Two-thirds of the Swiss population are willing to resume cultural visits without further hesitation. This was the finding of a survey conducted on behalf of the Federal Office of Culture (FOC) and the General Secretariat of the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education (GS EDK) in September and October 2022. The survey shows that what was missed most during the Corona crisis in the context of cultural activities were encounters and exchanges.

The willingness to attend a cultural event has increased significantly since the third survey in April 2021. Whereas at that time only 30 percent of respondents were willing to visit cultural institutions or events again "without much concern," this proportion had doubled by fall 2022. However, 30 percent of respondents continue to express some concerns.

Corona not over yet

Around half of respondents report that they have become accustomed to staying at home and are now less likely to visit cultural institutions than before the Corona crisis. They also express the view that the Corona crisis is not over yet

The uncertainty surrounding the pandemic also continues to affect amateur culture. For example, 18 percent of those who engaged in amateur cultural activities say they have given them up since the crisis. This figure is worrying, since amateur culture makes a contribution to the cohesion of the population that should not be underestimated. It also forms an important basis for professional culture.

Digital cultural offerings are becoming increasingly important. However, these can only supplement, not replace, analog cultural activities, as the survey confirms: 69 percent of respondents still consider local offerings to be indispensable. For a large part of the population, cultural activities are an important part of living together.

The complete results of the survey are available here.

More than five hours - that's how long Swiss teenagers spend on their cell phones every day. Little has changed in the last three years. Young people still spend the majority of their free time in front of a screen - not including devices such as laptops, tablets or TVs.

On average, the study participants spend just under 16 hours a week on social media. The top app is the meta-app Instagram, which is used most intensively by more than a third of the participants. Tiktok follows in second place, as it did in 2021. Chatting represents an important function of social media, with Snapchat leading the way here. Email, on the other hand, is practically no longer important for communication among young people.

Two and a half hours of gaming apps

However, young people have made gains when it comes to gaming on their smartphones. According to the current figures, they spend two and a half hours on gaming apps. In contrast to 2021, that's about an hour longer. Basically, Generation Z is available almost always and everywhere on digital channels.

Based on screenshots of their actual cell phone usage statistics of participants aged 13 to 23, Xeit evaluated screen time and real smartphone usage. The screenshots of usage activities regularly sent in by the study participants each show the average weekly screen time and usage time of various apps, over a total period of four weeks. A total of 356 adolescents took part, 129 of whom were female, 219 male and 8 diverse.

Advent is not only the time for mulled wine. Forecasts, outlooks and predictions are also very popular in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Almost always, however, they only extrapolate what has already become apparent in the past year. The topic of dark data, however, is currently more about turning common beliefs inside out and critically examining them. The Zug-based company Aparavi, a solution provider for data intelligence and automation, has done just that:

1. The cloud will swallow anything if need be: This is not only an ignorant approach, but also an expensive, unsustainable and potentially dangerous one. Simply moving your overflowing unstructured data pools to the cloud doesn't solve a problem, it just moves it to somewhere - literally.
2. A lot helps a lot: The more data a company hoards, the better. After all, they're all data treasures, right? Wrong! It can be a burden in more ways than one. A company sitting on terabytes of unstructured data has no way of knowing what's hiding there. And much of it is redundant and potentially at risk from personal data and security-critical information.
3. Sustainability is when waste is not visible: Overflowing unstructured data pools require terabytes of storage space. But they lie invisible in their own basements or hidden at the provider's and cause no visible emissions. It's a shame that there are no CO2 measuring stations at particularly busy data intersections. If there were, it would quickly become clear that big data is also big waste - and action must finally be taken. 
4. Safety is when nothing has happened yet: Alarming reports about data breaches, even at listed companies, surprisingly often do not wake people up, but lull them to sleep. As if this would reduce the probability of being caught. Wrong! No one knows exactly what security and compliance risks lurk in unstructured data pools. If you want to sleep soundly again, you have to take care of it now.
5. The next trend will do the trick: Confidence in the latest data technology is certainly honorable. But does it actually solve the challenges we face? After Data Warehouse, Data Fabric, Data Lake and Data Mesh, is it enough to focus on the next hype? Or isn't it high time to start at the root to finally get a grip on the flood of unstructured data?

