide guidance to their employees on how to use AI at work.

Despite all the changes that AI is likely to bring, business leaders believe that human skills will continue to play a crucial role in the success of an organization. A majority of 57% say that the 'human touch' in the workplace is still more influential than AI, while creativity and innovation are cited as the key areas where skills are lacking.

Source: Adecco Group Switzerland

That was the HR Festival Europe 2024

The third edition of the HR Festival Europe took place on March 26 and 27 at Messe Zürich. According to the organizers, the event attracted 6,000 visitors and a total of 7,500 HR professionals, including exhibitors and speakers, attended the festival - over 55 percent more than last year.

Visitors to the HR Festival Europe flock to the Zurich exhibition halls. (Image: David Biedert Photography / HR Today)

On March 27, the two-day HR Festival europe came to an end at Messe Zürich. The event was organized by HR Today, the Swiss business platform for HR management.

Practical input for HR professionals

Presentations, workshops and panel discussions on the challenges of tomorrow's working world as well as talks with around 200 exhibitors were the focus of the two-day event. Guests included Thomas Zurbuchen, former scientific director of NASA. He spoke about building teams that are capable of the best performances. Carlos Fontelas De Carvalho from the ADP Group addressed the challenges of talent retention. Simon Schnetzer, youth researcher and expert in cross-generational collaboration, and Susanne Nickel, a lawyer specializing in change management, also spoke to a packed room. Over 60 panel discussions and other presentations provided practical tips for HR professionals.

Relaxation, sustainability and networking

Relaxation and entertainment were also provided: souvenir photo shoots, interactive animations and tastings of sweets and chocolate. The organizers of the HR Festival europe once again put sustainability into practice. For example, partner "Fill me Bottle" provided 2000 glass bottles that could be refilled and reused with the help of special water dispensers from Kärcher.

The 11th Randstad Award, which recognizes the most attractive employers in Switzerland, was also presented on the first day of the event. First place went to Google, ahead of SBB and the Swiss Paraplegic Foundation. The event continued in a relaxed atmosphere with a networking evening. Performances by singer Marius Bear and DJ Patric Pleasure kept 700 participants entertained until late into the night.

Presentation of the Swiss HR Award 2024

The HR Festival europe ended with the award ceremony for the fifth edition of the Swiss HR Award. All types of organizations could participate, from SMEs to large corporations, from start-ups to established companies. The live pitches decided the eight selected projects. The Swiss HR Award combines evaluation by a panel of experts with evaluation by the public. The jury thus left the final decision to the numerous visitors who attended the ceremony. This year's winners are

  • Nidwalden Cantonal Police (category "Finding talent")
  • Bülach Hospital (category "Retain talent")
  • Griesser (category "Out of the Box")
  • Job.rocks (category "Start-up")

The next edition of HR Festival europe will take place on March 25 and 26, 2025. More information

Nationwide cyber security awareness campaign launched

Regular updates and up-to-date virus protection make a significant contribution to cyber security. This is why the Federal Office for Cybersecurity (BACS), Swiss Crime Prevention (SCP) and the cantonal and municipal police forces are launching another part of the national "S-U-P-E-R.ch" campaign in April, in which they emphasize the importance of updates and virus protection.

A national awareness campaign draws attention to the need for virus protection and updates. (Image: Swiss Crime Prevention)

Under the motto "Promote your digital health", the new "S-U-P-E-R.ch" 2024 campaign is being launched with a focus on the topics of "updates" and "virus protection". The campaign picks up on the trend towards a healthy lifestyle that has been going on for years. But what about digital health? Regular updates of the operating system, software and apps as well as updated virus protection actively protect digital devices from intruders. If you protect your device properly, you make cyber attacks more difficult. This applies to companies, organizations and private individuals alike.

From April 4, the BACS, the SKP and the cantonal and municipal police forces, with the support of iBarry and EBAS, will be raising awareness among the Swiss population of the importance of updates and virus protection. Various fitness and health themes are used on the communication media to visualize the fact that it is not only the body that needs to be kept fit, but also the software. The campaign website S-U-P-E-R.ch provides further information on the topic and the knowledge acquired can be tested with a quiz. The campaign will run until April 30, 2024. 

Source: Swiss Crime Prevention (SKP)

Nominees for the Green Business Award: The list

Fabric made from bananas, fuel from solar energy or a vertical factory - numerous innovations have once again been nominated for the sixth Green Business Award. Every year, the award recognizes companies that combine ecological impact with economic success.

