kundenversprechen.ch launches free version for Swiss SMEs

The start-up kundenversprechen.ch (Kvmedia GmbH), based in Lucerne, is taking on the international portals for customer satisfaction and is developing successfully. Participation is now also possible free of charge for Swiss companies.

Drawing benefits from customer satisfaction: The platform kundenversprechen.ch launches a free offer for SMEs. (Image: zVg)

Satisfied customers are an important success factor and the figurehead for every company. Since almost 90% of consumers check the customer satisfaction of a provider on the Internet before making a purchase, you should take advantage of this opportunity and actively shape the perception of your company in the digital world. This is the opinion of the Lucerne-based start-up kundenversprechen.ch and it offers a corresponding tool for SMEs.

Online seal of approval includes a promise

Kundenversprechen.ch is a simple customer satisfaction management solution developed specifically for Swiss SMEs. At the center is the customer promise - a company's freely formulated statement of intent reduced to a binding core statement. This promise is certified on kundenversprechen.ch and its compliance can be evaluated by means of star ratings. The tool offers SMEs the opportunity to generate qualified customer feedback with just a few clicks and to present it in a promotionally effective manner, as well as to integrate ratings from other sources, for example Google ratings. The online seal of approval, which can also be used to display live ratings on the company's own website, can ensure greater credibility and trust and thus provide decisive advantages in the market.

Kundenversprechen.ch cracks limit of 1400 customers

Since its founding in 2019, kundenversprechen.ch has cracked the mark of over 1,400 customers and continues to develop steadily, according to the company. Accordingly, the motivated team in Lucerne is delighted. Patrick Dütschler, Head of Sales & Marketing, explains: "Within a very short time, our online service has become the fastest growing trust brand in the Swiss SME landscape. Thanks to this success, we can continuously expand the services and functionalities for trust building and visibility and offer new added value for SMEs."

New free version for Swiss SMEs available now

In order to strengthen the digital visibility of Swiss SMEs, the portal now offers participation as a free version, including the use of all premium functions for one month. In the otherwise payable premium version, the customer receives an extended company profile with a detailed description, images and links, as well as a social media push. In addition, kundenversprechen.ch offers an arbitration service in the event of customer complaints and additionally promotes the visibility of SMEs by means of cooperations.

More information and free registration

SME business relationships become more digital

In the meantime, there's no getting around it: Corona is leaving a long-term mark on the day-to-day business of Swiss SMEs. As Carsten Brandt, Head of Corporate Communications at Visable, explained at an online media conference on July 21, 2021, the pandemic-driven digitalization push will not only enable employees of Swiss SMEs to work from home more often, but will also permanently change the way companies do business.

Peter F. Schmid, CEO of Visable, sees an increasing digitalization of business relationships as a result of Corona. The use of B2B platforms in particular is increasing - at the expense of trade fairs, for example. (Image: Visable)

The wlw (formerly "Wer liefert was") and Europages platforms, both operated by Visable, saw a massive increase in hits from the outbreak of the pandemic. Particularly in view of the collapse of supply chains, buyers used the platforms more intensively to find new suppliers at short notice. On average, traffic grew by 20 percent in 2020 compared to the previous year, as Visable announced at a media conference.

Video conferencing tools replace business travel

Carsten Brandt believes that trade between companies will become more digital in the future. During the pandemic, digital video conferencing tools such as Zoom and Skype experienced a real hype. Brandt expects that business trips and face-to-face on-site meetings will be increasingly eliminated in the future as these digital communication tools become established in everyday business life. The implications of this are far-reaching: location-independent working is increasingly moving business from the city to the countryside.

Digitization of business relationships of SMEs has experienced boost

Visable conducted several surveys among Swiss SMEs during the pandemic. It turned out that digital tools were basically an important help in coping with the pandemic. For example, cloud systems, webinars or digital platforms for finding suppliers. "Corona has helped to give digitalization a boost among Swiss SMEs," says Peter F. Schmid, CEO of Visable. This also affects sales and marketing: more and more companies are taking advantage of the opportunity to present their offerings on online platforms. A circumstance that brought Visable record sales of 61 million Swiss francs in 2020 with high profitability - growth in the double-digit percentage range will continue in 2021.

