Raffaele De Rosa, born in 1973, is a Ticino State Councillor and has been Director of the Department of Health and Social Affairs and State Councillor in the Canton of Ticino since April 2019. This is his second time in office in the Ticino government. Thanks to his broad economic education - including a doctorate - and his many years of experience in the private sector, both in Switzerland and abroad, he brings extensive knowledge to the Board of Trustees.

Politically active since 2000, he was mayor of the municipality of Riviera from 2017 to 2019, when he was elected to the cantonal government. At cantonal level, he was a member of the Grand Council of the Canton of Ticino between 2003 and 2019. He was also involved in numerous committees, including the Administration and Finance Committee, which he chaired from 2018 to 2019.

The member of the cantonal government of Ticino brings with him an impressive combination of expertise and political experience. "We are delighted to welcome Raffaele De Rosa as the new Chairman of the Foundation Board. With his experience and commitment, he will provide important impetus for our future work in health promotion and prevention," says Thomas Mattig. He is the Director of Health Promotion Switzerland.

New strategic priorities for Health Promotion Switzerland from 2025

The election of De Rosa also marks the start of a new strategy period for the foundation. The aim of Health Promotion Switzerland is to measurably improve the health of the population in Switzerland in the long term, to inform and empower people to lead a healthy lifestyle and to strengthen the social framework conditions that support this process.

Based on the positive results of its work to date, Health Promotion Switzerland is focusing on continuity in the coming years. At the same time, it is expanding its focus. For example, the cantonal action programs will be expanded to include pilot projects for adults, thus meeting a need of the cantons. In the area of prevention, the aim is to sustainably fund proven projects. Occupational health management will be adapted to future requirements, particularly for SMEs.

"It is a great pleasure, honor and motivation for me to be able to put myself at the service of such an important foundation as Health Promotion Switzerland. For me, spreading a positive image of health and working to promote the physical, mental and social well-being of people and communities is key. It is equally important for me to support health promotion and prevention programs and projects that promote the development of individual skills, inclusion, equality and the participation of people and communities. To achieve this, it is important to support a holistic and overarching approach with actions at all levels, in all phases of life and environments. All interest groups should be involved and the numerous organizations and associations active in the field should be strengthened," says Raffaele De Rosa on his election.

Thanks to Guido Graf

Raffaele De Rosa is taking over from Guido Graf, who has shaped the role of Chairman of the Foundation Board for many years with great commitment and vision. The former member of the cantonal government of Lucerne has also guided the Foundation through challenging times such as the coronavirus pandemic, providing valuable impetus in the process. The Foundation would like to thank Guido Graf for his commitment and his formative contribution to health promotion and prevention in Switzerland.

The first date on Raffaele De Rosa's agenda after his election is the national health promotion conference on January 30, 2025 on the topic of "Social cohesion at local level: strengthening the health of the community".

Source: www.gesundheitsfoerderung.ch

This article originally appeared on m-q.ch - https://www.m-q.ch/de/raffaele-de-rosa-neuer-stiftungsratspraesident-gesundheitsfoerderung-schweiz/

For over 20 years, Saxenhammer has been a reliable partner for SMEs in particular, but also for large companies, in business valuations, company succession or sales, the search for investors, in acquisition and expansion processes and in arranging alternative financing options. Together with CEO Christian Saxenhammer, Saxenhammer's best experts for SMEs are now also committed to their clients in Switzerland and pursue the goal of supporting Swiss SMEs on their way. The experience gained from over 400 successful transactions and its own entrepreneurial DNA makes Saxenhammer an ideal SME sparring partner.

The Managing Director of the new Zurich office is Andreas Pöllen, an experienced corporate finance and M&A banker. Andreas Pöllen comes from Edmund Rothschild. He brings with him many years of M&A and financing expertise as well as a first-class network of companies, investors and financial specialists in Switzerland and the DACH region. Thanks to his own entrepreneurial experience and his profound insight into the challenges and opportunities facing SMEs today, Andreas Pöllen and the team in Zurich offer tailor-made solutions at eye level. In keeping with the Saxenhammer tradition.

