Seminar in Switzerland 2024 – Day 1

On our first day, we showcased a diverse lineup of speakers and activities, creating an atmosphere of hospitality while also imparting valuable insights and enthusiasm for the Swiss-Indian relationship. The noteworthy moments ranged from an insightful meeting with the Indian Ambassador, Mr. Mridul Kumar, to participating in team-building activities designed to build friendships. Further details on these highlights are provided in the subsequent sections.

Overview Day 1

Introduction speech by Marc Blaser, CEO Blaser Swisslube
Against all odds – Interview with Nik Gugger
TEPA, Swiss-Indian Free Trade Agreement – SICC Chairman Philippe Reich
Embassy of India – Ambassador Mr. Mridul Kumar
India in the changing geopolitics – Dr. Sanjay Sharma
Purpose led bonding activity
Online exchange with students of the Athena School of Management

Introduction speech by Marc Blaser, CEO Blaser Swisslube

Marc Blaser, the CEO of Blaser Swisslube AG held a presentation during the seminar opening where he addressed some of his key learnings including what it takes to be a good leader. Many different aspects of a good leader were mentioned, for example, passion, guidance, motivation, being a good listener, respectful interactions, and the creation of a safe space. The creation of a safe space is part of the responsibilities of a good leader, and it is not as easy to achieve as one might think.

A safe space is however very important to implement. It has been shown, for example, in a research by Google that the most successful teams are those which are working in a safe space and not necessarily the ones with the highest competencies. A safe space enables teams to be more creative, the team members feel free to state their ideas and the communication is respectful.

Marc Blaser pointed out a quote from Steve Jobs which states “Do what you love, love what you do”. The main learning from this quote is that the average person spends the majority of their time at work, and it is therefore important to do something you love in order to strive for an enriching life. By doing what you love and loving what you do, it is more likely that a person has a successful career in any field because you have passion for your work, believe in what you do and have a vision you fight for.

When it comes to visions and ideas, Marc Balser put weight on the statement “Think differently but think it through”. He emphasized on the idea to question the common path and not to simply follow it but to consciously choose the path fitting for oneself which is individual for every person. One of the main influences can be the voices of others which have doubts about your idea or your chosen path. However, if you are confident in your idea then you have to defend it and work hard because success does not come easy. He told us about an example of this situation from his company where their competition was offering similar products at much lower prices and his advisors suggested to follow the same path and lower the price of their products.

They did not follow the same path of their competitors but chose to go their own way. Instead of lowering their prices, they chose to keep them higher than the competition and focus on the value to the customer. Their high-quality products may be more expensive, however by using their products, the customers can significantly increase their profitability. So instead of entering into a price war with their competition, they differentiate themselves with the benefits of their products in order to create sustainable success.

– Written by Nicole Marti, FI Delegation

Against all odds – Interview with Nik Gugger

The seminar of the Focus India project in Switzerland started on February 12, 2024. After a joint introduction with the other projects and the presentation of the Blaser Lube company, Nik Gugger was the first guest speaker of the Focus India project.

Nik Gugger was born to a single mother, which was a taboo subject in Indian society at the time. His mother was aware of the fact that she could not support a child and therefore gave him up for adoption. After his birth, he was adopted by a Swiss couple while his biological mother was in the Basel Mission Hospital in Thalassery (India). Gugger’s parents still refer to him today as the gift they received at the time. He spent the first years of his life in Thalassery before the family moved to Switzerland when he was four years old. He has two younger sisters. As a dual Swiss-Indian citizen, he has a unique cultural perspective. After leaving school, Nik Gugger completed an apprenticeship as a mechanic in Steffisburg. Through a one-year social internship in Colombia, he discovered his calling as a youth and social worker. In 2023, he published the autobiographical book «Against all odds», which sheds light on his life story and personal experiences.

The book highlights his formative years in Thalassery, India, as well as his later experiences in Switzerland. It describes his career from his training as a mechanic to his social commitment as a youth and social worker. It also covers his experiences during a social internship in Colombia as well as his political career and his commitment to social justice and cultural diversity.

«Against All Odds» not only offers insights into Nik Gugger’s personal experiences, but also reflects on themes such as identity, belonging and the importance of diversity and inclusion in society. It is an inspiring story about finding your way despite adversity and working towards a better future.

