Good - But good enough?

Most SEF.Interactive panellists took the view that Switzerland had coped well with the crisis in this first phase, albeit with some limitations, especially with regard to the steps taken when easing lockdown restrictions. One reason for this good performance is the flexibility and adaptability of many Swiss companies, and especially their employees. According to the experts, some business leaders from the SEF circle find this assessment over-optimistic, pointing to the large differences between sectors and expressing concerns about the effects of a second wave.

For the optimists: The crisis has also had positive aspects, says Ursula Nold, President of the Migros Cooperative Association. Peter A. Fischer, head of the NZZ, is also surprised at how robustly the Federal Council has reacted to this crisis and sees “reason for a certain optimism”. FDP National Councillor Christian Wasserfallen praises the agility that Swiss companies have shown, especially SMEs. Katharina Lange, Professor of Leadership at IMD, even identifies a “Sully moment” (see box) in how Switzerland reacted in the lockdown: “Switzerland’s crisis management was impeccable!” For the sceptics: Sceptics say it depends on which industry people work in, warning that not everyone has experienced good times. For instance, while representatives of the sporting goods industry, such as cycle dealers, can hardly keep apace with deliveries, events and cultural organisations can only gaze helplessly at halls and auditoriums that have been nearly empty for months and that are likely to remain so for the foreseeable future.

Resilient? Definitely - up to a point

5