How important is structured feedback for insurers—and how is it used effectively? In this interview, Tiziana Manfioletti, Business Development Advisor for Brokers at Zurich, explains how Zurich’s Broker Panel Switzerland is utilized. She highlights the improvements resulting from the feedback and how brokers can help shape the partnership through their participation.

Occupational pension plans, also known as the second pillar or pension funds, are a key component of retirement planning in Switzerland. But how well do pension fund members understand their own pension plan?

Customer satisfaction is the key to sustainable business success. It fosters customer loyalty, strengthens your reputation, and provides a decisive competitive advantage. But how can you measure customer satisfaction? Which methods and tools actually get the job done? And how do you find the right provider in Switzerland? This article answers the most important questions about customer satisfaction surveys and shows how you can use valuable feedback to develop concrete measures to increase your customer satisfaction.

Insurance brokers are playing an increasingly important role in the Swiss insurance market. More and more companies are turning to independent advisors for help with complex insurance issues. At the same time, the demands placed on insurers and brokers are growing.

In early 2026, Landheim Brüttisellen conducted its first external employee survey with ValueQuest and immediately qualified for our Excellence@work Award with an outstanding result.

360-degree feedback strengthens leadership, provides clarity about one’s own impact, and fosters an open feedback culture. When used correctly, it becomes a strategic tool for sustainable leadership development and improved organizational performance.

At the end of 2025, Raiffeisenbank Region Glatt conducted its first employee survey with ValueQuest – and immediately qualified as a top employer. Raiffeisenbank has therefore been awarded our prestigious employer prize, the Excellence@work Award.

360-degree feedback is the key feedback tool for effective leadership development. It provides crucial insights that go far beyond traditional employee appraisals and forms the basis for successful coaching.

Insurance brokers play an important role in the Swiss insurance market. But what exactly do brokers do, and how do they work with insurers? In this interview, Thargye Gangshontsang from Allianz Suisse explains the perspective of an insurer.

Today, purpose determines whether strategy gains momentum or gets bogged down in day-to-day business. It is more than just a mission statement. It is the unifying "why" that provides orientation, strengthens identification, and guides actions. But only when purpose becomes measurable does it become clear whether it is truly effective or merely well-formulated.

ValueQuest Switzerland has been supporting Global Enterprise with customer surveys for more than 10 years. The customer survey serves to systematically measure impact and shows the concrete benefits that the services provide for Swiss SMEs. The interview with Alfonso Orlando provides insight into how impact measurement is used as a strategic management tool.

Raiffeisenbank Regio Unteres Toggenburg & Neckertal shows how employer attractiveness can be achieved in concrete terms. With a participation rate of 96 percent, high motivation, and an excellent eNPS, it is one of the strongest employers in the Swiss banking landscape.

We are in the midst of a leadership crisis—but what leadership skills do managers really need? Our study, which includes over 1,000 360-degree feedback responses, shows that modern leadership is less authoritarian and more dialogue-oriented than ever before.

The Gallup Q12 is one of the best-known tools for measuring employee engagement. This article explains the model, highlights its advantages and disadvantages, and assesses how well the Gallup Q12 fits the Swiss working environment.

Stress weakens teams, reduces productivity, and affects health. Resilience counteracts this—it strengthens, stabilizes, and protects. This guide shows how resilience develops and how it can be specifically built up in everyday working life.

Employee surveys are a powerful tool for organizational development. But they often fail. Not because of bad questions, but because of poor implementation. To ensure that your next employee survey really makes a difference, you need to be aware of the typical mistakes and pitfalls. We'll show you how to avoid them and turn feedback into real change.

Why is feedback so difficult for us, even though we know how important it is for our development? This article shows how deeply ingrained psychological reactions shape our perception and what helps us to use feedback in a more open and constructive way.

In 2025, Raiffeisenbank Gros-de-Vaud conducted its first systematic employee survey with ValueQuest – and immediately qualified as a top employer. Raiffeisenbank has therefore been awarded our prestigious Excellence@work Award.

Employee survey, staff survey, or perhaps even employee survey? What is the correct term, and is there a difference in meaning?

The new book "Inspiring Employees" by ValueQuest co-managing director Dr. Kathrin Neumüller is a guide that shows in which working environments inspiration can flourish. From the importance of corporate culture to...

