Roland Berger Summer talks
2008: 7th Summer Talks, a Bavarian charity event
In brief: Zurich, September 2, 2008 – The seventh summer event had a strong flavor of 2008's Olympic summer. More than 250 guests took part in a charity event given by Roland Berger Strategy Consultants to benefit "Right to Play Switzerland". Right to Play supports children affected by war, poverty and disease by offering games and sports programs in order to foster their health and education as well as improve their quality of life in the long term. The humorous Olympics lottery provided not only for an entertaining evening but also a considerable number of donations for this humanitarian organization. Roland Berger Strategy Consultants matched the amount to the delight of Adolf Ogi, Right to Play's patron, former member of the Federal Council of Switzerland and former UN special advisor for sports, and his surprise guests from the Olympic team.
2007: 6th Summer Talks, 70-40-10, a Bavarian fest
In brief: The founder of Roland Berger Strategy Consultants celebrated not only his 70th birthday but also his consultancy's 40th year in business and the Swiss office's 10th anniversary. It was a real Bavarian fest. The event attracted around 500 guests to our Zurich premises, including Fritz Gerber and Deutsche Bank CEO Josef Ackermann.
2006: 5th Summer Talks, as part of the "Best of European Business" Awards
In brief: Zurich, August 28, 2006 – In the competition's second year, the "Best of European Business" Award kicked off with the accolades going to four top Swiss companies. Roland Berger Strategy Consultants initiated the competition in 2005 with the aim of highlighting exemplary achievements by companies in Europe and emphasizing the strengths of the participating countries as business locations.
The competition now includes companies from as many as ten countries. Entrants are systematically selected by a team of experts and judged within defined categories. Roland Berger Strategy Consultants organized the national contest in Switzerland in collaboration with the business magazine Bilanz, while the European partner is the news broadcaster CNN. The winners received their awards at the 5th Summer Discussion, which Roland Berger Strategy Consultants again staged in Zurich. A keynote address was delivered by Benedikt Weibel, CEO of SBB.
2005: 4th Summer Talks, on the topic of Prospects for Switzerland as a business location
In brief: Zurich, September 15, 2005 – Around 270 guests turned up for the 4th Summer Discussion. Kicking off with a presentation, this combination panel discussion and buffet dinner centered on the theme of "Prospects for Switzerland as a business location". To this end, three CEOs were invited from Swiss industry: Valentin Chapero of Phonak, Hartmut Reuter of Rieter and Toni Wicki of Ruag. Swiss producers in particular are facing some major challenges: high wages, rising raw material prices and pressures from foreign competitors who can undercut prices.
2004: 3rd Summer Talks, on the topic of From Corporate Governance to Corporate Responsibility
In brief: Zurich, September 1, 2004 – The 3rd Summer Discussion revolved around the topic of "From Corporate Governance to Corporate Responsibility". More than 350 guests followed a fascinating and lively panel discussion chaired by Urs Leuthard, editor and presenter of Arena at SF DRS. The panel included some leading exponents of Swiss industry. It was agreed that corporate responsibility is not something that can be decreed from above but must be led by example and lived within a company.