With the new location, the team can operate even closer to the Swiss market and use its expertise specifically for the challenges of the local SME sector. Swiss companies will thus receive internationally experienced, professional and friendly advice with effective access to international markets and investors, particularly in Germany and Austria.

A strong partner for Swiss entrepreneurs

Christian Saxenhammer sees particular opportunities for Swiss SMEs in the DACH region: "The Alpine region is one of the strongest economic regions in the world and is characterized by innovative strength and stability. Swiss SMEs make a significant contribution here. However, despite a positive investment environment, they are facing growing challenges. The pressure to expand and transform is increasing the demand for serious and comprehensible M&A strategies. The close economic ties between Switzerland and Germany, which have a long tradition, are therefore more important today than ever. Saxenhammer is the ideal bridge builder to facilitate access to the extended German-speaking investment area for Swiss companies."

Saxenhammer Swiss Managing Director Andreas Pöllen adds: "The attractive, internationally competitive Swiss M&A market is increasingly dominated by large global players, who often do not have the ideal structures and the necessary understanding of the local SME culture and the concerns of Swiss SMEs. The consulting firm sets a clear counterpoint here and, in contrast to large investment banks and private equity firms, concentrates on M&A deals in the CHF 10 to 100 million range. New financing issues are also increasingly arising for Swiss SMEs. As lending is increasingly shifting from traditional banks to alternative financing providers, new financing models, some of which are unfamiliar to Swiss SMEs, need to be considered. Here, too, we know our way around."

Strategic decisions for a stable future

In view of these developments in the global financial market, it is crucial for Swiss companies to thoroughly analyze their current situation and examine possible options. This is where Saxenhammer can provide valuable input as a sparring partner who understands both the Swiss SME market and the DACH region. Thanks to Saxenhammer's strong network and honest, independent view from the outside, companies can realistically assess their situation and make strategic decisions from a position of strength.

Saxenhammer consulting is based on comprehensive knowledge of the local Swiss SME culture. Saxenhammer offers the independence, know-how and personal support that entrepreneurs are looking for: a contact person at eye level who is there for them at all times, even in challenging processes, and who accompanies them through all phases of a clarification and transaction.

Source: www.saxenhammer-co.com

The recycling of cars produces almost 20 % of waste, consisting mainly of mixed plastics, metal fragments and crushed glass. These waste materials are often incinerated or disposed of in landfill sites. This approach not only generates high costs for recycling companies, but also increases environmental pollution and CO₂ emissions. At the same time, the growing demand for materials needed for the energy transition is putting increasing pressure on scarce natural resources.

Grensol's proprietary solution addresses both challenges by converting recycling residues into functional raw materials that can replace new materials while avoiding expensive and environmentally harmful disposal methods. The company plans to extend this approach to other waste streams such as electronic waste and plastic waste. Compact, efficient systems will be implemented directly at existing industrial sites. In this way, the recovery of resources is maximized and the amount of waste is reduced.

Market potential of USD 90 billion

With its technology, Grensol has the potential to convert more than 80 million tons of waste into cost-effective, emission-free raw materials every year and save over 500 million tons of CO₂ emissions in the process. The company sees a market potential of USD 90 billion for new materials and savings in waste disposal. This represents a significant contribution to global sustainability goals.

The first phase of the solution for recovering metals and minerals is currently being implemented in a Swiss demonstration plant in the canton of Solothurn. This is located on the site of the former Biberist paper mill, which was redeveloped by the real estate development company HIAG.

The goal is a sustainable circular economy in Switzerland

With the support of Venture Kick in the amount of CHF 150,000, Grensol will drive forward the development of its recycling solution for cars and expand its application to other waste streams. The aim is to promote a sustainable circular economy in Switzerland and beyond.