Nik Gugger is politically active as a member of the Central Committee of the Evangelical People’s Party of Switzerland (EPP). Between 2002 and 2014, he was active on the city council of Winterthur and led the EPP parliamentary group as group president from May 2008. Although he achieved an absolute majority in the city council elections in Winterthur in 2010, he narrowly missed out on a place on the seven-member body. Gugger is also President of the Switzerland-India Parliamentary Group and Vice President of the Switzerland-Ukraine Parliamentary Group. His role as the «greatest bridge builder» in the Swiss National Council was highlighted by CH Media in 2021, recognizing his commitment to intercultural dialogue and his ability to unite different interests.

– Written by Valentina Estibeira and Ines Boughazi, FI Delegation

TEPA, Swiss-Indian Free Trade Agreement – SICC Chairman Philippe Reich

Phililppe Reich is the Chairman of the Swiss Indian Chamber of Commerce since 2018 and heads the India Desk of Baker McKenzie in Switzerland. Philippe regularly advises Swiss and Indian clients on inbound and outbound transactions in India as well as on regulatory, legal and compliance issues. He is the European representative on the steering committee of Baker McKenzie’s global India practice since 2010 and has been the legal knowledge partner for the Swiss Trade and Investment Promotion in India for almost four years.

In his presentation, Mr Reich talked a lot about the economic relations between Switzerland and India. The relationship between the two countries has existed for a very long time. In 2023, the countries celebrated the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Economic relations are also good between the two countries. There is a long history of Swiss companies being located in India, in particular manufacturing companies. India is Switzerland’s fourth- largest trading partner in Asia. The main exports are precious metals such as gold, machinery and pharmaceutical and chemical products. Swiss imports from India are mainly chemicals, textiles, precious metals and agricultural products. Many Swiss companies also have subsidiaries or branches in India. Around 330 Swiss companies thus generate around 166,000 jobs in India.

Mr. Reich mentioned some challenges regarding the relations between India and Switzerland. One major issue was the tax evasion in India which was linked to Switzerland functioning as an offshore tax haven. This had a negative impact on the relations for a few years. Another aspect that has led to misunderstandings is the exported gold to India. Since this good is of high importance in India and the world leading gold refineries are located in Switzerland, this covers a large part of Switzerland’s balance.

Philippe Reich also explained the various free trade agreements in India. This type of consensus allows market access for goods and services in the countries involved which leads to a boost in trade and investment. In total, India has concluded 13 different agreements with countries and groups of countries. These include free trade agreements with Japan, the ASEAN states and the SAARC states, as well as with the UAE and Australia since 2022. Regarding China, there is no existing free trade agreement. On one hand, India fears to be overwhelmed by China. On the other hand, India realized the need to have trading agreements with countries in the West. For this purpose, Switzerland and EFTA states are working towards an agreement with India. The goal is to get a deal done by the end of February because that is when the government will announce the general elections which will be held around April or May. Overall, the key topic of the agreement is Innovation. Switzerland is committed to offer India technology from Swiss companies. On the Indian site, key IT services will be provided by mobilising talents to meet the needs of the Swiss economy. This creates a Win-Win Situation for both parties.

– Written by Sofia Ventura and Lukas Glur, FI Delegation

Embassy of India – Ambassador Mr. Mridul Kumar

1. Unleashing Creativity: The Role of Limitation in India’s Flourishing Emerging Economy: India, with its youthful population averaging 29 years, stands at the helm of a flourishing economy characterized by a dynamic blend of innovation and ambition. Boasting a population of 1.5 billion, this demographic dividend fuels the nation’s growth trajectory. The impressive GDP growth rate of 7.5% and a robust GDP of 3.5 trillion underscore the solid foundation on which India’s economic aspirations of becoming the world’s second-largest economy in the next century are built.

Mr. Reich, Chairman of the Swiss-Indian Chamber of Commerce, points out a critical challenge, referring to the anticipated flattening of GDP growth by 2047, driven by social divides and a lack of equality of opportunity, necessitates innovative solutions to sustain high growth rates to realize its ambiotion of becoming the second largest economy in the world. Mr. Kumar specifically highlights digitalization as the key, leveraging the widely spread access to smartphones in the country. This essay explores how limitation, particularly in the form of smartphone access, unleashes creativity and fuels India’s journey towards economic prosperity on the example of a swiss-indian collaboration.

