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| Gopal RajGuru The York Group - Switzerland Case Postale 1175 CH-1260 Nyon 1 Switzerland Tel: +41-22-990-2260 Fax: +41-22-990-1416 Mob: +41-79-606-1415 E-mail:grajguru@theyorkgroup.com |
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Mr. RajGuru's background
includes seven years as the Managing Director of WRQ's European operations,
where he was responsible for building up a highly successful distribution
channel in Europe, Middle East, and Africa. He became a York Group affiliate
in 1998, and has since helped a number of companies in high technology
expand into international markets in Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
As owner and Managing Director of Globalis, Mr. RajGuru has recently
expanded his focus on improving the effectiveness of partner sales organizations
through the creation and implementation of cohesive and comprehensive
sales process to improve the coordination with their suppliers in targeting
and winning new sales opportunities.
He is an American citizen of Indian origin who has been based in Europe
since 1988 and speaks English, French, Swedish, German and Dutch.
Regional Spending on Information and Communications Technology
(Data provided by WITSA)
| Technology Sectors | Spending ($millions) |
| Hardware | 5,124 |
| Software | 5,604 |
| Services | 7,196 |
| Communications | 15,887 |
| TOTAL ICT Spend | 33,811 |
| Vertical Markets | |
| Agriculture | 76 |
| Manufacturing | 5,254 |
| Utilities | 473 |
| Construction | 414 |
| Wholesale & Retail | 3,623 |
| Transportation & Communication | 2,546 |
| Finance & Bus. Services | 3,778 |
| Other Services | 4,672 |
| Government | 5,995 |
| Consumer | 6,953 |
| Software Piracy | 25% |
Country Overview
Founded in 1291, the Swiss Confederation is a neutral, landlocked country located in the heart of Europe, and home to all the major principle international organizations, including the UN, Red Cross, HCR, ILO, WTO, WIPO, and many others. Switzerland is a prosperous and stable modern market economy with low unemployment, a highly skilled labor force, and a per capita GDP larger than that of the big Western European economies.
Companies seeking to locate a European HQ should seriously consider Switzerland not only for its very favorable tax laws, but labor flexibility, which is generally greater than in the rest of Europe. Employees may be dismissed without cause according to well-established severance guidelines.
Though it remains outside the European Union, the Swiss have in recent years brought their economic practices largely into conformity with the EU to enhance international competitiveness. Switzerland remains a safe haven for investors, because it has maintained a degree of bank secrecy and has kept up the Franc's long-term external value.
The large concentration of banks in this relatively small country makes this an ideal location or starting point for any company interested in doing business in the banking or insurance sector (given the high level of convergence in the financial sector, as well as the headquarters of both Zürich Financial Services, and Swiss Re in the country).
GDP is composed primarily of services at more than 64%, followed by industry 34%, and finally agriculture at just 1.5%. Principle industries (and exports) include machinery, chemicals, watches, textiles, and precision instruments. A well-connected country, Switzerland boasts more than 5.5 million telephone lines in use, and 6.25 million mobile phones in use, as well as approx 3 million internet users out of a population of just 7.5 million inhabitants.
Switzerland is a very attractive market for companies seeking to do
business in the industrial or chemical sector with a high concentration
of companies in the region of Basel. Of course the high-precision mechanical
watch industry leads the world in both volume and prestige, with many
of the Swiss brands that are household names – including Rolex,
TAG Heuer, Omega, and of course Swatch.
Country-specific services
Market intelligence
Market research
Market development strategies
Partner searches
Partner sales education
Channel management
Office set-up (assistance and turn-key projects)
Staff recruitment support and screening
Other services upon request