Week 39, Theme: From Crisis to Clarity, Solutions for Europe’s Tomorrow & DeepTech Innovations for Swiss Lakes

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Thank you for subscribing to this newsletter! Here is a digest of LinkedIn+ posts that caught my attention this week.

Content Highlights

1. Week's Theme: Warming Swiss Lakes, A Crisis for Fish Biodiversity and Fishermen’s Future
2. Touring Switzerland: Via Alpina
3. Partner Content: Nanichi Atabey & DeepTech & Sustainability Ventures
4. Top Shared News: Join the Discussion, A Decade of Progress and the Road Ahead for Women at Work
5. Post from my Network: Mario Draghis’ Solutions for Europe’s Future
6. NEW Product Management & Gen(AI), ft. UserTesting for UX Research
7. International Loyalty Awards, ft. The Flying Tiger Copenhagen app, 2024 Winner in Best Use of Gamification to Enhance Loyalty

Note: The text in this newsletter was generated using various GenAI applications, including Microsoft Copilot & ChatGPT. The author recommends verifying the information provided to ensure correctness.

1. Week's Theme: Warming Swiss Lakes, A Crisis for Fish Biodiversity and Fishermen’s Future

Swiss lakes, particularly Lake Geneva, are warming at a significantly faster rate than the oceans, threatening local fish species and the livelihoods of professional fishermen. Recent years have seen a sharp decline in populations of iconic species such as perch, Arctic char, and fera, all sensitive to rising temperatures. By early August 2024, Lake Geneva's surface temperature neared a record 26°C, exacerbating the challenges posed by climate change.

Cold stenotherms, fish species requiring stable, cool temperatures, are particularly vulnerable. According to data from Swiss and French sources, fish catches have plummeted. Arctic char catches fell from 30 tonnes in 2014 to under 10 tonnes, while fera dropped dramatically from 1,000 tonnes to just 200 tonnes in the same period. The lack of proper water mixing due to warming temperatures is also disrupting the lake's ecosystem. Oxygen-rich surface water is no longer blending with deeper, nutrient-rich water, affecting fish habitats.

Fishermen, like Fran?ois Liani, report devastating reductions in catch sizes, forcing them to dip into savings. Climate experts warn that unless urgent measures are taken, the warming of Swiss lakes could irreversibly alter their ecosystems and further diminish fish populations.

Source: Swissinfo

1.1 DeepTech Contributions to Address These Challenges

Deep technologies, which are cutting-edge innovations driven by scientific and engineering advances, can offer solutions to the environmental and ecological challenges in Swiss lakes. Here’s how they could address the key problems:

1. Monitoring and Predictive Analytics (AI & IoT)

• AI-based Environmental Monitoring: AI-powered sensors and Internet of Things (IoT) devices can be deployed in lakes to continuously monitor water temperature, oxygen levels, and other critical parameters. These real-time data can help predict when dangerous temperature thresholds are being approached, allowing for timely intervention.
• Predictive Analytics for Fish Populations: Machine learning models can analyze historical and real-time data to predict future declines in fish populations and enable more effective management of fishing practices, helping sustain fish stocks.

2. Water Circulation and Aeration Technologies

• Artificial Lake Mixing Systems: Technologies that simulate natural water mixing processes can be deployed to improve oxygenation in deep waters, preventing the stratification caused by warming. This can create a healthier environment for fish and improve biodiversity.
• Aeration Technologies: Using deep-tech solutions like autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) to aerate deeper layers of the lake can restore oxygen levels and nutrient balance, supporting fish populations.

3. Biotechnology and Conservation Genetics

• Genetic Engineering for Climate-Resilient Fish: Advances in biotechnology can be applied to breed or modify fish species that are more tolerant to higher temperatures, helping to stabilize populations of vulnerable species like Arctic char and fera.
• Restoration of Ecosystems: Genetic conservation techniques can be used to support the survival and propagation of endangered species, potentially reversing population decline.

4. Aquaculture Innovation

• Sustainable Fish Farming (Aquaculture 4.0): Deep tech solutions in aquaculture, such as precision aquaculture systems and AI-driven management, can reduce overfishing pressure on natural lakes. This would help preserve wild fish populations while meeting demand for fish sustainably.
• Closed-Loop Aquaculture: Systems that minimize environmental impact by recycling water and reducing energy consumption can be used near Swiss lakes to produce fish without further depleting lake ecosystems.

