What developments are truly transforming businesses? And how are decision-makers addressing the opportunities and challenges surrounding AI, digitalization, leadership, and transformation?
In the podcast ‘shift – Das Signal im Rauschen’, Balz Zürrer talks to leading figures who are actively shaping change. The focus is on candid discussions about experiences, groundbreaking decisions and practical lessons learnt.
Together with the LinkedIn newsletter of the same name, ‘shift’ provides guidance on the developments that really matter to businesses and executives.
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The host behind shift
Balz Zürrer
Group CEO of the Online Group
Founder and President of the HSG Alumni AI Club
Balz Zürrer is Group CEO of the Online Group, an entrepreneur, a member of the board of directors, and a speaker. For many years, he has been exploring the impact of digitalization, AI, and technological change on businesses and leadership. As a strategic advisor, he supports companies and executives through strategic transformations.
He is also the founder and president of the HSG Alumni AI Club, Switzerland’s largest business AI community. He is interested not only in what is technologically possible, but above all in what these changes mean for people, collaboration, and corporate leadership. He brings this perspective to his conversations with guests as the host of “shift.”
In conversation with Fabian Ringwald
Published on September 3, 2026
A conversation about AI—from experimentation to business value—the importance of high-quality data, and why technological resilience can be more important than complete sovereignty.
A GUEST AT SHIFT
Fabian Rindwald
Chief Information Officer at SWICA | CIO of the Year 2022
Fabian Ringwald combines technological expertise with a consistently strategic perspective on digital transformation. As CIO and a member of SWICA’s Executive Board, he is responsible for the technological advancement of a company in which information technology and data are key production factors.
His professional journey has taken him through a variety of socially significant industries, ranging from energy to logistics to healthcare. A common thread runs through his career: technology should not be an end in itself, but should make a tangible contribution to people, businesses, and society.
In a conversation with Balz Zürrer, he discusses SWICA’s AI journey, the development of a modern database, and why companies also need the courage to discontinue experiments. The discussion centers on being a “smart-fast follower” rather than pursuing technology as an end in itself, on resilience in an increasingly geopolitically shaped tech world, and on how AI will transform customer interaction and leadership.
In Conversation with Daniel Fiechter
Published on August 20, 2026
A conversation about AI with real business value, the importance of clear processes, and the question of how companies can use technology in a focused way rather than chasing every new trend.
A GUEST AT SHIFT
Daniel Fiechter
CIO & Managing Director at Vitra | CIO of the Year 2024
Daniel Fiechter works at the intersection of business management, technology, and customer experience. As CIO and Managing Director at Vitra, he is responsible for technological transformation and operational excellence, with the goal of making processes more efficient and leveraging data intelligently for the business.
Previously, he served as Group CIO and a member of the Executive Board at STOBAG, where he helped shape the industrial company’s digital transformation. His entrepreneurial roots as the founder of taktwerk GmbH continue to influence his leadership style to this day: pragmatic, holistic, and consistently focused on business value.
In an interview with Balz Zürrer, he discusses why companies should first understand the problem before considering AI, how Vitra involves employees in the adoption of new technologies, and why leadership will also change as people and AI agents work more closely together in the future.
In conversation with Fabian Schmid
Published on August 6, 2026
A conversation about the digital transformation of an entire country, the responsible use of AI, and how innovation, data sovereignty, and security interact within a public administration.
A GUEST AT SHIFT
Fabian Schmid
Head of IT LLV | Director of the Liechtenstein Office of Information Technology
As head of the Office of Information Technology, Fabian Schmid is responsible for the digitization and technological advancement of the Liechtenstein State Administration (LLV). His responsibilities span a particularly broad range of tasks, from central digital infrastructures to the diverse requirements of the individual departments.
Prior to that, he spent many years in international management, digital transformation, and project management roles, including at Credit Suisse and Holcim. His professional career has been shaped by the intersection of business, technology, and transformation.
In an interview with Balz Zürrer, he discusses how Liechtenstein is using AI responsibly and in a risk-based manner, how it is involving employees in the transition, and how it is addressing issues related to the cloud, security, and digital sovereignty.
In Conversation with Marco Denzler
Published on July 30, 2026
A conversation about AI as a driver of business transformation, about the lack of clear vision, and the courage to break new ground—and about why, in the end, it’s not technology but people who make the difference.
A GUEST AT SHIFT
Marco Denzler
CEO Switzerland | Online Group
Marco Denzler has been active in the Microsoft partner ecosystem for over 25 years. As a business IT specialist and experienced leader, he has held various C-level and management positions and has guided numerous companies through their digital transformation processes.
Today, he is the CEO for Switzerland at Online Group. In this role, he bridges the gaps between technology, business, and people, and helps mid-sized companies and public-sector organizations strategically plan for artificial intelligence, digital transformation, Microsoft Cloud, and IT outsourcing; implement these initiatives pragmatically; and embed them sustainably into their day-to-day operations.
