The threat to secure building operation posed by WLAN-enabled devices and systems is real. They often create gateways for hackers in otherwise well-secured buildings, which can endanger not only companies but also users. Operators, managers, owners, external service providers, employees, residents and visitors are particularly affected, as all WLAN-enabled devices, systems and vehicles inside and outside a building represent potential security risks. The course raises awareness of these risks, provides practical information on how to identify weak points and clarifies who is ultimately legally responsible.

The event is part of a two-part series of courses, the modules of which can be attended independently of each other. Experts from the field explain how cybersecurity should be classified in the context of buildings and which technical, human and legal components are crucial in order to gain the necessary attention from superiors, partner companies and customers.

Registration is possible via www.g-n-i.ch/agenda possible.

More information

Erich Sannemann has been managing the Swissmechanic office ad interim since the end of November 2024. The association's management has now extended his mandate: Erich Sannemann will become the new Director of the SME MEM Association.

Erich Sannemann holds a Master's degree in Industrial and Production Engineering from ETH Zurich and has extensive and practical knowledge of the MEM industry.

His career, characterized by positions in operations and supply chain up to C-level as well as management and board of directors in well-known companies in Swiss industry, includes a wide range of transformation projects. Erich Sannemann has proven himself in the development of excellence and management systems as well as in leadership and change management. His teaching activities at universities of applied sciences underline his expertise in combining innovation and operational excellence

Swissmechanic is looking forward to working with Erich Sannemann to tackle the numerous future challenges facing the MEM industry with vigor and expertise.

Source: www.swissmechanic.ch

Megasol Energie AG is one of the world's leading manufacturers of solar modules and intelligent mounting systems. The company, which is based in Deitingen (SO) and has a production facility in Ningbo (China), employs 220 people and develops both standard modules and special solutions in individual designs and colors. Megasol is one of the most important suppliers in Europe, particularly in the field of building-integrated photovoltaics.

An in-house research department works with renowned partners on the continuous further development of design, aesthetics, production and efficiency. As an important supplier for industry and commerce in Switzerland and Europe, Megasol is actively driving the photovoltaic sector forward.

From garage company to leading solar manufacturer

The story of Megasol began in 1993, when the then twelve-year-old Markus Gisler founded the company. What began as a small start-up developed into an internationally active manufacturer of solar modules and mounting systems. Today, Gisler leads the company as CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors.

The company entered the European market by opening a production facility in China in 2004. Further milestones were the introduction of the NICER in-roof system (2012) and the development of colored solar modules (2014), which enable seamless integration into the building envelope. Through continuous research, close partnerships with universities and technological innovations such as HiR cell technology, Megasol Energie AG is setting new standards in the solar industry.

Excellent technology and quality

To ensure the highest quality and durability, Megasol subjects its products to strict testing procedures. Each solar module undergoes electroluminescence, UV exposure and flash tests, ensuring complete traceability back to the raw material batch.

Megasol's high quality standards and technological innovations are widely recognized. The company has received numerous Swiss and European awards in the fields of solar energy, architecture and design. Among the most prestigious are the Red Dot Design Award, the Swiss Solar Prize and the Export Award from Switzerland Global Enterprise.

Recycling, renewable energies and education

At its headquarters in Deitingen, the company's entire production electricity is generated by its own solar power system and the production process consistently uses environmentally friendly and recyclable materials. The company is also a partner of PV Cycle and the SENS Foundation to ensure that its solar modules are almost completely recycled. Megasol also assumes social responsibility: with projects such as the Solar Learning Initiative and the women's solar project in Nicaragua, the company promotes training in the solar sector and access to sustainable energy.

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

Prix SVC Espace Mittelland 2025

The award ceremony will take place on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, in the Kursaal Bern. Around 1,300 guests from the worlds of business, science, politics and culture are expected to attend. The Prix SVC Espace Mittelland was first awarded in 2003 and will be held for the fifteenth time in 2025. Further information.

The planner module allows companies to easily coordinate important company events such as team outings, annual meetings or birthdays and book required resources such as rooms or vehicles directly in their own employee app. Whether in the office, on the road or on the shop floor - all employees should feel like a valuable part of the team and have access to the relevant information at all times. This ensures a high level of transparency and smooth processes in day-to-day work.