"The combination of thoughtless waste and lack of awareness of the problem is a dangerous game of time." explains Gregor Bieler, Co-CEO at Aparavi. "The handling of data must finally become more economically sensible and ecologically responsible."

Source: Aparavi

This article originally appeared on m-q.ch - https://www.m-q.ch/de/dark-data-warum-sich-der-umgang-mit-daten-grundlegend-aendern-muss/

Open Strategy

Successfully managing disruption through open strategy work.

• Author: Christian Stadler, Kurt Matzler, Stephan Friedrich von den Eichen, Julia Hautz and Markus Anschober
• Publisher: Vahlen Verlag, 2022
• Pages: 292
• ISBN: 9783800669424

The central idea of Open Strategy is that companies should include as many external and internal ideas as possible when developing new strategies. The book describes how to do this in a very practical way. Step by step and with the help of many examples, the authors go through the entire process and provide appropriate tools. They also point out that Open Strategy is a real challenge for hierarchically functioning organizations. Therefore, every company should carefully consider in advance to what extent it is ready to open up.

Mastering transcultural challenges

Clarify misunderstandings and strengthen competencies.

• Author: Anna Fuchs
• Publisher: Rowohlt Verlag, 2022
• Pages: 288
• ISBN: 9783499000638

Today, intercultural competence is considered a key skill that opens doors for you professionally and privately, says Anna Fuchs. In her practice-oriented book, she does not limit herself to the usual tips on how to avoid culture-related misunderstandings and faux pas. Instead, she uses many examples from everyday work to show how you can gain a deeper understanding of the culturally influenced characteristics of your employees and thereby develop your own personality. A must-read for all those who work in international teams.

Feel better

A Journey to Serenity.

• Author: Leon Windscheid
• Publisher: Rowohlt Verlag, 2021
• Pages: 272
• ISBN: 9783499003776

Feeling Better delivers what it promises: the reader learns to better understand different feelings and how to deal with them. Thanks to numerous scientific studies and experiments as well as examples from the author's life, his thought processes are easy to follow. Much of this inspiring reading can also be applied to one's own life. Some points are not new, but others are, such as the explanations of the feeling "Tsewa", which is hardly known in the western world. A recommendation for all who want to deal with their feelings in more detail.

Training from the Back of the Room!

65 Ways to create space for learning in trainings.

• Author: Sharon L. Bowman
• Publisher: dpunkt.verlag, 2021
• Pages: 306
• ISBN: 9783864908088

Many trainers still use a lecture-based teaching style. But brain research shows that real learning only takes place when participants are actively involved throughout. The 4-C lesson design process is one way to make seminars "brain-friendly." The author explains how the process works in detail and provides numerous examples for concrete implementation in everyday seminar life. An exciting, practical book for anyone interested in effective and efficient knowledge transfer.

Freihof Küsnacht works with people with addiction problems and or a mental illness and with delinquents on their future and has been offering services in the areas of social therapy, residential support and work integration for over 40 years. Its fundamental goal is a reality-compatible and sustainable integration through inclusion and the building of skills to be able to deal independently with the demands of life and society.

"The relaunch of our website was the starting point for a successful and effective new look. Thanks to the new structure and information hierarchy, we can now provide our extensive range of therapies with work, integration and employment programs in a clear and understandable way," explains Katja Cangero, Managing Director of Freihof Küsnacht.

While revising and refreshing the primary basic elements of the corporate identity, a redesign of the logo was an obvious choice. In line with the newly defined corporate typeface, the logo takes first place and functions as the most important identifying mark. The punctuation of the square bracket visualizes an open field of work with a clearly defined scope of action. The typographic design in two colors is intended to create an unagitated typeface and is combined with a sophisticated visual language, which is intended to round off the overall appearance in a positive and sympathetic manner.

