SwissNet, Inc.

Finance 1

Good employees are vital to the success of any business.
Finding them is time-consuming and often expensive, so strategies to retain them are every bit as important as
strategies to recruit them.

Introduction
Today's employees are demanding and more likely to change job - especially if they can find a better deal. Salary is,
of course, important but additional benefits are assuming an increasingly prominent role in the provision of competitive and
attractive reward packages. Pensions, healthcare, holidays, childcare and work/life balance all feature high on the list of popular
expectations. Also, flexibility and choice, life-stage relevance, tax efficiency, family-friendliness and a host of other factors all have to be
considered if you are to compete effectively in the employment market. As the challenges and opportunities to satisfy and retain people increase,
so do the costs. The real challenge for employers is how to develop the best possible benefits program within the constraints of the budget available
and then to ensure it's communicated effectively to the workforce. This is where the specialists at SwissNet, Ltd. can help.

How
Perhaps you are looking to implement a new range of benefits or review existing arrangements. Or you may be
considering introducing a Flexible Benefits (Flex) Scheme. Maybe your pension scheme liabilities are causing concern.
Or a more tax-efficient remuneration strategy for directors and executives is required. Perhaps you are paying too much for
benefits such as group life assurance or private medical cover and would like to reduce your cost. Or you may have concerns that
your employees do not fully appreciate the value of the benefits you offer to them and would like to look at ways to improve awareness.
Whatever your needs, our team of employee benefits consultants based throughout the Switzerland can assist. They, in turn, are supported
by specialists covering areas such as research, tax, investment, risk consultancy, online solutions, and actuarial. As one of the Switzerland's best
specialist firm, we offer a powerful array of skills, knowledge, resources and negotiating power. These are designed to help business clients of all
sizes, from large multinational concerns to local family-run businesses, develop cost effective employee benefits solutions to meet their needs.

Strategy
Strategic employee benefits reviews. One of the main purposes of employee benefits is to attract and retain the right people.
A strategic review ensures that your package mirrors your human resources and compensation strategy, and that the benefits
are properly communicated to your staff. Utilising research techniques that encompass staff surveys and peer group analysis, we
are able to create well-substantiated bespoke solutions that address the needs of both the company and its employees. In addition,
as employment models become increasingly flexible, we can help you ensure your remuneration and benefits packages evolve as they
should do - helping you maintain your company's competitiveness in the job market.

Flexible and voluntary benefits
Today, flexibility and choice are key components within an effective employee benefits programme. The old
"one size fits all" package is no longer good enough. As a result, many employers are looking to enhance their
benefits to reflect these developments. But they still need to minimise risk and cost. For some, the solution may be
a full flex scheme giving employees an allowance and a choice of benefits. Others may prefer simply to enhance their
existing benefits programme with a range of 'voluntary' benefits which employees choose and pay for themselves. With
real savings for them and no hassle for you, this can be the ideal solution. Or both can be combined for maximum impact.
Whichever approach is right for your business, the key to delivery is our own cutting-edge solution - BenefitsPlus. It can be easily
integrated into your own systems so your employees have quick and easy access to their benefits. This can also be used to communicate
any core benefits you provide. After all, effective communication is vital to any good employee benefits programme.

Employee benefits due diligence
When another business is being purchased, the buyer needs an accurate picture of the existing benefits program and
the extent of potential liabilities, particularly in view of recent developments where many pension schemes are in deficit and
may not have a liability management program. We can provide actuarial support to identify the risks and liabilities inherent in
acquisitions, mergers and scheme wind-ups for both Switzerland and international clients. Companies and trustees need to understand
the nature of their pension scheme liabilities, how they are impacted by various factors, and consider how they might change in the future to
allow an appropriate strategy to be developed to manage these liabilities. Managing these liabilities is where SwissNet, Ltd. can help.

Retirement and redundancy counselling
Early retirement and redundancy programmes have become essential management tools to cope with the consequences of
volatility in business markets. The employer's response to this challenge affects not only the future welfare of the employees leaving,
but also the morale and loyalty of those remaining. Delivery can be by seminars or on a one-to-one basis depending on the circumstances
and the budget available.

Executive remuneration
Strategic planning is essential to ensure that key directors and executives are remunerated not just appropriately, but tax efficiently.
With salaries, bonuses and most benefits in kind subject to Income Tax and National Insurance Contributions, significant reductions can
be experienced in actual take-home pay. Business owners also face the ongoing problem of how to draw profits from their business, with various
options available including salary, bonuses, benefits and dividends.