"With our new planner, we are creating a platform that simplifies our customers' day-to-day work and at the same time promotes communication and team cohesion," explains Andreas Bucher, co-founder and Head of Sales at Involve. "It is important to us that all employees are always up to date."

The planner is fully integrated into the Involve app, which means that employees can easily access all relevant information at any time, even when they are on the move. This not only creates flexibility, but also strengthens the sense of belonging - regardless of where they work. In addition to the new planner, the employee app offers functions such as company news, chats, surveys and digital appreciation cards.

Involve: Simple, close, appreciative and 100 % Switzerland

Involve is an owner-managed Swiss company with offices in Sursee, Dübendorf and Murten. The employee app is developed in Switzerland and the data is stored on certified Swiss servers. Companies that want to simplify internal communication and involve their employees more closely in the company can test the Swiss app for employees without obligation at involve.ch.

Allianz Suisse has been certified as an excellent employer by the international consulting and research institute "Great Place to Work" for the second time in a row. The certification is based on an anonymous survey conducted among Allianz Suisse employees in January 2025. The questions for the certification are based on the five different dimensions of an actively practiced, trust-based workplace culture: credibility, respect, fairness, team spirit and pride. Laura Gersch, CEO of Allianz Suisse, on the results of the survey: "I am proud of our team, which pursues our goals in line with our purpose with great commitment and passion: We secure your future."

Allianz Suisse among the top 10 "Best Workplaces Switzerland"

Based on the 2024 certification, Allianz Suisse also received the "Best Workplaces Switzerland". This award recognizes special achievements in the development of trusting working relationships and the creation of attractive and conducive working conditions. Allianz Suisse achieved 9th place in the category: organizations with more than 250 employees. This outstanding result confirms that Allianz Suisse is an attractive employer in Switzerland. It actively supports its employees and shows them trust, respect and appreciation. Whether Allianz Suisse will be recognized as "Best Workplaces(TM) Switzerland" again this year will not be announced until later in the year.

The "Great Place to Work" award recognizes companies that actively promote trusting working relationships. It also stands for outstanding achievements in creating attractive and supportive working conditions. At Allianz Suisse, great importance is attached to offering employees a working environment that is characterized by trust, respect and appreciation.

Approval rating of 79 percent - a strong figure

As the analysis of the anonymous survey shows, 79% of all participants believe that Allianz Suisse is a "Great Place to Work". At 79 percent, Allianz Suisse is only just below the benchmark of 85 percent that Swiss companies have to achieve to be nominated as a "Best Workplace" (category: Large, 250 employees or more).

The internationally active consulting and research institute "Great Place to Work" has been collecting and analysing data to measure the workplace culture of organizations for over 30 years. The institute works with over 10,000 companies worldwide every year and surveys around ten million employees in 60 countries.

Source: www.allianz.ch

This article originally appeared on m-q.ch - https://www.m-q.ch/de/allianz-suisse-erneut-great-place-to-work/

Managers should treat their employees with appreciation and mutual respect. This is emphasized in almost all management seminars. However, employees sometimes feel little of this in their day-to-day work. It is not uncommon for a rather harsh tone to prevail, especially when there is a crackle or already a fire in the company's woodwork - for example, because revenue is falling away - and managers are therefore under a lot of pressure themselves from the top down.

So here are a few tips on how to treat your employees with respect and communicate with them in an appreciative manner, even in "difficult times".