To combat the anticipated stagnation in GDP growth, India must focus on building the necessary infrastructure. Mr. Kumar advocates for digitalization, capitalizing on the fact that every individual in India has access to a smartphone. This digital revolution provides a unique platform for young Indians to compare their lives with those in wealthier nations, inspiring them to dream big and work towards creating a similar reality for themselves.

Contrary to conventional wisdom, the limitation imposed by smartphone access becomes a driving force for creativity. The constraints force young, ambitious Indians to think innovatively and find unconventional solutions to problems. With limited resources, they are compelled to explore new avenues, pushing the boundaries of traditional thinking. This phenomenon positions India as an appealing destination for cost-efficient manufacturing, attracting countries worldwide seeking scalability and innovation at a lower cost.

The smartphone access in India goes beyond personal inspiration and creativity. The widespread use of smartphones facilitates free banking services, streamlining trade and payments within the growing economy. This connectivity enhances efficiency, reduces transaction costs, and supports the expansion of businesses, further contributing to economic development.

2. Swiss precision meets Indian scalability: Now that we have an overview of the factors that make India a thriving emerging market, let’s put it all into context with Switzerland. One of Mr. Kumar’s main goals is to connect Swiss research and development (R&D) with Indian manufacturing, which presents a transformative opportunity that can redefine the landscape of innovation, efficiency, and economic growth for both nations.

The union of Swiss precision and Indian scalability forms a powerhouse that operates on an unlimited scale. Switzerland’s emphasis on attention to detail, quality control and commitment to excellence aligns with India’s potential for cost-effective mass production, fueled by a large and skilled workforce. This synergy not only ensures high- quality products but also minimizes production costs, making the final products competitive in the global market. This combination not only caters to niche markets with high-quality, specialized products but also enables the mass production of goods for broader consumer bases, thereby expanding market reach and impact.

– Written by Dena Spaar and Fabio Vizzielli, FI Delegation

India in the changing geopolitics – Dr. Sanjay Sharma

During our Keynote with Dr. Sanjay Sharma, a comprehensive exploration into geopolitics and economics was conducted, focusing on India’s intricate position within the global landscape. The discussion opened with the ongoing challenges in India’s relationship with Pakistan and the complications arising from international sanctions on neighboring countries like Iran and Russia, which affect business opportunities. Dr. Sharma also delved into the comparisons between India and China, emphasizing the rapid global changes that make direct comparisons challenging. The advancements in AI were highlighted as a leveling force, providing smaller and less developed countries with enhanced access to knowledge and technology, thereby reshaping global economic dynamics.

The concept of the «geese model» was revisited to elucidate India’s economic strategy and global positioning. This model, conceived in the 1930s by a Japanese economist and popularized in the 1960s, illustrates the process of industrial shifts among countries, with one leading economy guiding others towards industrialization. However, Dr. Sharma argued that the current technological and business environments have evolved so drastically that countries no longer need to follow a linear pattern of development, particularly in fields like AI. This perspective suggests that India should not attempt to mimic China’s path but instead find its unique niche.

Further expanding on the need for adaptability in business, Dr. Sharma reflected on the global geopolitical climate, noting that despite the lessons learned from history, including the aftermath of the Second World War, the world continues to experience conflict, underscoring the transformative power of knowledge and the importance of change. India’s role in this landscape was discussed in terms of its rule of law, perceived harmlessness, and its diverse, multi-lingual population, drawing parallels with the size and complexity of Europe. The importance of market predictability was emphasized, suggesting that India’s strategy should focus on complementing China, particularly in areas like microchip design, where India is already making significant contributions, rather than competing directly.

India’s geopolitical location, with its presence in the Indian Ocean and control over a critical trade route, was identified as a strategic advantage. The discussion underscored the importance of continuing to invest in areas such as AI and chip design, acknowledging the ubiquity of microchips and the need for education in emerging fields like machine learning, cybersecurity, and cyber ethics. These areas are viewed as crucial given the changing business environment and technological landscape.

