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

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.

Aner Voloder, KMU Konkret+ project leader

"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.

Samuel Dumelin, co-founder of the Zurich-based company Novu Office

"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.

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)

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Interview

"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"

"SMEs are more exposed to the risk of sexual harassment than large companies"

"The office has become a meeting place"

"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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