This article provides you with the tools you need to measure employee satisfaction. In addition to a questionnaire template and sample questions, you will receive important tips on how to interpret employee satisfaction.

For the third time in a row, the Heimgärten Aargau Foundation has received the Excellence@work Award, making it one of the best employers in Switzerland in 2025. A great result in an industry that is struggling with high staff turnover and a shortage of skilled workers.

ValueQuest is a member of ESOMAR - the world's leading association for market and social research. Membership is not a marketing element, but a commitment. The ICC/ESOMAR Code 2025 determines how we design, conduct and evaluate our employee surveys. The code is strict, internationally recognized and creates the basis for reliable research in an environment that is changing at a rapid pace.

In times of a shortage of skilled workers and a new performance culture, managers are faced with the question: How do I create an environment for top performance? This article shows five levers - from appreciation and psychological safety to encouraging and challenging, empowerment and employee values - for sustainable employee motivation and retention. You can find the webinar recording below.

A clearly defined purpose is the key to employee motivation. In this article, we explain the most common mistakes and how you can communicate your purpose effectively.

Surveys are supposed to help us understand customers better and give employees a voice. But in reality, questionnaires are often long, monotonous and not very appealing. The result is survey fatigue. People drop out earlier, click through more quickly and the quality of the answers drops. We present a new approach.

Whether employee surveys, customer satisfaction or 360-degree feedback - the Likert scale is the backbone of many surveys. It not only measures approval or disapproval, but also makes attitudes, perceptions and emotions measurable.

The Net Promoter Score® (NPS) is the key figure when it comes to customer satisfaction and loyalty. It shows how many of your customers actively recommend your company to others - and thus provides valuable information on growth potential, service quality and customer loyalty.

Both tools are crucial for a healthy corporate culture, but they serve different purposes. An employee survey is the mood barometer for the entire organization, while 360-degree feedback is the development tool for individual managers. If the two are mixed up, the informative value suffers. In this guide, we show you when which tool is most useful and how you can use both strategically to not only measure sentiment but also initiate real change.

What drives people who act charmingly, strategically and ruthlessly at the same time? Why do some managers shine on the outside but leave scorched earth on the inside? In personality research, such behavioral patterns are summarized under the concept of the "Dark Triad". It consists of three personality traits that interact to create a fascinating but often destructive psychological profile: Narcissism, Machiavellianism and Psychopathy.

What does modern market research look like in the finance and insurance industry? In this interview, Melanie from ValueQuest gives us an insight into her work, current trends and the role of artificial intelligence. She explains what characterizes multi-client studies, where the limits of traditional surveys lie and which success factors really count.

Everyone is talking about the shortage of skilled workers - but many companies are leaving a huge potential untapped: older employees. A recent Swiss Life study, conducted by ValueQuest, shows clear gaps between intention and reality. Although the majority of employers can imagine hiring people aged 55 and over, their share of new hires remains negligible. Why this is the case - and why a rethink is needed right now.

Employee surveys have long been part of the standard repertoire of Swiss companies. They are intended to measure satisfaction, improve leadership and develop culture. But studies show: The real success factor lies not in measurement, but in action. Without consistent action planning - i.e. the structured implementation of results - even well-designed surveys quickly lose their credibility.

The boom came after the turn of the millennium: Between 2000 and 2004, 85 of the largest companies in the DACH region introduced their first employee survey. Today, 20 years later, six out of ten companies survey their teams - many even several times a year. But despite this feedback offensive, the emotional loyalty of employees is falling dramatically. Recent studies show why this is the case - and how companies can turn feedback into real change.

Raiffeisenbank Mittleres Toggenburg has been awarded the Excellence@work Award 2025 by ValueQuest. The award is based on an anonymous employee survey in which the bank impressed with its high level of employer attractiveness and employee motivation.

What constitutes good leadership behavior today - and how can employees be empowered to achieve sustainable performance? This is exactly where our webinar "Enabling top performance - modern leadership...

"Purpose" is more than just a marketing phrase. It is the key to motivated and loyal employees. But how can companies shape their purpose in such a way that it provides orientation for employees and at the same time strengthens long-term success?

The ValueQuest Study 2025 examines how retirees in Switzerland use their pension capital. Every year, around CHF 22 billion is paid out from occupational pension plans and pillar 3a....