Stationary trade fairs a discontinued model

The increasing digitization of business relationships is also leading to a decline in the importance of stationary trade shows. In the period before the pandemic, visitor numbers were already stagnating or even declining in many cases. The crisis led to the cancellation of numerous leading international trade shows. It is questionable whether these will take place again on the same scale as before. Peter F. Schmid is convinced: "Every fourth trade show will not survive the next two years. The personnel and financial costs are not in any healthy proportion to the benefits. From an ecological point of view, too, it is no longer appropriate to transport heavy machinery around the world in order to exhibit it for a few days at a leading trade show. The Corona pandemic has shown: it can also be done digitally."

Conferences for exchange of expert knowledge

But how will the exchange of expert knowledge work in the future if personal contacts are lacking? In this regard, Schmid also admits that the need for interpersonal exchange and networking will continue to exist. Beyond the digital space, however, this would increasingly translate into professional conferences and summits. "In the medium term, traditional industries will also have to rely on digital options to remain fit for the future," says the CEO.

Source: Visible

4 out of 5 employees want hybrid working

Companies around the world are returning to the workplace from the home office. However, a recent study by consulting firm Accenture shows that employees want more hybrid working.

For the study "The Future of Work: Productive anywhere" by consulting firm Accenture, more than 9,000 employees were surveyed in eleven countries. 83 percent of global respondents consider hybrid working, where they have the option to work remotely between 25 and 75 percent of the time, to be optimal. 40 percent of respondents feel they can work productively and feel healthy anywhere - remote, on-site or a combination as a hybrid work model. And 85 percent of these employees say they are looking for longer-term employment at their current company.

Hybrid working is also a question of generation and demographics. (Graphic: Accenture)

Home office as the new normal

"Until the COVID19 pandemic, working outside the office was difficult to imagine for the majority of companies. There was a lot of concern from supervisors that their team members would be unfocused and less efficient in the home office," said Miriam Dachsel, managing director at Accenture Switzerland. But now, she said, some companies are already announcing that home office work should become part of the new "normal," regardless of the pandemic and its associated restrictions. "There is no universal answer to the question of whether employees are more productive working in the office or from home. This depends on the organizational and individual conditions of the employees, which also change over time," explains Miriam Dachsel.

Hybrid working becomes a challenge

Finding a hybrid work model that works for all generations can be a challenge: Globally, three out of four Gen Z respondents (74 percent) want more opportunities to work face-to-face with colleagues - a higher proportion than Gen X (66 percent) and Baby Boomers (68 percent).

"A flexible working model is therefore advantageous. This should enable employees to reconcile concentrated and efficient working hours with their living conditions. For employers, the move to flexibility requires some courage and trust in their employees. In the medium to long term, however, this courage and trust will pay off in higher productivity and greater employee retention," adds Dachsler.

Recommended measures

Accenture recommends companies that want to create the conditions for location-independent productive working consider the following specific measures:

  • Accelerate modern HR management: HR policies and practices need to evolve. A strategy is needed to ensure that employees can transition easily to new jobs, teams and roles.
  • Seeing the human being in employees: Organizations must recognize and respond to the diverse needs of all types of employees, fostering trust.
  • Building digital literacy: Digitally competent companies have higher revenue growth and are more likely to be considered attractive places to work.
  • Leading with humanity: Accountable leaders create environments where the board, the CEO and the entire C-suite work together - no matter where they are.

Source: Accenture

Tips for working from home office there are here.

4 out of 5 employees want hybrid working

Companies around the world are returning to the workplace from the home office. However, a recent study by consulting firm Accenture shows that employees want more hybrid working.

For the study "The Future of Work: Productive anywhere" by consulting firm Accenture, more than 9,000 employees were surveyed in eleven countries. 83 percent of global respondents consider hybrid working, where they have the option to work remotely between 25 and 75 percent of the time, to be optimal. 40 percent of respondents feel they can work productively and feel healthy anywhere - remote, on-site or a combination as a hybrid work model. And 85 percent of these employees say they are looking for longer-term employment at their current company.