In an interview with Balz Zürrer, he reflects on his experiences and discusses what companies should keep in mind during digital transformation, as well as the importance of leadership, clear priorities, and the people behind the technology.
In Conversation with Peter T. Sany
Published on July 21, 2026
A conversation about leadership and lifelong learning, about people and change, about risks, mistakes, and uncertainty, and about what constitutes good leadership in the age of AI.
A GUEST AT SHIFT
Peter T. Sany
Visionary, top international executive and executive advisor
Peter T. Sany has more than 40 years of international leadership and transformation experience. As CIO and CTO, he has worked for companies including Novartis, Deutsche Telekom, UBS, and Swiss Life. He also served as CEO of the international industry network TM Forum. Today, he supports executives and companies as an executive advisor, mentor, and keynote speaker.
However, his experience is not limited to the boardroom: As a high-altitude mountaineer, Peter T. Sany is also familiar with situations in which orientation, endurance, trust, and clear decision-making determine success.
In a conversation with Balz Zürrer, he reflects on these experiences and highlights what executives can take away from them in terms of transformation, leadership, and their own decision-making.
More Podcasts
Work Trend Index 2026: How AI Is Affecting People and Swiss SMEs
Published: July 21, 2026
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consetetur sadipscing elitr, sed diam nonumy eirmod tempor invidunt ut labore et dolore magna aliquyam erat, sed diam voluptua.
A Guest on shift
Peter T. Sany
Visionary, top international executive and executive advisor
Peter T. Sany has more than 40 years of international leadership and transformation experience. As CIO and CTO, he has worked for companies including Novartis, Deutsche Telekom, UBS, and Swiss Life. He also served as CEO of the international industry network TM Forum. Today, he supports executives and companies as an executive advisor, mentor, and keynote speaker.
However, his experience is not limited to the boardroom: As a high-altitude mountaineer, Peter T. Sany is also familiar with situations in which orientation, endurance, trust, and clear decision-making determine success. In conversation with Balz Zürrer, he connects these experiences to the central issues of modern corporate leadership and digital transformation.
Work Trend Index 2026
Published: July 21, 2026
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consetetur sadipscing elitr, sed diam nonumy eirmod tempor invidunt ut labore et dolore magna aliquyam erat, sed diam voluptua.
A Guest on shift
Peter T. Sany
Visionary, top international executive and executive advisor
Peter T. Sany has more than 40 years of international leadership and transformation experience. As CIO and CTO, he has worked for companies including Novartis, Deutsche Telekom, UBS, and Swiss Life. He also served as CEO of the international industry network TM Forum. Today, he supports executives and companies as an executive advisor, mentor, and keynote speaker.
However, his experience is not limited to the boardroom: As a high-altitude mountaineer, Peter T. Sany is also familiar with situations in which orientation, endurance, trust, and clear decision-making determine success. In conversation with Balz Zürrer, he connects these experiences to the central issues of modern corporate leadership and digital transformation.
Work Trend Index 2026: How AI Is Affecting People and Swiss SMEs
Published: July 21, 2026
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consetetur sadipscing elitr, sed diam nonumy eirmod tempor invidunt ut labore et dolore magna aliquyam erat, sed diam voluptua.
A Guest on shift
Peter T. Sany
Visionary, top international executive and executive advisor
Peter T. Sany has more than 40 years of international leadership and transformation experience. As CIO and CTO, he has worked for companies including Novartis, Deutsche Telekom, UBS, and Swiss Life. He also served as CEO of the international industry network TM Forum. Today, he supports executives and companies as an executive advisor, mentor, and keynote speaker.
However, his experience is not limited to the boardroom: As a high-altitude mountaineer, Peter T. Sany is also familiar with situations in which orientation, endurance, trust, and clear decision-making determine success. In conversation with Balz Zürrer, he connects these experiences to the central issues of modern corporate leadership and digital transformation.
Work Trend Index 2026
Published: July 21, 2026
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consetetur sadipscing elitr, sed diam nonumy eirmod tempor invidunt ut labore et dolore magna aliquyam erat, sed diam voluptua.
A Guest on shift
Peter T. Sany
Visionary, top international executive and executive advisor
Peter T. Sany has more than 40 years of international leadership and transformation experience. As CIO and CTO, he has worked for companies including Novartis, Deutsche Telekom, UBS, and Swiss Life. He also served as CEO of the international industry network TM Forum. Today, he supports executives and companies as an executive advisor, mentor, and keynote speaker.
However, his experience is not limited to the boardroom: As a high-altitude mountaineer, Peter T. Sany is also familiar with situations in which orientation, endurance, trust, and clear decision-making determine success. In conversation with Balz Zürrer, he connects these experiences to the central issues of modern corporate leadership and digital transformation.