5. Climate Engineering and Geoengineering

• Climate Control Technologies: Research into climate engineering, such as reflective surface materials or cloud-seeding techniques, could be explored to reduce excessive heat in critical areas of lakes, preventing further overheating.
• Carbon Capture and Sequestration: Technologies that capture atmospheric CO2 and lower the global warming impact can slow down the temperature rise in lakes, indirectly benefiting the ecosystem.

6. Data-Driven Fisheries Management

• Smart Fishing Quotas: Deep learning models and advanced data analytics can optimize fishery quotas based on real-time data, helping manage fish stocks sustainably while protecting fisherman livelihoods.
• Blockchain for Sustainable Fisheries: Blockchain technology can track and verify sustainable fishing practices, ensuring that only environmentally responsible fishing methods are incentivized and allowed.

Incorporating deep technologies across these areas can mitigate the damage caused by climate change, improve the resilience of fish species, and sustain the livelihoods of those who depend on Swiss lakes.

1.2 Startups Solving These Problems with DeepTech

Here are some successful startups around the world using deep technologies to solve environmental and aquatic challenges similar to those faced by Swiss lakes:

1. Sourcemap (USA)

• Focus: Supply chain transparency and sustainability using blockchain and AI. Though their focus is broader, they help manage sustainable fishing practices by tracing fish from source to consumer, ensuring responsible harvesting.
• Website: Sourcemap

2. Ocean-Based Climate Solutions (USA)

• Focus: Climate engineering solutions aimed at ocean and lake ecosystems. They develop technologies that restore ocean health and counteract global warming, including ocean alkalinity enhancement to increase carbon capture.
• Website: Ocean-Based Climate Solutions

3. XpertSea (Canada)

• Focus: Uses AI, data analytics, and IoT to help aquaculture farmers optimize fish production, reducing the pressure on wild fish stocks. Their platform provides real-time data on fish growth and health, ensuring sustainable practices.
• Website: XpertSea

4. Rimot (Canada)

• Focus: IoT and remote monitoring solutions for environmental water quality management. They provide smart sensing and data analytics tools to monitor and manage water ecosystems, helping to maintain optimal conditions for aquatic life.
• Website: Rimot

5. Clear Blue Sea (USA)

• Focus: Developing autonomous robotic solutions to remove ocean plastic and restore marine ecosystems. Though focused on ocean health, similar robotics could be adapted for lakes to clean and maintain healthy water environments.
• Website: Clear Blue Sea

6. Blue Planet Ecosystems (Austria)

• Focus: Creates sustainable, self-regulating aquaculture systems (LARA) that mimic natural ecosystems. Their technology turns sunlight, CO2, and waste into fish, providing sustainable fish farming alternatives to reduce pressure on natural fisheries.
• Website: Blue Planet Ecosystems

7. The Ocean Cleanup (Netherlands)

• Focus: Specializes in developing advanced technologies to remove plastic pollution from oceans and rivers. Their approach could help maintain healthier water ecosystems in lakes by preventing plastic pollution from damaging biodiversity.
• Website: The Ocean Cleanup

8. SmartOceans (USA)

• Focus: Provides real-time ocean and lake monitoring using IoT, AI, and satellite data. They help governments and organizations track water quality, fish populations, and ecosystem health to manage resources more effectively.
• Website: SmartOceans

9. FishBrain (Sweden)

• Focus: A data-driven platform for tracking fish populations and fishing activities. While initially a fishing app, it has evolved into a platform that provides valuable data for sustainable fishery management and conservation efforts.
• Website: FishBrain

10. Proteus Instruments (Canada)

• Focus: Develops real-time water quality monitoring devices. Their deep-tech solutions use advanced sensors and analytics to continuously measure critical environmental parameters such as dissolved oxygen, temperature, and nutrient levels.
• Website: Proteus Instruments

These startups are leveraging deep technologies such as AI, IoT, and biotechnology to address the environmental and ecological challenges in aquatic ecosystems, offering scalable solutions to problems like those in Swiss lakes.

