KMU Swiss Podium 2020: "Culture is not project work".
Another business event under "Corona conditions" took place on September 3, 2020 in the Campus Hall Brugg/Windisch: The KMU Swiss Podium 2020. Speakers from the worlds of business, politics and show business made for an equally informative and entertaining afternoon and evening.
It was noticeable to both organizer Armin Baumann of KMU SWISS AG and many of the guests: People enjoyed meeting face to face once again and having conversations away from home offices and video conferences. The organizers made every effort to ensure hygiene regulations, distance rules and contact tracing, but the associated "sacrifices" in spontaneity were manageable. Proof was provided that larger live events can again be held more or less without any problems - and that attending them should actually pose no risk.
The fact that events like the KMU Swiss Podium 2020 meet a need was evident from the attendance of around 250 guests. "People want to get together," said Armin Baumann in his opening remarks. The digital world is not everything, but it has nevertheless "somewhat" asserted itself, Baumann continued. But it can never replace personal contact. In this respect, the conference motto "Cult and Culture" was fitting, because personal conversations are part of our culture.
Innovation - also a question of culture
The first presentation, however, focused on a different facet: "Innovation management as cultural change" was the topic of Dr. Harald Brodbeck (Fernfachhochschule Schweiz FFHS) and Sabrina Ernst (Neosight AG). They emphasized that culture cannot simply be imparted to a company via project work. Especially not if a culture of innovation is to emerge from it. Ideally, however, culture enables innovation, and innovation in turn shapes culture. This cycle must be activated in a different way. The speakers demonstrated this with the help of four levers: innovation strategy (clarity of goals is needed), innovation structures, innovation processes and innovation tools. The latter also requires the existence of a culture of error - something that, in the experience of the two speakers, many companies still struggle with.
Thomas Matter, SVP National Councilor and founding partner of Helvetic Bank, then gave his thoughts on the topic of "corporate versus SME culture. He emphasized that by creating jobs and thus enabling many people to make a living, the economy was performing an enormous cultural feat. He drew a clear line between entrepreneurs who fulfill their social responsibility and create jobs and managers who "lavishly help themselves to money that does not belong to them." And he made no secret of his opinion on our country's relationship with the EU and the free movement of persons, although he did not manage to win over the entire audience.
Also a topic at the KMU Swiss Podium 2020: Artificial Intelligence
No event without the topic of "artificial intelligence": This was no different at the KMU Swiss Podium 2020. Nino Weingart from BSI Business Systems Integration AG explained how and where SMEs can use artificial intelligence. Four prerequisites have to be met: First, there has to be a suitable business case, which a company has to know perfectly. "Never do an AI project if you could do it without," was the expert's tip. Secondly, it's about data or its availability and quality, thirdly, the right team and fourthly, the budget. However, very few SMEs have the corresponding resources, which is why "AI as a service" is a good approach.
Many SMEs operate internationally and are therefore successful. Simone Wyss Fedele, CEO of Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE), showed that the road to success abroad can also be rocky. She pointed out that cultural differences between countries are often underestimated, especially at the beginning. Using examples from the USA, China, South Korea and the Middle East, she showed what to look out for if you want to do business successfully in these countries.
And finally a star guest
The last part of the afternoon was introduced by Urs Hoffmann, member of the Aargau government, with his remarks on "Innovative women and men in Aargau". Afterwards, the panel discussion led by moderator Michael Sokoll with him and the actual "star guest", actress, presenter ("RTL Samstagnacht") and director Esther Schweins, formed the final highlight. The duo "inmot!on" also provided spectacular entertainment between the individual presentation blocks with their show interludes with yoyos, glow sticks and other "toys".