1. Before you communicate with your employees, reflect on their state of mind. This is particularly important in times of crisis or fundamental (market) changes, as these also unsettle your employees.
2. Also, if you want to communicate a message or information to your employees, always think about which channel is the right one before you take action. Because it makes a big difference whether you tell them something by email, over the phone or in a face-to-face meeting.
3. Before you communicate with your employees - regardless of the channel - reflect on your own state of mind. If you don't feel in a good mood to communicate in an appreciative manner, postpone the conversation or do something to improve your mood first.
4. For example, never spontaneously compose and send an e-mail out of a feeling of annoyance. This is usually regretted a short time later. First save the email in the drafts folder and proofread it once or twice before clicking the send button.
5. Accept that you too are a being made of flesh and blood (and not a machine) and therefore sometimes do not react as rationally as you would - perhaps - like to. Be aware of the emotions you are currently feeling that influence your feelings and actions... and accept them as part of your human existence.
6. Suppose you feel insecure, helpless or even helpless in view of the current situation. Then admit this to yourself. This is not a weakness, but a reaction to the current situation. Seek to discuss this with reflective individuals in your network or a coach. Give yourself as much security as possible and then take the helm instead of being a "victim of circumstances".
7. Try to accept the adverse circumstances or difficult conditions just like the weather - in line with the maxim: "Change it, love it or leave it". There is suitable clothing for every weather and appropriate behavior for every situation or constellation. You just have to find this for yourself - alone or in dialog with other people.
8. As a manager, you need to be able to control your emotional balance, because one of your (management) tasks is to give your employees guidance and support. Make sure that you always see at least the silver lining on the horizon or the light at the end of the tunnel. For example, by making yourself aware of the difficulties you and your team have already overcome in the past that you initially thought "We can't do it".
9. In situations of crisis or upheaval, seek more personal discussions with your employees. Ask them how they are feeling and show understanding for their fears and concerns, wishes and needs. Give them (well-dosed) insights into your own emotional life. This makes you human and strengthens your personal relationship.
10. Take responsibility for your behavior. Apologize sincerely if, for example, you have used the wrong tone or overstepped the mark for emotional reasons. This happens to everyone from time to time - especially in stressful situations. Forgive yourself for such "small mistakes", because "nobody is perfect".
11. Be aware that successful communication always requires a mutual willingness to understand the other person correctly. Consequently, you are not responsible for every misunderstanding. Nevertheless, clear these up as quickly as possible - especially if they put a strain on the relationship and/or lead to a reduction in performance.
12. If something goes wrong, don't go looking for the personal "culprit(s)" either alone or in a team. This only takes time and puts a strain on the mood. Instead, look (together) for the (problem) causes and solutions.
13. If your corporate culture allows it, talk to colleagues in your management circle about your feelings and concerns about the current situation. Then you will almost always find out: You are not alone in having them. Consequently, they are not an expression of personal weaknesses, but are situation-related. If such an exchange is unfortunately not possible in your company, look for another forum for this.
14. Pay particular attention to your mental hygiene and work-life balance, especially in crisis and stressful situations. In your free time, for example, ensure the necessary balance and stress reduction through sport or targeted relaxation. Otherwise, there is a great risk that your pent-up negative emotions will burst out of you uncontrollably at some point and your environment will distance itself from you in horror.

About the authors:

Elke Katharina Meyer, Frank Nesemann and Thomas Achim Werner together form the management team of the management consultancy Positivity Guides eGbR, Berlin/Braunschweigwhich, among other things, offers open and in-house training on the topics of positive leadership.

This article originally appeared on m-q.ch - https://www.m-q.ch/de/wertschaetzend-fuehren-und-kommunizieren-auch-in-schwierigen-zeiten/

Private 5G networks are booming thanks to their use in critical industries such as energy and utilities, the military, logistics and healthcare. 100% of respondents to the trend study stated that they are either already using private 5G networks (86%) or are considering their use (14%).

IT and cybersecurity experts also seem to understand the potential benefits of AI-powered security in these environments: Here too, almost all of them stated that they either already use such tools for private 5G networks (62 percent) or plan to use them (35 percent).

Respondents consider the following AI-supported functions to be essential:

• Predictive threat intelligence (58 percent)
• Continuous, adaptive authentication (52 percent)
• Enforcement of Zero Trust (47 percent)
• Self-healing networks with AI automation (41 percent)

The lack of internal CT expertise is also reflected in the fact that only a fifth (20 percent) of global companies have a dedicated team to protect their communication networks. In many cases, responsibility for CT security lies with the CTO (43 percent) or the CIO (32 percent).

On average, less than a fifth (18 percent) of companies' security budgets are currently spent on private 5G networks, even though they support critical services and transport highly sensitive data.

Every second company protects data inadequately

Trend's study shows that companies are unknowingly exposing themselves to cyber and compliance risks if they do not secure the use of AI to monitor/analyze data traffic.