Delighted with the many interesting nominations for the Green Business Award: Jury President Doris Leuthard and Cédric Habermacher, Director of Green Business Switzerland (left). (Image: Green Business)

Solving challenges ecologically and being economically successful at the same time? The 36 companies nominated for the Green Business Award show how this can be done. Around 20 partner organizations of the award, such as the Federal Office for the Environment, Solar Impulse, Swiss Textiles, Scienceindustries, Swissmem, economiesuisse, öbu and the WWF, have nominated an impressive range of innovative solutions from Switzerland: for example, a start-up that rebuilds coral reefs, an intelligent cloud service that learns the behavior of a building or a natural cosmetics company that produces creams from plant waste.

Innovation in the construction and textile industry

A construction technique that reduces CO₂ consumption or recyclable building materials: this year, the large number of companies from the construction industry stands out. "The construction industry is responsible for around 38% of global CO₂ emissions, but has long lagged behind other sectors in terms of sustainability. It is therefore all the more pleasing that the industry has recognized sustainability as a business area of the future," says jury president and former Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard. The textile industry is also strongly represented this year, for example with a biodegradable polyester substitute or a process that eliminates harmful chemicals in the manufacturing process. "I am personally very pleased with the numerous nominees in the textile industry - they are a strong and important signal against fast fashion consumption," says Cédric Habermacher, Director of Green Business Switzerland.

How the most sustainable solutions are evaluated

The selection process for the Green Business Award takes place in a multi-stage procedure. From the nominated companies, a preliminary jury awards the Green Business Excellence label to the five best. These five companies present themselves with a pitch to the main jury chaired by Doris Leuthard. This jury includes 14 other well-known personalities, including Reto Knutti (ETH professor of climate physics), Betrand Piccard (Solar Impulse), Roberto Cirillo (CEO of Swiss Post) and business journalist and entrepreneur Patrizia Laeri. Three of the selected companies will pitch their solutions to potential investors at Impact Gstaad's Impact Circle event on February 14, 2025, giving them the opportunity to secure growth financing - the winner will be announced after the pitches. Jury president Doris Leuthard on the relevance of the award: "As private individuals, we can't save the planet on our own - we need the economy. And the economy needs role models to follow."

The nominees for the Green Business Award at a glance (alphabetical order)

Company

Solution

Brief description

1h2o3

Lucerne

MBBR Box - Building blocks for the construction of drinking water systems

With the modular and standardized components from 1H2o3, drinking water or wastewater treatment plants can be implemented easily and efficiently, enabling water savings.

Algrano

 

Zurich

Online marketplace for green coffee

Algrano networks coffee producers directly with roasters. Producers set their own prices and earn more without intermediaries. Roasters have complete control over their supply chain and the proportion of certified coffee is three times higher than the industry average, which leads to a reduced carbon footprint during cultivation. Consolidated deliveries also reduce empty freight. 

AlphaSYNT

 

Egliswil, AG

CO₂ upcycling with Cometh plant

AlphaSYNT's solution converts CO₂ into a high-quality energy source that can be easily transported and stored. CO₂ upcycling replaces fossil fuels and combustibles and can thus save millions of tons of fossil CO₂ every year.

bluesign technologies AG

St. Gallen

bluesign® system - environmentally friendly textile production

The bluesign® system is used in textile production. It eliminates harmful substances right at the start of the manufacturing process and sets and monitors standards for environmentally friendly and safe production from the fibers to the finished garments.

Cap'tn Greenfin AG

 

Bern

Plastic-free fishing lures

Capt'n Greenfin is revolutionizing the fishing industry in a sustainable way by developing new sustainable materials that can be used to produce environmentally friendly fishing products. The aim is to maintain a healthy ecosystem and stop the pollution of our waters.

Citra

 

Winterthur, ZH

Sustainable construction technology

Citra develops, designs and builds homes and communities using a proprietary construction technology that uses no steel, bricks or concrete. The technology reduces CO₂ emissions by 75% during construction and 100% during use, achieving net zero emissions for homes. Compared to traditional houses, construction costs are reduced by 20% and construction time by up to 80%. 

CLIMADA Technologies

 

Zurich

delta-climateTM - Climate risk analysis

CLIMADA Technologies has developed delta-climateTM has developed climate risk analysis software that uses public data as the basis for forward-looking analyses. These analyses of both acute and long-term risks support regulatory requirements, the assessment of climate resilience and identify opportunities for climate adaptation.

Dimpora AG

 

Zurich

dimpora® - Circular outdoor clothing

The technology that makes clothing waterproof is often harmful to the environment. Dimpora AG has developed the only technology in the world that enables recyclability and is 100% toxin-free.

