External Links

Business Modelling : 

To review an existing or define a new business model, the 'Business Model Generation' approach by Alexander Osterwalder & Yves Pigneur is still a good starting point.

For a structured approch to innovate and enhance an existing business modell, 'The Business Modell Navigator' is a well defined and easy to apply approach.

If some form of digital transformation has to be implemented, 'The Digital Transformer's Dilemma' shows from a practical perspective how to still maintain the existing business (which typically generates the profits) and how to develop in parallel a digital offering [in this case my recommendation is a bit biased, as I had the opportunity to contributed to that book myself].

Decision Making : 

To help to overcome Cognitive Biases in decision making processes, as well as in the cooperation with others, a small collection of the - from a practical perspective - most important Cognitive Biases can be found on the respective website. If someone is looking for a more systenatic and comprehensive approach, the Map of Cognitive Biases will be a good source.

Country Information : 

For information about individual countries, as well as to compare different countries in terms of specific parameters, the following sources have proven to be useful : 

• The website World Data combines various different sources to give an overview about different aspects, covering mainly social & economic parameters.
  
• The CIA World Factbook gives more detailed information per Country - from an US perspective - for all countries across the globe.
• The country profiles of the Human Development Index of the UN show the development of societal parameters for individual countries.
• The Better Life Index of the OECD compares the well-being of people in terms of their material living conditions and quality of life.
• The Economic Freedom Index provides a set of economic indicators - from a politically more 'conservative' perspective.
• The Country Profiles of Transparency International give an indication of the potential level of corruption one may be exposed to in a country.
• The Travel Pages of the CDC (Center of Disease Control and Prevention) provide in-depth information about potential health risks when traveling. As a governmental agency, their advice tend to be 'on the safe side'.

For Cultural Information, the following books are good starting points :

• 'International Leadership - Effecting Success Across Borders in a Boundaryless World', Springer Gabler, 2022 - where I had the opportunity to publish a case study about my time in Saudi Arabia.
  
• 'Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands' by Terri Morrison and Wayne A. Conaway, Adams Media, 2006.
  
• 'The Culture Map' by Erin Meyer, Public Affairs, 2014.

Statistical Information :

Switzerland in Figures Switzerland in Figures 2018.pdf (926.04KB)

Switzerland in Figures

Switzerland in Figures 2018.pdf (926.04KB)

UBS Research used to publish some useful and interesting information :

• A small collection of Statistical Information about Switzerland, covering social, political, cultural and economic dimensions and also putting them into an international comparison.

Prices & Earnings 2015 Prices and Earnings 2015.pdf (4.94MB)

Prices & Earnings 2015

Prices and Earnings 2015.pdf (4.94MB)

• A detailed comparison of Prices & Earnings across the Globe, covering 77 cities on all continents, providing interesting insights into the economic dimension of daily life.

As UBS is no longer publishing these reports, I've attached the latest versions - they are a bit outdated, but may still be helpfull to 'get a feel' for the different aspects and the relationships.