In this article, we reveal the real reasons for resignation hidden in the free text comments and how companies can use this knowledge to retain their best talent. Who...

The new ValueQuest study shows that caution dominates. Mr. and Mrs. Swiss remain cautious when it comes to investments. They prefer conservative investment strategies and rely on a secure...

Dr. Kathrin Neumüller is Co-Managing Director at ValueQuest - the leading Swiss provider of employee surveys and 360-degree feedback. In addition to her teaching activities at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), Dr. Kathrin...

Table of contents What the response rate really says: More than just a number A high response rate in employee surveys is no coincidence. It is a strong indication...

The debate over the four-day workweek is gaining increasing traction in Switzerland. While numerous pilot projects have already been carried out internationally, Raiffeisenbank Luzerner Landschaft Nordwest is among the...

What does it take to make work not only safe, fair and productive, but also meaningful, motivating and fulfilling? In her current article in the renowned Springer Reference...

In recent years, Innflow AG has succeeded in maintaining employee motivation at a consistently high level, despite the fact that the number of employees has increased since the first...

Table of contents Purpose and background of the employee survey Why does your employer conduct an employee survey? The employee survey gives you the opportunity to express your opinion openly...

Employee surveys are one of the most important tools for personnel and organizational development in many Swiss companies. They provide valuable insights into the working atmosphere, uncover blind spots in cooperation...

A company is only as good as its employees. The latest Gallup study (2024) paints a sobering picture: four out of five employees are only half-hearted in their work...

The results of this year's employee survey read like a success story: After the first survey in 2023 pointed out many challenges, 2025 shows a very clear improvement....

Table of contents Benefits and objectives of employee surveys What is the purpose of an employee survey? The aim is to record how employees see their working environment, how high employee satisfaction is and...

The Excellence@Work Award recognizes companies that achieve an above-average motivation score of at least 80 out of 100 index points, with a participation rate of at least 80% of employees. We congratulate...

Employee surveys are seen as a crucial management tool - but there is a fine line between acceptance and survey fatigue. Tina Fischer examines in the Handelszeitung (HZ) the reasons why many...

Congratulations: Baumann & Cie, Banquiers receives our Excellence@work employer award. The Basel-based private bank with a 100-year tradition is thus one of the best employers in Switzerland in 2025. This...

Filling apprenticeship positions is becoming an increasing challenge for many Swiss SMEs. Apprenticeships are highly valued in Switzerland, but around 10% of all apprenticeships are...

In Switzerland, around CHF 22 billion is paid out each year from occupational and private pension plans. Most of this is paid out not as a pension, but as a lump sum upon retirement....

Denis has been strengthening our ValueQuest team as a project manager and consultant since December 2024. Before joining us, he completed an apprenticeship as a banker at Sparkasse,...

"What inspires you?" - a question that is rarely asked in traditional employee surveys. Far too often, the focus is on familiar KPIs such as employee satisfaction, engagement or commitment. These...

In the corporate context, empowerment refers to a process in which employees are empowered to shape their own work, make decisions and take responsibility. The empowerment approach aims to...

Feedback is important—but it's often perceived as an attack rather than an opportunity for further development. Why is this, and what can we do about it? This article...

Many managers have a clear idea of the skills and qualifications they expect from new employees. However, talents and skills that are already present in their own team are often...

Broker Panel Study Switzerland: Market analysis with ranking of the top insurers, digitalization and challenges in the broker business.

Congratulations: Kontextplan AG has been awarded our Excellence@Work 2025 employer seal. The Swiss spatial planning company, which is active in the areas of society, space, mobility and process and has offices in...

The results of our new workplace study not only attracted attention during our webinar, but also in the media. Business editor Michael Hotz from the Blick newspaper...

Inspiring employees means getting them excited about change in disruptive times. (Image: Pexels) Productivity through inspiration: Swiss companies are leaving great potential untapped. According to our new "Inspiring...

Employee surveys only work if the results lead to real change. This article shows you the most important templates, questions, and tips to ensure that your survey doesn't end up in the data archive, but has a real impact.

Discriminative AI models that focus on classifying and analyzing data have long been established in research and practical applications. This also applies to personnel...

