Founders and sole proprietors are often faced with a huge mountain of tasks that they can hardly manage. Especially not in the foreseeable future. Even small to medium-sized entrepreneurs wonder from time to time how they can distribute surprisingly accruing extra work when the existing employees are already more than busy. The quality of the work must not suffer under any circumstances.

Remedies are possible. Founders and sole proprietors should ask themselves: What kind of work am I good at and do I like to do? Those remain a matter for the boss. Next questions are: What can I do well, but don't like to do it (anymore)? What needs to be done even though I can't do it? This could be the tiresome bookkeeping or marketing, for example. Or something completely different. These activities need to be outsourced.

Build networks

There are two ways to do this: Quick and dirty and building networks. Many first outsource work to low-cost freelancers. This can work well, but it doesn't have to. The next step is therefore to build up a network of partnerships. With the right people.

If you want to build a network for long-term win-win relationships, it's best to sort through the designated tasks. For which tasks do proven procedures already exist to carry them out? These are easy to explain. Someone can quickly learn the ropes.

The Internet is a blessing

But what about orders for programmers, designers, editors and the like? After that you look longer, That is worthwhile or do you really want a designer who only pulls through his own taste and leaves the idiosyncrasies of the customer left? In the case of a programmer, the best thing to look for is a dedicated force that brings in its own design ideas. We have already benefited from this in our company. Ideally, the different network partners get in touch with each other when it is appropriate for a task.

The Internet shortens many paths and start-up times. Nevertheless, a face-to-face meeting is recommended whenever possible. If that is too time-consuming, teleconferencing with video is a good alternative. That connects.

Exchange of ideas brings it

Those who constantly work too much are heading for burnout. Networks play themselves in and protect against it. Which tasks do you currently want to outsource?

A good tip to finish with: Invite dissenters to exchange ideas more often. In whatever form. This will bring you many an innovative input.

About the author:
Edith Karl is managing partner of PowerManagement GmbH, motivational speaker and inspiring interview partner. Her podcasts are already heard in 106 countries. Karl's thesis is: "Thesis: It can't go on like this. People and business must move together again in a more meaningful way!" In the course of more than three decades as an entrepreneurial pilot, she has developed "Courage to succeed - the new rules of the game for people and business today". www.erfolgsorientiert.com

KPMG's "Swiss Tax Report 2018" compares the profit and income tax rates of 130 countries and all 26 cantons. According to the auditing and consulting firm, there were no significant shifts in the Swiss tax landscape. Since the beginning of the observation period in 2007, the average ordinary profit tax rate of the Swiss cantons has decreased by only 3.05 percentage points. The picture is similar for individual taxation: After a moderate downward trend until 2012, the average of the top income tax rates has settled just below the 34% mark (see below).

Central Swiss cantons show themselves to be "tax havens" when it comes to profit taxes

On average, corporate income taxes in Switzerland were only marginally reduced compared with last year. In the ranking of ordinary profit taxation, the cantons of central Switzerland continue to have the lowest tax rates. While the vast majority of Swiss cantons made no changes compared with the previous year, Zug, Schwyz and Schaffhausen reduced their tax rates moderately. In the lower ranks, which are shared by western Switzerland, the Mittelland and the urban cantons, there were also only insignificant changes in the cantons of Jura, Ticino and Solothurn. However, in view of the upcoming Tax Bill 17, further, in some cases significant, reductions in ordinary profit tax rates are to be expected - especially in previous high-tax cantons.

The long-term trend shows stagnating profit tax rates overall. Only the cantons of Graubünden (-12.94 percentage points), Schaffhausen (-7.09), Lucerne (-6.58), Neuchâtel (-6.57) and Appenzell Ausserrhoden (-5) have reduced their rates significantly. In practice, the 12% mark has effectively established itself as the lower limit - the cantons are unlikely to be able to afford lower ordinary rates for corporate income taxes.

Ireland remains Europe's toughest location competitor

In a European comparison, there were hardly any changes in the top group of locations with very low tax rates. The cantons of central Switzerland were also very well positioned in this segment in 2017. Only the Channel Islands (0%) and some (southern) eastern European countries apply even lower ordinary profit tax rates. The largest location competitor in Europe remains Ireland with a profit tax rate of 12.5%.

Various northern, western and southern European countries bring up the rear in terms of tax attractiveness. Norway (-1 percentage point) and Luxembourg (-1.07) have again reduced their rates for 2018. France is even planning a gradual reduction in ordinary profit taxation to 25% by 2022. Germany, on the other hand, increased its tax rate slightly by +0.21 percentage points.

