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Did you know that an estimated 90% of the Swiss population is not properly insured – and that this percentage is even higher among foreigners who are new to Switzerland? Bombarded with information from insurance companies about different policies, with little time to review them properly, it is clear that many people will make poor choices, which only become apparent when they have to make a claim and realize they are not properly insured.
One insurance company, which is gaining popularity with both newcomers and long established residents in the expat community, is APF Conseils. Headed up by Alexandre Schaeren, this small company, based in Geneva, helps demystify the issue of insurance for its clients, so there can be no misunderstandings during the selection of a policy and the subsequent administrative process. Not only does the company’s team of advisers ensure that its clients are correctly insured, it also makes every effort to find the best price for the policies it proposes, so clients can be confident that they are getting the best value for money.
Learn all about the benefits of coaching at ETC’s first event of 2014
Launched in 2010, Expat Talents Connect (ETC) is a face-to-face exchange network, inspiring expats to connect and share their talents. Through a series of monthly meetings, many of which are held at the Centre de l'Esperance in Geneva, the network invites local entrepreneurs to share their journeys and, in the process, motivate others to follow their dreams.
ETC was founded by two professional women, Anine Ekelund and Cheryl Gooch, who saw the benefits of networking and wanted to provide expats, like themselves, with the opportunity of meeting others in a relaxed and informal setting. Whilst most of the particpants are women, men are also very welcome to attend meetings and share their experiences.
Anine told us, “At ETC meetings we urge our speakers to share their unique personal stories and tell us what led them to make the choices that inspired them to follow their hearts and live their passions. Our community is full of talented people who don’t yet have the courage to take that first essential step towards following their own dream, whatever that may be. ETC’s mission is to connect these people in a dynamic, inclusive and warm environment, and help them make the first steps on their courageous ventures”.
A new consultancy has been set up in Switzerland to help individuals, companies and organizations in both the private and public sectors bridge cultural gaps in their business.
Created by Founder Matthias Ekah in September 2013, Gilec Consulting Switzerland offers clients tailored training courses and advisory programs that will help them find cross-cultural solutions for a range of diverse situations, such as: managing multicultural teams; strengthening leadership development and negotiation: handling recruitment more effectively: coping with transition and relocation, implementing cultural diversity and fair play in sport events; and increasing cultural awareness in health care and immigration services. A full list of all the services offered by GILEC can be found by clicking here.
Now in its third year, the British-Swiss Business Awards programme celebrates outstanding achievements in the British-Swiss Business Community and offers individuals and organisations the recognition they deserve for achievements in the workplace.
The benefits of entering the British-Swiss Business Awards extend far beyond winning one of the awards in November. According to the British-Swiss Chamber of Commerce (BSCC), the three finalists in each category will benefit from positive publicity and recognition across Switzerland, Liechtenstein and the UK.
If your company is doing something exceptional, this is your opportunity to showcase your success story within the British-Swiss Business Community. With an entry deadline set for 15th August, you have just three weeks left in which to submit your details, free of charge, in one of the following categories:
Launched just over a year ago by experienced cross-cultural trainer and career coach, Anne-Claude Lambelet, hereigo is a rapidly growing community platform designed to support accompanying spouses/partners relocating to the Lake Geneva region.
Through a unique combination of training sessions, webinars, 1:1 coaching, regular JobClub meetings and forums, the hereigo team of seasoned career and culture coaches helps partners learn everything they need to know about their new environment so that they can make informed choices and take appropriate action to support their personal and professional objectives. By fostering links both within and outside the member community, hereigo believes its members have the best possible opportunity for success in both career continuation and social integration.
Explaining the rationale behind her business, Anne-Claude told knowitall.ch, “In my 20 years of experience in cross-cultural training, career partner support, and expatriation management coaching, it has become evident to me that unless daily living issues are satisfactorily resolved and culture-specific know-how and adequate etiquette are integrated by the spouse/career partner, it is extremely difficult for new arrivals to focus successfully on those issues that are essential for helping them find a job or simply settle into their new environment. Since numerous studies rate spouse/partner integration as key to assignment success, it is critical that local companies give serious consideration to the needs of accompanying partners in the relocation process.”