1.3 innovative business models in this area

Innovative business models leveraging deep tech to solve problems related to aquatic ecosystems, as described in the article, focus on combining technology with sustainability. Here are some key business models, relevant clients, and startup examples:

1. Data-as-a-Service (DaaS) for Environmental Monitoring

• Business Model: This model offers real-time environmental data to stakeholders through AI, IoT, and cloud platforms. Clients subscribe to the data and analytics services to monitor aquatic environments, such as temperature, oxygen levels, and fish populations.
• Relevant Clients: Governments, environmental agencies, fisheries, aquaculture operators, and scientific research institutions.
• Startup Example:Saildrone (USA): Provides autonomous ocean data collection using unmanned surface vehicles. The real-time data on environmental parameters is valuable for governments and research institutions monitoring ecosystems.Website: Saildrone

2. Precision Aquaculture with AI and IoT

• Business Model: Using AI and IoT, this model provides precision aquaculture services, helping fish farmers optimize feeding, monitor water quality, and predict growth patterns. Clients pay for hardware installations and data analytics subscriptions to increase yield and reduce waste.
• Relevant Clients: Aquaculture companies, fish farms, food production industries, and fisheries looking to optimize production sustainably.
• Startup Example:Aquabyte (USA): Uses computer vision and machine learning to monitor fish health, feeding, and growth, ensuring sustainable and efficient fish farming.Website: Aquabyte

3. Circular Economy Models for Sustainable Aquaculture

• Business Model: This model creates closed-loop, self-sustaining aquaculture systems that use waste-to-resource cycles. The entire process is monitored and optimized with AI and IoT, reducing environmental impact. Revenue comes from the sale of fish and leasing the aquaculture systems.
• Relevant Clients: Fish farms, food producers, restaurants, and sustainability-focused enterprises.
• Startup Example:Blue Planet Ecosystems (Austria): Builds systems that turn sunlight, waste, and CO2 into fish using AI-controlled environments, helping reduce environmental strain on natural fisheries.Website: Blue Planet Ecosystems

4. Carbon Credits and Biodiversity Credits via Ecosystem Restoration

• Business Model: Companies restore ecosystems (such as lakes) using technology and sell carbon and biodiversity credits to industries seeking to offset their environmental impact. This incentivizes investment in restoring natural habitats.
• Relevant Clients: Corporations in high-carbon industries, governments, environmental organizations, and conservation groups.
• Startup Example:Planet Labs (USA): Uses satellite imagery and AI to monitor environmental changes and quantify ecosystem restoration, enabling the sale of carbon credits from reforestation and aquatic restoration efforts.Website: Planet Labs

5. Sustainable Fisheries Certification & Traceability using Blockchain

• Business Model: Companies certify and track sustainably caught fish using blockchain for traceability, ensuring compliance with environmental standards. They charge a fee to fisheries for certification and offer a premium for products traced end-to-end.
• Relevant Clients: Commercial fisheries, retailers, restaurants, and consumers looking for sustainably sourced fish.
• Startup Example:OpenSC (Australia): Provides blockchain-based traceability solutions for sustainable products, including fish, ensuring that consumers can verify the ethical sourcing of their purchases.Website: OpenSC

6. Aquatic Health Monitoring for Ecosystem Management

• Business Model: Provides comprehensive health monitoring of aquatic ecosystems using drones, AI, and IoT devices. Clients subscribe to monitoring services and get alerts about water quality issues, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem disruptions.
• Relevant Clients: Government environmental agencies, lake management authorities, water utilities, and conservation organizations.
• Startup Example:Rimot (Canada): Offers IoT-based remote monitoring of environmental parameters in aquatic ecosystems to ensure healthy water bodies and avoid ecological disasters.Website: Rimot

7. Fishery Management Platforms with AI for Optimized Fishing Practices

• Business Model: These platforms use AI to optimize fishing practices by analyzing historical and real-time data on fish populations, weather, and environmental conditions. They offer subscription-based services to fisheries and charge for optimization tools.
• Relevant Clients: Commercial fisheries, governments regulating fishing practices, conservation groups.
• Startup Example:Pelagic Data Systems (USA): Provides real-time tracking and data analytics to optimize fishing practices, improving sustainability and helping manage fishery resources.Website: Pelagic Data Systems