Responsible at Freihof Küsnacht: Katja Cangero (Managing Director), Beat Stark (Deputy Managing Director), Beatrice Betschart (Head of Work Education & Supported Employment; Member of the Executive Board), Isabel Hammer (Head of Projects), Responsible at Sofies Kommunikationsdesign: Kevin Casado (Consulting, Strategy), Roger Steck (Creative Director), Anja Meier (Design), Pasquale Li Voti (Consulting, Digital), Luca Moor (Code), Timo Buff (Code), Melissa Federer (Code), Pawel Streit (Photography).

In December, the nights are definitely no longer quiet, but rather covered with intrusive sound carpets: from festive (Werbemuzak) to reproachful (Salvation Army) to bawling (mulled wine parties). Quiet quitting is the most common thing to do at this time of year: "Quiet quitting" is what they call it lately. Especially around the holidays, the silent goodbyes begin in offices and home offices every year.

"Another year gone and no improvement in sight," employees seem to think at the turn of the year. Maybe that's because everyone has time to reflect over the holidays and meet relatives and friends who brag to them about what a great life they had. Immediately afterwards: first check LinkedIn and lo and behold - here, too, only successes are posted, people gossip and comment. How great everyone is! As you scroll, your own dissatisfaction grows and the goodbyes take their course. But already in the first week of the new year, most people lose heart and the planned job change turns into a retreat, and instead of saying goodbye properly, they say goodbye quietly.

Service by the book

The German version of "Quiet quitting" sounds more military and doesn't quite get to the point. Quiet quitting fits better. Saying goodbye to the motivation to work for a company. Saying goodbye to the amenities that suddenly seem like disadvantages or to colleagues who were already cooler than they are now. This is called subjective perception, bias or self-fulfilling prophecy. Instead of a logical argumentation, pseudo-arguments talk everything badly that was and is, so that what could be becomes justifiable.

Does this sound familiar to you? Or are you perhaps thinking to yourself as you read these lines that there are also rational reasons for wanting to change jobs? Of course there are. That's why "quiet quitting" is not just a Generation Z buzzword, but indicative of one of the most important discussions that should be taking place in the world of work right now.

We need to talk about how work and life can be considered holistically in addition to work - out loud. Together, exploring the ideal between self-optimization and performance and profit optimization. After all, this debate offers the chance to talk about the meaning and purpose of working together, about opportunities, perspectives, expectations and well-being, about quality, performance or the future of work in general.

Employers should urgently consider whether it would not be better to tackle employees' issues head-on instead of complaining that they are hiding in their home offices and saying goodbye to them internally. Employees would be advised, instead of resigning, to be honest with themselves and their employer, to stand up and voice their needs. As is mandatory in any relationship. In this sense: Merry Christmas of love!

Among other things, employee participation is crucial to the success of a management system. The QM experts from ConSense Management Consulting, the consulting services of the Aachen-based software developer ConSense GmbH, recommend using the process-oriented approach not only to build a software-based quality management or integrated management system, but also to promote internal communication. This is because it results in suggestions for improvement that help the system achieve increased use and high acceptance.

Process-oriented approach: promoting knowledge management and shared learning

This process-oriented approach to supporting internal communication involves modeling and optimizing processes with the participation of employees. Knowledge and approaches to the respective processes are collected, views are exchanged, and a common picture of the respective task is developed. With the help of the SIPOC method, a design principle from lean management, processes and procedures can be presented in a lean, transparent and easily comprehensible manner with a relatively low level of detail. By working together as a team, a uniform, visualized basis is created in this way, which can also be used to make subsequent changes, updates and improvements more easily, since all those involved start from the same basis.