Hybrid working is also a question of generation and demographics. (Graphic: Accenture)

Home office as the new normal

"Until the COVID19 pandemic, working outside the office was difficult to imagine for the majority of companies. There was a lot of concern from supervisors that their team members would be unfocused and less efficient in the home office," said Miriam Dachsel, managing director at Accenture Switzerland. But now, she said, some companies are already announcing that home office work should become part of the new "normal," regardless of the pandemic and its associated restrictions. "There is no universal answer to the question of whether employees are more productive working in the office or from home. This depends on the organizational and individual conditions of the employees, which also change over time," explains Miriam Dachsel.

Hybrid working becomes a challenge

Finding a hybrid work model that works for all generations can be a challenge: Globally, three out of four Gen Z respondents (74 percent) want more opportunities to work face-to-face with colleagues - a higher proportion than Gen X (66 percent) and Baby Boomers (68 percent).

"A flexible working model is therefore advantageous. This should enable employees to reconcile concentrated and efficient working hours with their living conditions. For employers, the move to flexibility requires some courage and trust in their employees. In the medium to long term, however, this courage and trust will pay off in higher productivity and greater employee retention," adds Dachsler.

Recommended measures

Accenture recommends companies that want to create the conditions for location-independent productive working consider the following specific measures:

  • Accelerate modern HR management: HR policies and practices need to evolve. A strategy is needed to ensure that employees can transition easily to new jobs, teams and roles.
  • Seeing the human being in employees: Organizations must recognize and respond to the diverse needs of all types of employees, fostering trust.
  • Building digital literacy: Digitally competent companies have higher revenue growth and are more likely to be considered attractive places to work.
  • Leading with humanity: Accountable leaders create environments where the board, the CEO and the entire C-suite work together - no matter where they are.

Source: Accenture

Tips for working from home office there are here.

How to become a home office superstar: Ten tips

For many, home offices have become part of everyday life. Signs of fatigue are normal. So here are ten tips on how to become a home office superstar again.

Not everyone is a "home office superstar." With a few tips, working from home can be set up profitably. (Image: Unsplash.com)

Although the home office obligation has been lifted, working from home has become indispensable in many companies. If you're still struggling to motivate yourself in your home office despite everything, the ten tips below might help. So become a "home office superstar" in your company!

1. start your day with a walk in the morning

Use the time you would normally commute to work to exercise before work. Or consider getting up earlier. This has a number of benefits. For one, it will make you more alert and ready to focus on daily tasks. Especially for morning meetings, you'll be fresh and prepared, which is important for both appearance and professionalism. Secondly, you do something for your physical and mental health. Instead of driving to work, morning exercise is a great way to relieve stress, lose weight, or relax before work. The more awake you are, the better your work will be!

2. insert the camera

Even if you work from home, it's important to maintain your professional level. So when you're in a virtual meeting, make sure you have your camera on and make a good impression visually. If a picture is worth 1,000 words, then a video broadcast is worth 10,000 words/second. This shows that you are engaged and listening to the discussion. Plus, it also helps you "read" individuals based on their facial expressions and adjust your behavior. Being on camera has the added benefit of helping you build better relationships with other employees and your bosses.

3. daily "stand-ups" via Zoom or Microsoft Teams

Start each day with a short meeting via video. This ensures that you are aligned with your manager and team on the day's priorities. Not only does this add commitment to your day, but it allows you and the team to discuss and plan for core goals. If you're not already doing something like this, take the initiative to suggest it to your line managers.

4. give yourself a dress code for home

Dress professionally and take care of your appearance. Wearing pajamas or raggedy clothes to a meeting sends the message that you don't take work seriously. Instead, wear a shirt or blouse even if you are not meeting with someone. Also, avoid wearing hats or caps during a meeting, as they cover your face and make the meeting seem too casual. Remember that you are still at work. When you meet, whether internally or externally, it's about business. Appropriate attire conveys a good level of professionalism.