Although the USA has significantly reduced its federal tax rate, it has only moved into the middle of the field. In an international comparison, the real tax havens are still various offshore domiciles as well as Hong Kong and Singapore. Switzerland continues to rank in the top third in a global fiscal comparison.

"Tax hells" and "tax havens" for individuals: Two-tier Switzerland

In terms of individual taxation, the cantons of central Switzerland also occupy the top positions in an intercantonal comparison. Lucerne was the only canton to increase its tax rate marginally by 0.01 percentage points compared to last year. The red lantern for individual taxation is once again shared by the cantons of western Switzerland and the Mittelland. There were no changes compared to last year.

After a gentle downward trend, the average top income tax rate has settled just below the 34% mark over the past ten-plus years. The cantons of central Switzerland and Appenzell Ausserrhoden have topped the rankings virtually without interruption since 2007. Overall, the cantons have only made minor tax rate reductions for individuals. With the exception of the canton of Uri, which has reduced the income tax rate from 33% in 2007 to 25,35% in the meantime (2018).

There has also been little movement since 2007 in the high-tax cantons, which show little variance in rates. Exceptions are Aargau and the cantons of Solothurn and Jura, which have made significant tax rate reductions over the long term. Individual taxation has remained unchanged for more than ten years in the cantons of Neuchâtel, Bern, Vaud and Geneva.

Source: Swiss Tax Report by KPMG

"Moving instead of sitting" is the motto of the Female Business Experience Day (FB Experience Day), which in 2018 will be held under the motto "Self-determined through life - confident and authentic to personal success". It is well known that proven strategies in sports also contribute positively to professional development. Ilka Piechowiak, keynote speaker and workshop leader of this year's FB Experience Day, is an eloquent example of this. Before she established herself as an expert in leadership and self-management, she was a national handball player for 11 years. In her keynote speech and practical workshop, she will explain how to remain confident and professional in one's professional role and how to achieve natural authority and assertiveness as a businesswoman.

Executive health coach, mental trainer and two-time European karate vice-champion Stefan Labas provides the physical exercise. With coordinated movement units such as "Powerswitch" and "Mindful Walking", he gives participants even better access to focus, concentration and letting go. On this varied day, body and mind get moving. At the same time, there will be plenty of time for exchange, discussion and networking among businesswomen.

Confident and authentic to personal success

Where are women in their professional careers? Have they achieved the desired goals and functions in the company? Why do we still "lose" so many women on the way to the top? The Female Business Seminars emerged in 2014 from an intensive examination of these and other questions. In the meantime, it has become an established continuing education and networking platform that stands out for its commitment to more femininity in business. In the meantime, the offer counts around 450 participants annually; 300 registered alumni and a network of 2,000 women have grown out of it.

The program, which is tailored to the further development of professionally committed women in specialist and management positions, deliberately focuses on topics complementary to specialist qualifications. The aim is to strengthen women in areas where "glass ceilings," a lack of gender-equitable culture and the special challenges of a time of change continue to stand in the way of personal advancement. The program therefore includes topics such as resilience, gender dialogue, fair negotiation tactics, self-efficacy and much more.

"I believe in the competence and strength of women. In that their involvement in shaping the world of work leads to good, more balanced decisions. That's why, with the FBS, we are committed to a gender-equitable corporate culture and economy," says Dr. Karin Jeker Weber, summing up the motivation for her extraordinary commitment.

Spirit of cooperation thanks to committed partners, collective and corporate memberships

After the first few years of "proving the point", other well-known business partners such as Beyer Chronometrie AG and Bank Linth AG have joined us as of 2018. This makes it possible to offer seminars with excellent speakers at sustainable prices, with deliberately small groups of 8 to 15 participants per seminar. In addition, there are partnerships, partly in the form of collective memberships, between the FBS and various women's, professional and industry associations. In this way, the latter provide their members with access to well-founded continuing education events. Members of the cooperating associations or organizations receive preferential conditions on the entire range of seminars.

