Outpace the competition with additional services
On the one hand, globalization creates new export opportunities for Swiss companies; on the other, it opens up the market for the competition. The Swiss ICT company Data Quest AG witnessed this development first hand and describes an example: “We had been supplying the airline ‘Swiss’ for many years, but we were put to the test when it was taken over by Lufthansa,” explains executive board member Dave Gleixner. “Lufthansa looked into procuring technical components from Germany. We couldn’t be completely competitive on price in this regard, but we did offer a unique level of service.” He says that Lufthansa was so impressed by this level of service that the business remained in Switzerland. This additional offer could now pay off again for the ICT company: “We’re currently examining whether we can export our services and services to other countries,” said Gleixner, adding: “Despite competition, globalization suddenly gives us a whole new set of new opportunities.”
Service make the difference
Dave Gleixner is convinced that just this kind of service must be developed in order to stand out from the competition to do this, however. He says that companies must therefore rethink their own products and services, develop something new and demonstrate clear added value. Good innovations are the prerequisite, says Dave Gleixner: “To achieve this, we must be able to experiment. We need to develop new, creative additional offers and services that are not comparable with those of our competitors and that cannot be imitated.” In addition to uniqueness, he sees further potential in Swissness: “This label already gives us a competitive advantage in the market: it is associated with quality.” For Dave Gleixner, the additional offers and the Swissness label are two decisive factors for Swiss companies when it comes to establishing themselves on the growing global world market and setting themselves apart from the competition.
Of course, we encounter protectionism. We seek to overcome these hurdles with a lot of dedication.
Switzerland First
With this strategy of Swissness and unique additional offers, Data Quest AG also intends to launch its own new developments, grow internationally and open up new markets. “We are not yet a global company, but we’re working on it.” Data Quest AG doesn't just have to face off the competition to pull this off. It must also overcome protectionist hurdles. “Of course, we encounter protectionism,” says Dave Gleixner and adds: “It affects us in the form of laws in various countries and hits us with customs or transport regulations.” However, he says that a lot of dedication helps to deal with protectionist measures. Dave Gleixner clearly supports free trade and sees enormous opportunities in globalization for his company. Nevertheless, he concludes that: “A healthy dose of protectionism doesn’t hurt, in my opinion. Switzerland also puts Switzerland First in certain areas, which is good for promoting and strengthening the home economy.”
In this video interview, Data Quest's Executive Committee Member Dave Gleixner discusses the challenges of dealing with protectionist measures and how to overcome these hurdles (in Swiss German).
About Dave Gleixner
Dave Gleixner is a member of Data Quest AG’s Executive Committee and heads the Group’s Business and School Customer division. From mechanical engineering (robotic prototyping) to marketing and communications consulting, Gleixner hasproven a success in sales and strategic ICT consultation. Gleixner has been with Data Quest AG since 2001 and has continuously expanded and optimized the company's scope of business over the past 17 years.
About Data Quest
Data Quest has been specializing in Apple products and related services, as well as complete, enterprise-grade solutions for 25 years. In the summer of 2017, Data Quest AG received the Apple Authorized Enterprise Reseller partner status. Data Quest offers a broad range of Apple business solutions, as well as cross-competency IT infrastructure/architecture expertise and project experience in cloud, network, communication & collaboration, mobility and security. Its range of solutions is complemented by an extensive service portfolio over the entire product life cycle.
More articles on free trade and protectionism from the CEO Breakfast at S-GE
Andreas Gerber, Head of SME Business Credit Suisse (Schweiz) AG: “No country can operate globally better than Switzerland”
Peter Gisler, Director of SERV: “We’re experiencing protectionist measures in major infrastructure projects abroad”
Dieter Gosteli, Head of Corporates Axa Winterthur: “Protectionism harms competitiveness”
Ghislain de Kerviler, Managing Director of International SOS in Switzerland: «Schweizer KMU brauchen im internationalen Handel mehr Mut» (coming soon)
Stefan Räbsamen, Markets Leader at PwC: «Protektionistische Massnahmen schaden Wirtschaft und Wohlstand» (coming soon)
Dossier “International growth between globalization and protectionism”