5. count the results, not the hours

Working from home is an adjustment. While many distractions are gone and it's easier and faster to get to work than in the office - it's just not quite perfect. But that's okay. While you should work the hours you expect, the hours only frame your actual work. The results, not the hours, are what drive the business at the end of the day. If something comes up at home, don't panic about whether you're meeting your exact work hours. Try to encourage your supervisor to measure results, not hours. With employees working from home, it's no longer possible to measure success based on hours worked. Instead, accomplishments and their effectiveness are a more appropriate assessment. You can also provide your supervisor with estimated hours for deliverables and compare your time to those to verify accuracy.

6. being a home office superstar means being responsible

Responsiveness is the name of the game when working from home! Responsive employees regularly check their emails and instant messages, showing that they are engaged with work at home. Stay on top of these notifications and respond accurately. This includes delivering projects, feedback or other work when it is expected of you. Make sure you also set expectations for communication in the virtual workplace. Be clear about your meeting times and when you do and don't work.

7. take advantage of the opportunity to take time off as well

Telecommuting is just as stressful as working in an office, if not more so in some ways. In fact, COVID-19 had a record number of employees suffering from burnout - don't let it get to that point! Burnout and fatigue are big problems that can lead to a host of other issues and affect your work as well. Don't overexert yourself and try to completely switch off after work. Because you also need time to rest and be with your family. Don't be afraid to take a day off as well. Taking time off shows that you are taking the right measures to be at your best.

8. keep a positive attitude

A positive attitude serves many purposes, but most importantly, it helps you collaborate with team members and focus on the tasks at hand. Morale is an important factor in performance and satisfaction, so focus on the positives. Remember that it's what you do and how you do it that matters. Attitudes are transferable. Lead with positivity and others will notice and follow.

9. focus on high quality

Quality work is critical. The results you produce should be a reflection of your skill. When you work from home, you have the time, space and comfort to really focus on your work. Take advantage of this. The higher the quality and output of your work, the more confidence you build as an employee.

10. proactively network virtually with employees in other departments.

Just because you're at home doesn't mean you should isolate yourself. On the contrary, you need to be up to date with what's going on in the company. To work effectively from home, you need to be self-sufficient, yes, but chances are your work interacts with others in the company. To make your impact and get your work done more effectively, network with others who can offer support and expertise. In addition to allowing you to make new friends and boost morale, doing so won't cause you to lose focus on the company. It's also a proactive way for you to grow and see how you can help other employees and vice versa. Ultimately, this networking and knowledge will improve the way you serve your customers. And this is the ultimate sign of a home office superstar!

According to Tony Zorc, "10 ways to be a work from home superstar" (www.tonyzorc.com)

Five criteria that make up a trustworthy B2B platform

How can corporate buyers recognize a trustworthy B2B platform? There are five criteria that essentially make up reputable online marketplaces.

Professional online shopping: These are five criteria that distinguish a trustworthy B2B platform. (Image: Pixabay.com)

Trust and transparency are essential for trade between companies. Only when business partners can rely on each other will a sale be concluded. Sebastian Keller, Vice President Product at Visibleexplains how to recognize a trustworthy B2B platform on the Internet.

1. good customer service creates trust

Customers expect competent and personal advice. A professional customer service that is available around the clock binds customers in the long term and creates trust through personal advice. A trustworthy B2B platform is characterized by several contact options and gets back to you quickly. In no case should the telephone number and e-mail address be missing. It is important that customers are offered a reliable point of contact that they can contact in the event of problems and questions and that is available to advise them.

2. transparency increases credibility

In order for customers to quickly orient themselves on a B2B platform with a view to their desired product, as much data as possible about the potential suppliers should be made transparent. For example, Visable publishes the key financial figures of the companies that offer their products on the platform on request. wlw (formerly "Wer liefert was") offer. After all, balance sheet and financial data are important decision-making criteria for buyers. They provide information about the trustworthiness and profitability of the business partners. It is also helpful to be able to give ratings about the respective sellers and make them visible. A good reputation increases trust among potential buyers and strengthens credibility.

3. play it safe with established B2B marketplaces and platforms

Competent B2B platforms have a good reputation and a lot of experience. Users recognize them by certain key figures, for example, the number of registered providers or the number of monthly search queries. To maintain the quality of the data, providers at established B2B marketplaces usually go through a rigorous verification process. This serves to ensure the authenticity of the companies and the data they provide. Reputable providers also publish references for cooperation with reputable companies.