Concluding the discussion, Dr. Sanjay Sharma cited, emphasizing the immutable nature of geographical and political realities, particularly in the context of India’s relationship with Pakistan, with the poignant reminder, «We cannot choose our neighbors.» This statement encapsulates the broader themes of adaptability, strategic positioning, and the pursuit of knowledge and innovation in navigating the complexities of modern geopolitics and economics.

– Written by Anthony Michaca and Sara Ventura, FI Delegation

Purpose led bonding activity

The goal of this activity was to as a group explore and articulate our understanding of purpose and also the concept of purpose within the 3 E’s : Empowering, Enhancing, and Enabling. This activity provided a platform for each group to collectively define the concept and to interlink our ideas. It was very interesting to see how the different groups defined what purpose means to them.

Finding meaning in work and life is a key aspiration for many people. It is about pursuing an activity that provides a livelihood and offers personal fulfillment and satisfaction. Work can be seen as more than just a responsibility – rather than a source of self-fulfillment and contribution to society, and in groups we held an exchange about meaning and how it affects us in our daily lives. Many different key words were explored, such as happiness, self-fulfillment, appreciation, and respect. Discovering your own purpose cannot be answered directly and in your own life you can ask yourself questions about the meaning repeatedly. A key point to recognize one’s own potential is to join a group of people who think differently, so that one can recognize other points of view and incorporate the different opinions of diversity. Diversity can help us to adopt new and different points of view, which in turn enables us to form new options and grow together. In life we always come to the point where we have to ask ourselves questions like one group mentioned:

What do we love to do?

What do we do to be fulfilled?

What am I passionate about?

A compelling idea we got from Stan Kamzol is how to empower others with our own purpose:

1. We can manifest our purpose through our motivation, goals, and your passions. This is our purpose-driven “vehicle”.

2. Through the 3 E’s we can then convey our purpose to a larger group. Here the 3 E’s act as the “fuel” propelling our purpose-driven “vehicle”. The 3 E’s serve as crucial elements to inspire a larger group.

One group also presented the purpose they had behind joining Focus India, they had a wide array of motivations like: Gain new experience, learn a new culture, empower each other, and expand their own network.

Another important insight from the various results is that no two groups chose the same way to present the results. This can also be attributed to the perception of purpose. Because here, too, very different statements came together, reflecting perspectives from different people. That’s what makes life so exciting, presents us with new challenges every day and makes us question our purpose.

This was not only a great activity to get more of a grasp on the concept of “purpose” but also to connect with the other members of Focus India.

– Written by Célia Schwedler-Borobia and Christoph Meister, FI Delegation

Online exchange with students of the Athena School of Management

The first workshop of the FocusIndia Seminar in Switzerland was a Zoom call with the Athena Business School in India. During the Zoom meeting with Director Aditya Singh and the students of the Athena Business School, we got to meet with the people with whom we will work on a presentation that will be held in India in April. The director introduced himself shortly, and then the students from India, as well as we students from FHNW, were sent into breakout rooms where we got to introduce ourselfs and had a short kick-off. In the group, we are three students from Switzerland and five students from India. In my group, we first introduced ourselves and informed the other students about our field of study, followed by a short chat about how excited we were to visit India in March. Also, the students from India were pretty happy to meet us and can not wait to show us their country.

Our group work focuses on the differences in employees› expectations of future employers between Generation Z of India and Switzerland. After all the group members gave their minds to their expectations of their prospective employers, we quickly realised that we were not so different and had many needs and wishes in common. We also learned that social media greatly impacts our generation and that we are much more connected than the generations before us. That is, from our point of view, a reason why our needs are not so different anymore, even though we have completely different cultures and live miles apart from each other. After discussing our topic for a few minutes, we built a WhatsApp group and a Teams project where we could collaborate.

A very interesting fact during the online meeting with the students from India was that their professor kept joining our group call to tell us that we had to start working now and was putting a lot of pressure on us. The students from India did not really react to the director. At the same time, we from Switzerland were a little irritated as the professors we know usually don’t put so much pressure on us as it is our own responsibility to get the work done. At that moment, it could be that the strong hierarchy in the Indian culture showed itself. After getting to know the students and starting our draft, we all met in the general meeting one last time and took a photo to remember that extraordinary moment. The call ended, and we had a quick chat with the students from Switzerland about their experience with the students from India. All students had a good experience and were irritated by the director’s vital input that he had.