For the first time this year, companies can also benefit from preferential conditions for their female employees by means of company memberships for participation in the FBS continuing education program. This is an attractive offer for organizations that want to commit themselves to more femininity in the economy.

www.femalebusinessseminars.ch

The company formation boom appears to be continuing in the first quarter of 2018 after the record year of 2017. This was announced by the Institute for Young Enterprises in St.Gallen at the beginning of April. According to the report, start-ups rose by 0.4% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2018, with 11,036 new entries in the commercial register. This was mainly thanks to a very strong January (6.7%) and a likewise positive February (3%). March shows a decline of -7.6% compared to the extremely strong month of the previous year. Growth is strongest in the cantons of Nidwalden (22%), Zug (18%) and Glarus (18%). So the Swiss startup scene continues to step on the gas, but the company formation boom varies by region. The canton of Zug in particular should continue to benefit from the euphoria surrounding cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology. 

And a word about the legal forms: The limited liability company (GmbH) is still the most popular legal form for starting your own business, with a share of 38%. It is followed by the sole proprietorship (35%) and the stock corporation (AG) with 18%.

Here is the overview of the figures, broken down by region and canton:

www.ifj.ch

Along with the name change and rebranding, Somnitec strengthens the organization with two new management functions: Mirco Blöchliger is appointed Head of Delivery, taking over parts of the operational activities from COO Vanja Rohr. As Head of Technology, Tobias Franz expands the market with hybrid cloud solutions in the Microsoft environment and further develops the innovation topics. The two long-serving employees will join the Executive Board in their new roles. COO Vanja Rohr will thus be able to focus more on the topic of business development and consistently continue the strategic areas of hybrid cloud, SAP Hana and the international strategy. The company will continue to be led by CEO Martin Vogt as Delegate of the Board of Directors.

"The separation from the vonRoll infratec Group, the name change and the new overall appearance of Somnitec underline the consistent continuation of the proven strategy and are at the same time an expression of our constant further development," says CEO Martin Vogt. "Even with the name change and rebranding, our customers will continue to receive all services from the hand of a Swiss company." The management and the entire team will continue to be available as contact persons.

More information

The candidates have been determined. The independent Jury of business, science and media representatives has announced who is in the running for the 2018 Export Award:

• Industrielack AG, Wangen SZ: ILAG leaves no stone unturned
• Acutronic Medical Systems, Hirzel ZH: Strong presence in a small niche market
• On, Zurich: The running community is enthusiastic

The winner will be chosen at the Foreign Trade and Investment Forum on April 26 in Zurich. The awards will be presented by Ruth Metzler-Arnold, Chairman of the Board of Directors of S-GE.

Swiss Made all over the world

The finalists are holding their own all over the world, despite the fact that more than 750 new protectionist measures have been enacted every year since 2009, as the Global Trade Alert by Professor Simon Evenett of the University of St. Gallen shows. High barriers to entry are particularly prevalent in the medical technology sector - making the export performance of Acutronic Medical Systems, which manufactures high-precision ventilators for premature babies, all the more outstanding. The company has already established itself in Western Europe and the Middle East and is beginning to put out feelers in China. But On's running shoes and ILAG's cookware coating also have to meet high standards around the world, which the companies have managed highly successfully.

The finalists for the Export Award 2018

lLAG leaves no stone unturned: When it comes to coating cookware and baking pans, ILAG is big business. The export-oriented SME scores with quality and an innovative business model: Consistent relationship management with all participants in the value chain and image-enhancing co-branding ensure that the company is growing - and generated sales of 34 million Swiss francs in 2017. In the most important markets, ILAG is on the road with sales agents, while the US market is handled from its own office in Chicago. ILAG is still mainly successful in the consumer goods industry, but in the future it will increasingly focus on applications in industry. www.ilag.ch

Strong presence in small niche: High-tech equipment for tiny customers: With its product range, Acutronic Medical Systems covers the entire spectrum of neonatal artificial respiration. The universally designed, easy-to-use high-tech devices are used in operating theaters, intensive care units, and county halls in many European countries, the Middle East, and China. In this way, products from Hirzel ensure that many premature babies survive without permanent damage. And also that the Swiss medtech company thrives. www.acutronic-medical.ch

The running community is enthusiastic: Push off hard, land softly, and run with a feather-light stride without any discomfort - around three million runners worldwide rely on shoes from On. Founded in 2010 by three Swiss sports enthusiasts, the label has taken the global running scene by storm with its revolutionary CloudTec sole. Thanks to its consistent focus on the premium segment worldwide and a clever marketing strategy, On is the fastest-growing brand in the running shoe market and is present in 4,000 stores in 50 countries. www.on-running.com

Growing internationally between globalization and protectionism

Switzerland Global Enterprise's Foreign Trade Forum is the meeting place of the year for all Swiss exporters. Small and medium-sized companies in particular find inspiration and practical advice for their international business here, according to the organizer. For SMEs, on the one hand, it has never been so necessary and potentially profitable to do business on a broad international scale. On the other hand, it is becoming increasingly complex to deal with the multitude of markets and the specific trade barriers. During the generous breaks and at the Apéro Riche, there will be room for exchange with over 600 participants and numerous exporters who are facing similar challenges or have already successfully mastered some of them.

