This year marks Paul Bulcke’s 40th anniversary at Nestlé. The former CEO and current chairman of the world’s biggest food and beverage company speaks about his leadership values, how he faces criticism, and why working in many different countries has helped him to stay grounded, an asset since, according to him, “egos are not good” in corporate life.
Economiesuisse director: “It’s liberating to be able to speak out”
Monika Rühl is a trained diplomat with a successful career in the Swiss federal administration. Now, as head of the business association Economiesuisse, she finds herself as a spokesperson in the midst of all the big discussions—and she wouldn’t have it any other way.
Thomas Borer: “I don’t feel offended if someone calls me a lobbyist”
As former Swiss ambassador to Germany and head of the 1990s’ task force “Switzerland—Second World War,” Thomas Borer is used to dealing with difficult situations. Now a strategic consultant, Borer has some compelling ideas about how Switzerland should deal with the European Union.
Two-time advertiser of the year: “I’m not a good lazy person”
Regula Bührer Fecker has been named as one of the 100 most important business figures in Switzerland as well as one of the 100 most successful Swiss under 40. Find out how the advertising executive stays creative and why she thinks young businesswomen lack good role models.
Rivella CEO: “I’m not a guy who wants to control everything”
Erland Brügger has led the most iconic Swiss drinks company for over 10 years. The marketing expert talks about being CEO of a family-owned business, the difficulty of promoting Rivella abroad, and why hard talks with his father helped him become a better executive.
Carl Elsener of Victorinox: “We think in generations, not in quarters”
The man behind the famous Swiss army knife is known as one of the most socially conscious entrepreneurs in Switzerland. For Carl Elsener, respect for his employees, his customers, and the over 130-year-old family tradition is at the core of everything Victorinox does.
Nestlé chairman Paul Bulcke on criticism: “High trees catch more wind”
This year marks Paul Bulcke’s 40th anniversary at Nestlé. The former CEO and current chairman of the world’s biggest food and beverage company speaks about his leadership values, how he faces criticism, and why working in many different countries has helped him to stay grounded, an asset since, according to him, “egos are not good” in corporate life.
Serial entrepreneur Cédric Waldburger: “I take ‘nerd’ as a compliment”
Cédric Waldburger started his first company when he was 14 and has invested in a variety of projects ever since, from an online tailor in Hong Kong to a Swiss sex-toy shop. The self-proclaimed geek and founder of Tenderloin Ventures talks about his business ideas as well as his minimalistic lifestyle as a digital nomad who owns less than 64 things.
Hotel executive Tanja Wegmann: “I’m more relaxed than 10 years ago”
The general manager of the Grand Hotel les Trois Rois in Basel has returned to the oldest city hotel in Europe after working in other industries. Does she manage her staff differently compared to 10 years ago and how have her leadership values changed over time?
Jürg Marquard: “I made a lot of money, but I also lost a lot of money”
In 1965, Jürg Marquard launched what would eventually become his eponymous publishing company with a small loan from friends. More than 50 years later, his multimillion dollar media group remains one of the most successful in the industry. And he’s not about to stop working any time soon.
Parmigiani CEO: “Watchmaking is the true expression of the Swiss way”
Davide Traxler has worked for several prestigious watch companies in his career. Now he’s at the helm of Parmigiani Fleurier, one of the very few Swiss watchmakers that manufacture every component in-house.
Ava founder Lea von Bidder: “We have a diversity issue in the start-up world”
Last year, Lea von Bidder, the designated CEO of Ava, a Zurich- and San Francisco-based start-up specializing in women’s digital health care, was the only Swiss named in Forbes’s annual “30 Under 30” list. Von Bidder talks to us about being one of the