4. a trustworthy B2B platform relies on certificates and seals

To provide customers with the highest level of quality for the products they are looking for, reputable B2B platforms rely on the visibility of sellers' certificates, which they can embed on their profiles. This proves that they adhere to standards in terms of, for example, quality, data, occupational or transport safety, energy management, the environment and compliance. However, only seals and certificates that are awarded at regular intervals have a long-lasting effect. This is because companies have to earn them again and again by carrying out checks and audits, which are usually subject to a fee. The seals should therefore be thoroughly checked for their validity before making a purchase. But not only the companies themselves, but also the respective B2B platform creates more transparency about its own performance through external seals. Visable, for example, relies on the rating certificate from eKomi and thus makes customer ratings and experiences transparent for everyone. In addition, the wlw and Europages platforms have been awarded the BME "Supplier Search" seal of quality.

5. professional appearance: the first impression decides

The first impression counts. A professional B2B platform is appealing and clearly laid out. All relevant information such as the range of services or the number of registered companies can be seen on the website. This is also recommended for the company profiles on the respective platform. A good overview makes it easier for professional buyers to compare individual providers. The profiles should be maintained at least as well as the company's own website. Even if it almost goes without saying: unclear pages, contradictory or hidden information, and spelling errors immediately scare off buyers in the worst case. Professional product images and videos are also becoming increasingly important, as are photos of the location or management, for example.

Penergetic International: Advanced technology for agriculture

Penergetic already generates 95 % of its sales abroad. Thanks to the long-standing and trustful cooperation with local distribution partners, nothing stands in the way of further growth. The company is a finalist for the Export Award 2021.

Penergetic has developed a technology that enables efficient and optimal use of natural resources in agriculture. The company is a finalist for the 2021 Export Award (Image: zVg / Penergetic).

For more than 20 years, the up-and-coming Thurgau family business based in Romanshorn has been committed to driving positive change in agriculture for people, animals and the environment. To this end, the SME has developed what it claims is its unique Penergetic technology, which enables efficient and optimal use of natural resources in agriculture.

The technology of Penergetic

Penergetic technology is described as a principle based on physics, namely on the knowledge that every atom and molecule has its own electromagnetic frequency. Assuming that all living beings also ultimately consist of atoms and molecules, growth, actions, thoughts, etc. are therefore not possible at all without electrical impulses and magnetic waves. According to Penergetic, selected frequencies can now be transferred to suitable material under controlled conditions of electromagnetic induction. This leads to an altered electron state of the material. The products of Penergetic send the selected electro-magnetic frequencies to the area of application and trigger corresponding positive effects, it is said.

Holistic approach to solutions

The technology really does seem to work. This is the only way to explain why Penergetic products are already in use in 35 countries. The products cover all agricultural production sectors - soil, plants, animals, slurry and compost - and would allow farmers around the world to reduce chemical inputs. As a result, the products contribute to optimized animal husbandry, high-yield crop production, fertile soil and improved manure and compost. This not only optimizes the quality of the products, but also the yield of the farm, the company further promises.

Own research team in Brazil

True to the philosophy of "strengthening health instead of fighting symptoms", Penergetic wants to make an active contribution to sustainable, intelligent and profitable agriculture. That is why the company's focus is not only on marketing its products. It also wants to initiate a rethink with regard to future agriculture, Penergetic explains further. With its own research team in Brazil, the Thurgau-based company is therefore constantly working on the further development of its products. In several countries, it also supports "Farm Academies" with the aim of passing on knowledge to farmers and making Penergetic technology known.

Penergetic wants to push ahead with internationalization

The complex marketing in over 35 countries is mostly handled by exclusive local sales partners. They have the local know-how and network in the agricultural sector. The top priority of the overall strategy is international orientation. Part of the growth strategy is to increase the sales volume in existing markets and to expand the partner network. In addition to the long-standing and good relationships with local distribution partners, Switzerland as a business location also plays a key role in the growth of the SME. "Swiss made" is a seal of quality for partners and customers. As a member of Switzerland Global Enterprise S-GE, the company also benefits from a wide range of first-class services, information offers and events. Now Penergetic is in the final for the this year's Export Award.