Registration and program at www.s-ge.com/awf

"Karin Taheny and François A. Gabella know the international business environment very well," explains Ruth Metzler-Arnold, President of S-GE. "With their experience and specific background, they can optimally complement the Board of Directors and specifically promote exporting Swiss SMEs and the promotion of Switzerland as a business location."

Karin Taheny is Head of Consulting at Yourposition AG in Zurich. After completing her Master's degree in Business Administration at the University of Zurich and Limerick (Ireland), Karin Taheny worked in various companies worldwide to support clients in the implementation of digital strategies. Among others, she worked for Google in San Francisco. Since 2015, the enthusiastic runner has been leading the strategic and operational client consulting at Yourposition AG in Zurich and is a member of the extended management team. With her know-how in digital international business and her global professional experience, Karin Taheny is ideally suited for the board of directors of S-GE, writes the export promotion organization.

François A. Gabella has been CEO of LEM Holding in Fribourg since 2010. The company produces components for measuring current and voltage and has 1,400 employees worldwide. François A. Gabella has many years of experience in large and medium-sized companies, is familiar with the international MEM industry and holds a master's degree in mechanical engineering from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne. A strong analytical mind and the ability to act in a solution-oriented manner round off his profile. This makes François A. Gabella is also an ideal candidate for the S-GE Board of Directors.

If confirmed by the General Meeting of S-GE, Karin Taheny and François A. Gabella replace two previous members of the Board of Directors. Doris Albisser is stepping down after 12 years on the Board of Directors. Pierre-Olivier Chave wishes to retire for reasons of age.

www.s-ge.com

Advancing digitization, changing customer behavior and new working models - the challenges facing business leaders today are manifold and require Swiss SMEs in particular to take a bold lead. In many places, there is not enough time for longer training courses. What is needed are events that provide a concrete benefit in a short, concise form. According to its own presentation, this is where the new Swiss Leaders Symposium comes in.

Focus on knowledge transfer

"As a typical Swiss service company, we have repeatedly attended events in the past that offered us little that was concrete for managing our own company," explains Sandra Turcic, initiator of the Swiss Leaders Symposium. Together with Danijel Turcic, she has been running the Sales Activity Group GmbH, which specializes in buying success according to Limbic®, since 2001. As Limbic® license partners in Switzerland, they support manufacturers such as Nespresso, Apple and Epson and generate shopping experiences at the point of sale.

Sandra Turcic explains further: "The reason for this was usually speakers from large well-known companies whose case studies were impressive, but which ultimately related strongly to the respective company and were too little in line with the realities and challenges of typical Swiss SMEs." Based on these experiences, the initiators have made a virtue out of necessity, so to speak, and set up a new event platform with the new Swiss Leaders Symposium. In the eyes of the initiators, the goal is a specialist event that sets new standards in terms of the quality of presentations and practical relevance and is intended to be a worthwhile investment for entrepreneurs and managers in Swiss SMEs, both in terms of time and money.

Top-class experts provide new ways of thinking and innovative approaches

The new symposium aims to live up to this claim with renowned experts and visionaries who inspire as personalities and whose strategies, methods and tools contribute concretely to successful corporate management. To this end, the first Swiss Leaders Symposium has invited a number of top-class experts, who can be seen and heard together for the first time on one day in Switzerland. These include the well-known neuromarketing specialist Dr. Häusel, who will use his presentation based on the limbic map he developed to show how the customer's subconscious plays a role in the decision to buy. The best-selling author Monika Matschnig illuminates in her presentation the effect of good communication both in the guidance of the coworkers and in the customer service. The mastermind of courageous business strategies, Edgar K. Geffroy, shows how business management works in the digital age and the motivation expert Dr. Stefan Frädrich, also known from German television, gives tips & tricks from the field of motivation theory.

"With the Swiss Leaders Symposium, we want to keep the passion and courage of entrepreneurs high to go their own way and stay ahead in everyday life," says Sandra Turcic. "In times of scarce financial and human resources but also of great economic upheaval, we bring together a lot of know-how and expertise in one day."

