Lockdown and no end in sight: voices from SMEs
The Corona pandemic has been on our minds for almost exactly a year. What many initially dismissed as a quickly passing phenomenon has now developed into a crisis whose final extent cannot yet be assessed. In the midst of it, thousands of SMEs are having to organize themselves somehow.
There is no end to the negative headlines in the daily and business press: the hotel industry on the brink of collapse, event and gastronomy businesses that can no longer earn money but are still stuck with high fixed costs, retailers who do not know exactly what they are still allowed to sell and what they are not allowed to sell, if they are still open at all, creative artists who are looking for salvation in online presences, and so on and so forth. On the other hand, there is the political wrangling over hardship regulations, short-time work compensation, hygiene measures, home office obligations and unclear responsibilities between the federal government and the cantons.
"Finally able to work normally again"
It is therefore not surprising that many SMEs are asking themselves: When will the lockdown end? How should they continue? Where will they get support? Where does a network exist that can cushion their free fall? Michelle Rütti-Kummli is confronted with such questions. She is the managing director of the Kummli Entrepreneur Network, which arranges contacts between decision-makers in companies from all sectors discreetly and with a great deal of personal flair. Accordingly, her contact with business leaders from SMEs is close. "The entrepreneurs and employees don't primarily want money, they finally want to be able to work normally again," she says, summing up the mood. Many companies are looking ahead and also implementing their ideas on how they can still continue to do business thanks to digitization of processes. However, "Not every industry is equally digitally savvy," Michelle Rütti-Kummli points out. While it is relatively easy for retailers to set up an online store, this is hardly possible for the fitness industry, where the alternatives are limited. Or the restaurant and hotel industry: "One of our network members, a Zurich restaurant operator, is heavily dependent on tourism. Since March 2020, guests have been staying away, so he has had to put a large part of his workforce on short-time work or cut jobs since then," she says, adding, "Keeping the team happy for such a long time until things get going again and to secure the appropriate starting position is enormously difficult."
Entrepreneurs network
A number of SMEs expressed their disappointment to Michelle Rütti-Kummli about the authorities and associations. These would listen too little to the current needs of their members. "Entrepreneurs came to us in March last year because they said they felt let down," says Michelle Rütti-Kummli. "That's why we launched the Voice of SMEs." In the process, the Kummli network established connections between entrepreneurs, politicians and authorities. "We have installed core teams since last March, where we regularly exchange ideas with entrepreneurs, army representatives and doctors by means of telephone and video conferences. In this way, we establish a transfer of know-how," Michelle Rütti-Kummli continues. "Each can benefit from the other in this way, and we approach the respective agencies or individuals concretely with the concerns and ideas."
The personal exchange also in lockdown keep alive
What kind of know-how would be most in demand during the lockdown? Michelle Rütti-Kummli explains that two areas can be identified. On the one hand, manufacturing companies in particular are affected by interrupted supply chains. They need information on new suppliers who can close gaps in the supply chains. In the past, it was easy to make such contacts at business events or trade shows. This is no longer possible. But relationships can develop in other ways, some of them entirely new. "Suddenly, you get to know companies in your neighborhood better and discover surprising opportunities for cooperation," Michelle Rütti-Kummli knows. Anyone who uses the time now to look around for new partners in the immediate region may find the basis for many creative ideas.
On the other hand, there is the information provided by the authorities: There is a great need here, but it is often difficult to get in touch with those responsible. This is where the provision of contacts and recommendations by those responsible in companies can help - tasks that intersectoral networks such as the Kummli network can perform. "We feel that there is a great need to exchange ideas with people personally. This has triggered a great demand for us to provide targeted contacts to decision-makers and companies. Based on this demand, we are working on the development of a further business area," announces Michelle Rütti-Kummli.
The concern remains
Michelle Rütti-Kummli's words, however, are full of concern. "Since March, we've been told that everything would be better after a month of lockdown. But now the mutated virus arrives, and we're a year later - and still no further along. The fates in the companies and families hurt me and make me sad." What weighs particularly heavily: The business community's trust in politics seems to be gradually dwindling, and the communication of government representatives is becoming increasingly untrustworthy, which is also noted, for example, by the Swiss Trade Association and a Ending the lockdown calls. Michelle Rütti-Kummli misses the presence of politicians in the population. "Here it would be a strong sign if politicians would waive their remuneration - or at least part of it - for this." And above all, she would like to see a bit more positive communication: "Why don't we talk about "93%" negativity rate, for example? That's the same content, but a different message!"
The Kummli Network
Founded by Rolf Kummli more than 20 years ago, KUMMLI exclusively networks decision-makers - entrepreneurs, board members and CEOs from all industries - from SMEs to global players. The contact pool now comprises over 6,500 decision-makers and operates on the principle of "LinkedIn on a personal level". In the course of the pandemic-related planning uncertainty combined with liquidity bottlenecks, lack of communication or unsettled employees, the Kummli network has created a contact point with the "Voice of SMEs" - intended as a mouthpiece for the Swiss workplace and as a hub between entrepreneurs and politics.
