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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

Anne le Duc, Director of Lifefair

"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).
Christophe Barman, co-president of the Swiss Federation of Enterprises (FSE)

"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.
Irenka Krone-Germann, co-responsible for knowledge management, communication, and networks at cinfo.ch

"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.
Men Wirz, director of the Federal Office of Energy's financing and technical support program (OFEN)

"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.
Hansueli Stamm, Chief Economist at the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI)

"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.
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.

2022

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.
Gabriele Censi, Director of GC Events

"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)

"The hotel industry will have to strengthen its appeal"

(17.08.2022) The Société Suisse de crédit hôtelier (SCH), which is co-financed by the Confederation, provides financial support and consulting services to hotels. Its director, Peter Gloor, explains the role and function of the organization.
Ema Bolomey, lawyer in commercial law

"An entrepreneur facing overindebtedness often feels overwhelmed"

(03.08.2022) Business bankruptcies are on the rise this year. Lawyer Ema Bolomey explains what to do in this situation, and how it affects customers and employees.
Brigitte Baumann, co-founder of GoBeyond Investing

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

(19.07.2022) Angel investment can make all the difference in getting a start-up off the ground. But what kind of people and projects are business angels looking for? Brigitte Baumann, an expert in the field, explains.
Marc Haesler, franchise specialist

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

(06.07.2022) The franchise business model is relatively unknown in Switzerland. Marc Haesler, director of Swiss Distribution, the franchisors' association in French-speaking Switzerland, provides some insights into this type of business.

Last modification 05.01.2023

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