2023
"‘Matching’ unveils invisible real estate opportunities"
(20.12.2023) Finding housing in Switzerland remains long and complex for both purchase and rental. The real estate platform Hoyou aims to change the game with a matching system, a principle already proven in the job and dating markets.
"The reduction of CO2 emissions concerns all companies"
(06.12.2023) How do the goals of the Paris Agreement impact SMEs? What does the "net zero" objective mean? Insights from Anne le Duc, director of the Swiss Climate Action Initiative (SCAI).
"Sustainable businesses often lack visibility"
(15.11.2023) Some businesses feel underrepresented by the major umbrella associations in the Swiss economy, as they are often consulted infrequently and not always aligned with the same political positions. Adopting a more democratic approach, the Swiss Federation of Enterprises aims to amplify the voices of its members.
"Top sharing" allows access to leadership roles while remaining part-time"
(01.11.2023) Just a few years ago, the notion of an executive or business leader working part-time would have been unimaginable. The concept is gaining increasing appeal in Switzerland.
"Private financing can prove difficult to access for SMEs"
(18.10.2023) To contribute to reducing the carbon footprint of Swiss energy consumption, the Federal Office of Energy provides financial support to around thirty innovative projects per year. We speak to Men Wirz, director of the program.
"Patenting is an investment in a company's future"
(27.09.2023) What intellectual property protection methods are suitable for SMEs and their budgets? Hansueli Stamm, Chief Economist of the Federal Institute of Intellectual Property, provides insights.
"Virtual reality has enormous potential for training"
(06.09.2023) Educational technologies (edtech) are increasingly capturing the interest of investors and training environments. Pierre Dillenbourg, Vice-President of Swiss Edtech Collider, details how the sector can contribute to the development of local SMEs.
"Switzerland is a prime target for cybercriminals"
(16.08.2023) In 2021, Check Point Research (CPR) security experts recorded a significant 65% surge in attacks on corporate networks within Switzerland. This trend particularly impacts SMEs, as Nicolas Mayencourt, founder and CEO of cybersecurity firm Dreamlab Technologies, warns.
"Technological assistance in agriculture will increase”
(26.07.2023) As leaders of atypical SMEs, farmers are currently forced to adapt their business models to meet commercial demands and ecological imperatives. Hansruedi Häfliger, Director of the Liebegg Agricultural Center in the canton of Aargau, details the challenges and opportunities facing the agriculture of the future.
"Sustainability must provide a tangible benefit to consumers"
(05.07.2023) The repair and reconditioning market is gaining increasing popularity in Switzerland. However, its potential remains untapped. Aurel Greiner, founder of Revendo, a company specializing in the refurbishment and resale of electronic equipment, explains the concept.
"The 'workation' is not suitable for all employee profiles"
(07.06.2023) For a long time the preserve of freelancers, workation - the combination of work and vacation travel - is becoming increasingly popular in certain sectors. IT security company Redguard offers its 80 employees the opportunity to take advantage of this once a year for four to six weeks. Sven Vetsch, the company's partner and Head of Innovation and Development, explains the benefits of this new practice.
"Our strategy is in line with the future of construction"
(17.05.2023) How can the construction sector adapt to climate challenges? Gabriel Affentranger, a leadership team member at a pioneering company in this field, shares his knowledge.
"Switzerland must not miss the boat in immersive technology"
(03.05.2023) More and more companies are developing technologies in the field of virtual reality. Switzerland, however, still remains timid in this regard. Nathaly Tschanz, program director at the Immersive Realities Center of Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU), explains the opportunities that this parallel universe represents for SMEs.
"Companies must develop a proactive recruitment strategy"
(19.04.2023) The shortage of qualified personnel is pushing companies to diversify their recruitment strategies. To remain competitive and attract the best talent, it has become essential for them to enhance their "employer brand". Benedikt Hell, Professor of Personnel Psychology at the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW), explains.
"We need to rethink the training of computer scientists to create more interest in the field"
(05.04.2023) The objective of the Trust Valley initiative is to promote cybersecurity and digital trust among companies in the Lake Geneva region. Its CEO, Lennig Pedron, discusses the challenges of the IT sector, as well as the Trust4SMEs program, which aims to strengthen the cybersecurity capabilities of SMEs.
"Digital transformation is a great opportunity for rural communities"
(15.03.2023) Rural communities, in addition to large corporations and government entities, are also undergoing digital transformation.The "Ma commune" association has recently launched a training program for elected officials and municipal employees, and the challenge also applies to SMEs, as explained by Alexander Sollberger, the association's president.
"When it comes to employment and disability, the biggest barriers are in the mind"
(01.03.2023) Michelle Kolb is responsible for the Swiss project EnableMe Jobs, which includes the job board Enable.Me.myAbility.jobs. Since 2022, this online platform has been helping people with disabilities and chronic illnesses to find jobs. Their inclusion remains paramount.
"In times of hardship, there are often more business start-ups"
(01.02.2023) The appetite for starting a business remains strong in Switzerland: more than 50,000 new companies were registered last year. Simon May, co-director of the Institute for Young Enterprises, explains.
"SMEs are more exposed to the risk of sexual harassment than large companies"
(18.01.2023) The Swiss Code of Obligations, the Labor Law and the Equality Law require employers to take measures to protect the personal integrity of their employees. However, companies sometimes struggle to implement these measures. Aner Voloder, head of the KMU Konkret+ prevention program, explains the importance of raising awareness among managers and employees.
"The office has become a meeting place"
(04.01.2023) In this period of changing business models and labor shortages, companies need to rethink the design of their workspaces to continue to attract the best talent.