Distran Switzerland

 

Zurich

Ultrasound camera

Distran ultrasonic cameras detect gas leaks quickly and from a safe distance, thereby reducing emissions and protecting people and equipment. They are used in various industries such as oil and gas, chemicals and power generation.

drivemycar AG

 

Zurich

Car sharing platform

Drivemycar is a car sharing platform. With drivemycar's drivebox, vehicle owners can measure the condition of their vehicle, mileage, consumption, movement and utilization. This allows companies, for example, to control and optimize their vehicle fleet and automate sharing.

Flux Mobility

 

Winterthur, ZH

Electric vans

The electric and emission-free vans from Flux Mobility replace conventional transport vehicles in an environmentally friendly way. Thanks to their modular design, ambulances, container cleaners and box vans, for example, are greener. 

HeiQ AeoniQ Holding AG

 

Villigen, AG

HeiQ AeoniQTM - the sustainable polyester substitute

HeiQ AeoniQTM is a cellulose yarn that can replace polyester and other filament yarns and is biodegradable in 12 weeks. It uses renewable resources such as agricultural waste. By replacing polyester, microplastic pollution and landfill accumulation is prevented.

Hoffmann Neopac AG

 

Oberdiessbach, BE

Polyfoil® MMB recyclable tubes

Polyfoil® MMB from Hoffmann Neopac is a recyclable tube that is used for toothpaste, ointments and cosmetics, among other things. The patented tube combines high protection with aesthetics and sustainability. It uses significantly less plastic and CO₂ than conventional tubes.

ID Geneva

 

Geneva

The most innovative eco-watch

ID Genève watches are made from 100% recycled, local stainless steel and the straps are made from plant-based textiles. They always aim to optimize the product life cycle. 

Komax

 

Dierikon, LU

Vertical factory

A space-saving and sustainable new building? In the vertical factory of Komax, technology leader for automated wire processing, development, production and administration are located on six floors in close proximity to each other. The shape and construction of the building support energy and climate aspects, such as natural ventilation and lighting, thermal insulation in summer and cooling at night - this has made it possible to use building technology sparingly. 

Kugler Bimetal AG

 

Satigny, GE

Production of recycled bronze

Using an innovative process, Kugler Bimetal recycles bronze and processes bronze chips into eco-briquettes. The parts can withstand extreme operating conditions and are therefore used in areas such as aviation, energy, hydraulics and transportation. 

Lantal Textiles AG

 

Langenthal, BE

 

DIGITAL DEEP DYEING technology

Conventional aircraft carpets are dyed using a yarn dyeing process. This process is slow, energy-intensive and the carpets are often heavy. Lantal Textiles carpet technology digitizes the manufacturing process while reducing water and CO₂ consumption and waste. Ultra-lightweight material also reduces the weight of the aircraft.

Muntagnard AG

 

Chur, GR

Sustainable-innovative clothing 

The high-quality Swiss fashion label Muntagnard focuses on minimizing waste, degradable materials, durability and recycling. Muntagnard offers a repair service and the value chain is traceable.

New Roots AG

Oberdiessbach, BE

Plant-based cheese and dairy products

New Roots develops, produces and sells plant-based and protein-rich cheese and dairy alternatives. New Roots relies on traditional Swiss production methods.

Oxara AG

 

Dietikon, ZH

Cement-free additives and binders
-technology

Oxara develops cement-free and therefore climate-friendly building materials. With its patented technology, Oxara converts mineral waste materials, most of which currently end up in landfill, into sustainable building materials.

Planet Horizons Technologies AG

 

Sierre, VS

AQUA4D® - 
Water treatment
technology

AQUA4D® water treatment technology reduces water consumption, controls soil salinity and improves nutrient and fertilizer uptake by plants. With this method, AQUA4D® combats two challenges in agriculture: water shortage and soil degradation.

Plateforme la Plaine

 

Vufflens-la-Ville, VD

Plateform la Plaine - plant that recycles construction waste

Plateforme la Plaine recycles construction waste and produces high-quality recycled concrete. This promotes a local circular economy in the construction industry and reduces the ecological footprint.

QWSTION

 

Zurich

Bananatex® - fabric made from banana plant fibers

Bananatex® from the QWSTION brand is the first biodegradable and plastic-free fabric made from abacá banana plants. These grow sustainably in the Philippines without pesticides, fertilizers or additional water. They contribute to reforestation and biodiversity and improve the income of local farmers. Bananatex® works with fashion, footwear and furniture brands. 