Specifically, only around half or fewer of those surveyed stated that they:

• Ensure compliance with data protection regulations such as the GDPR (54 percent)
• Encrypt data at rest and in transit (51 percent)
• Establish strict access controls for AI models (50 percent)
• Use data anonymization techniques (44 percent)

 "Not all AI security is created equal, and some organizations are putting themselves at risk due to a lack of expertise," said Rachel Jin, Chief Enterprise Platform Officer at Trend. "Proactively managing the attack surface is critical for private 5G networks, as any lapse in attention can open the door to compromise. Security leaders must combine AI-powered protection with a comprehensive understanding of technology and cyber risk to protect these critical environments."

5G and AI: security must grow with it

"Organizations see great operational value in private 5G networks, often as part of AI projects," reports Jim Frey, Principal Analyst, Networking for ESG. "However, they need to ensure that their Security Operations Center (SOC) is prepared to monitor and protect this new communications technology. Cybersecurity vendors that can employ proactive risk management, attack path prediction and other proactive measures will be able to protect private 5G and AI architectures."

Jason Huang, CEO of CTOne: "As organizations increase their use of private and public networks, new challenges arise that require specialized CT security capabilities," explains Jason Huang, CEO of CTOne. "Organizations need to ensure end-to-end security combined with comprehensive visibility that aligns with SecOps requirements. This allows them to manage the attack risk of the IT surface as it continues to expand and support new wireless applications."

More information

This article originally appeared on m-q.ch - https://www.m-q.ch/de/sicherheitsluecken-gefaehrden-private-5g-netze-inmitten-des-ki-booms/

The Forvis Mazars partnership in Switzerland has elected Angelo Accardi as the new CEO of Forvis Mazars. The 42-year-old business economist and qualified auditor can look back on a long career at Forvis Mazars in Switzerland. He started his career in 2008 as a junior in the Audit & Assurance department for insurance companies and was one of the first employees at the Zurich office. In 2020, Angelo Accardi was appointed to the Executive Board as Head of Financial Services.

"Angelo has climbed every rung of the career ladder with us, embodies our values and is now taking over the management of the company that he himself played a key role in building in order to lead it into the next strategic period," says José Caneda, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Forvis Mazars in Switzerland.

An era of growth and transformation

José Caneda is handing over his position after nine successful years, during which the company has undergone fundamental change in Switzerland. Under his leadership, Forvis Mazars has grown from 100 to over 450 employees in Switzerland. With the opening of new locations in both western and German-speaking Switzerland and the launch of new services in the areas of audit, consulting, tax, outsourcing, financial advisory and sustainability, the auditing and consulting firm has established itself as a reliable partner for SMEs and large companies in Switzerland.

José Caneda will continue to serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Forvis Mazars in Switzerland following the handover of the CEO role. He will also take on management tasks at Group level.

Focus on further growth

In the new strategy period, Forvis Mazars continues to strive for significant growth in Switzerland in order to meet the increasing demand with expanded services, additional experts and new locations.

"The core of our strategy lies in the promotion of talent and the further development of our unique corporate culture, which sets us apart. This culture is based on a strong combination of entrepreneurial spirit, community spirit and excellence. It is a key differentiator for our customers and forms the basis for our continued growth. I am very much looking forward to leading our company into the next strategic period together with our employees and customers," says Angelo Accardi, CEO of Forvis Mazars in Switzerland.

Source: www.forvismazars.com/ch

Long-term absences are causing ever greater problems for Swiss companies. Almost half of the companies surveyed for a study by the Sotomo research institute are already affected by this. Long-term absences due to illness, accidents or parental leave exacerbate and complicate operational planning, put a strain on permanent staff and increase the shortage of skilled workers. According to the study, this remains a problem despite rising unemployment. However, personnel planning is also exacerbated by the fluctuating order situation. In this difficult situation, companies are turning to personnel service providers for help. These fulfill an important hinge function by enabling companies to react flexibly to personnel challenges, take advantage of growth opportunities and strengthen their competitiveness.

Despite the weak economy and rising unemployment, staffing issues are one of the biggest challenges facing Swiss companies. This is clearly shown by a new study conducted by the research institute Sotomo on behalf of the industry association Swissstaffing. Across all sectors, most companies cite the shortage of skilled workers and the availability of staff as one of their biggest challenges (39 % of companies) - ahead of rising costs (27 %) or competitive pressure (21 %).