More information about the company

Admission app with Covid certificate verification

Finally we are allowed to meet again for physical events. However, admission is only granted to those who have a valid ticket and a Covid certificate. This can quickly lead to long queues and high personnel and material costs if event staff have to check each guest twice. An innovative admission app from a Thun-based technology company provides a remedy.

No long lines at events: A new admission app checks both ticket and Covid certificate. (Image: zVg)

As we all know, in order to utilize the full event capacity, the current BAG guidelines require event organizers to check a Covid certificate of the guests. In concrete terms, this means that every admission must be checked twice: Ticket and Covid certificate, including identity. If the process is not right here, this leads to long queues and high staff costs. There is a risk that guests will become dissatisfied even before the actual event and forgo a visit. This further erodes the profit margin of already beleaguered event organizers.

New intake app offers perfect process solution

The Thun-based technology company NextEvent, through which we here have already reported, is therefore coming up with a further development: An admission app with integrated Covid certificate verification. With the app, which is operated with a common smartphone or industrial scanner, the concierge verifies both the ticket and the Covid certificate on the guest's smartphone or in printed form in one process. A quick glance at the identity card is all that is needed to validate the scanned data. This means that only one application is needed for the entire process, and all data such as admission, Covid certificate status and, if necessary, exit can be found in one place.

Everything data protection compliant

The verification of a Covid certificate is stored with the ticket in line with data protection requirements, so that for events lasting several days, such as open airs or sports and city festivals, the certificate only needs to be scanned on the first day. This eliminates the need to scan the Covid certificate again for guests who have already been verified. The Covid data is deleted after 14 days.

NextEvent's admission app works with both personalized and impersonal tickets. By scanning the ticket and Covid certificate in one process, the app automatically links these two records - either with the full personal record or with the ticket number in the impersonal case. All functions of the admission app are also offline-capable.

Also possible for third-party tickets

For tickets from third-party providers and ticket platforms, the corresponding ticket data is simply imported into NextEvent so that event organizers can continue to rely on the proven simple process with the NextEvent app. So if organizers have already sold tickets via third-party providers, these can also be checked consistently via NextEvent.

More information: www.nextevent.com 

New reality in the world of work: companies are insufficiently prepared

Although employers are taking steps to address "new reality" challenges and work models, a Willis Towers Watson study shows they are not prepared.

Old or new reality? Many companies seem insufficiently prepared for the changes in the world of work and give too little consideration to a positive employee experience. (Image: Pixabay.com)

As companies shift to new ways of working, there is a growing number of organizations in Western Europe that are making improving the employee experience a top priority, according to a new study on the so-called employee experience by Willis Towers Watson. As the sum of all touchpoints and moments that matter between employees and their employer, this experience is at the heart of delivering outstanding customer experiences and superior business results, it says. However, while employers recognize that adapting to the new reality will take time and require a hybrid work model, many are not ready to address the challenges associated with improving the employee experience.

Positive experience is the key factor

Almost all employers surveyed in Western Europe (91 %) indicated that improving the employee experience will be a key priority in their organization over the next three years. By comparison, only 40 % said it was important to their company before the pandemic. And for good reason. Most Western European respondents believe a positive employee experience is an important factor in employee well-being (81 %), engagement (74 %), productivity (68 %) and talent attraction and retention (67 %).

Many respondents believe it will take time to fully adapt to a post-pandemic world. Only 9 % indicated that the pandemic has receded enough to end temporary pandemic-related policies and programs. The rest felt they would be ready to do so in the second half of this year (42%) or in 2022 or later (49%). In addition, employers expect the percentage of their employees who work primarily from home to drop from 51 % currently to 21 % in three years. However, they expect one in three employees (34 %) to be working a mix of on-site and remote work in three years, twice as many as today (17 %).

Employers are not prepared for the new reality

"Whether through employer actions such as pay cuts and layoffs, or through virtual work and personal hardships for some employees, the pandemic has exposed shortcomings in the employee experience at many companies," said Chloe Karam, director of talent and rewards at Willis Towers Watson. She added, "Improving the employee experience has therefore become an imperative for employers that will take time and present challenges that many are currently unprepared for."

