Interview

In interviews published bi-weekly, experts and decision-makers give SMEs advice on how to succeed.

The interviews cover topics as diverse as business creation and development, innovation and strategy in the face of competition.

The most recent interviews are also posted on the SME Portal homepage.

2023
2022

Pierre Dillenbourg, Associate Vice-President for Education at EPFL

"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.

Nicolas Mayencourt, fondatore e CEO mondiale di Dreamlab Technologies

"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.

Hansruedi Häfliger, director of the Liebegg Agricultural Center

"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.

Aurel Greiner, CEO and founder of Revendo

"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.

Sven Vetsch, Head of Innovation and Development at Redguard AG

"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.

Gabriel Affentranger, member of the management of Affentranger Bau AG company

"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.

Nathaly Tschanz, program director at the Immersive Realities Center

"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.

Benedikt Hell, professor of personnel psychology at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW)

"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.

Lennig Pedron, Trust Valley initiative CEO

"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.

Association Ma commune Myni Gmeind Alexander Sollberger Digital-Pioneers training basic course digital transition

"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.

Simon May, co-director of the IFJ (Institut für Jungunternehmen)

"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.

Fosca Tóth, founder of Studio MK2 cultural company

"When talent is more important than a title, individuals can flourish"

(21.12.2022) The We Talents platform offers a central place for job offers and networking. It is the first platform in Switzerland to connect skills and activate networks.

Serge Frech, Director of ICT-VET Switzerland

"By 2030, there will be a shortage of about 40,000 IT specialists in Switzerland"

(07.12.2022) Are IT specialists a rarity? Perhaps not, but in any case, the pool of professionals is drying up ever more quickly as the need for them continues to grow in all sectors, and not only in IT service companies. Serge Frech, Director of ICT-VET Switzerland, warns that it is high time we reacted.

Philippe Thévenot, founder of BP2M, which includes the Chiefs on Demand platform

"Provisional directors have a greater incentive to give their all."

(16.11.2022) The corporate economic situation, with its combination of increasingly volatile markets and a skilled workforce that is constantly concerned with work-life balance, is driving SMEs to hire interim managers.

Eric Scheidegger, Head of the Economic Policy Directorate and Deputy Director of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)

"A policy of openness is essential for Switzerland as a business location"

(02.11.2022) Parliament has instructed the Federal Council to draft federal law on the review of foreign investments. Eric Scheidegger, Head of SECO's Economic Policy Directorate and Deputy Director, provides an update on this initiative.

Rico Baldegger, Director of the School of Management of Fribourg (HEG-FR)

"In Switzerland, being an entrepreneur is still regarded as a very daring career choice"

(19.10.2022) Only a few Helvetians dare to start an entrepreneurial adventure. Why does this reluctance persist? Management expert Rico Baldegger explains.

Emilie Raffo, co-founder of ChainSecurity

"SMEs active in blockchain are interested in collaborating with academic experts."

(05.10.2022) Mainly used for crypto-currencies, blockchain is also being implemented elsewhere and the movement does not seem to be slowing down any time soon. Faced with strong international competition in the sector, what are Switzerland's competitive advantages? Emilie Raffo, co-founder of the company ChainSecurity and expert in the field, provides the answers.

Emilie Romon Carnegie, Director of Ashoka Switzerland

"Social entrepreneurship is all about collective interest"

(21.09.2022) The international organization Ashoka supports social entrepreneurship projects around the world. Emilie Romon Carnegie, its director in Switzerland, discusses the key drivers and challenges in this field.

"The public is looking for interactive and ever more immersive experiences"

(07.09.2022) After two difficult years, the events sector has regained some momentum. Gabriele Censi, Director of GC Events, has relied on digitalization and innovative exhibitions to get through the pandemic. He reflects on the industry's challenges and opportunities for renewal.

Financial support for accommodation establishments Soft loans Consulting services What criteria Challenges for the Swiss hotel industry Zurich Suisse Zurich Société Suisse de crédit hôtelier (SCH)

Interview

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Interview

"Virtual reality has enormous potential for training"

"Switzerland is a prime target for cybercriminals"

"Technological assistance in agriculture will increase”

"Sustainability must provide a tangible benefit to consumers"

"The 'workation' is not suitable for all employee profiles"

"Our strategy is in line with the future of construction"

"Switzerland must not miss the boat in immersive technology"

"Companies must develop a proactive recruitment strategy"

"We need to rethink the training of computer scientists to create more interest in the field"

"Digital transformation is a great opportunity for rural communities"

"When it comes to employment and disability, the biggest barriers are in the mind"

"In times of hardship, there are often more business start-ups"

"When talent is more important than a title, individuals can flourish"

"By 2030, there will be a shortage of about 40,000 IT specialists in Switzerland"

"Provisional directors have a greater incentive to give their all."

"A policy of openness is essential for Switzerland as a business location"

"In Switzerland, being an entrepreneur is still regarded as a very daring career choice"

"SMEs active in blockchain are interested in collaborating with academic experts."

"Social entrepreneurship is all about collective interest"

"The public is looking for interactive and ever more immersive experiences"

"The hotel industry will have to strengthen its appeal"

"An entrepreneur facing overindebtedness often feels overwhelmed"

"Like many business angels, I first invest in a team"

"Recruiting and local marketing are a franchisee's core competencies."

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2023

2022