Accenture research shows that European companies were able to grow their return on equity much faster than their Swiss competitors in 2021, compared to 2019, and will continue to catch up in the future .
“Swiss executives should start adopting new approaches to enhance their growth and efficiency.
Ecosystems can greatly contribute to this
,” confirms Marco Huwiler, Country Managing Director at Accenture Switzerland.
Ecosystems generate income
Each year, Accenture determines in its Top500 study the "Champions of Growth" of the Swiss economy and analyzes the reasons for their success.
This year, the study focused on the use of ecosystems.
Ecosystems are networks of diverse actors that develop and realize, through cross-industry collaboration, solutions for customers and consumers that can shape the market.
The added value generated in the ecosystem is greater than the sum of the values that each actor could bring individually.
“Companies that use ecosystem partnerships realize 12 to 16 times greater profits than those that don't
,” Huwiler continues.
Ecosystems are also particularly resilient: in 2020, during the pandemic, they experienced a much smaller decline in profits
“Swiss companies have recognized the potential of ecosystems for a long time.
Between 2013 and 2020, the number of such partnerships more than doubled.
However, many companies are not yet fully exploiting them
,” says Huwiler.
Champions focus their efforts
Indeed, in ecosystems, some societies do not create added value for themselves.
Champions focus on a small number of goals that they eventually achieve.
They are selective in choosing partners, but have more than other companies.
They use technologies like the cloud, AI, or
edge computing.
This makes them resilient and enables strong growth.
stay ahead
Here are Accenture's conclusions about working in ecosystems: it makes sense to be selective in expectations of ecosystem initiatives and to set clear goals.
It is also crucial to harmonize working cultures between partners.
It is important to remain pragmatic in choosing suitable executives and people with extensive technical and commercial experience.
Although Swiss companies have weathered the Covid-19 pandemic well by comparison, their European rivals are gradually catching up.
This clearly shows that they must find new ways to develop their growth.
“Only in this way can they maintain their position as world leader in the long term.
Ecosystems are one of the keys
,” says Huwiler.