For HR professionals, artificial intelligence (AI) is a double-edged sword. Will algorithms eventually replace experience and intuition in the selection of talent? And: How can we prevent...

Empowerment is not just a buzzword, but a strategic lever for corporate success. It strengthens the personal responsibility, creativity and commitment of employees - provided it is implemented correctly. Companies that systematically measure and promote empowerment using a questionnaire create the basis for a culture in which employees really want to and can take on responsibility.

Empowerment is the responsibility of both employers and employees. One side of the coin is that employers must be prepared to empower their employees. The other side of the...

Empowerment is seen as the key to increasing motivation, innovation and productivity. How effective can empowerment measures really be if employees perceive them as a farce? While structural measures are important,...

Around 80% of employees in Swiss companies do not realize their full potential and fall short of their potential in terms of productivity, performance and motivation - according to...

Employee surveys are more than just "taking the temperature". They should be seen as a strategic tool that contributes to the future viability of companies. But for this to succeed, a rethink is needed....

Our project manager Kathrin Neumüller spoke to Stefan Regli, Head of National Mail and Parcels at Swiss Post (Post CH Ltd), on the subject of "Good leadership". Stefan Regli is responsible for...

What do employees really want? What can companies do to ensure that employees stay and actively participate? How can employees get the younger GenY and GenZ generations on board and motivate them? ...

In the second part of this fascinating interview, our project manager Kathrin Neumüller and Eric Krapf address the question of how companies can increase the loyalty of their employees. Eric Krapf is...

Workation and the legal framework for companies were the focus of the interview with employment law expert J. Maria Siemens-Behm by Dr. oec. Kathrin Neumüller from ValueQuest. Maria Siemens-Behm looks after...

Salary has long since ceased to be the main criterion when choosing a job - especially among the younger generation. Kathrin Neumüller, an expert in employee surveys at the Swiss market research institute, knows what is important...

Inspiration is the driving force behind successful transformations. The new book "Inspiring Employees" by Dr. Kathrin Neumüller and Prof. Dr. Thomas Rudolph shows how companies can create conditions in which inspiration can flourish. It provides scientifically sound approaches and practical tools with which managers can specifically promote creativity, personal responsibility and entrepreneurial thinking in their teams - for more energy, purpose and sustainable success.

Those who are satisfied perform better. Many companies have internalized this guiding principle in recent years and give employee satisfaction a high priority when setting internal targets. But is satisfaction really a good indicator? New scientific findings show: It is not satisfaction but inspiration that is decisive. Inspiration can have a far more profound and lasting effect on work performance and the general attitude of employees by not only stimulating action, but also promoting creativity, commitment and personal fulfillment. A plea for why inspiration is a driver of change for organizations.

Why is human judgment important in the recruitment process even in times of advanced AI technologies? And how does artificial intelligence influence the role of talent managers? In her article for the trade journal...

Artificial intelligence is changing the world of work - but how does it affect employee motivation and empowerment? In an interview with Eric Krapf, Client Advisor at Aspaara, Dr. Kathrin Neumüller talks about AI-supported resource planning, new opportunities for HR and the limits of artificial intelligence in the corporate context.

Louis has been working as a Data Analyst/Market Researcher at ValueQuest since 01.10.2022. Learn more about Louis Preisig on our team page. What Louis likes most about his job: "I...

Dana Sindermann is Head of Business and Social Ethics at the Paulus Academy in Zurich. She is particularly interested in the big questions, e.g: "What makes a successful life...

What are employee surveys and when does it make sense to conduct employee surveys? We address these questions in this blog post. Employee surveys - also known as staff surveys - are an effective tool for...

We are delighted that Barbara Haimoff has been actively strengthening our team as Office Manager since September 18, 2023. What Barbara likes most about her job: "Clearly...

In the corporate context, empowerment refers to a process in which employees are empowered to shape their own work, make decisions and take responsibility. The empowerment approach aims to...

Our ValueQuest empowerment expert Dr. Kathrin Neumüller has written an interesting article for the trade journal personalSCHWEIZ on the topic of employee empowerment. The social, political and societal upheavals of the last few decades require...

Francine has been working as a project manager in the area of employee surveys and 360-degree leadership feedback at ValueQuest since 2008. She has been a Managing Partner since January 2023. What Francine likes about her work at...