8. Climate Tech for Temperature Control in Lakes

• Business Model: Companies offer climate control solutions for water bodies, such as thermal regulation systems using heat pumps or geoengineering technologies. These companies lease the systems to lake management authorities or governments.
• Relevant Clients: Lake management authorities, governments, municipalities, and industries dependent on stable lake ecosystems (e.g., tourism).
• Startup Example:Thermal Energy Service Solutions (TESS): Offers heat exchange systems that can regulate the temperature of water bodies by using natural geothermal energy.Website: Thermal Energy Service Solutions

9. Restocking Programs Powered by Biotechnology

• Business Model: Companies leverage biotechnology to breed climate-resilient fish and other aquatic species. They charge governments, conservationists, and fisheries for restocking programs that repopulate endangered fish species.
• Relevant Clients: Governments, fisheries, conservation organizations, and lake management entities.
• Startup Example:AquaBounty Technologies (USA): Uses biotechnology to develop genetically engineered fish, such as climate-resilient salmon, ensuring sustainable populations even under changing environmental conditions.Website: AquaBounty

These innovative business models combine deep technologies with sustainable practices to address challenges in aquatic ecosystems, particularly those affected by warming and ecosystem imbalance. By serving a wide range of clients, from governments to fish farms, these solutions promote both environmental sustainability and economic resilience. Further business models:

1. Subscription-Based Environmental Monitoring

• Business Model: Real-time data monitoring as a service (MaaS). Startups provide continuous environmental monitoring through IoT sensors, AI, and data analytics to track lake and water ecosystem health. Clients subscribe to receive detailed reports, alerts, and insights.
• Clients: Governments, environmental agencies, conservation organizations, fishing cooperatives, water utility companies.
• Startup Example:SmartOceans (USA): Provides real-time water and ecosystem monitoring using IoT sensors and AI to track oxygen levels, fish populations, and water temperatures.Website: SmartOceans
• Startup Example:Proteus Instruments (Canada): Offers water quality monitoring systems that provide continuous, real-time data on essential parameters like oxygen and nutrient levels.Website: Proteus Instruments

2. Data-Driven Sustainable Fisheries Management

• Business Model: Data-as-a-service (DaaS) platform for fisheries management. Startups collect, analyze, and provide actionable insights on fish stocks using AI, machine learning, and big data. These insights help prevent overfishing, optimize catch sizes, and promote sustainable practices.
• Clients: Commercial fisheries, governmental fisheries regulators, environmental NGOs, food suppliers.
• Startup Example:FishBrain (Sweden): Provides data-driven solutions for managing fish stocks through a fishing app that tracks catches and fish populations, helping guide sustainable fishing efforts.Website: FishBrain

3. Sustainable Aquaculture Systems

• Business Model: Aquaculture-as-a-service or Hardware-as-a-service (HaaS). Startups offer fully integrated, climate-resilient aquaculture systems that use AI, IoT, and biotechnology to produce fish in closed-loop, self-regulating ecosystems. This model may include leasing equipment, offering software subscriptions for management, and providing on-demand support.
• Clients: Fish farms, aquaculture companies, governmental fisheries programs, conservation organizations.
• Startup Example:Blue Planet Ecosystems (Austria): Builds LARA systems that turn sunlight and CO2 into fish in a fully automated, closed-loop aquaculture system, offering a sustainable way to farm fish and reduce pressure on natural lakes.Website: Blue Planet Ecosystems
• Startup Example:XpertSea (Canada): Provides data-driven, AI-powered solutions for managing fish and shrimp farming, helping aquaculture companies improve yields while maintaining sustainability.Website: XpertSea

4. Blockchain-Enabled Traceability for Sustainable Fisheries

• Business Model: Blockchain-enabled supply chain management. Startups use blockchain to ensure transparency in fishing and seafood sourcing. This model provides end-to-end traceability of fish products, ensuring that fish are harvested sustainably and in compliance with environmental regulations.
• Clients: Retailers, restaurants, certification bodies, consumers, fisheries, governments.
• Startup Example:Sourcemap (USA): Uses blockchain to provide transparency in supply chains, ensuring fish and seafood products are sustainably sourced and compliant with regulations.Website: Sourcemap