The founding team consists of CEO Rajiv Singhal, CFO Marc Ocskay and CTO Dr. Marco Ziegler. They are supported by Dr. Silvan Suter, Head of Research and Development, and CBO Federico Bussmann. Together, they contribute their expertise in the areas of corporate management, finance, technology, research and business development to shape a more sustainable, waste-free future.

"Venture Kick has provided us with crucial support on our entrepreneurial journey - with the necessary early-stage financing, valuable feedback from the qualified jury and exciting opportunities such as the AMAG Sustainability Challenge," says Rajiv Singhal. "This support has helped us to consistently develop our vision and reach new milestones."

Source: www.venturekick.ch

Repair service is part of the textile service routine

Mewa's all-round service for workwear and protective clothing already meets the requirements of the "right to repair" in many respects. In addition to the replacement of fasteners and the repair of torn areas, this also includes the replacement of entire items of clothing such as pockets, sleeves or cuffs. Suitable repair kits are produced at the same time. Even protective clothing can be safely repaired. It is common practice to recycle discarded items of clothing in order to reuse parts that are still in good working order. "When you consider that around 5.8 million tons of textiles become waste in Europe every year, repair clearly scores over recycling in terms of sustainability," explains Wolfgang Quednau, Managing Partner of Betreuungsgesellschaft für textiltechnische Anwendungen GmbH (BTTA).

Less resource consumption due to longevity

In the manufacture of textiles, most resources are consumed during the production of the raw materials. The longer an item of clothing is used, the lower the relative environmental impact. "In the case of professional textiles, which are subject to much greater wear and tear than fashion clothing, proven durability can only be achieved with high-quality, repairable clothing," says textile engineer Wolfgang Quednau. In order to have more influence on the quality of the textiles, Mewa has its own product development department for workwear and protective clothing. New materials are subjected to intensive physical tests before they are used. "If workwear can withstand numerous cycles of use without significant loss of appearance or functionality, this not only contributes to sustainability, but also saves costs. Customers benefit from both," says Wolfgang Quednau.

Recyclability is a major research topic

As a sustainably oriented textile service provider, Mewa is pursuing various research approaches into the possible uses of recycled materials and the reprocessing of fibers from discarded textiles. However, there are still limits to recycling. One major challenge is the quality of the recycled materials, as Dr. Diana Wolf, Research & Development at Mewa, explains. On the one hand, this involves strength, which is urgently required for workwear, and on the other hand, dyeing behavior. "Reused materials must be equivalent to non-recycled source products," says Diana Wolf, describing the research objective.

A closed textile cycle

Mewa is currently involved in a research project of the Jülich Project Management Agency, with the TU Braunschweig and the Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences as scientific partners. The project, which is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, is dedicated to the possibility of chemically recycling polyester from fiber blends back into reusable fibers (funding code: 033R408A). "We want to enable what is known as 'textile-to-textile' recycling. This could turn old polyester-cotton blended fabrics into material for new fabrics. That would be a milestone on the way to a truly holistic textile circular economy," explains Diana Wolf. She is confident that the requirements of the new delegated act for textiles to the Ecodesign Regulation will noticeably accelerate the development of improved recycling processes for textiles.

Source: www.mewa.ch

Every year the employer disappoints

The verdict is initially not very festive: almost half of employees (45%) consider their employers to be poor gift givers, while 36% say that the gifts never meet their expectations. Particularly sobering: last year, half of employees came away empty-handed - and only 24% expect to receive anything at all from their employer this year.

This shows how important such benefits are for the workforce. For example, 45% of respondents stated that they would not resign before Christmas in order to secure a gift or bonus. In addition, 74% emphasize that a gift makes them feel valued, while 60% state that a reward gives them motivation and energy for the coming year.

For employers, this means that Christmas is a time to be thoughtful. After all, gifts are crucial for both employee retention and their well-being.

Countering economic worries with voucher cards

It is important for employers to consider the general attitude towards gifts when developing gift strategies for their employees.

This is because the tense economic situation continues to play a significant role for consumers: many employees use gift cards to buy food (20%) or clothing (25%). A full 13% would use a gift card for household expenses and 21% for fuel. Consumers are most concerned about the cost of utilities (53 percent), inflation (65 percent), food prices (57 percent) and fuel prices (26 percent).

