"This knowledge is indispensable!"

HWZ University of Applied Sciences Zurich. MK Ms. Girod, how is the HWZ involved in SOM?ELLEN GIROD As a training partner of SOM, the HWZ's Social Media Management department is offering free training blocks to interested visitors on both days of the trade fair. These provide participants with a practical introduction to social media management and mobile business - in the form of a 20-minute summary of our two corresponding certificate courses. In addition to my presentations, we were able to attract two well-known guest speakers from the digital industry: On April 9 Daniel Graf, HWZ lecturer and consultant for strategy, PR and campaigning, will talk about the risks and side effects of social media. Manuel P. Nappo, Head of Social Media Management at the HWZ, will speak on April 10 about the mobile-first culture.MK Is understanding mobile business a success factor?GIROD Yes, this knowledge has become absolutely indispensable. We live in a world in which more smartphones are produced than toothbrushes, and in India, for example, people have better access to a cell phone than to a toilet. In the process, the digital transformation is changing communication and thus society as a whole. In the economy, the new communication and consumption behavior of people is having an impact on markets, business models, processes and thought patterns, which need to be rethought.MK What is important when a company wants to enter the mobile business?GIROD In order to perceive the digital challenges as an opportunity, a company must have or create a corresponding corporate culture. In addition, it is crucial that it brings competent experts on board or provides existing employees with targeted further training in the respective areas. The fact that the Swiss labor market still has too few proven experts explains the boom in training courses in the entire digital business.MK How can the HWZ support interested parties?GIROD In addition to our involvement in the SOM, the HWZ offers part-time degree programs. Our range of courses covers all areas of digital business. In a modular system, our students can close specific gaps in their education by completing, for example, the individual CAS Social Media Management, the CAS Mobile Business or the CAS Crossmedia Management. Those who want to acquire holistic knowledge have the opportunity to do so in our Master's program in Digital Business. This is structured independently of semesters and is made up of three of five CAS modules available for selection.MK For you, mobile business means ...GIROD  ... what Eric Schmidt of Google very aptly summed up: "If you don't have a mobile strategy, you don't have a future strategy."