"We have to decide whether we want to be one of the leaders or one of the losers"

MK: Ewa Ming, what drives you?

Ewa Ming: I am a creator, I think very creatively and innovatively. As an entrepreneur, you always have to come up with something new. Standing still is like death, and as the trade fair landscape has changed, my inner drive is to move forward.

Do you feel a kind of calling?

Yes, my vocation is to create a platform that brings people together and inspires them. I build on existing values, but try to incorporate new needs and create something meaningful. Innovation is the key to a better world.

Do you have an innovation gene?

(laughs) Yes indeed! That has advantages and disadvantages: On the one hand, I liked doing different things, but on the other, I could never decide on anything.

Are you a perfectionist?

I am driven by curiosity and joy, it doesn't have to be perfect. When I see something fascinating, I want to find out more about it. As a result, I am well connected.

Would you see yourself as a networker?

Anyone can network. If you like people, you are automatically a networker. I just do it systematically and "collect" people, because I need a great network for my projects. But it's not networking that I enjoy, it's bringing people together. I prefer to be the host of a platform, the network is created automatically.

What is the aim of BIW?

Our new event format is a meeting place where people from different professions and industries who want to make a difference can take part in discussion panels and talk about new ideas and business models. The spirit should be open. It should not be judged, but the mindset should connect. It would be great if such an open dialog platform became a permanent fixture. We are now starting with Innovation Week. But in terms of size, there could be other, more special events around BIW.

How do you see Switzerland as an innovation hub?

On the one hand, there is this innovative, very strong start-up scene that is currently developing and larger companies that support and finance BIW and contribute an incredible amount to this innovative strength. On the other hand, there is also the "typically Swiss". The entrepreneurs themselves are often not the most innovative, but rather the basis that follows - the digital natives, the Generation Z that is now arriving. I experience two worlds. A great, urban structure that works. The SME country Switzerland is still characterized by companies that are often run by older men with a rather conservative attitude. And the topic of women and tech hasn't really arrived anywhere yet.

What advice do you have for women?

Even though I'm a networker, there are really strong men out there that women want to meet at eye level. My advice to women is something I had to learn hard myself: "Go for it!" Don't let it get you down. This is very much related to the mindset - for me too. At the beginning of my career, I wasn't at the front of the flipcharts, I was the one serving. I realized that I had to change that. I worked hard to achieve this through practice and persistence. Nowadays, nothing falls into your lap.

Are women as well connected as men?

Young people learn and do that these days. I think that's great, because we also help each other that way. But there's still a strong felt. This regular beer buddy behavior. As a woman in the conventional role of supplicant - that takes strength. As long as the balance isn't there and I'm sitting opposite several men, then the nature of (male) energy simply takes effect. And that's why this open platform for business innovation is my goal. It involves lots of great people - including great women. Everyone can discuss and deal with more than just tough business topics. Networking and creativity should also come to the fore - a different spirit. There are more than all the big corporations. I think it's important to network as many entrepreneurs, innovators and employees as possible. For me, that is also the essence of innovation. Sounds almost philosophical.

Yes, that's right, how much philosophy is there in BIW?

A lot - new thinking and new action! But how do I get this into people's heads? We are now communicating this with the story of "Fly Erika".

What do you mean?

The housefly is the accomplice of conceptual artists Frank and Patrik Riklin, New Work pioneer Florian Wieser and pesticide manufacturer Dr. Hans-Dietrich Reckhaus. The entrepreneur actually produces pesticides, but somehow there had to be more to Reckhaus than producing poison. In the meantime, he has become the biggest insect rescuer, going on tour with the housefly Erika and winning prizes with the idea.

A pesticide manufacturer that becomes an insect rescuer?

For me, that was exactly the symbol of this new way of thinking. Creating a new dimension, a value and making a meaningful contribution. It is up to us to make a difference and change something. That also corresponds to my purpose. There is an army of like-minded people in Switzerland, and now this guy is swimming against the tide and creating something sustainable. With the help of the artonomists Riklin, Riklin, Wieser, this is exactly what BIW is supposed to trigger and influence our way of thinking. Unconventional, different-thinking changes of perspective. It would be great if Erika and BIW could move and touch people.

I wasn't even aware of this philosophical level before this conversation.

It's not so easy to get that across. Business Innovation Week is on a different level. We don't want to compare ourselves to a digital festival, where it's all about the presentations. With the Live Experience Expo, Future Conference and Academy, we want to really move the participants.

How are the individual days of the BIW thematized?

There are theme tracks that clearly show visitors which day is relevant for them personally. If he is a marketeer, he goes on Thursday. Wednesday is more of a tech day, Tuesday is New Management and Innovation Culture - it's all about mindset change and getting employees involved in the topic.

The overarching philosophical aspect has shown me more clearly where you place the whole thing.

This is not just about lectures. Some people are hard to get out of their thinking boxes. Young and cool people are open and used to having an international environment. They think differently. I hope that BIW visitors feel this "magic of innovation" and are open to it. Because we offer a package of information and inspiration that enables them to break new ground. I am convinced that we all have to decide whether we want to be among the leaders or the losers in these times of fundamental change. Business Innovation Week provides the answers.

Do you sometimes feel alone with this way of thinking?

I don't feel alone, but you end up alone with your statements (they both laugh). Somehow everything is starting to work out. At the moment I'm spending myself, but I believe in what I'm doing and that's the most important thing for me.