The first Swiss Leaders Symposium will take place on May 2, 2018 at the Swissôtel Zurich. Registration under: www.sls.swiss.

In the last parts of the Knowledge Series from Clavis IT in Herisau focused primarily on the legal starting position and the definition of terms. In the current third part, things are now getting concrete: It is shown for which document types in a company experience shows that digitization generates maximum benefits for a paperless office.

Electronic processing and archiving of business documents can be applied to almost all document types and yet the benefits of digitization vary. A benefit can be derived from two areas: Either through the digitization of processing operations or in the archiving of documents themselves. The article provides an overview of the potential behind which document type, such as contracts, invoices, order documents, physical mail, but also industry-specific documents such as construction plans, government reports, delivery bills or freight/customs documents.

Also presented is a Calculatorwhich can be used to calculate the cost-saving potential offered by a paperless office.

www.clavisit.com

Armin Baumann, Managing Director of the SME network KMU Swiss, had the pleasure of welcoming around 450 participants to the 16th KMU Swiss Forum on March 22, 2018 at the Trafo Baden Congress Center. Seven speakers gave presentations on the topic of "Dynamics - Flexibility of Action". The event was once again moderated by Hugo Bigi.

Tom Lüthi: on the road at 340 kilometers per hour

The star guest was motorcycle racer Tom Lüthi. "The premier class is every rider's dream," enthused Tom Lüthi about his move to the MotoGP class. "Every change is a risk, but it's the only way I can continue to develop." To keep moving forward, he said, you need stamina, a clear focus, plenty of electronics expertise and, above all, a free mind to keep a handle on the concentrated power at 340 kilometers per hour. "But you get used to the speed, after all, everyone goes that fast!" added Tom Lüthi with a smile. For the current season, Tom Lüthi will still have to take many learning steps. But he wants to continue to make up places in the king's seat. For him, it is a matter of seizing this unique opportunity.

Using the "time" factor as an advantage

Speed is also a big issue in logistics. The company Planzer Transport AG transports 23,000 shipments a day. In the evening, it shifts from trucks to rail. "This protects the environment and shortens transport time," says Nils Planzer, CEO of Planzer Transport AG. "What is relevant is the first and last mile. You have to be able to interface in order to master the future." And for the future, Planzer is convinced that drivers will still be needed, despite self-driving trucks. On the contrary: In the future, drivers could not only deliver parcels to the customer's home, but also take on additional services such as installation or the assembly of furniture.

Recipes for success for speed in SMEs

Book author and profiler Suzanne Grieger-Langer also provided a lot of momentum. She gave an insight into her multifaceted work as a profiler and revealed her recipe for success in today's leadership in seven steps. The need for clear leadership was also emphasized by Jürg Brandt, Chairman of the Board of vonRoll infratec (holding) ag, in his presentation. The company recovered from the crisis thanks to leadership and a cultural change. Madeleine Stöckli, CEO of B. Braun Medical AG, pleaded for quick decisions: "It's important to think globally, but act locally!" Global thinking is also important for SRF Swiss Television, because its biggest competitors are global giants like Apple, Amazon and Google. "We invest in new technologies to stay competitive. We also focus on our core business and promote interdisciplinary ways of working," says SRF Director, Ruedi Matter. Derek Brandt, CEO Sensile Medical AG, sees the recipe for success in the future primarily in the employees: "There is a shortage of skilled workers. We have to offer attractive working conditions to attract the best employees."

A strong brand is important

In his presentation, Urs Kessler, CEO of Jungfrau Railways, showed how important clear brand management is: "Top of Europe also demands top quality! The participants experienced how other companies present themselves during the breaks in the exhibitor area. Expertise and business cards were exchanged and for once everyone went home a winner. The next KMU Swiss Forum will take place on March 21, 2019 on the topic "Challenge 2030".

10 years marketplace Baden - follow-up event

For the 10th time, the city of Baden invited Baden companies to the Baden Marketplace, where guests could network and exchange ideas. Moderator Hugo Bigi interviewed Barbara Lüthi, the long-time SRF China correspondent and current moderator of the "Club".

www.kmuswiss.ch

As part of the Global Inclusion Seminar, where experts from around the world exchange best practices and trends on the topic of diversity and inclusion, Helena Trachsel, head of the Cantonal Zurich Office for Gender Equality, launched a day explicitly for local and regional SMEs. This day was dedicated to new job profiles, work processes, business models and organizational structures that take advantage of social diversity and new technological developments. Speakers included future consultant Gerd Leonhard, Bea Knecht, the visionary founder of Zattoo, and Florian Wieser, founder of The Relevent Collective. Finally, Jacqueline Fehr, member of the Zurich government, represented the "political view" on the complex issue of integration and inclusion of all people, regardless of their origin, gender, sexual orientation, religion, etc.