5. Carbon Offset and Climate Impact Credits

• Business Model: Climate credits marketplace or carbon offset programs for lake ecosystems. Companies can generate or trade carbon credits by funding or managing ecosystem restoration projects that help cool lakes or reduce CO2 levels, using deep tech like geoengineering or carbon capture solutions.
• Clients: Corporations looking to offset carbon footprints, governments, environmental NGOs, financial institutions.
• Startup Example:Ocean-Based Climate Solutions (USA): Focuses on large-scale ocean alkalinity enhancement to sequester carbon and mitigate climate change, which could be applied to lake environments.Website: Ocean-Based Climate Solutions

6. Robotics and Autonomous Environmental Restoration

• Business Model: Robotics-as-a-service (RaaS) for environmental cleanup and restoration. Startups deploy autonomous robots to clean lakes, improve water quality, or support ecosystem restoration efforts. Customers pay for services based on area coverage or impact.
• Clients: Governments, environmental agencies, private landowners, water utility companies, NGOs.
• Startup Example:Clear Blue Sea (USA): Develops autonomous robots to remove plastic and other pollutants from water bodies, which could be applied to lakes and other freshwater ecosystems.Website: Clear Blue Sea

7. Environmental Impact Bonds

• Business Model: Impact-driven financing models like Environmental Impact Bonds (EIBs). These bonds finance environmental projects that restore ecosystems or improve biodiversity, where investors receive returns based on the project's success in achieving specific outcomes, such as reducing lake warming or improving fish populations.
• Clients: Governments, environmental organizations, impact investors, municipalities, private businesses.
• Startup Example: Quantified Ventures (USA): Pioneers in environmental impact bonds, helping governments and organizations finance environmental projects, including water quality improvements and habitat restoration.Website: Quantified Ventures

These business models are leveraging deep technologies like AI, IoT, blockchain, and biotechnology to offer sustainable, scalable solutions for managing and restoring aquatic ecosystems. Their clients include governments, fisheries, environmental NGOs, aquaculture companies, and corporations seeking sustainability.

1.4 Related Articles & Initiatives

• A Review of Unmanned System Technologies with Its Application to Aquaculture Farm Monitoring and Management
• Precision Aquaculture: An Integrated Computer Vision and IoT Approach for Optimized Tilapia Feeding
• The Power of Precision Aquaculture
• Internet of Things in aquaculture: A review of the challenges and potential solutions based on current and future trends
• Industry 4.0-based smart systems in aquaculture: A comprehensive review
• Federating ‘Aquaculture 4.0’ for data-driven social and environmental sustainability

2. Touring Switzerland

Switzerland has stunning landscapes, and I’m excited to explore some of them and share the highlights with you. Enjoy this week’s selection!

2.1 Via Alpina

Route Altdorf (UR) - Engelberg

Stage 7 of the Via Alpina takes hikers from Altdorf to Engelberg, offering a challenging yet rewarding journey through Central Switzerland. The route, spanning 30 km and ascending 2,100 meters, is not for the faint-hearted, requiring around 10 hours to complete. Starting in Altdorf, hikers can opt for a cable car to Brüsti to ease the initial two-hour ascent through thick forests. The path continues to the Surenen Pass, where hikers traverse narrow ridges, stone steps, and occasional snow fields.

The pass offers a refuge for those caught in sudden weather changes, followed by a scenic descent to Blackenalp, a great spot for a break. As you near Engelberg, the Spannorthütte SAC offers breathtaking views for those who have the energy to explore further. This demanding stage can be shortened using public transport or an overnight stay at Blackenalp. Travelers should check weather conditions and route availability in advance for safety and comfort.

Source: MySwitzerland

3. Partner Content

3.1 DeepTech & Sustainability Ventures

This think tank is dedicated to driving innovation and fostering entrepreneurship at the intersection of DeepTech & sustainability. Phase 1, Ongoing: We harness the power of artificial intelligence and review investment news as well as scientific publications to identify impactful business cases within this domain.

Visit LinkedIn Page

3.2 Nanichi Atabey: Let's Build a Sustainability Metaverse ??

??Nanichi Atabey (from the Indigenous Taíno language, “dear Mother Earth”) is a pre-seed startup that offers premium play-to-earn-&-conserve virtual reality games leveraging Web3 customer loyalty programs that promote wellness & environmental stewardship, sustainability engagement in teams, and enhanced employee experiences while providing unique Ad spaces for select brands. Review the startup for investment here. ?? Play. Protect. Preserve.??