With budgeting and timing being so important, employers can use their 2024 gifting strategies to support their employees during a financially challenging time of year. The value of the gift card doesn't even have to be very high: 32% of respondents said they didn't know what amount they would like. 18 percent would like a value between 51 and 100 euros and 22 percent between 101 and 250 euros. Some employees (12%) were also satisfied with less than 50 euros.

The perfect gift?

Gift cards remain one of the most popular options in companies: A full 84 percent of respondents would like to receive a gift card from their employer this year if they had the choice. The timing of the presentation also plays a role: around half of employees prefer to receive the gift at the beginning of December. Only 19 percent would prefer to receive their gift at the end of the month.

"It is certainly sobering to hear how many employees are disappointed by their employers' gift-giving behavior," says Patrick Schlieper, Director Business Development Dach at BHN. "After all, Christmas gifts are a festive way to express appreciation to employees for all their efforts throughout the year. Now that the gift-giving season is upon us, companies should act regardless of their budget and take advantage of the benefits of flexible gifting. It's high time to say goodbye to the dusty box of chocolates and instead consider a gift card that allows recipients to treat themselves to what they really want - or need."

Source: www.blackhawknetwork.de

The real estate industry is under more pressure today than ever before. The increasing number of objections to approval procedures and rising sustainability requirements are making construction projects more and more complicated. The 4th Immo Dialog Ost will address precisely these problems and challenges on March 27, 2025 in Olma Hall 9.2 in St.Gallen. The presentations and discussions taking place that afternoon are intended to offer real estate professionals in Eastern Switzerland practical solutions to the current hurdles in the planning and building permit process.

Top-class program

Renowned speakers will talk about current challenges in the real estate industry at the fourth edition of the event: Karin Bührer (Managing Director Development Switzerland), Remo Daguati (President Network Location Switzerland, owner LOC AG), Stefan Cadosch (CEO keeValue), Klauspeter Nüesch (VRP and GL Nüesch Developement AG), Patrizia Wachter Tanner (Managing Director and VRP Prefera Immobilien AG), Andrea Cristuzzi (Owner and Managing Director Cristuzzi Group), Jörg Schläpfer (Head of Macroeconomics Wüst Partner), Ivan Furlan (Head of the Office for Building Permits) and Donato Scognamiglio (Cantonal Councillor, Chairman and co-founder of IAZI AG). The event will once again be moderated by Roman Bolliger.

New partnership

The growing importance of Immo Dialog Ost for the real estate industry in Eastern Switzerland is also reflected in the sponsors. With St.Galler Stadtwerke as a bronze partner, the organizer was able to gain another important partner from the region for the event series.

More space for networking

In addition to the exciting program on stage, Immo Dialog Ost will offer even more space for exchange and encounters from next year. The popular lunch, which was previously optional, is now included in the participation price. This means that all participants will have the opportunity to network with colleagues from the industry during the standing lunch.

Registration available

Registration for the 4th Immo Dialog Ost on March 27, 2025 in Olma Hall 9.2 is already open. online possible. The regular admission price is CHF 295. Swiss Circle members benefit from a reduced price of CHF 245. In addition, a special price of CHF 120 is now available for students. The admission price includes lunch, refreshments during breaks and an aperitif.

Source: www.immo-dialog.ch

The business climate in the MEM sector cooled further in the fall, as the latest quarterly survey by Swissmechanic shows. In October 2024, the Swissmechanic SME-MEM business climate index slipped to its lowest level since January 2021. The SME MEM pulse meter has now been in negative territory for a year and a half. Only 1% of companies describe the current business climate as very favorable. In contrast, 74% rate it as somewhat to very unfavorable.