The future for women?

First, Gerd Leonhard gave an overview of what might await us humans in the future. He warned against being afraid of the future. "The future is better than we think. But we have to agree on what and who we want to be in the future," he said. Technology will still bring us many benefits, but, "Technology has no ethics," he warned. Therefore, he said, we humans must shape technology so that it can truly serve equal opportunity. As artificial intelligence would take over more and more routine work, he said, the training of emotional intelligence in particular would play a central role in the future. "EQ will become more important than IQ," says Gerd Leonhard. And that has consequences for diversity and inclusion: since men, for example, think much more strongly in terms of plans and structured processes, they are much easier to replace with artificial intelligence, he said. The question should be asked: Is the age of women now beginning? "Women are better for the new world," says Gerd Leonhard approvingly.

Not just a gender issue

Woman vs. man, man vs. woman: This discussion still dominates the diversity topic. This also became clear again and again in the table discussions. But there were also other examples: Ann-Kathrin Greutmann from the Zürcher Kantonalbank, for example, showed how, thanks to technical progress, hearing and visually impaired people can also play to their strengths in her company. Or Laurenz Uhl explained how HR processes supported by artificial intelligence can promote diversity and inclusion. Or Reto Schneider (Swica) appealed to dealing with people who have different prerequisites than most of us. "We still have to learn this way of dealing better," he commented. Or Bea Knecht: The pioneer of Internet television and founder of Zattoo has had to deal a lot in her life with "otherness," swimming against the tide, and much more. Her descriptions of the development of her own resilience were correspondingly impressive.

Way out of the biotope

The topics met with open ears among the participants. For most of them, it is clear that there is still a lot of work to be done for the equality of all people in the world of work. And with digitalization, companies are facing new challenges: New forms of work, alternative working time models and more flexible organizations are the order of the day. Those present were able to report on a great deal that has already been achieved and demonstrated the willingness and necessity to take a chance on something new. The only thing was that the conference had the appearance of a "meeting of like-minded people". In the world outside this "biotope", as one participant put it, there is still a lot of convincing to be done. On the other hand, there are many globally positioned companies that come up with many good examples - not because this only serves their image, but because they are virtually forced to diversity and inclusion due to their international orientation.

More information

Become extreme! And especially in what you define as the benchmark. You don't even have to cite the usual "suspects" like Elon Musk, Steve Jobs or Richard Branson: Anyone who achieves significantly more than others in a given time has "extreme" standards in terms of what is possible.

Apply tougher standards

Most of us have learned from childhood to limit ourselves. This has advantages, of course, and is often a prerequisite for a comfortable life. The problem is that this same attitude prevents us from achieving truly outstanding things. In order to do so, we have to become much more demanding.

I keep repeating it: you can achieve much more if you apply tougher standards, especially to yourself.

Three areas where you can get "extreme"

Here are three areas you can start getting "extreme" with right away (in a positive sense, of course):

1. Drawle. Do you want to grow by 5% or have 10% more customers? Then double down and change your goals to 10% growth and 20% more customers. Unrealistic? Sure, just like flying to the moon, the iPhone or inventing and mass producing a car. You've almost certainly experienced that you can achieve the seemingly "impossible" when it's a must.
2. Learning. Listen to and read from experts who take a much more radical viewpoint than you do, especially when it feels totally uncomfortable ("That's way too American" is what I keep hearing). Want to attract more new customers? Then consume someone every day who is proven to win 10 new customers a day. Want a cutting-edge culture? Then study Zappos, Ritz Carlton, Virgin or Google, every day! Let this mindset become a daily part of your life.
3. MutTry new things all the time, be it in leadership, marketing, sales or wherever. Be bold and step out of your famous comfort zone at least once a week (better: daily). For many, that's things like videos (yourself on camera), showing emotion as a leader, celebrating successes, and more.

I already know: 95% of my readers may read the points but will not apply them. The others are the ones who achieve outstanding things and change the world a bit. Are you there?

To the author:
Volkmar Völzke is a success maximizer. Book author. Consultant. Coach. Speaker. www.volkmarvoelzke.ch