New
- New
  
  Recent studies about SME , important events and advice from entrepreneurs: this column collect all the articles of current events published on the SME Portal.
  
  News
  
  Keep track of news in English from the SME Portal.
  
  Theme of the month
  
  Detailed information on an SME-related topic.
  
  Interview
  
  Here you can find the last Interviews published in English on the SME Portal.
  
  SME Newsletter
  
  Exciting news and useful information for founders and entrepreneurs. Well-researched, informative and to the point.
  
  Events calendar
  
  This calendar provides SMEs with information about useful events for people who hold an important position in the company.
  
  Overview of ongoing legal reforms
  
  The SME portal constantly develops its information package. This new section presents ongoing legislative reforms.
  
  Publications
  
  In this section, you'll find reports and reference brochures for SMEs in Switzerland.
Practical knowledge
- Pratical knowledge
  
  This section contains information, addresses and useful links for entrepreneurs about the creation of an SME in Switzerland or developments in the international scene for instance.
  
  Setting up
  
  Checklists and detailed information about setting up a business: choosing the right legal structure, steps to follow for market analysis, business plans and registration in the trade register.
  
  Management
  
  Practical tips for running a business successfully: innovation methods, marketing tools, product certification and social media presence using e-commerce.
  
  Transferring
  
  Tips for transferring and taking over a business: the various scenarios, the business valuation methods and setting the purchase price. The procedure to follow in the event of liquidation.
  
  Finances
  
  All you need to know about loans, leasing and factoring, traditional and alternative financing plans, economic promotion, tax relief and risk management.
  
  Foreign trade
  
  Useful information for SMEs on foreign trade: federal customs administration and formalities for import-export, opening an establishment or a subsidiary abroad, risk control.
  
  Personnel
  
  Here you will find legal provisions, relevant facts and information on staff management: recruitment, staff development, partial unemployment and social insurance, labor law, occupational safety.
  
  Useful addresses and links
  
  Several organizations offer support or important services for SMEs managers in Switzerland. The following section lists these essential addresses and internet links.
  
  Facts and figures on SMEs in Switzerland
  
  The Confederation actively supports SMEs, major players in the economy. Explanations and statistics.
Trendscurrent page
- Trends
  
  In this section you will find articles on current developments in information technologies as well as on topics of corporate social responsibility.
  
  Cybersecurity
  
  One out of three Swiss SMEs has already fallen victim to a cyberattack, and the risk continues to increase, according to the National Center for Cybersecurity (NCSC). How can one best protect their company against this risk?
  
  Digitalization of SMEs in Switzerland: A key factor
  
  Companies must adapt their operations and digitalize to remain competitive. Definitions and examples.
  
  Opportunities of artificial intelligence
  
  Due its data processing capacity, artificial intelligence offers Swiss companies new opportunities.
  
  Prediction and Big data
  
  Called the black gold of the digital world, Big Data offers new perspectives to companies that treat them.
  
  Blockchain sharing
  
  Blockchain encompasses, in a secure log, digital transactions by eliminating intermediaries.
  
  The internet of Things (IoT): Uses and opportunities
  
  Connected and intelligent, objects today have their own digital identity. Their use involves as many challenges as they do possibilities.
  
  SMEs adopt cloud computing
  
  Increasingly used by companies, cloud computing makes it possible to store large volumes of data on secure external servers.
  
  Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
  
  Turning to corporate social responsibility is a way for SMEs to become greener and more socially conscious and therefore optimize their production.
SME policy
- SME policy
  
  Switzerland plays an active role in supporting companies. This section presents the various initiatives in Switzerland's SME support policy.
  
  Simplifying administration
  
  Too much bureaucracy slows down companies. The SME portal presents initiatives that Switzerland has introduced to reduce the administrative burden.
  
  Developing e-governance
  
  The Swiss authorities are establishing online services to make it possible for SMEs to conduct their administrative tasks more efficiently.
  
  Promoting innovation
  
  Innovation is a driver of the Swiss economy. The SME portal presents Innosuisse, the Swiss innovation agency.
  
  Facilitating access to financing
  
  Do you need capital to establish a company? The SME portal shows the various financing systems supported by the Confederation.
  
  Encouraging exports
  
  The Switzerland Global Enterprise (SGE) agency is committed to helping SMEs increase their sales abroad.
  
  Export risk insurance
  
  Selling your products overseas is not without risk. Swiss Export Risk Insurance (SERV) offers SMEs helpful protection.
  
  Professional training
  
  Swiss SMEs need a qualified labour force. The Confederation works to strongly promote apprenticeships and continuing professional development.
  
  Reconciling work and family
  
  Taking family needs into account benefits companies. The Confederation encourages flexibility in personnel management within SMEs.
About
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  About the SME Portal
  
  The SME Portal provides a large amount of information to small and medium-sized enterprises.
  
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CSR: Role and expectations of the Confederation

The Federal Council’s position paper and action plan inform companies about the Federal Council’s expectations and defines the Swiss Confederation’s role regarding corporate social responsibility.

The position and action plan adopted by the Federal Council in 2020 provide an overview of the Swiss Confederation’s current and future CSR-related activities. The Swiss Confederation plays an important role in the development of framework conditions and standards, particularly in multilateral forums such as the OECD, the International Labor Organization, and the United Nations.
CSR assumes compliance with laws (for example, employment laws or environmental protection laws) and social partnerships. Society’s expectations, which may go beyond legal obligations, are also to be considered. The Federal Council expects companies to take responsibility for all activities they perform in Switzerland or abroad in accordance with internationally recognized CSR standards and guidelines. They are urged to encourage their commercial partners, suppliers and sub-contractors to comply with the CSR principles.
In addition, the Swiss Confederation educates and supports companies during the transition to CSR. It thus informs, encourages dialog with company stakeholders (suppliers, partners), incorporates these aspects into public/private partnerships and leads by example by adopting responsible behavior in its activities. It therefore supports the “Sustainability Compass” platform (only in German), which advises Swiss SMEs and the public sector in choosing and applying environmental and social criteria during acquisitions. It also funds the Swiss network of the United Nations Global Compact as a platform for dialog on CSR issues and for the dissemination of good practices relating to the ten principles of the Global Compact.

CSR and SMEs: a guide

Source: CSR section on the SECO website, written by the National Contact Point (NCP) for the OECD Guidelines

Information

OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises

These Guidelines represent the most comprehensive multilateral code of conduct for ensuring responsible business conduct. The OECD Member States developed them in collaboration with companies, trade union organizations and NGOs. They are directed toward all companies that operate on an international scale as well as SMEs. This code of conduct, which is not legally binding, supplements the regulations in force in the States concerned and must be applied wherever the companies operate.

The signatory States have committed to promoting them in terms of international law. They encourage the implementation of the principles particularly through National Contact Points (NCP). Any suspected breaches of the OECD guidelines can be reported to the NCPs, which offer a platform for dialog or a mediation procedure and are available to answer any questions. The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) hosts its secretariat.