Recommerce AG

 

Steinhausen, ZG

Mobile Lifecycle Solutions

Recommerce AG extends the lifespan of mobile devices and reduces the production of new devices through a buying and selling platform and a repair center. Old devices can be traded in with the trade-in program. 

rrreefs

 

Zurich

Revitalization of destroyed coral reefs 

rrreefs rebuilds destroyed coral reefs with an innovative solution: Artificial reef structures promote the growth of corals and are more resistant to the effects of climate change. Companies can invest in the protection of coral reefs and biodiversity. By working with local partners, rrreefs creates not only ecological but also socio-economic benefits.

Schöni Transport AG

Rothrist, Aargau

CO₂-reduced transportation

 

Schöni Transport AG wants to be the first Swiss transport company to offer its transports completely CO₂-neutral - 80% from its own measures and 20% offset. To achieve this, the company uses alternative forms of propulsion and biogenic fuels.

Selfrag

 

Kerzers, FR

Waste to Value 

Selfrag recovers valuable metals and minerals - not from the ground, but from slag from waste incineration plants. The recovery rate of 50% is the highest in the industry. Selfrag is thus making a significant contribution to reducing CO₂ emissions and helping to close the gap to a fully realized circular economy.

Sika Technology AG

 

Zurich

Purform® - climate-friendly technology for adhesives

Purform® is a technology that changes the core of sealants and adhesives. It ensures that products last longer, stain less and release fewer hazardous chemicals into the environment. It can be used for sealing and bonding windscreens or laying floors, for example. 

Synhelion

 

Zurich

CO₂-neutral solar fuels

Synhelion produces fuels from solar energy. The fuels replace fossil fuels such as kerosene, petrol or diesel and thus enable CO₂-neutral mobility, especially in aviation. Synhelion's fuels are CO₂-neutral, as they only release as much CO₂ during combustion as was used to produce them.

Tide Ocean AG

 

Lengnau, Berne

#tide ocean material - raw materials from plastic waste

#tide ocean material collects and processes ocean plastic into raw materials for watches, furniture and clothing. The raw materials are used by brands such as Maurice Lacroix, Tom Ford, Hugo Boss and Winter & Company.

Urstamm AG

 

Urnäsch, AR

Digital proof of origin for wood

Urstamm promotes transparency in the forestry and timber industry with a digital certificate of origin for wood. The Urstamm app documents the use of wood and shows the resulting positive environmental impact, for example by presenting CO₂ savings and regional added value.

V-Locker AG

 

Dübendorf, ZH

Smart Bike Parking 

Bicycles parked in public places are often vandalized or stolen. With an intelligent, digital bike parking system, V-Locker offers secure lockers for bikes and luggage, thus encouraging people to switch from cars.

viboo AG

 

Dübendorf, ZH

Predictive control for smart thermostats

viboo offers a cloud platform that learns the thermal behavior of a building within one to two weeks. With the help of smart thermostats and AI, the temperature development of a building is predicted for the next few hours and energy consumption is optimized. Factors such as the weather forecast and user preferences are taken into account. This can save up to 40% of energy.

Votre Cercle de Vie

 

Château-d'Oex, VD

Competence center for change 

The farm "Votre Cercle de Vie" has converted to biodynamic agriculture and combines the farm, an educational eco-friendly hotel, a holistic restaurant, an organic store and a natural health room in the same building.

YASAI

 

 

Zurich

Indoor vertical farming of herbs 

The vertical farming company YASAI cultivates herbs in stacks indoors, using 95% less water and achieving up to 200 times more yield per square meter. Production takes place all year round in Zurich, free of chemical pesticides and using renewable energy.

Zizania AG

 

Les Evouettes, VS

ZiZAN!A Biobotanica - Swiss Clean Beauty

ZiZAN!A transforms plant waste from the production of seeds into cosmetic products, thereby minimizing food waste. The cosmetics line is characterized by natural, sustainable ingredients and formulas.

Source: Green Business

HWZ: Prof. Dr. Brian P. Rüeger becomes new Rector

Prof. Dr. Brian P. Rüeger will take over as the new Rector of the HWZ Zurich University of Applied Sciences from October 1, 2024. This was announced by the Board of Directors of the educational institute.

Appointed as the new Rector of the HWZ School of Business: Prof. Dr. Brian P. Rüeger. (Image: HWZ)

Prof. Dr. Brian P. Rüeger is to become the new Rector of the HWZ Zurich University of Applied Sciences. For more than a decade, he has headed the Institute of Marketing Management (IMM) at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) and driven its development into one of the largest providers of continuing education in marketing at university level in Switzerland. For this achievement, he was recognized internationally in 2022 with the "Male Entrepreneurial Leader of the Year" (Runner-up) award from ACEEU. The institute was honored with the Best Performing Team Award.