From process annotations to chat channels: Sharing knowledge and experience

Since knowledge gained from experience cannot be passed on completely through documentation, ConSense Management Consulting relies on close exchange and cooperation among employees. The company's software solutions are designed with this in mind, offering their users a variety of options for adding questions, ideas and suggestions to operational processes. For example, evaluations or comments on processes can be stored. In addition, chat channels are used for direct communication and collaboration within the management system. In this way, processes and activities are repeatedly viewed jointly by those involved, who exchange their experience and knowledge of them and optimize or further develop procedures. The value of process modeling therefore lies not only in the visualization and analysis of processes and their potential for improvement, but also in the support of communication within teams or between departments. At the same time, a common understanding of work processes can be created.

Webinars and workshops for practical implementation

The management system experts of the Aachen-based software house teach how to realize the implementation in an application-oriented way and what needs to be taken into account. ConSense Management Consulting provides support for practical and application-oriented process modeling based on a holistic view of companies. This takes equal account of the three design areas of technology, organization and people. An introduction to the topic is provided by the ConSense Campus Webinar "Processes as if from a single mold with a style guide for process descriptions"which will take place on March 9, 2023, for example. For a more in-depth study, the full-day workshop "ConSense Styleguide for Process Modeling" is suitable, which can be scheduled on request.

This article originally appeared on m-q.ch - https://www.m-q.ch/de/wie-laesst-sich-akzeptiertes-und-gelebtes-qualitaetsmanagement-foerdern/

The same US parent company holds a stake in Hellofiber as in the telecoms provider Sunrise. Hellofiber provides fiber-optic networks to private households, businesses and public institutions. In a very short time, Evoq developed the brand identity and the complete marketing strategy with the corresponding communication media.

At the core of the design concept are the brand flower, the light dots and a series of primary and secondary colors, which are intended to ensure a diverse and eye-catching appearance. A specific marketing toolkit was put together for marketing. It contains tools, processes and resources based on the S, M and L principles. Depending on the expansion area and the task at hand, marketing measures can be implemented quickly, efficiently and in line with local requirements. The respective campaign planning is structured in three phases.

First, the brand is to be made known in the clearly defined target area. Then the product portfolio is penetrated and the uniqueness of the offer is emphasized. Finally, the phase of scarcity follows with time-limited promotional offers and benefits according to the principle of "now or never".

Communication takes place via digital channels such as the website Hellofiber.com and digital advertising media, but above all also via OOH measures, scatter mailings, direct mailings, and advertisements in local media.

Baden and the region has a lively cultural scene and stands out as both a conference and recreation destination. Baden's extensive offerings are popular with guests and locals alike.

In order to better exploit this potential, tourism stakeholders have joined forces in the new TourismusRegion Baden AG (TRB). The foundation was completed on Wednesday evening. The founders wrote in a press release that a new age of tourism is dawning: "The joint-stock company will not only actively market the unique diversity of the destination, but will also bundle the forces of service providers, local authorities and economic partners in an efficient and dynamic way.

Partners from tourism, business and politics on board

"Strong key partners from a wide range of sectors will be an essential factor in the success of the new organization," explains TRB Board of Directors Chairman René Kamer. In the new AG, the business community and other stakeholders are directly involved and bear corresponding responsibility.

The new shareholders include IG Hotels Region Baden, the City Com association, the Bad Zurzach + Baden Health Promotion Foundation, the Grand Casino Baden, the Kulturaktiv association and Eglin Immobilien. They are all convinced that the joint marketing of the Baden & Region destination will greatly increase its profile and popularity. The municipality of Baden is not a shareholder in the AG. There is a performance agreement between the municipality and TRB, which is intended to ensure cooperation and also the right to a say through the seat of Markus Schneider as mayor on the board of directors. The service agreement is initially limited to four years.

"Added value for all"

TRB wants to present the cultural and spa city as lively, warm, innovative and enjoyable. With innovative spirit and commitment, the new, innovative organization should strengthen the destination, position it better, use synergies and thus increase the added value in the region.

"I am pleased, the marketing will be done jointly in the future - this not only strengthens tourism, but leads to added value for all," the newly elected TRB Managing Director Mirko Capodanno is quoted in the release. Finally, this joint, open and holistic thinking will create a genuine culture of welcome and hospitality.