Staff cuts at one in three SME MEMs

The lack of orders remains the biggest challenge, followed by the ongoing negative impact of the strong Swiss franc. Overall, 60% of SMEs recorded a slump in sales in the third quarter of 2024 and almost the same number recorded falling margins. Companies' capacity utilization is currently only just over 80%. In addition, almost a third of the SMEs surveyed only have production secured for a maximum period of four weeks. A third of the companies had to reduce staff compared to the previous year. A quarter of them lack the funds to invest.

2024 remains difficult, 2025 offers cautious hope

SMEs are therefore pessimistic about the final quarter of 2024. Foreign demand remains the major challenge. Around half of the companies surveyed expect further declines in orders, sales and margins. Despite the current challenges, there are signs of a possible economic recovery in 2025, according to the experts. Falling energy prices and lower interest rates could provide impetus for the MEM industries next year and enable at least a slight recovery.

Source: www.swissmechanic.ch

Bug Bounty Switzerland, the Swiss pioneer in ethical hacking, presents the Cyber Resilience Shield, a powerful, scalable and easily accessible shield that strengthens companies' resilience and thus improves their cyber security. With a transparent pricing model and no need for additional security resources, the Cyber Resilience Shield offers comprehensive protection at the touch of a button. This is tailored to the specific needs of each organization.

As a pioneer in the industry, Bug Bounty Switzerland has perfected the use of ethical hacking over the years and learned how to run bug bounty programs most effectively. Based on this know-how, the company has now developed an innovative model. This optimizes ethical hacking using data from previous and ongoing bug bounty programs and with the help of modern AI technology.

Continuous tests and cyber resilience score

The Cyber Resilience Shield protects companies from cyber attacks by identifying critical points of attack and closing them before they are exploited. The system ensures continuous, targeted security tests that focus on the vulnerabilities with the greatest threat potential. By quickly prioritizing identified vulnerabilities and providing clear recommendations for action, security gaps can be addressed efficiently - even outside the affected organization. The Cyber Resilience Shield mobilizes all parties required to quickly rectify the identified vulnerabilities.

An additional added value of the Cyber Resilience Shield is the assessment of an organization's cyber resilience using the Cyber Resilience Score. This combines various dimensions of preventive cyber security in one value. This gives companies a clear overview of their own capabilities in dealing with vulnerabilities compared to other players in the respective industry. The Cyber Resilience Score allows them to track their progress and identify the areas where the greatest need for action exists. The Cyber Resilience Shield not only provides companies with data, but also detailed reports. These provide management, executives and board members in particular with important insights to better understand their company's cyber risks and improve its resilience.

Four-stage approach to increasing cyber resilience

The methodology underlying the Cyber Resilience Shield is based on a four-stage approach of "Continuous Threat Exposure Management", which has been adapted to ethical hacking.

1. Identification and monitoring of the company's entire attack surfaceincluding all publicly accessible assets such as brands, domains, IP addresses and cloud resources. Using the extensive data that Bug Bounty Switzerland has collected in its business activities over the years, the Cyber Resilience Shield creates a customized model to identify risk areas.
2. Activation of an adaptive protective mechanismwhich specifically addresses the identified threats and risks. To do this, the Cyber Resilience Shield smartly orchestrates the use of ethical hackers on an ongoing basis with new findings from the available data. In this way, it ensures precise and targeted protection.
3. Prioritization of the weak points to be remedied based on their actual threat potential, with non-technical teams also being involved in the process. If necessary, Bug Bounty Switzerland also works directly with the third parties and authorities involved to rectify the identified vulnerabilities.
4. Transparent reporting and benchmarking with the Cyber Resilience Score as a central element. The Cyber Resilience Score enables organizations to directly compare their cyber security measures with best practices and industry results. This and the other reports allow them to continuously adapt their security investments to current circumstances.

Fast entry into continuous improvement of cyber security

Bug Bounty Switzerland's protective shield provides organizations with a scalable solution at the touch of a button and at a fixed annual price. It is geared towards the constantly changing threats of the digital world and uses AI to strengthen their cyber resilience in a smart way. The Cyber Resilience Shield enables a quick start to continuously improving cyber security while providing clear, actionable insights for management.

