SME Guides

The series of SME Guides highlights various SME-relevant issues. The handbooks include contributions from renowned specialists and were produced in co-operation between UBS and the magazine "Bilanz".

Brand structure and management

Marketing has to be given top priority; these are the opening words of the article, which then goes on to discuss the issues of strategic brand management as well as brand structure and evaluation. These basics are then taken into consideration in a branding strategy. In addition, the brand’s influence on the extension of credits and loans is demonstrated. A selection of case studies then offers practical assistance and illustrate how this can be implemented in practice. The article rounds off with demonstrations of branding opportunities and variants for SMEs on the basis of established brands. The guide is ideal for company owners and CEOs of small and medium-sized companies who wish to position their company as a brand.

This SME guide is only available in German, French and Italian.

Real estate management

«Real estate management» makes to recognize deal real estate prematurely, to judge it and to master the way in the direction of a dynamical management for owners and leadership persons responsible of SME, opportunities and threats around the issue possible. The guide covers the following topics: real estate market - situation and outlook, new building, bid or lease, sale of a real estate, real estate for own use and its financing, Facility management, profitability of real estates, cost-effective management and tax options and real estates as investments.

This SME guide is only available in German, French and Italian.

Corporate finance in practice

The aim of financial planning is to maintain an optimal balance between costs and risks. The guide offers a selection of material and tools to help you tailor your financial planning to your specific needs and is geared towards owners and managers of SMEs and heads of finance and accounting departments who want an up-to-date picture of the various financing options available.

This SME guide is only available in German, French and Italian.

Successful succession planning

This guide helps owners of SMEs to plan and arrange their succession. ‘Successful succession planning’ presents the advantages and disadvantages of the most common types of succession, explains the role of advisors and the Board of Directors and highlights the tax and inheritance implications. To this end, the guide provides numerous checklists, illustrations and practical examples.

This SME guide is only available in German, French and Italian.

Board of Directors Handbook

The Board of Directors Handbook offers practical support for the professional work of the Board of Directors. The work gives a comprehensive overview of the requirements, tasks and duties of the Board of Directors and deals with issues such as corporate strategy, financial control, management duties, risk management and responsibility processes.

This SME guide is only available in German, French and Italian.

Successful public relations

‘Successful public relations’ presents the mechanisms of the Swiss media landscape. A large part of the guide is devoted to explaining the main PR instruments: writing a press release, organizing a press conference or preparing for an interview. The handbook also provides a number of checklists, information on media law and instructions on dealing with crisis situations.

This SME guide is only available in German, French and Italian.

Tax advice for businesses

The aim of the tax guide is to minimize the owner’s long-term tax burden and systematically build up his or her pension provision and life insurance. The guide shows managers of SMEs the way to optimize their tax situations: by choosing the right legal form and the right location as well as the type of financing and tax planning measures selected for the annual statement.

This SME guide is only available in German, French and Italian.