The tourism organization founded on Wednesday will now start its activities and the operational outsourcing from the city promptly. All employees of the competence area tourism of the city of Baden will transfer to the new organization. The board of directors is composed as follows:

• René Kamer, Chairman of the Board of Directors ThermalBaden, Chairman of the Board of Directors
• Susanne Slavicek, Member of the Board Verein Kulturaktiv, Vice President
• Jessica Schmiederer, IG Hotels Baden + Region
• Michael Wicki, President City Com Baden
• Rainer Blaser, Director Health Promotion Foundation Bad Zurzach + Baden
• Michael Böni, CEO, Grand Casino Baden
• Werner Eglin, Board of Directors Eglin Group and representative MICE
• Markus Schneider, Mayor of the City of Baden

The managing director of the TourismusRegion Baden is Mirko Capodanno and the deputy managing director is Stephanie Kiener, who previously headed the tourism competence area at the city of Baden. The tourism team also consists of six other employees.

Digitization has picked up speed in many industries. But the healthcare sector is lagging far behind. For the digital transformation of the healthcare system to succeed, the needs and fears of the Swiss population must be taken into account. Against this backdrop, digitalswitzerland 2022 launched Digital Health, a new initiative that aims to digitize the entire Swiss healthcare system and make it patient-centric. This should help to improve the transparency, accessibility and understanding of health information for the entire Swiss population. A survey has now been conducted to find out how the Swiss population rates the digitization of the healthcare system.

The higher the level of education, the higher the level of health and digital literacy

The survey results show that many Swiss citizens rate their health literacy (76%) and digital literacy (72%) as high to very high. Health literacy increases with age, while digital literacy decreases. The level of education also plays an important role: people with a higher level of education have higher health and digital literacy. "Health and digital literacy should already be addressed in compulsory schooling so that all citizens have the same opportunities to develop these important skills of today and tomorrow," concludes Jade Sternberg, Project Manager Digital Health, digitalswitzerland and lead author of the study.

Key factor for the digitization of the healthcare system: trust

Trust in the various healthcare organizations that play a role in the digitization of the healthcare system is particularly important. With regard to the handling of health data, 70% of respondents have a high to very high level of trust in healthcare providers including hospitals, followed by the government (47%), while the private sector (22%) enjoys the lowest level of trust. Trust in hospitals and primary care physicians accounts for their high ranking as the most important source of health information (54%). Medical personnel have been a central element of the health care system for centuries, but there are signs of a shift toward a system that is less focused on medical professionals and more on patients.

Patients take an increasingly active role

At the same time, the role of patients is also changing, as they are taking a more active role and more personal responsibility than in the past. Thus, 31% of the population no longer refer exclusively to people in need of treatment as patients. Everyone is a patient, whether healthy, sick or injured. This is also reflected in the increasing variety of preventive services offered by health insurers. Tomorrow's healthcare system should be patient-centered and empower patients to learn about their health and become more engaged with preventive measures. This with the aim of promoting a more active and healthier society.

"We are currently not exploiting the potential of preventive healthcare. Prevention will play a key role in the future - it is the only way to make the transition from a system that focuses on the sick and injured to one that is geared towards keeping everyone healthy for longer, explains Philomena Colatrella, CEO of CSS.

This is accompanied by the desire of patients to have more control over their own health data. 68% of the population want to be legal owners of their personal health data. The electronic patient dossier is a step in this direction, as patients themselves have control over who can access their data.

Data protection as a key for or against the digitization of the healthcare system

Digitalization has many advantages, but it also gives rise to fears among citizens. 46% of the population fear that their data will be misused or stolen. Data protection has become more of a focus recently, but will need to play an even more central role in the digitalization of the healthcare system in the future to ensure that appropriate systems and servers are used to store and exchange data and that data misuse, incorrect storage or data theft is avoided. "We need to bring together all relevant players and representatives of the Swiss healthcare system to enable a smooth and successful transition of the healthcare system into the digital world," says Jade Sternberg. Only together can this transition be successful with transparent communication and patient empowerment. 

