The Swiss Gateway to International Business: Doing Business out of Switzerland

As the business world becomes more multicultural, competitive and complex, executives need to find new ways to interact optimally with their business partners. Managing diverse teams requires understanding the key determinants of the communication process shaped by culture, history, tradition and business practices. Consequently, the importance of cultural understanding and effective business communication increases. With its unique combination of ethnic diversity, political stability and economic openness, Switzerland provides the ideal context to develop such competences.

The programme offers an original combination of cultural and business communication skills transmitted by seasoned specialists. It involves interactive discussions and presentation of business cases. It is designed for present or future managers of multinational teams and policy makers who are required to manage complex business situations and negotiations.

The Swiss Gateway programme is an integral part of the EMBA programme of the Wroclaw University of Economics and Business (WUEB). It is reserved to participants of this programme. The WUEB is in charge of the selection of participants while UniNE is in charge of the academic organization and execution of the programme.

Outcomes

Participants following the full programme will

• Expand their knowledge about Swiss culture, business, values and policies

• Identify potential business opportunities in new markets

• Familiarize themselves with recent developments in international business studies

• Increase awareness of today's and tomorrow's business challenges

• Enlarge their network by interacting with professionals from a wide variety of backgrounds and business sectors

• Exchange information, compare and contrast experiences, as well as challenge current viewpoints with other participants of the programme

• Gain a unique and unforgettable learning experience.

Approach

• The programme comprises the exposure to up-to-date developments in various business fields. It is combined with discovery of the uniqueness of the Swiss culture and the values of its citizens, the factors that make it an ideal place to do business. The programme follows a highly interactive and participatory approach designed to combine learning with fun.

Programme highlights and policies

All sessions take place within the confines of the lake campus of the University of Neuchâtel. Participants will enjoy the stay in a 3-star hotel set on the banks of the lake of Neuchatel, ideally situated within walking distance to the University and the city’s main attractions.

Number of participants

Participation is limited to 25 participants. The organization is conditional on the number of participants being reached. The University of Neuchatel reserves the right to cancel the programme if the number of participants is less than 8.

Certificate

Upon successful completion of the Swiss Gateway programme, each participant will receive an EMBA certificate jointly signed by representatives of the WUEB and UniNE.

Registration

The registration process is handled by the WUEB.

Language

The programme is taught in English.

Location

University of Neuchâtel​
Faculty of Economics and Business
Avenue du 1er-Mars 26
2000 Neuchâtel
Switzerland

Programme structure

The programme is condensed in three intensive training days including lectures, team work and local visits. Group presentations and a Gala dinner conclude the programme on Saturday.

Teaching team

Matthieu Aubert, Chef du Service de l'économie, Neuchâtel
Prof. Jean-Marie Grether, Vice-rector, Professor of International Economics, UniNE
Prof. Kasia Jagodzinska, Ajunct professor and Programme Director, UniNE
Daniel Kaufmann, Professor of Applied Macroeconomics, UniNE
Prof. Daniel Shulthess​, Professor of History of Philosophy, UniNE
Christoph Sütckelberger, Emeritus professor, Universität Basel

Participants should hold an academic degree or equivalent and have advanced English language skills confirmed by a diploma (B2 or higher).