What an amazing start into the preparatory seminar week! We were happy to experience many highlights, such as meeting Ambassador H.E. Sibi George from the Embassy of India and listening to extremely experienced and talented speakers. We are happy to share some insights of each speech, provided by our delegates.

Marc Blaser, CEO of Blaser Swisslube – Opening Speech

Marc Blaser, CEO Blaser Swisslube

Marc Blaser, CEO of the family firm, Blaser Swisslube, gave the four FHNW delegations from the flagship projects Insight China, Focus India, Explore Asean and ConnectUs, some key insights. How do hidden champions like Blaser Swisslube remain so successful and highly competitive?

Marc Blaser’s calls it “our way of life” – three generations of the Blaser family have passionately contributed. As well as the added value provided to the customers through a quality product, there is also a social part too. Marc highlights characteristics which have contributed to Swiss SMEs remaining real champions: “Bringing people together”, getting to know them and “making it fun” are key aspects of teamwork, which is an integral part of his message. How does Blaser Swisslube add fun to business? Ballooning is international, it’s fun and it’s teamwork. It is also a way of experiencing beautiful landscapes.

Finally, Marc looks around at the audience and smiles: “In today’s world – and this is very nice when I look around this room – not only do I see different faces, I see different heritages.” Marc stresses how diversity plays a crucial part in today’s business success. It really IS all about the people!

Ambassador H.E. Sibi George – 70 Years of Swiss-Indian Friendship

Ambassador Sibi George grew up in the Kottayam district in Kerala. He joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1993 and began his diplomatic career in Cairo, serving in the Mission as Political Officer.

The ambassador is very proud to represent India in Switzerland. Representing what India stands for is not a simple task. It is a matter of immense responsibility.

India and Switzerland maintain an excellent relationship which has existed for over 70 years. The relationship between Switzerland and India does not function through one person alone. The relationship is shaped and cultivated by many groups and individuals. It is the task of the Ambassadors Sibi George to maintain and develop this relationship. In fact, both countries benefit from each other. There are around 250 Swiss companies represented in India and about 100 Indian companies have a domicile in Switzerland.

«India is looking at Switzerland as a longstanding partner to work together to promote a healthy partnership including business relationships and it is through universities and projects like Focus India that these relationships are supported.» – Ambassador H.E. Sibi George

– Written by Florian Meier

Ambassador H.E. Sibi George

Anand Pazhenkottil from the Swiss-Indian Chamber of Commerce – Doing Business in India

Anand Pazhenkottil, Swiss-Indian Chamber of Commerce

Anand Pazhenkottil, originally from the very south of the Indian state called Kerala, is a young lawyer with a relatively fresh academic qualification.

He is one of the founding partners of the law firm “Blue Lake Legal”, a service-oriented company which offers consultation advice for immigrants who come to Switzerland. Either because of personal reasons or career reasons, Blue Lake Legal will help the applicants in settling in and get acquainted with the Swiss rules and regulations accordingly for doing so. Especially in complex cases where Indian workers would be asked to work in Switzerland, the company can be advisory with knowledge and experience at disposal.

At the same time, the Swiss-Indian Chamber of Commerce plays a major role in the business life of Anand Pazhenkottil. SICC is a bi-national, private sector, non-profit association with 400 active members in both Switzerland and India together with the aim of advancing Indian-Swiss economic relationships. The SICC is considered a hub where companies and organizations or even individuals can meet and exchange information, knowledge and experience to better collaborate and doing business between Switzerland and India.

In the SICC itself, there is another sub-association attached which is called “Young Professional Network”. As a member of the steering committee of the SICC Young Professional Network, Anand will certainly bring in highly valuable advice.

– Written by Michel Beugger

Michael Enderle from EurAsia Competence – Business Adaptability

Michael Enderle who lives in New Delhi, Pune and Mumbai has a lot of experience with the Indian culture. During his position as head of the Swiss Business Hub India, the export and investment agency of the Swiss Government in India, his focus was to support Swiss SMEs in their expansion projects to India and to attract investments of Indian corporates into Switzerland. As Chairman and Managing Director of Rieter India Pvt Ltd., Michael found feasible solutions to lay the grounds of a successful manufacturing unit of Rieter Switzerland.

Throughout his career, Michael did a lot of business with India and therefore noticed the difference between Swiss and Indian people. For example, India’s society is much more pluralistic and the most important thing is the family. So, the family always plays a role and has a strong influence, even in a business context. But business also differs within regions. Swiss people have a more individualistic approach. Family is also important, but we make a decision for us and go for it. Another major difference between the cultures of India and Switzerland is communication. People from India communicate indirectly. There is no «no». The «no» is usually paraphrased and expressed indirectly.

To be successful in India, it is not different than in other countries. You should not be arrogant and it is important to listen and try to understand what the other person is telling you. One should have an attitude of humbleness.

– Written by Sarah Rauber

Michael Enderle, EurAsia Competence

Aradhna Sethi from Namaste Switzerland – India’s History and Culture

Aradhna Sethi, Namaste Switzerland

Aradhna Sethi  is the founder of Namaste Switzerland, an online magazine with a strong impact, and the author of ‹The Entrepreneur’s Wife – A Survival Guide› and ‹The Swan Fairy›. Today, Aradhna held her speech about India’s history and culture.

A wide range of traffic, loud noises, crowded streets and a variety of different smells at the same time – this is India. If you are travelling to India, you have to expect an assault to all your senses. Not only can the noise, space, and smell differ from each other in varying situations. There are also extensive differences in the language, behavior, culture, and looks from the different regions in India. Due to the strong impacts from the British, the railway station in Bombay looks like a building, standing in England, whereas the Taj Mahal in New Dehli is influenced by the Mughuls and has a completely different look. These diverse states are also represented as a progressing wheel in the middle of the Indian national flag.

Times today are different and several mindsets have changed a lot during the last few decades. Social evils of today were once necessities. One good example for this statement is the caste system, which was originally based on skill division, where jobs created casts. It is nowadays looser and most of the people are allowed to cross casts for marriage. A lot of the Indian mindsets have changed, but not all of them. Today, people are mixed up between modernization and westernization.

– Written by Seraina Dosch & Aline Schweizer

Suki Dusanj from Akenza – Etiquettes and appropriate behavior

India is a culturally very diverse country. Cultural differences have an impact on business operations. According to Suki, strong cultural and ethnological differences exist between the south and the north of India. Being open minded and always keeping discovery in mind when traveling through India is key.

Do’s:

  • You can take pictures of fascinating scenes on the street
  • In restaurants, emphasize that you are not into spicy food
  • Try different food but be aware of hygiene and make sure that the served food is freshly made today
  • Eat with your hands and enjoy an entirely new sensation
  • Do enjoy fresh coconut water in the countryside
  • Dress conservatively

Don’ts

  • Do not disrespect the Indian flag
  • Do not give money to beggars
  • Do not be scared if people stare at you. You may just stare back (not in an offensive way)
  • Do not buy anything for anyone. It might be a scam.
  • Do not over-tip: stick to the 7-14 % rule. However, it is not necessary to tip in general.
  • Do not eat food if you have a bad gut feeling looking at it or smelling it.

Thank you Suki Dusanj for your authentic, fun and interactive way of teaching us Indian culture and etiquette. We will certainly make use of your culinary advice and are looking forward to tasting fresh coconut water and many other treats very soon! – Wilhelm Düggelin, Delegation Focus India 2020

– Written by Wilhelm Düggelin

Suki Dusanj-Lenz, Akenza