"Without the cooperation of ethical hackers, it is impossible for companies to find all vulnerabilities in their systems exposed on the Internet. And yet many companies still refrain from using bug bounty programs. Be it because they shy away from cooperating with ethical hackers, because of the complexity of the operation, the additional work or the difficult-to-plan costs," explains Sandro Nafzger. He is CEO and co-founder of Bug Bounty Switzerland. "With the Cyber Resilience Shield, we are addressing these fears and making it easier for organizations to start using ethical hacking with a perfectly orchestrated solution at the touch of a button."

Source: www.bugbounty.ch

This article originally appeared on m-q.ch - https://www.m-q.ch/de/bug-bounty-switzerland-lanciert-einen-schutzschild-zur-staerkung-der-cyberresilienz/

Recognize signs of burnout 

Burnout does not occur overnight. It builds up gradually, often unnoticed, until it affects your performance and well-being. You should look out for the following signs: 

• Constant tiredness or a feeling of exhaustion
• Difficulty concentrating or staying motivated
• Irritability or the feeling of detachment from work

Recognizing these signs early on is the first step to regaining control. 

Why burnout peaks at the end of the year 

• The end of the year often brings with it a perfect storm of stress factors:
• Intensive workload due to expiring projects and targets
• Balancing professional demands with personal and social obligations
• Neglecting self-care in the rush to get everything done

If this pressure remains unchecked, it can have long-term consequences, such as lower job satisfaction and performance. 

Practical strategies for refueling and refocusing  

1. control your time: By taking control of your schedule, you can reduce stress and create space for yourself. Try out these tips:  

• Prioritize your tasks: Focus on what's most important instead of trying to get everything done 
• Divide them up: Divide larger projects into smaller, manageable steps  
• Delegate: Share responsibilities wherever possible to avoid becoming overwhelmed 
• Use time blocks: Assign uninterrupted blocks of time to the most important tasks and schedule short breaks to recharge 

One effective method is the Pomodoro technique: 25 minutes of concentrated work followed by a 5-minute break.  

2. set boundaries: Healthy boundaries protect your time and energy. Find out how you can create them here:

• Politely decline tasks that overtax your capacity
• Communicate your working hours and availability clearly to colleagues and customers
• Disconnect from work after hours to ensure a clear separation between work and private life

Boundaries not only prevent burnout, but also promote greater productivity and satisfaction. 

3. prioritize self-care: Physical and mental well-being are important for maintaining energy and concentration:

• Stay active: even short walks can lift your mood and reduce stress
• Nourish your body: balanced meals ensure lasting energy
• Relax consciously: practices such as meditation or mindfulness can help you to relax
• Bring yourself back with joy: hobbies, reading or spending time with loved ones can restore your zest for life

When you should seek support 

If burnout feels overwhelming, don't hesitate to reach out:  

• Talk to your line manager: Discuss with them how you can adjust your workload if it is no longer manageable 
• Take advantage of workplace resources: Many companies offer employee assistance programs (EAPs) 
• Turn to professionals: a therapist or coach can help you develop customized coping strategies 

Seeking help is not a sign of weakness, but a proactive step towards resilience.

Starting 2025 with positivity 

To start the new year stronger, you first need to change your attitude. Here's how: 

• Reflect on what you have achieved: Celebrate your progress, big or small
• Set yourself clear resolutions: Define actionable goals for your personal and professional growth
• Practice gratitude: cultivate positivity to gain momentum for the coming year

Don't wait and act today 

Burnout is a challenge, but also an opportunity to rethink your priorities, recharge your batteries and refocus. If you recognize the signs, set boundaries and take care of yourself, you can overcome the stress at the end of the year and tackle 2025 with renewed energy and motivation. 

Source: www.robertwalters.ch

Schneider Umweltservice AG from Meilen ZH, founded in 1905 as a small haulage company, has developed over four generations into a leading company in the recycling and waste disposal sector. Today, the company employs around 370 people and operates eleven recycling centers and five collection points in the economic regions of Zurich, Zug and Lucerne. Supplemented by mobile collection points, Schneider offers comprehensive solutions for all recyclable materials and waste, both for private individuals and companies.