For further details, please contact Dr. Johanny A. Pestalozzi, Founder & CEO.?

?? Reptiles & Amphibians in Switzerland are at Risk! ????— View Post

4. Shared News

• ?? Insights from Our Futures Thinking Workshop! ??— View Post

• ?? Exciting news for all innovators, creators, and visionaries in my network—Canvas '24 by Miro is coming, and you won’t want to miss it! ??— View Post / Check the Agenda

?? Join the Discussion: Women at Work – A Decade of Progress and the Road Ahead ??— View Post

5. Posts from my Network

• Space Perspective: Take a behind-the-scenes look at our recent milestone—Development Flight 2. This full-scale flight test successfully tested a multitude of key systems needed to safely launch the capsule to 100,000 ft (30,480 m) and bring it back in a controlled descent to ocean splashdown. — View Post

Spaceship Neptune is poised to offer a transformative six-hour experience to the edge of space. Propelled by our SpaceBalloon?, it will carry Explorers at a gentle 12 mph (~19 kph) pace. Aboard, you will find a comfortable and luxurious experience—complete with a Space Lounge, a proper restroom, and even a bar. Explorers can enjoy the life-changing experience with fellow passengers or share it with friends and family Earthside through the capsule’s Wi-Fi.

• Politpuls – die Zürcher Politik kurz und kompakt, 27.09.2024 — View Newsletter

Contents: Tax proposal 17: Intermediate goal achieved, Is the Canton of Zurich a building prevention authority or a building permit authority?, For contemporary monument protection, Support home office – even after the pandemic?, Consultation on the partial revision of the Housing Promotion Ordinance, Government Council sets premium reductions for 2025, ZHK breakfast event: Tax burden for companies – Where does the Canton of Zurich stand in the competition for locations?, Investment Review Act: Council of States must correct, Judith Stofer, Group President AL — View Post

• Swiss reject biodiversity and pension reform proposals. — View Post

The rejected biodiversity initiative enjoyed strong Swiss Abroad support. — View News

Vote analysis: ecological initiatives often fail due to resistance by Swiss farmers. — View News

• Zürcher Handelskammer:?? 20 Years #Bilaterale II – Panel Discussion on October 29, 2024! For 25 years, the bilateral path has shaped the relationship between Switzerland and the EU. But what does the future look like? Should we stabilize the bilateral path with the hashtag#BilateraleIII and continue to reap the benefits, or should we seek greater autonomy – with the risks of gradual exclusion from the single market? Discuss with our top-class guests! — View Post

• UZH Faculty of Business, Economics and Informatics — View Post

“We need to stand up more for freedom, human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. These are not self-evident values that simply exist like a law of nature”, says Dr. Patrick Dümmler, Head of Department at the Swiss Trade Association, on what he would change in today's society.

• Zürcher Volkswirtschaftliche Gesellschaft: The first events of our annual program 2025 are ready. You can look forward to more exciting presentations. — View Post

• Oliver B?te: Allianz Economic Research on the annual Global Wealth Report, a detailed analysis of the latest wealth trends and how they are shaped by saving behaviors, geopolitics, and environmental risks. — View Post

• European Parliament: According to Mario Draghi, the former president of the European Central Bank, the EU is falling behind other major economies and risks becoming dependent on them.

“Europe’s economies face a choice between paralysis, exit or integration.”

It must take three crucial actions to reclaim its future:

1. Close the innovation gap between the US and China

2. Link the EU’s climate goals with increasing the competitiveness of its economy

3. Boost the EU’s economic autonomy and security

His proposed solution? Closer economic cooperation between EU nations and increased annual funding to EU economies to around €750-800 billion per year. Many Members of the European Parliament agreed with Draghi's analysis. Find out what they had to say. — View Post

• European Parliament: European consumers and their fundamental rights are protected online thanks to the EU's Digital Services Act. — View Post

• punkt4.info: Switzerland is the most innovative country in the world for the 14th time. — View Article