In fact, nearly nine in ten employers (87 %) recognize that the new reality of labor markets will require a hybrid model for many roles; however, many employers are not yet ready to implement this aspiration. Only four in ten (42 %) of employers surveyed plan to adapt career models in response to the changing way work gets done. A similar proportion (39 %) are in the process of dissolving Total Rewards to reflect a changing employee profile. More than half of employers surveyed (57 %) are flexible about where or when they work.

Digitization important tool

Leveraging digitization to fundamentally transform the employee experience over the next three years was highlighted as an important focus area by a large proportion (75 %) of companies surveyed in Western Europe. And areas where companies said they plan to improve the employee experience by enhancing their offerings or changing aspects of their programs to meet needs include learning and development (63 %), manager training (61 %), inclusion and diversity (61 %), and flexible work arrangements (59 %).

Marijana Cvitkusic, Associate Director Employee Experience at Willis Towers Watson Switzerland, added: "As companies move towards a post-pandemic era, their ability to improve the employee experience will be critical. To succeed, they must start with a bold employee experience strategy that supports their business strategy and is based on a consistent model. Then they can turn to execution - aligning programs and policies that reflect flexible working, paying employees fairly, improving benefits offerings, including well-being programs, and also supporting employees in a more agile and flexible work environment and aligning total rewards programs to meet the needs of a diverse workforce."

Source: Willis Towers Watson

Accident abroad: Which insurance pays?

Time and again, tourists are left with part of the treatment costs after an accident abroad, if they were treated by a private hospital or a private doctor. If the accident victims are inadequately insured, the financial consequences can be devastating. Suva therefore recommends taking out vacation and travel insurance before every trip abroad.

Being affected before a serious accident abroad often also means high costs afterwards. That's why you should check your insurance coverage before every trip abroad. (Image: Pixabay.com)

Now that the number of corona cases is declining and travel restrictions have been eased, many people are drawn abroad to the sun, the sea or the mountains for their vacations. Even if nobody wishes it, it can always happen: an accident abroad. According to Suva, an average of around 70,000 accidents occur abroad every year.

Devastating consequences loom in the event of an accident abroad

Holidaymakers who have an accident abroad often unknowingly end up with a private doctor or in a private hospital. There, they receive good medical care, just as they are used to from public hospitals in Switzerland - but sometimes at much higher costs than in this country. Those who do not have appropriate additional insurance in the form of vacation and travel insurance in such a situation often have to pay a large part of the treatment costs themselves. For some, this has devastating financial consequences.

Higher treatment costs abroad

It is true that all employees who work at least eight hours per week are also compulsorily insured against non-occupational accidents via the employer for basic insurance. In EU and EFTA countries, this accident insurance covers the same benefits as if you were insured in the corresponding country. In other countries, it pays at most twice the amount of the costs that would have been incurred for treatment in Switzerland. Especially in countries with extraordinarily high medical costs, such as the USA, Canada, the United Arab Emirates and Japan, this amount is far from sufficient.

Expensive private clinics and private doctors for tourists

"Before going on vacation, no one likes to think about the possibility of having an accident," says Roger Stalder, team leader abroad at Suva. Nevertheless, he recommends being prepared for this eventuality and taking out vacation and travel insurance. If you have an accident outside Switzerland without this, you have to go to a public hospital or to a doctor who charges at the basic rate for the country in question. But this is not always so easy, because in tourist areas such doctors and hospitals are sometimes rare. Besides: "Anyone who has slipped accidentally at the edge of the swimming pool after a refreshing swim, for example, and is in severe pain, understandably wants medical help as quickly as possible," says Roger Stalder. In such a situation, few people would check whether the nearest doctor is a private physician or not. For most people, it is more important that the doctor speaks their own language.

What most people also don't know: Many hotels in classic tourist areas make arrangements with private clinics and private doctors to bring their guests to them in the event of an accident. "It can quickly happen that an insufficiently insured accident victim has to pay for services amounting to several 10,000 Swiss francs.