Innovative recycling solutions for all sectors

Schneider Umweltservice offers a wide range of waste disposal and recycling solutions. In addition to the recovery and recycling of recyclable materials such as paper, glass and plastics, the company also takes care of the professional disposal of hazardous waste. Schneider plays a key role in the construction industry in particular. Large quantities of mineral waste from conversion and demolition work are processed into high-quality recycled building materials in modern crushing and sorting plants. These processes make a significant contribution to reducing the volume of waste and enable the efficient recycling of building materials.

Sustainable concepts for an environmentally friendly future

Schneider Umweltservice AG is pursuing ambitious goals to improve its ecological footprint: By 2028, over 90 percent of transportation is to be carried out electrically. The switch to electric vehicles will significantly reduce CO₂ emissions. The company is also focusing on expanding its photovoltaic systems, which generate electricity for its own use at six locations. Rainwater is used to clean vehicles in the recycling yards, saving 60,000 liters of drinking water a year at the Volketswil site. By using modern technologies such as magnetic separators and near-infrared technology, Schneider is able to separate recyclable materials efficiently and further increase the recycling rate.

Responsibility for society and the environment

In addition to its ecological responsibility, Schneider Umweltservice is also committed to social issues. Through its collaboration with Werkheim Uster, people with cognitive disabilities are integrated into the work process. The company also supports Fair Recycling's climate protection project in Brazil, in which old refrigerators are recycled and CFC-containing gases are rendered harmless. So far, 1.5 million refrigerators have been recycled and almost 1.8 million tons of CO₂ equivalents have been saved.

More information: www.umweltservice.ch / www.svc.swiss 

Prix SVC Economic Area Zurich 2024

The award ceremony will take place on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, at the Kongresshaus Zurich. Around 1,500 guests from the worlds of business, science, politics and culture are expected to attend. The award ceremony will be hosted by Nik Hartmann. More information.

In the last three years, four percent of SMEs surveyed have been the victim of a cyberattack, which corresponds to around 24,000 companies in Switzerland. For 73% of those affected, this resulted in considerable financial damage. While 68% of the IT service providers surveyed consider the risk of a cyberattack to be high or very high, more than half of the SMEs surveyed consider the risk of a serious attack to be low. This false sense of security could have serious consequences for companies if they do not take action quickly.

It is also worrying that four out of ten companies have no contingency plan or business continuity strategy in the event of a serious cyber attack. "Cybersecurity must be a priority. By raising awareness and providing training, we can improve digital literacy in SMEs and minimize the risks. To this end, Mobiliar has launched a mobile event series: 'Cyber on Tour' offers employees of SMEs the opportunity to experience cyber threats first-hand and actively protect themselves against them," says Simon Seebeck. He is Head of the Cyber Risk Competence Center at Mobiliar.

High potential through improved organizational and technical measures

Most of the IT service providers surveyed for the study recommend that Swiss SMEs take the issue of security more seriously (43 %) and train their staff (29 %). When it comes to choosing the right IT service provider, Andreas W. Kaelin, co-founder and Managing Director of Allianz Digital Security Switzerland ADSS, points out: "IT service providers have a direct influence on the cyber resilience of their SME customers. It is therefore important that they can demonstrate their technical and organizational expertise, for example through the CyberSeal seal of approval." 

The study shows that SMEs are reluctant to use efficient digital tools such as password managers, biometrics or passkeys. Swiss SMEs find it even more difficult to implement organizational measures such as security concepts or security audits and staff training.

Private individuals rate their own cyber security as high

In the last three years, five percent of private individuals surveyed have been affected by a cyberattack. And yet the majority of respondents believe that they are well to very well informed about how to protect themselves against cyber attacks. Around half rate the cyber security of their own household as high. This assessment is at odds with the behavior of the majority of respondents: more than a third of survey participants use the same password for different services, and many do not update their passwords promptly.