Prior to this, Prof. Dr. Rüeger was deputy head of the former Center for Marketing Management at the ZHAW. He also gained valuable entrepreneurial experience as a founder in the fields of banking information systems and telecommunications infrastructure solutions. His academic background includes a degree in economics from the University of Zurich and a PhD in marketing from the same university in 2015.

"We are delighted to have found the ideal candidate in Prof. Dr. Brian P. Rüeger. His impressive track record and entrepreneurial experience in the management and development of a university of applied sciences institute make him the perfect successor to Prof. Matthias Rüegg as Rector of the HWZ. We look forward to working with him in the future," says Sascha M. Burkhalter, Delegate of the HWZ Board of Directors. And the designated new Rector adds: "The HWZ impresses with its speed and proximity to the relevant entrepreneurial issues in all areas from teaching, continuing education and research to services. I would like to build on these strengths together with all employees and develop the HWZ into the most entrepreneurial university in Switzerland."

Prof. Dr. Rüeger succeeds Prof. Matthias Rüegg, under whose leadership the HWZ achieved significant successes. He will retire at the end of the year. The Board of Directors and the entire university community would like to thank Prof. Rüegg for his commitment and achievements and wish him all the best for the future.

Source and further information: HWZ Zurich University of Applied Sciences

Telecom provider Quickline continues to grow

The Swiss telecom provider Quickline presents its latest annual report. This shows growth in Switzerland for all products: Mobile subscriptions (+16.9%), TV streaming (+7.7%) and Internet (+2.0%). The fixed network and linear TV recorded a decline, and revenue in the Quickline network also fell slightly (-0.7%) compared to the previous year to CHF 245 million due to lower margins.

The telecom provider Quickline, based in Nidau, has firmly established itself in the market and is recording further growth. (Image: zVg / Quickline)

Felix Kunz, interim CEO of Quickline, is pleased with the good results for 2023, including the feedback from customers: "The quality of our products, the high level of customer satisfaction and the personal and award-winning customer service are fortunately reflected in the rising customer numbers." The already high level of customer satisfaction has therefore increased further. This is also confirmed in the Industry Monitor 2023: There, Quickline takes 1st place among internet providers in the "Customer Service" category for the third time in a row and is in the TOP 3 for "Value for Money" and "Customer Satisfaction".

Slightly lower sales 

As the latest figures show, network sales fell slightly year-on-year to CHF 245 million (-0.7%) despite the increase in customer numbers. According to the company, this is mainly due to the decline in digital connections and the erosion of Internet margins. Quickline recorded customer growth particularly in the areas of mobile (+16.9%), TV streaming (+7.7%) and Internet (+2.0%). In fixed-line telephony (-4.8%) and linear TV (-0.9%), the industry trend of declining subscription figures is also confirmed at Quickline.

Growing with new customers and retaining existing customers

Quickline is also present in the highly competitive telecommunications market with various promotions. Not only new customers, but also existing customers should benefit. "We celebrated our 30th anniversary in 2023. That's why we wanted to say thank you to our customers with the Black Days offer (mobile subscription free for two years) and make new customers an unbeatable offer. It has been very well received," comments Felix Kunz. The "Benefit" customer loyalty program launched in February 2022 is now well established and very popular, according to Quickline. Almost 70,000 loyal Quickline customers will be able to benefit from free or discounted sports, cultural and leisure activities in 2023.

Product gaps closed

Thanks to the "Quickline Extra SIM", the data volume of a mobile subscription can be used on a tablet or laptop. The "Quickline Extra SIM Watch" enables calls and surfing with a smartwatch via the mobile network. With these two products, Quickline is closing a gap in its mobile offering. With the additional Quickline Mobile L Data subscription with unlimited mobile data, the mobile portfolio has been optimized and expanded, especially for the "teenagers" target group. A newly introduced children's smartwatch offers parents of pre-school children security thanks to its location and SOS function.

Quickline TV is also being continuously developed and the customer experience improved with new product features: a new Web TV app with an improved search function or the optimized start page as a gateway to entertainment are just two examples. With Hospitality TV, a solution has been introduced in the SME segment for hotels and assisted living.

Quickline Energy on the road to success

Quickline Energy's smart meter solution is well established among small and medium-sized energy supply companies. Since 2023, Energie Service Biel/Bienne (ESB) has been setting up around 40,000 measuring points with the smart meters until 2027, is participating in Quickline Energy and sits on the Board of Directors of the Quickline subsidiary. Other energy supply companies such as St. Moritz Energie and Industrielle Betriebe Kloten are also impressed by the complete solution. The energy supply companies are using synergies with Quickline Energy to drive forward the development of a smart grid and contribute to the implementation of Energy Strategy 2050.