• Gaetan Bucher: US presidential candidate Kamala Harris unveiled a $100 billion plan to establish a national reserve of critical minerals, essential for U.S. economic and national security. A key aspect of this initiative is strengthening supply chains with allied countries, such as the Dominican Republic. — View Post
• Helmut Ruhl: What is currently being written about the German car industry and the VW Group, 3 classifications. — View Post

• Switzerland Innovation:?? ???? ?????? ?????????????????? ?????? ?????????????????? ????????????????! ?? We are thrilled to announce the launch of the ?????????????????????? ???????????????????? ?????????????????? ????????????????, a new digital hub designed to connect and foster collaboration across the six Switzerland Innovation Parks, spanning 16 locations throughout the country. — View Post

• Christoph Aeschlimann: Ever wondered how to get better at networking and stakeholder management? — View Post

• Chris Tottman: Vinod Khosla on How to Achieve Ambitious Goals... Here's the thing: He NEVER tells founders their vision is too ambitious. Instead, he has THIS conversation. — View Post

• Christian Tohmé: I don’t know if you’ve had similar experiences, but sometimes life leaves us with mismatched pieces that just don’t seem to fit. Like when my wife, my girls and I recently took on the challenge of investigating the case of the many missing socks (yes, socks!) in our family collection. And here’s what we learned. — View Post

• McKinsey & Company: As generative AI reshapes the business landscape at an unprecedented pace, business leaders are tasked with understanding its vast potential and inherent challenges. — View Post

• McKinsey & Company: Most organizations are lagging behind their employees when it comes to generative AI implementation—and leaving a trillion-dollar opportunity untapped. So, how can leaders leverage employees’ excitement about the technology and create value through generative AI? Our recent research shares lessons learned from early adopters and identifies what organizations can do to get and stay ahead. — View Post

• Gartner: Explore our four-part series of the top most viewed and highly-rated Gartner webinars that focus on four key parts to the GenAI strategic journey: ? Vision ? Value ? Risk ? Adoption. — View Post

• Experienced professionals drive change through ChatGPT — View News
• Terensis uses satellite images to forecast harvest yields — View News

• Impact Hub Zürich:?? Final call to participate in Climathon Zurich 2024! ?? Registrations close on September 30th, so don’t miss your chance to be part of this movement for climate action! — View Post

• Süddeutsche Zeitung: The 189th Oktoberfest has started. Punctually at 9:01 a.m., the first Oktoberfest enthusiasts run onto the grounds. — View Post

• Pankaj Kedia: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Goalkeepers 2024. — View Post

6. Generative (AI) Tools

NEW: In this section, generative AI applications will be presented to give a brief overview of their functionality and how we can use them to increase the efficiency, speed, and quality of our work.

View post

6.1 Gen(AI) & Product Management

G2 Grid? for UX Research — View Full Grid

6.2 Gen(AI) Tool: UserTesting

UserTesting is an AI-powered platform designed to enhance user experience research and customer feedback analysis. It allows product managers to gather insights from real users interacting with their products, whether websites, apps, or prototypes. By utilizing AI technologies, UserTesting streamlines the process of collecting, analyzing, and interpreting user feedback, making it an invaluable resource for product managers.

Benefits for Product Managers Using UserTesting:

1. Enhanced User Insights: UserTesting leverages AI to analyze user interactions and behaviors in real-time. Product managers can gain deeper insights into how users navigate their products, identify pain points, and understand user motivations. This helps in making informed design and feature decisions.

2. Faster Feedback Cycles: The platform enables rapid feedback collection, allowing product managers to conduct tests with users from diverse demographics quickly. AI accelerates the analysis of qualitative data, ensuring that insights are available in a shorter time frame, which is critical for agile development.

3. Automated Analysis: UserTesting employs AI to automate data analysis, reducing the time and effort required to sift through user recordings and feedback. This allows product managers to focus on strategic decision-making rather than getting bogged down in data interpretation.

4. Targeted User Segmentation: The AI capabilities of UserTesting allow for precise user segmentation, enabling product managers to test specific demographics or user profiles. This targeted approach helps in understanding how different user groups interact with the product, guiding tailored enhancements.

5. Visual Data Representation: UserTesting provides visual analytics and reports, making it easier for product managers to share findings with stakeholders. This facilitates clearer communication of user insights and their implications for product development.