"The gap between awareness and action is worrying," emphasizes Katja Dörlemann, President, SISA. "While many recognize the importance of cybersecurity, few are taking concrete action to protect their digital lives. It is crucial that both individuals and businesses take proactive steps to mitigate the rising threats."

Population wants information on protection against cyber attacks

The difference between the perceived and actual threat situation is also evident in the area of online shopping. Almost three quarters (72%) of respondents are not at all or rarely worried about being scammed on online stores or booking platforms, although 13% of respondents have actually experienced paying for something they did not receive in the last five years.

Although the study shows that almost two thirds of respondents would like to be better informed about how they can protect themselves online, they lack the will or the skills to take action. Kristof Hertig, Lead Cybersecurity & Infrastructure at digitalswitzerland, points out: "Information on cybersecurity already exists today. But it needs to be better communicated to the public. In fast-paced everyday life, cybersecurity is a distant thought for many."

Need for action: cyber security as a shared responsibility

The Cyber Study 2024 underlines the urgency of implementing additional precautions against cybercrime - both in private households and in companies. "Smaller SMEs and private individuals in particular need help to strengthen their resilience," says Nicole Wettstein, Head of the Cybersecurity Priority Program, Swiss Academy of Engineering Sciences SATW. "Cooperation between companies, IT experts and political decision-makers is the key to promoting a secure digital everyday life in Switzerland."

ManpowerGroup has unveiled its first Global Talent Barometer, a comprehensive report that provides insights into employee sentiment in 16 countries, including Switzerland. The report's key metric is the Talent Barometer Score, which is calculated using three indices: Wellbeing, Job Satisfaction and Confidence. These metrics provide insights into the employee perspective and give employers the knowledge they need to review the workplace situation and their talent management strategies.

Switzerland is only average in comparison

With a Talent Barometer score of 67%, Switzerland is above the global average of 64%. This positive result is put into perspective when you consider that Switzerland is only in 9th place out of the 16 countries that took part in the study.

"The relationship between employees and employers is at a crossroads," says Eric Jeannerod, Managing Director of ManpowerGroup in Switzerland. "While it is encouraging to see that 80 % of employees find meaning in their role. But the fact that more than a third are considering a job change should be seen as a wake-up call for employers. Companies that close key gaps will not only retain top talent, but also drive innovation and maintain a competitive advantage in an increasingly dynamic and global marketplace."

Switzerland is one of the countries with the highest stress levels

At 64%, the Swiss Wellbeing Index is in line with the global average, indicating that the majority of Swiss employees enjoy a positive work-life balance and feel connected to their employers' values. One challenge, however, is the increased daily stress levels reported by Swiss employees. With 46% of employees feeling high levels of stress on a daily basis, Switzerland is among the countries with the highest stress levels, surpassed only by the Netherlands and Denmark.

In terms of job satisfaction, Swiss employees are slightly above the global average, with 64% expressing satisfaction with their role (63% globally). This satisfaction rate indicates that many employees in Switzerland feel secure in their position, which contributes to overall job stability and a positive mood in the workplace.

As far as the confidence index is concerned, the result for Swiss employees is similar to the global average, with a value of 74%. A clear majority in Switzerland (91%) are confident in their skills and state that they have sufficient access to the technologies required for their tasks. 79 % state that they have the necessary tools to work effectively.

Promoting careers, ensuring success

Nevertheless, promotion opportunities are still a concern for many, as only 51% of Swiss employees believe that they have enough opportunities for advancement in their company. This shows that there is room for improvement when it comes to supporting career development.

"Today's workforce is not just looking for a job. They are looking for an environment that values their individuality and encourages their growth," says Eric Jeannerod. " Given the complexity of the modern workplace, it is imperative for employers to prioritize the holistic well-being of employees and career development. By doing so, employers can create a culture of engagement and innovation that not only attracts talent, but also fosters loyalty and success."

Source: www.manpowergroup.ch