Source: Quickline

Pirmin Jung Schweiz AG with a new, agile organizational structure

Pirmin Jung Schweiz AG sets a new milestone in the company's history. Since 1 April 2024, it has been operating with a new organization: away from linear structures and towards more flexibility and agility - with customer projects at the center. Pirmin Jung is striving for a self-organized company in which strategic topics are supported more broadly and the expert knowledge of all employees is used optimally.

Company owner Pirmin Jung and his management team have continuously worked on optimizing the organization of his company. (Image: Linda Pollari)

With the introduction of the agile organization, Pirmin Jung Schweiz AG is creating the basis for continuous further development and thus for responsible construction with wood in the future as well. to help shape the futureaccording to the company.

Participation in development expressly desired

Under the leadership of company owner Pirmin Jung and together with the management team, intensive work has been carried out over the past year to optimize the company structure in order to establish a contemporary form that enables decisions to be made independently of a hierarchy at the place of decision-making, to support these decisions more broadly and to involve as many employees as possible in the company's development process. Pirmin Jung explains: "We are of the opinion that we can successfully master the increasingly complex tasks and issues for us as a company and in the projects if the people with the greatest expertise in the topic work on and decide on the issues in the spirit of Pirmin Jung. " The new organizational form is an agile organism that allows us to react flexibly to challenges and drive innovation. At the heart of our organization are the projects and tasks that we work on as a company. Twelve divisions are organized around these. Depending on the project and task, a project team with the necessary skills is put together to work on it. This leads to faster decision-making, more efficient processes and more agile options for action. And above all, it enables us to make the best possible use of the potential of all employees and to combine them. Nadine Hänni, a member of the HR management team, adds: "Studies show that current and future generations want to help shape the company and we are responding to this need by offering all employees the opportunity to get involved in various themed teams within the divisions and take on responsibility". The new 16-member management team, consisting of the heads of the divisions, takes care of strategic decisions, while the new organizational form allows ideas from all divisions to be incorporated and implemented. 

From the pyramid to a circular organization

The previous company structure was traditional and organized as a pyramid. At the top was the Chairman of the Executive Board and the most important decision-making and orientation body was the Executive Board. However, this rigid top-down system was never practiced at Pirmin Jung. There was therefore a growing desire to break down these formal hierarchies and distribute responsibility. With these changes towards a flat organization, the company is ensuring its further development and long-term success. By strengthening internal cooperation, the engineering and planning office is also contributing to an optimized result for its business partners and positioning itself as an attractive employer on the job market.

Source and further information: Pirmin Jung Switzerland AG

Don't expect any help!

I hear this again and again - and I know it from my own experience: How can I get better or achieve peak performance if my environment seems to be working against me?

We are not always dependent on the support of others to achieve success... (Image: Armand Khoury / Unsplash.com)

What do I do if my colleagues don't have the same ambition as me? Or if the others raise their eyebrows when I tell them about my latest findings from a good book? Or if my wife / girlfriend / partner / husband / boyfriend and so on don't have the same pace of development as me?

Perhaps you are familiar with this challenge. In principle, all people who want to achieve more than the average - probably you too.

My first tip may sound frustrating: Don't expect others to support you. Maybe, if you're lucky, they will, but don't automatically assume that they will. This applies to colleagues and also to relatives, friends and life partners. It is important to understand that friendships often last for certain phases in life and can change over time. Therefore, you should not compulsively expect friends to always have the same priorities as you.

But how do you actually deal with it if you don't feel supported by your environment?

Here are three steps that can help:

  • Step No. 1: Don't expect understanding from others. Hoping for understanding can only lead to disappointment. Instead, focus on pursuing your own goals and dreams, regardless of whether others understand or support them. Expecting too much will almost inevitably lead to disappointment anyway. I have already written about this elsewhere.
  • Step No. 2: Develop a clear vision and mission for yourself. Ask yourself where you want to go in life and why. By clearly defining your own goals, you can better understand what you are fighting for and what kind of support you need. For most people, this is exactly what is not clear. So: do your homework first!
  • Step No. 3: Take full responsibility for your life. Even if your environment is not ideal or does not support you, you are still the master of your own destiny. Take matters into your own hands and find ways to achieve your goals, even if it's difficult. This sounds a lot like "motivational talk", but it's simply true. I also speak from my own experience of personal development on this point.

Conclusion: Not being able to rely on help

It is important to realize that we do not always have to rely on the support of others to achieve our goals. By managing our own expectations, developing a clear vision for ourselves and taking full responsibility for our lives, we can succeed despite adverse circumstances.