Qualified specialists in particular are hard to find: 78% of companies report that they have had at least some considerable difficulty filling vacancies in recent years - especially for specialists with professional experience and managers. The shortage of skilled workers is exacerbated by long-term absences due to illness, accidents or parental leave and makes operational planning more difficult. Around four out of ten companies are severely or somewhat severely affected by long-term absences. This leads to an additional burden on permanent staff. For the study, Sotomo surveyed 509 companies in German-speaking and French-speaking Switzerland with at least five employees.

Temporary work ensures labor market flexibility in uncertain times

A fluctuating order situation is an additional challenge for companies. 40 percent of companies state that the resulting fluctuation in staffing requirements is a burden. Demand can change significantly in a short space of time, whether due to seasonal fluctuations, unexpected market movements or changing customer requirements. This requires a high degree of agility in personnel planning. Without flexible forms of employment, there is a risk of either overcapacity in quiet periods or staff shortages in phases of high demand. The need to react to changes at short notice therefore not only presents companies with strategic and economic challenges, but also requires innovative solutions in work organization.

In response to these challenges, flexible forms of work are becoming increasingly important for the economy. Many companies are therefore focusing on temporary staffing: 41% of companies currently employ temporary workers. A further 19 percent have done so in the past. This model is particularly widespread in the construction and industrial sectors, where 56% and 38% of companies use temporary workers respectively. Staff leasing is indispensable for large companies with more than 250 employees. 87 percent use temporary staff, 83 percent of whom are currently employed.

Temporary work allows companies to react flexibly to staff shortages, make better use of growth phases and accept short-term orders that would otherwise not have been possible. This adaptability not only increases operational efficiency, but also contributes to the competitiveness of the Swiss economy. The study shows that companies use temporary work for a variety of reasons. It is most frequently used to bridge short-term vacancies and to compensate for staffing bottlenecks. Many companies also use temporary work to get to know new employees before hiring them permanently. Personnel service providers are increasingly becoming strategically important business partners in the recruitment process.

Swiss economy benefits from flexible working models

Not only individual companies, but also the economy as a whole benefits from temporary work, according to the companies surveyed. Two thirds state that temporary work plays a central role for Switzerland as a business location. This assessment is particularly widespread among companies that employ temporary workers themselves - 78% of them. As the study results make clear, this is probably due to the important hinge function of personnel service providers on the Swiss labor market. They enable companies to react flexibly to challenges in personnel matters, take advantage of growth opportunities and strengthen their competitiveness.

About the study

Gasser Ceramic is a Swiss family business with over 100 years of experience in the manufacture of clay products. From classic bricks and roof tiles to innovative photovoltaic solutions, the company combines traditional craftsmanship with state-of-the-art technology. With around 200 employees, six kilns and four production sites, Gasser Ceramic is one of the leading manufacturers in the industry. The company consistently focuses on quality, sustainability and innovation.

From a manual brickworks to a modern SME

The history of Gasser Ceramic began in 1918, when Louis Gasser took over a small manual brickworks and laid the foundations for today's company. Today, the company is run by the third generation, Rudolf and Hans Gasser, while the fourth generation, Julienne Gasser and Lukas Schläppi, is already actively involved in the company. Since 2010, Gasser Ceramic has formed a group of companies with several locations, including Ziegelei Morandi Frères SA, Tuileries & Briqueteries Bardonnex SA, Ziegelei Schüpfen AG, Samof France and Panotron AG. With this broad base, Gasser Ceramic has developed into a modern company that combines tradition with the latest technologies and meets the highest quality standards.

Quality from tradition and progress

Gasser Ceramic develops and produces high-quality clay products - from classic clay roof tiles and bricks to the innovative Panotron photovoltaic system. For generations, the company has focused on progress while remaining true to its values of honesty and flexibility. The quality of the products is based on a comprehensive quality assurance system: from careful analysis of the raw materials to final testing in the company's own laboratories, every step is monitored to ensure the highest standards. In addition, independent testing and research institutes ensure consistent quality.