Source: digitalswitzerland

45 percent of people in Switzerland reject digitization of their health data

People in Switzerland are skeptical about the digital collection and sharing of their health data. Almost one in two is not prepared to do so. This is the finding of the new Deloitte study "Digitization of health data: great opportunities, great skepticism". However, the lack of trust can be strengthened through education and transparency, as well as by demonstrating the potential benefits of digitized health data for people themselves as well as for the healthcare system as a whole. On the one hand, policymakers are now called upon to stimulate public debate about a uniform, adequately secured and monitored digitized healthcare system and to create the necessary conditions at the federal level for its sustainable and uniform implementation. On the other hand, providers of digital solutions, medical institutions and healthcare professionals must make greater efforts to gain the trust of patients and highlight the benefits of digitization. Among the most important benefits of systematic digitization is the potential for significant Increases in efficiency and effectivenessand in particular with regard to patient care as well as the increasingly complex processes that have been in place for a long time.

Source: Deloitte

This article originally appeared on m-q.ch - https://www.m-q.ch/de/digitalisierung-des-gesundheitssystems-schweizer-bevoelkerung-ist-reif-dazu/

The fifth edition of the Salesforce "State of Sales" report is out. It summarizes the findings of more than 7,700 sales professionals from 38 countries, including 100 from Switzerland. The study examined how sales organizations are optimizing technology for maximum efficiency, meeting the increasing demands of customers, and maximizing the productivity of salespeople to succeed now.

It turns out: the new sales mantra is maximizing impact. Companies are turning away from risky strategies as they grapple with inflation, supply chain bottlenecks, regulatory uncertainty and political disruption. And yet, sales professionals are under pressure to achieve their goals. Fifty-three percent of Swiss sales professionals say selling is more difficult now. By comparison, across all countries surveyed, as many as 67 percent say the same.

Overwhelmed by the number of tools

Companies in Switzerland interact with buyers via an average of eight to ten channels: Sales people try to meet the increasing expectations of buyers. Buyers expect sales people to meet them where they are, regardless of channel - and then act as trusted advisors. However, nearly 70 percent of sales reps say they are overwhelmed by the number of tools available. Nine out of ten sales organizations therefore plan to consolidate their technology packages in the coming year, so that employees can spend more time selling and connecting with customers.

Sales employees in Switzerland spend only about 29 percent of their time on actual sales. Instead, they are busier with administrative tasks. At the same time, the sales department is taking on an increasingly strategic role in the company. Technologies that help them work more efficiently can free up more time for sales reps to talk to customers.

Companies are reviewing training programs and benefits while optimizing sales territories and tools to set employees on the path to success and retain top talent.

In a recent study, GfK examined this year's Christmas consumer behavior. When it comes to gifts for toys, the Swiss plan to spend an average of CHF 500. Nevertheless, there is a discernible trend toward cutting back on consumption. Overall, 42 percent of respondents plan to spend less on gifts than in other years. There is a certain trend toward cutting back on consumption, but this does not apply equally to all Swiss people. Many, especially those who can afford it, will spend the holidays in the same or similar way as in other years.

However, people on low incomes in particular are watching their Christmas budgets: 37 percent want to eat out less in the run-up to Christmas or during the holidays, and 33 percent are trying to save on Christmas dinner at home. About the same number want to forgo sports activities such as skiing during or after the holidays, or do so less frequently than in other years. Just under 20 percent are also considering giving used, i.e. second-hand, products as gifts this year - this seems to be a trend among younger people in particular - here it is a good third.

The annual increase in spending on toys, which reached a record 500 Swiss francs this year, contradicts general plans to save money. Yet 67 percent of people shop online and in-store. The proportion of consumers who prefer to buy gifts for toys online has fallen year-on-year to 10 percent (2021: 12 percent), as has the proportion who only buy stationary in stores (2022: 23 percent, 2021: 26 percent).