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

Opacc ERP: Into a new era with Nytron

On April 1, 2024 (no joke), the Swiss software manufacturer Opacc will release the 5th generation of its ERP solution. Under the Nytron brand, it promises customers nothing less than a "Better ERP Experience".

Beat Bussmann, CEO of Opacc, presents Nytron, the fifth generation of Opacc ERP. (Image: Opacc)

On March 20, the trade press had the opportunity to find out first-hand about real news from the Central Swiss software manufacturer at the Opacc Campus. This included both the completely new Opacc ERP interface and the new Opacc OXAS DataScience platform. The results presented show that Swiss software engineering has nothing to hide in international comparison. 

Nytron - Better ERP Experience

After several years of development - the first steps were initiated in 2018 - Nytron was announced at Opacc Connect in November 2022 under the title "Better ERP Experience". The definitive Nytron release as the fifth generation of the ERP user interface will now take place on April 1, 2024. The date - although it falls on Easter Monday - is absolutely not to be taken as a joke, as Opacc CEO Beat Bussmann emphasized.

The goal was nothing less than a modern user experience that is based on the leading online platforms and not on the classic ERP operating paradigm. Opacc was able to benefit from its more than 10 years of experience with e-commerce solutions. Here, layout and design are oriented towards users and not towards data models and technology. The Nytron team was therefore also staffed with UX designers. They ensured that users received an understandable, supportive, consistent and aesthetic working environment. The software engineers created the corresponding frameworks and apps. Instead of Java, they used C# and .NET. The result: an always clear and streamlined presentation instead of the often "bulky" operating windows that users are familiar with from conventional ERP solutions... The new design has already received top marks from beta customers. 

DataScience platform

But it's not just a great "hood" that should make an ERP system. What's underneath, i.e. in the "engine", is just as important. And in this respect, AI and data science open up a new universe of technological possibilities. To enable Opacc customers to take advantage of these, Opacc has implemented a DataScience platform for Opacc OXAS, the digital backbone of Opacc applications. This provides the infrastructure to analyze OXAS data via external DataScience models and return the results in a controlled manner. Opacc does not limit itself to providing the results of the analyses offline, but also provides the same data models to link the results with existing data (customers, products, etc.). Now that the platform has been available since the end of 2023, the first end-2-end models have also been implemented. This involves the analysis of customer behavior (customer analysis) and product recommendations (product recommendations). They can be easily put into operation by customers themselves - without the need for in-house experts in AI and data science. And with the guarantee that only meaningful data is evaluated and fed back, according to Opacc's promise.

Source and further information: www.opacc.ch

Winner of the Prix SVC Ostschweiz 2024: Zindel United

On March 7, 2024, the Prix SVC Ostschweiz was awarded in St.Gallen. The proud winner is Zindel United, a nationally renowned construction company from Maienfeld GR. Second place went to Märchenhotel Braunwald and third place went to Huber Fenster from Herisau.

The winner of the Prix SVC Ostschweiz 2024, Andreas Zindel, CEO, Zindel United, is delighted to receive the award, presented by SVC Vice President Hans Baumgartner (left). (SVC/Manuel Lopez)

On March 7, 2024, the SVC (Swiss Venture Club) awarded the Prix SVC Ostschweiz to exemplary small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for the eleventh time. Marco Fritsche hosted the award ceremony in the Olma exhibition halls. The event offered the 900 invited guests from business, science, politics and the media insights into the impressive and diverse entrepreneurship of the region.

"Design. Build. Living"

Five companies were in the final this year for what is probably the most important business award in Eastern Switzerland: the Emil Egger Group, Huber Fenster AG, Nussbaum Matzingen AG, Märchenhotel AG and Zindel United. This company from Maienfeld, managed in the eighth generation by Andreas Zindel, was finally awarded the first prize. "Design. Build. Live" is what Zindel United stands for: its products and services cover the entire life cycle of a building: from the idea to financing and planning, the demolition and renovation of existing buildings through to new construction, maintenance and the necessary logistics. As a logical response to climate change and scarce resources, Zindel United consciously works in a circular economy with a focus on local raw materials. With the first verifiably CO2-neutral concrete in Switzerland, it is making a relevant contribution to achieving the 2050 climate targets. "Zindel United is implementing its vision - developing complete solutions from ideas for future generations, inspiring people and protecting the environment in the process - in an exemplary and pioneering way," said Andrea Fanzun, jury president, in his laudatory speech. The company has around 500 employees and generates sales of 160 million Swiss francs.

