June is a particularly important month in Happy Valley. It’s more than just the month that signals the arrival of wonderful festivals in the area, ranging from classics in Cully, to flamenco in Renens. And it’s more than simply the month that kicks off clearance sales at Movenpick Wine. (Check out the marked down Albarino. […]
Archives for June 2015
Swiss vote results 14 June 2015 – 2 Yes and 2 No
The results of the votes are largely as predicted. The vote to allow the genetic selections of embryos for certain parents passed with nearly 62% in favour. Voters in Vaud and Geneva were strongly in favour both with “yes” votes of more than 80%. Plans to change how TV-radio licences are charged and who must […]
What are your staff saying behind your back? Coaching could provide answers
“I can see that my manager is trying really hard but it’s not working. The team is unmotivated and always complaining about what everyone else is doing. My manager does nothing to fix it. Working here is no fun so I am looking for a new job.” Sound familiar? Coaching could provide answers. If […]
Could your cosmetics be harming animals?
Vegans arguably lead the way in not wanting to hurt animals. Veganism however, is about more than just cutting out animal foods like marshmallows and meat. It is about avoiding animal-based products altogether and is defined as ‘the practice of abstaining from the use of animal products, as well as following an associated philosophy that […]
Swiss vote on genetic selection of embryos – playing god or playing fair?
Sunday’s federal vote will include an issue that has divided political parties, and may give rise to some lively debate at home. It’s about whether to allow diagnostic screening of an embryo prior to its implantation in the womb. Pre-implantation diagnostics, which analyse the cell structure and genetic makeup of an embryo, will only be […]
A critical look at national branding – Milan expo 2015
When people talk about brands, they often talk about products, services or experiences — from Coca-Cola and Apple computers, to Hertz rental cars and Walt Disney World. But what about countries? We may not often consciously talk about “Brand Japan” or “Brand Italy”, but all countries possess, to varying degrees of strength and clarity, a […]
6 tips for healthier barbequing
Summer is here! This means that BBQ season has began and for the next three months or so we can eat outside. Nowadays there is such a huge range of ready-made BBQ food items. Meat in different marinades, fish and seafood kebabs, as well as a wide variety of sauces. All very convenient. But we […]
Discover the enchanting Talis music festival in Saas-Fee Switzerland
The hills are alive…with Cornalin grapes and the sound of music! This is not about singing or yodelling up the mountainside, but about a unique music festival, which established itself in Saas-Fee, the Swiss Alpine resort in July 2014. The brainchild of Maria Wildhaber, the Founder and Artistic Director, the Talis Festival and Academy is […]
More money for students? – Swiss vote
On 14 June 2015 Swiss voters will decide whether to increase tertiary student bursaries and make them a federal rather than a cantonal matter. Presently, bursaries are determined and paid by cantons and vary significantly from canton to canton. In 2013 the highest annual average of CHF 9,365 was in Vaud and the lowest of […]
Swiss vote to tax inheritance
On 14 June 2015 Swiss voters will be asked if they want to impose a 20% federal tax on inheritance. Gifts and donations while alive would also be caught by the tax. Currently inheritance tax is a cantonal matter and most Swiss cantons don’t levy any. The proposal The new federal tax of 20% would […]
