Real estate and architecture are among the most enduring objects and values in our society. Not surprising, since "immobilis" means "immovable" in Latin. Yet there is hardly an industry or company that has not changed with the advent of the Internet and the steady advance of digitalization.
Innovations, technologies and trends such as online platforms, the sharing economy or virtual reality may be part of everyday life in the architecture and real estate industry today, but that was not always the case. When the sons of family entrepreneur Werner Sutter were still studying, their father's everyday working life looked very different. More than 65 years ago, the architect and pioneer laid the foundation for today's success of the family business. werner sutter & co. Since then, the company has repeatedly adapted to the economic environment. Today, the sons Peter and Ruedi Sutter jointly manage the company at the Muttenz location and offer real estate services to various customers.
As part of our "5 Questions for..." series, we spoke with Peter Sutter, CEO and co-owner of werner sutter & co. ag, about his career and the industry. About profound technical framework conditions, increasingly complex business processes, but also basic pillars that have remained unchanged.
If you hadn't pursued a career in real estate and architecture, what would you have become?
"Computer science has always interested me. Thirty years ago, there was no Internet. At university, we used MS-DOS (short for Microsoft Disk Operating System, editor's note) to learn how to bounce a cube around the screen and program simple tasks. I always saw a potential to simplify business processes but of course didn't think the Internet would cause a revolution in the tertiary sector."
What would you work for free for a week?
"Helping out at an art museum or art gallery to set up an exhibit."
What was the best professional advice you ever received?
"Attend a leadership seminar with a focus on internal communication. The goal is often clear, but how do I get my employees to all pull together? There are techniques of communication thanks to which many things become easier. All of our managers attend the same seminar, because working harmoniously with each other within the company is of great importance. The techniques learned can also be helpful in the area of tension between owners, tenants and other stakeholders.
Speaking of employees: Once they join, most of them do not leave the company until they retire. In this respect, something essential has not changed since the company was founded: Every employee is part of the family."
What event in your career do you remember most fondly?
"No specific experience stands out. But in general, I can say that in our line of work, it's always a special event when you win a bidding process. Be it to buy land or to get a contract. You can position yourself strategically, but don't know until the very end whether it will work out or not. I like that suspense."
Who or what inspires and excites you?
"The visual arts inspire me a lot, whether it's contemporary art or classical modern to ancient. It's a place where spirit and aesthetics meet and current events are intelligently reflected."
We would like to thank Mr. Sutter for his contribution to this article. This interview was conducted in writing.
Editor: Neslihan Steiner
Batterman Consulting Basel AG
Executive Search,
Byfangweg 1a, CH-4051 Basel
T +41 58 680 55 55
basel@batterman.ch