24-hour emergency helpline

Vacation and travel insurances usually cover all costs for emergency medical services, medication and hospital stays that are not reimbursed by your own health and accident insurance. They also cover rescue operations worldwide and return transport to Switzerland. "The benefits can vary greatly depending on the provider," says Roger Stalder. Before traveling, he recommends clarifying exactly how you are insured and always having the emergency number of your accident insurance ready when abroad.

 

What costs does Suva cover abroad?

  • Medical expenses in EU/EFTA countries: The same benefits as if one were socially insured in the corresponding country
  • Medical expenses in the rest of the world: at most twice the amount of the costs that would have been incurred for treatment in Switzerland
  • Emergency return transports to Switzerland from all countries

Suva policyholders also receive assistance from Europ Assistance when abroad. This includes a 24-hour helpline with the telephone number +41 848 724 144, a worldwide medical care network, care and advance payments of costs such as doctor, medicine and hospital costs on site, as well as transport to a trustworthy clinic or return transport home.

 

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Four-day week: A model for the future?

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Renewable energies: Swiss data solutions for international customers

Within just a few years, the Zurich-based company Nispera has become a global provider of data solutions for renewable energy plants. The recipe for success: targeted development of target markets. Now the company has been nominated for the Export Award 2021.

Renewable energy plants need to be monitored and controlled. A Swiss startup has developed a data solution for this purpose that has already been used successfully several times around the world. (Image: Nispera AG)

A renewable energy plant generates millions of data points every day from the various sensors installed. While it is already a big deal to retrieve and store this operational data, it becomes an almost impossible task to process it and gain insights from it. Those involved in managing large-scale renewable energy plants face the problem of having too much data but too little information. This becomes even more complex because data with different structures, coming from different sources, must be considered together to get a complete picture (e.g., plant operating data, current weather and forecasts, electricity prices, transmission grid, etc.). The dimensions involved are illustrated by the example of a solar plant with 200,000 modules. These generate more than 4 million data points per day!

Producing renewable energies highly efficiently

The company Nispera AG, which was founded in 2015, deals with projects of this magnitude and the corresponding challenges. The ETH spin-off has developed a software solution for comprehensive data analysis. The fully decentralized platform enables the monitoring of actual and forecast production of energy, the identification of areas with insufficient performance, the detection of deviations through AI-based analyses, and the automation of reporting. For example, solar installations can be continuously monitored and corrective action, such as panel orientation, can be taken immediately to ensure the installations are always delivering maximum value.

Presence in 25 countries within 6 years

The start-up's software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform is now in use in over 150 wind turbines, 250 photovoltaic plants and 20 hydroelectric power plants in more than 25 countries. Last but not least, the targeted approach has helped with internationalization: Participating in relevant events in the target markets (before the corona pandemic) and carefully identifying and approaching potential customers. Within a few years, Nispera was able to build an excellent reputation and become a leading supplier in its niche market thanks to a solid base of satisfied customers.

Growing portfolio in the field of renewable energies

However, the 15-member international team around CEO Gianmarco Pizza not only provides the software, but also the necessary technical know-how to advise customers on how to improve the performance of their plants based on the data obtained. This is possible thanks to the experience the company has gained working with a growing portfolio of customer plants, as well as the company's motto: high inquisitiveness and attention to customers' needs. It is also possible thanks to the collaboration with various partners, such as ZHAW, which supports Nispera in the development of advanced analytics with artificial intelligence.

Business model promotes good customer relations

By actively supporting its customers in identifying potential improvements to their plants and implementing appropriate corrective actions, Nispera increases the perceived value of the service and strengthens the relationship with the customer. Another important USP is the ability to adapt very quickly and flexibly to specific and rapidly evolving customer requirements and market needs. For example, if fixed government subsidies expire in a market, it is essential to manage the risks of market exposure in order to monitor the financial performance of the assets.

Ambitious expansion plans

With its "Swiss-made" SaaS platform, Nispera has managed to generate more than 80 % of its revenue abroad within a few years. In the next few years, the company aims to expand into other markets such as the USA and Asia and increase the revenue generated abroad to 97 %. The export promotion organization Switzerland Global Enterprise S-GE supports the start-up by providing information on relevant topics and markets and assessing opportunities in different markets. Nispera is among the three finalists for the Export Award 2021.

More information: Nispera AG

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