Start of Seminar in Switzerland by connectUS

The seminar began with an introduction by Mr. Michele Canonico, Director of the FHNW School of Business. He emphasized the importance of stepping out of one’s comfort zone and acknowledged that Switzerland alone cannot solve all challenges. FHNW is committed to preparing a highly competitive workforce and fostering constructive dialogue. Personal growth and development are key, and overcoming financial challenges is essential for success. Since 2001, the School of Business has shared resources and infrastructure, highlighting the importance of sponsors and students in sustaining projects.

Blaser Swisslube was thanked as a renewed joint platinum partner. Here's our thank you video:

Jean-Michel Ah Kong (Endress+Hauser) shared his personal journey of finding purpose beyond completing university obligations, underscoring the importance of continuous learning and self-discovery.

Prof. Dr. Barbara Eisenbart, lecturer at FHNW, addressed sustainability challenges, noting that humanity consumes resources at 2.8 times the Earth's capacity. She highlighted the “tragedy of the commons” and the growing impact of social media and Generative AI on energy consumption. Sustainable business strategies must balance moral, financial, and practical incentives, though loopholes exist.

To make companies more sustainable, businesses must address both external and internal requirements:

· External: Regulatory frameworks (ESG, sustainable reporting).

· Internal: Identifying sustainability goals, measuring CO₂ emissions, analyzing gaps, and implementing corrective actions. By integrating both, companies can develop effective sustainability solutions. The Triple Bottom Line theory (Jon Elkington) and cost-benefit analysis are useful frameworks.

A case study on Nike illustrated how companies can transition to a circular economy by focusing on impact-driven products while being mindful of greenwashing risks.

Christian Gmür (Leonteq) provided insights into effective presentation skills, emphasizing that presenting is a skill rather than an innate talent. His key takeaways included:

· Body language: Use open palms instead of single fingers.

· Voice & Engagement: Avoid filler words like “ehhm” and maintain a positive, confident tone.

· Audience Connection: Never turn your back or reverse slides unnecessarily.

He recommended Will Stephen’s TEDx Talk on how to appear clever while presenting, reinforcing the idea that strong presentation skills can be developed through practice.

Saskia Weiss (Senior Manager FS-ESG Assurance) and Anja Grüebler (Senior Assistant FS-Audit Insurance) discussed the importance of impactful work at KPMG and provided an overview of Swiss auditing regulations. Their key focus areas included non-financial reporting, due diligence on child labor, and conflict minerals (e.g., MiFID II, ESG, ESRS).

They outlined challenges in sustainable finance at both the product and entity levels:

· Product Level: Assigning customer preferences to product features, training advisors on ESG, suitability assessments, and disclosure requirements.

· Entity Level: Unclear responsibilities, evolving risk landscapes, ongoing monitoring, and performance assessment.

They also presented two case studies on greenwashing, highlighting both intentional and unintentional practices at firm-wide and product-based levels. Common reporting sins include:

· Lack of transparency and coherence

· Incorrect or misleading statements

· Unverifiable claims

This seminar provided valuable insights into business competitiveness, sustainability, finance, and effective communication—essential skills for professionals in an evolving global economy.