Märchenhotel AG and Huber Fenster AG in second and third place

Second place goes to the unique 4-star fairytale hotel for families with children. The hosts, Nadja and Patric Vogel, and their 55 employees are committed to ensuring that families can enjoy a "fairytale break" in Braunwald. Märchenhotel AG has developed into one of the largest tourism employers in the canton of Glarus and has already won several awards in the "Best Family Hotels in Switzerland". The clear focus on families is proving to be a recipe for success, with room occupancy rates of around 90 percent over the year, as the owner couple explained. There are even guests who "borrow" their children to spend some time at the fairytale hotel...

The finalists for the 11th Prix SVC Ostschweiz (from left to right): Andreas Zindel, Florian Nussbaum, Patric and Nadja Vogel, Pascal Huber, Michael Egger, presenter Marco Fritsche and Markus Egger. (Picture: Thomas Berner)

Bronze goes to the fifth generation of the family-run Huber Fenster AG from Herisau. The family business specializes in high-quality windows and individual façade elements. The company offers non-standard solutions and focuses on aesthetics with foresight. The company considers its more than one hundred employees, who are managed by the three brothers Matthias, Pascal and Sebastian Huber, to be the most important factor in its success.

Diploma ranks go to the Emil Egger Group and Nussbaum Matzingen AG

The diploma rank was awarded to the Emil Egger Group from St. Gallen, a renowned force in the logistics industry. Specializing in general cargo, heavy lift and warehouse logistics, the company stands out in particular for its expertise in handling oversized goods. Emil Egger holds the leading position in the heavy goods logistics sector in Switzerland and is also one of the top 20 crane service providers in the entire German-speaking region. 

The family business also received an award Nussbaum Matzingen AG headquartered in Matzingen, which develops sustainable and innovative aluminum packaging solutions for the cosmetics, pharmaceutical, food and industrial sectors and manufactures them in an environmentally friendly manner. High-quality monobloc cans are produced in three plants in Switzerland and Germany and sold worldwide. With its in-house development 100%-Nucan-PCR, it has succeeded in reducing CO2 emissions by 96%.

Source: Swiss Venture Club

Finalist Prix SVC Eastern Switzerland 2024: Zindel United

The Prix SVC Ostschweiz 2024 will be awarded on March 7, 2024. Five companies are in the final, one of which is Zindel United from Maienfeld in Graubünden. Here is a brief portrait of the 200-year-old company.

Also in the final for the Prix SVC Ostschweiz: Zindel United from Maienfeld GR (Image: Screenshot www.zindel-united.swiss)

Design, build, live: this is the triad of the family-run construction company Zindel United from Maienfeld. With Andreas Zindel, the eighth generation is now at the helm of the company, which serves every stage in the life cycle of a building. This begins with an idea, continues with financing and planning, the demolition or renovation of existing buildings and ends with new construction and maintenance.

Over 200 years of history

The 210-year history goes back to master bricklayer Johann Ulrich Zindel. He set up his own business in 1808. In the early days of the company, however, agriculture was still an important part of its activities. However, this did not preclude strong growth: in 1866, in the fourth generation, Zindel is said to have already been a substantial company, as can be seen from the company history. Finally, in the 1920s, Zindel developed into a pure construction company and the agricultural part was abandoned. One of its clients was the Swiss Confederation, which had large fortifications built in the Sargans area during the Second World War. The commissioning and takeover of various gravel and concrete works also contributed to the further growth of the family business. Further company acquisitions were also made in the 1990s and after the turn of the millennium. These were merged by Andreas Zindel-Schnell (7th generation) to form Zindel United.

CO2-neutral concrete

Under the current management of Andreas Zindel, the company employs around 450 people. The main site in Maienfeld is supplemented by eight other sites in Graubünden, Walenstadt and the St. Gallen Rhine Valley. Zindel United focuses on innovative, sustainable and customized construction services. The company is currently also focusing on the topic of CO2 reduction, for example with concrete. In collaboration with partner companies and the OST University of Applied Sciences in Eastern Switzerland, the first CO2-neutral concrete in Switzerland has been developed under the name "Klark". According to Zindel United, this concrete has already been used successfully and has the same properties as conventional concrete.

Tower from the 3D printer

Innovation is a top priority at Zindel United. Not only are new types of concrete being developed, but new construction methods are also being actively tested. In Mulegns, for example, a 29-metre-high tower is being built entirely using 3D printing - the opening is planned for 2024. And Zindel United is also actively involved in a new "InnoQube Swiss" innovation center in Chur. The aim is to promote start-ups for innovative, sustainable and digital ideas. Research, life and work will also be carried out there from this year, 2024 - once again in the spirit of the triad mentioned at the beginning.

More information: https://www.zindel-united.swiss/ / www.svc.swiss

 

Prix SVC Ostschweiz - the other finalists (alphabetical order):

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