6. Continuous Learning: By using AI-driven insights, product managers can establish a continuous feedback loop, iterating on product design based on ongoing user interactions. This ensures that the product evolves to meet user needs effectively.

7. Cost-Effective Research: With AI automating many aspects of user testing and analysis, product managers can conduct extensive user research without the need for large teams or substantial budgets, maximizing resource efficiency.

In summary, UserTesting empowers product managers to leverage AI for more efficient, insightful, and user-centered product development, ultimately leading to improved user experiences and better product outcomes.

Website

7. International Loyalty Awards

The International Loyalty Awards is a prestigious recognition program that celebrates excellence in customer loyalty initiatives and programs worldwide. These awards aim to honor organizations that have developed effective and innovative strategies to enhance customer engagement, retention, and loyalty across various industries.

Key Features of the International Loyalty Awards:

1. Categories: The awards typically feature multiple categories to recognize different aspects of loyalty programs, such as:

- Best Customer Loyalty Program

- Best Use of Technology in Loyalty

- Best Customer Experience

- Best Loyalty Strategy

- Best Engagement Campaign

2. Judging Process: Entries are evaluated by a panel of industry experts who assess the submissions based on criteria such as creativity, effectiveness, measurable results, and overall impact on customer loyalty.

3. Networking Opportunities: The awards ceremony often serves as a networking event where industry leaders, marketers, and loyalty professionals come together to share insights and best practices.

4. Showcasing Innovation: The awards highlight innovative loyalty strategies that drive business success, providing inspiration for other organizations looking to enhance their own programs.

5. Global Participation: Companies from various regions and sectors participate, showcasing diverse approaches to loyalty management and customer engagement.

6. Recognition and Credibility: Winning or being nominated for an International Loyalty Award adds significant credibility to a brand’s loyalty program and can enhance its reputation in the marketplace.

Overall, the International Loyalty Awards serve as a platform to promote excellence in customer loyalty and encourage businesses to develop effective strategies that foster long-term relationships with their customers.

Website

7.2 2024 Winner in Best Use of Gamification to Enhance Loyalty

The Flying Tiger Copenhagen app features a data-driven loyalty strategy that encourages users to express themselves according to their preferences. Utilizing the WEKIT loyalty platform, it meticulously tracks and analyzes user interactions, refining the overall experience both in-store and online. This approach enhances personalized communication and targeted offers that align with customer tastes, while also streamlining R&D processes and product selection.

Flying Tiger Copenhagen, along with the Flying Tiger Copenhagen App developed in collaboration with the Advice Group, won the International Loyalty Awards for several compelling reasons. Here are the key factors that contributed to their recognition:

1. Innovative Engagement: The app exemplified creativity in customer engagement by offering a unique shopping experience. It effectively connected customers to the brand, enhancing their interaction with Flying Tiger Copenhagen’s diverse product offerings.

2. User-Centric Design: The app was designed with a focus on user experience, making it easy for customers to navigate, discover new products, and engage with the brand. Features that catered to customer preferences and needs helped improve overall satisfaction.

3. Personalization: By leveraging customer data, the app provided personalized recommendations and tailored promotions, which enhanced customer loyalty and drove repeat purchases. This personalized approach likely contributed to increased engagement and retention rates.

4. Community Building: The app fostered a sense of community among users by incorporating social sharing features, encouraging customers to share their experiences and favorite products, thus enhancing brand visibility and engagement.

5. Multichannel Integration: The Flying Tiger Copenhagen App seamlessly integrated with the company’s physical stores and online presence, creating a cohesive shopping experience for customers, whether they were shopping in-store or online.

6. Impact on Business Metrics: The app likely demonstrated significant positive results in terms of sales growth, customer retention, and engagement metrics, showcasing its effectiveness as a loyalty tool.

7. Focus on Sustainability: Given the growing importance of sustainability in consumer purchasing decisions, if the app included features related to sustainable practices or products, this could have further strengthened its appeal and relevance in today’s market.

Overall, the combination of innovative features, user-centric design, and measurable business impact contributed to the Flying Tiger Copenhagen App’s success and recognition at the International Loyalty Awards. This achievement highlights the importance of leveraging technology to enhance customer loyalty and engagement in a competitive retail landscape.

Website

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