Sustainability as a corporate principle

Sustainable action is deeply rooted in Gasser Ceramic's corporate culture. The company relies on regional raw materials, short transportation routes and resource-conserving production. Since 2015, it has been continuously reducing its carbon footprint, for example through the use of energy-efficient firing technologies and the purchase of emission certificates. One example of this is the high-performance Capo baking brick, which is produced in an almost climate-neutral way. Thanks to natural filling materials such as mineral or sheep's wool, it contributes to the energy efficiency of buildings. Gasser Ceramic also focuses on sustainability and aesthetics when it comes to photovoltaics. The PAN solar tiles and the FIT solar module can be integrated inconspicuously into roof surfaces and offer an efficient solution for sustainable energy generation.

The company is also committed to climate protection worldwide. By purchasing emission certificates, Gasser Ceramic is helping a brickworks in Brazil to switch to renewable biomass, thereby helping to reduce emissions and preserve biodiversity in the region.

With this consistent focus on quality, innovation and sustainability, Gasser Ceramic remains a strong partner for sustainable construction - today and in the future.

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

Prix SVC Espace Mittelland 2025

The award ceremony will take place on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, in the Kursaal Bern. Around 1,300 guests from the worlds of business, science, politics and culture are expected to attend. The Prix SVC Espace Mittelland was first awarded in 2003 and will be held for the fifteenth time in 2025. Further information.

Chemistry deals with the structure, properties and transformation of substances. With the help of atomic and molecular models, chemical processes, and therefore many everyday phenomena, can be explained and understood. This teaching aid explains the central topics of inorganic and organic chemistry. By working through them, students can acquire a broad and solid basic knowledge of chemistry.

"Chemistry for the vocational baccalaureate" contains easy-to-understand learning texts with memorable graphics and illustrations. Exercises and solutions help to consolidate what has been read. The teaching material is based on the framework curriculum for vocational baccalaureate schools that has been in force since 2015. Two separate insert sheets provide a practical overview of the periodic table, important quantities and their units as well as the redox and acid-base series.

The title is designed for teaching at vocational baccalaureate schools specializing in "Technology, Architecture, Life Sciences". It is also suitable for other vocational baccalaureate subjects, for baccalaureate schools, technical secondary schools and the passerelle.

More information

The aim is to provide innovative and customized SAP solutions to optimally support companies in the fashion industry in a highly dynamic market environment. The new unit will be led by renowned industry experts Pepe Fernandez and Gerald Reiser, who both have decades of experience in fashion, retail and SAP consulting. With their extensive expertise, they will drive the development of innovative solutions that enable fashion companies to successfully position themselves in an increasingly digital and competitive market landscape.

Experienced industry experts at the helm

Pepe Fernandez has more than 30 years of experience as a CIO and consultant. In leading positions, he was responsible for digital transformation processes for internationally renowned brands such as Loewe (LVMH), G-Star RAW and Tommy Hilfiger. His expertise in data analysis and omnichannel strategies has earned him international recognition. As co-chair of the European Fashion SAP User Group and member of the SAP Fashion Council, he plays a central role in the further development of the SAP roadmap for the fashion industry.

Gerald Reiser has more than 25 years of SAP expertise, including 13 years specializing in SAP AFS, FMS and S/4HANA Fashion. In leading positions at renowned consulting companies such as IDS Scheer and attune / Rizing CI Europe, he gained extensive experience in building and scaling SAP consulting practices for fashion and lifestyle customers. His in-depth understanding of industry-specific challenges and potentials will contribute significantly to the success of the new business unit.

Setting the strategic course for the future

"The fashion industry is undergoing a profound change in which digital transformation and changing customer expectations are redefining the competitive landscape," explains Philipp Rohe, Managing Partner of Retailsolutions. "With the establishment of our Fashion & Apparel business unit and the expertise of Pepe and Gerald, we are ideally positioned to support our customers on their path to growth and success with innovative SAP solutions."

This strategic expansion underlines our clear commitment to providing first-class SAP solutions that are specifically tailored to the requirements of the fashion and apparel industry. By combining in-depth retail experience with a specific focus on fashion & apparel, the company strengthens its position as a reliable partner for brands that want to actively shape the future in a highly dynamic market environment.

Source: www.retailsolutions.ch