Swiss Network Seattle

Thank you to the 31 Swiss Network Seattle members who responded to the initial survey. The purpose of the survey was to solicit your input on what you wanted the Swiss Network Seattle to be.

Here are the results of the survey: there was strong agreement on the quarterly pace, so we’ll start with that; there was less consensus on time of day and location, so we’ll alternate between lunch and evening, and between Seattle and Eastside. The next post will address the next steps for the Swiss Network Seattle.

Note: a few of you left personal messages in the survey without contact information in the field - because the survey is anonymous, please contact me again by e-mail if you would like to follow up on your idea.

1. How often would you like to meet for Swiss Network Seattle gatherings?

2. What is your preferred format for these meetings?

3. What is your prefeered location for these events?

4. What topics would you like discussed at our meetings (open question)

• Business Card Exchange, Info about Swiss Happenings in the Greater Seattle area, All Swiss Organizations of the area shall come and introduce themselves; Info about happenings (political, cultural, etc.) in current CH, People shall just have an opportunity to talk together and have fun
• Events of interst, newsvent
• contact with other members, social activities, academic issues
• Topics related to Switzerland e.g., moving back to Switzerland. Swiss economy, education etc.
• topics open, but I would prefer a formal sitting presentation/question session, then a standing buffer/snack/soda (optional) with time for informal networking among us.
• First getting to know one another
• Topics related to issues that we will be voting on . Leading swiss research, policies and areas of expertise that “stand out” on an international level. What we can do to address critical problems e.g., global warming, economic and social injustice etc Practical tips related to living in Seattle and the U.S. e.g., advantages or disadvantages of paying voluntary AVS contributions, dual citizenship
• Lets discuss more about the focus of the Swiss Network Seattle - Swiss/american business relationships - Swiss/american research cooperation - Business opportunities - Technology - American politics - Swiss politics
• Import/Export
• local, regional economical and political topics
• casual networking - supporting professional needs of new Swiss in the area. - “Swiss” dinner events (cultural..) - Exchange on potentially shared professional subjects.
• Open to everything at this stage
• Business, cultural, exchange of “best practices”…
• Should be decided by group after first meeting.
• international relations, colaboration efforts
• various, mainly arts

5. Are you or your company able to host one of the meetings?

• Thanks to the five individuals who offered help with this - I’ll contact you soon.

6. The Swiss Network Seattle will have a Web presence to announce and manage events, as well as a private mailing list. What other features would you welcome on the site?

• networking e.g., job searches / job offers
• fields of interests
• links to other sources of information or brief headlines news related to Swiss news especially when there are federal issues we will be voting on.
• list of links
• a blog of events and links to Swiss news of import.
• direct links to member companies.
• an alias on the Swiss-list.com site
• social network s, personal ads?
• links to Seattle Swiss Society (…)
• links to the different Universities and other important institutions in Switzerland

7. Other feedback on the Swiss Network Seattle and its mission:

• Networking / Friendship
• Make eventual vist to different industries
• The Swiss Network should foster the personal relationships between the attendees, hence every meeting should have plenty time for socializing. Foster the link to Switzerland: Invite speakers from Switzerland once or twice a year. Represent the Swiss Network Seattle in Switzerland by giving presentations in Switzerland. Could the Swiss Network Seattle become a gate for young Swiss professionals to the USA? Organize professional exchanges through the Swiss Network Seattle. Could we get sponsorship for that?
• I would view this as a Network group, promoting business interests.