In the second part of the exciting expert interview Kathrin Neumüller conducted with Gianni Valeri, Managing Director of Leadership & Culture, he gives specific tips on how leadership can be more successful and...

Gianni Valeri was CEO of the Manpower Group Switzerland, Managing Director of Coople Switzerland and Director Professional Staffing of the Adecco Group Switzerland and Italy. He is now Managing Director of...

Agile, self-organized structures are becoming increasingly important in the modern working world. More and more companies are asking themselves whether traditional hierarchies are still fit for purpose - or whether models such as holacracy offer a better response to a dynamic market environment. Brian Robertson's organizational model promises more personal responsibility, motivation and innovative strength - but how exactly does it work and what are its limits?

We are delighted to welcome Dr. oec. HSG Kathrin Neumüller to our team. Kathrin has been supporting us as a project manager and inspiration expert since May 2023. Kathrin...

The author Kathrin Neumüller completed her doctorate at the University of St.Gallen on the subject of employee inspiration and motivation. She has been working as a project manager at ValueQuest since the beginning of May 2023. Together with Dr....

Janos Burkhalter has been working as a web developer at ValueQuest GmbH since April 2022. What Janos likes most about his job: "What I like most is working on exciting and...

We are pleased that Mr. Philip Gretener - Head of Corporate Development / Quality Management & Data Protection at GastroSocial - is available to answer our questions about his experiences with our...

Luca Bonfadelli has been working as a Research Manager and Project Manager at ValueQuest since 2014 and has been a Managing Partner since January 2023. What Luca likes most about his job: "As...

Melanie has been working as a Research Manager/Project Manager at ValueQuest since 2010 and has been a Managing Partner since January 2023. What Melanie likes most about her job: "Working together with my colleagues...

Facing a dynamic and constantly changing market environment is a major challenge for companies. In this context, one often reads about the demand for...

Sabrina has been working as a Research Manager and Project Manager at ValueQuest since 2016. She has been a Managing Partner since January 2023. What Sabrina likes most about her job: "At ValueQuest...

We are delighted to have Ms. Lina Bitzer, Managing Director and HR Manager of NewPlacement Academy GmbH, answer our questions about her experiences with our employee surveys. Why did...

In January 2023, the founding trio of ValueQuest passed the baton to the next generation. Within the new 5-member management team, Andrea Schön takes over the management of the company. Who Andrea Schön is...

An eventful year has come to an end and the new year is likely to bring a few surprises. We already have some great news at the start of the year....

Employee surveys have become an integral part of the working world. But in times of increasing digitalization, what does it take to make an employee survey effective and target-oriented? ValueQuest has...

An employee survey is an important topic for companies, especially now that many organizations are struggling with dissatisfied employees and increased fluctuation. Time and again...

In October 2022, ValueQuest GmbH celebrates its 20th anniversary. We are delighted to conduct an interview with Steffen Volz to mark the occasion. Mr. Volz was 20 years ago...

You have probably already heard about the latest Swiss Life study on "Living longer - working longer" from the media. ValueQuest was commissioned to conduct this exciting...

An employee survey only unfolds its full benefits when the results are consistently implemented. With ValueQuest's database of measures, companies can keep track of all steps - from communicating results to implementation. The user-friendly online tool helps managers to plan measures in a targeted manner, define responsibilities and track progress transparently.

Using the topic of "communication" as an example, we would like to show you how important it is to prepare an employee survey in the company well, to inform the employees about it in good time and then to...

According to Wikipedia, transformational leadership is a leadership style concept in which performance is improved by changing (Latin: transformare - to transform) the values and attitudes of the "led" away from egotistical, individualistic and...

What counts more - money or time? A representative employee survey of 604 employees in Switzerland shows that the population is increasingly longing for relaxation. Young and older employees in particular prefer an extra week's vacation to more pay or shorter working hours. This is an important signal for companies to create attractive working conditions and retain talent in the long term.

Many companies are currently struggling with increased staff turnover. To get to the bottom of the causes, ValueQuest updated an earlier study from 2019 and surveyed 600 employees in German-speaking Switzerland again in April 2022 on job satisfaction, motivation and intentions to change jobs. The comparison shows: At first glance, little has changed - but a closer look reveals interesting differences between company sizes, age groups and seniority.

Many employees suddenly had to work from home during the coronavirus pandemic. This change posed a major challenge for companies and their employees. ValueQuest has conducted a...

360-degree feedback offers managers a valuable external perspective and opportunity for reflection. However, the actual development process only begins afterwards. The decisive factor is how line managers deal with the results and what support they receive.

Would you like to understand how customers or employees think, feel and make decisions? In our article, we take a closer look at the two qualitative methods of personal interviews and focus groups. Qualitative methods of...

In our two blog posts about fear-free organizations and how to establish psychological safety in teams, we showed that psychological safety is the foundation for successful teams.

Ruthlessness in the workplace is not a marginal phenomenon. It can be deeply rooted in personality structures. Psychological research on the so-called dark triad shows how narcissism, Machiavellianism and psychopathy occur in professional life and what influence they have on leadership, cooperation and corporate culture. In management in particular, these characteristics can become a risk if the pursuit of power becomes more important than humanity.

Our employee surveys show that employees nowadays tend to overestimate themselves in the workplace. This is in stark contrast to the past, when management feedback very often gave a worse assessment of...

Psychological safety is a key prerequisite for successful teams. It arises when employees dare to speak openly without fear of negative consequences. In such a culture, mistakes are seen as learning opportunities, criticism is expressed constructively and innovation is encouraged. Companies that consciously strengthen psychological safety create an environment in which trust, cooperation and performance grow sustainably.

Psychological safety" was identified as the most important parameter for successful teamwork. It is regarded as the foundation for other important factors that influence team success. Psychological safety provides the...

Generation Y has changed the world of work - with new values, expectations and a strong need for self-realization. But where a breath of fresh air and digital expertise meet experience and hierarchy, areas of tension arise. It becomes particularly challenging when overconfidence and a sense of entitlement put a strain on collaboration. Professional feedback tools can help to promote mutual understanding and a healthy feedback culture.

In our last blog post, we already pointed out the following important aspects that need to be considered when developing a questionnaire for employee surveys: The questionnaire for employee surveys...

An effective questionnaire is at the heart of every successful employee survey. But which questions are really crucial - and how do you ensure that the results are relevant for action later on? At ValueQuest, we work with a model-based approach that is based on scientific principles and makes it possible to identify the true drivers of motivation and commitment.

Benchmarking comparisons with other companies is an important aspect of employee surveys. Top management in particular often wants to know exactly where their own company stands in comparison to...

How can leadership be developed sustainably and a genuine feedback culture established? An HR manager from an international textile trading company shares her experiences with ValueQuest's Leadership Feedback - from its introduction and implementation to the most important success factors.

Employee surveys are an excellent tool for learning more about your own organization and understanding what drives it. A well-designed employee survey provides concrete information on how motivated...

Good managers should have a realistic understanding of their own competencies - strengths / weaknesses. A professionally conducted 360-degree leadership feedback is an important tool to help managers...

Crises - as difficult as they may be for many companies and the self-employed - are always an opportunity to learn and reflect critically. Systems thinking helps to overcome previous assumptions...

Today we are taking a closer look at one methodological aspect of surveys. In this article, we clarify questions around the topic of response scales, i.e. whether it is the right...

The market environment has changed significantly in recent years and with it the demands placed on organizations. Transformation is increasingly becoming a decisive factor for...

Hello, Ms. de Capitani, we are very pleased that you are willing to answer our questions about your experiences with the employee surveys conducted by ValueQuest for Profond...

You have probably already heard about the latest Swiss Life study on "Living longer - working longer" from the media. ValueQuest was commissioned to conduct this exciting...

In our last two blog posts, we showed you the most important benefits of management feedback. The fact that employees, managers and colleagues can give feedback to their superiors means that a company gains...

As already written in the last blog post, properly conducted leadership feedback has seven clear advantages. The benefits of 360-degree feedback Increasing self-awareness Focus on the "soft" factors...

360° feedback directly benefits management, teams and the entire organization. The confidential and reliable option (for employees, colleagues and line managers) to provide feedback to line managers...

It will be impossible to imagine working from home in the future, as is very clear from current employee surveys on the topic of 'home office'. Employees want this form of work even after the coronavirus crisis has...

2020 has presented us with challenges that we never thought possible. The whole world, our country, ValueQuest - we have all experienced an extraordinary year....