40 Years SEC: Origin and History of the Senior Expert Contact (SEC)
SEC was celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2019. To showcase the history of SEC, we illustrate its highlights on a timeline. Browse through exciting contributions related to our anniversary of years of existence.
The Senior Expert Corps (SEC), an initiative of management consultant Heini Stettbacher and Swissair pilot Theo Schwarzenbach, was initially implemented by Swisscontact for a trial period of two years.
Hans Schneider has given SEC a boost as head of Operations. He was Operations Manager from 1982 to 1987.
Erika Heusser, the first woman to head operations, expanded SEC. “Working for the Senior Expert Corps was an enrichment for me.”
SEC expert Walter Keller, the practitioner of the first hour – uncomplicated, humorous and highly appreciated by clients. SEC expert from 1980 to 1993. Shown in this picture working with craftsmen in Costa Rica.
An external evaluation in 2012 shows that the consulting assignments of senior experts make an important contribution to companies.
Results of the 2012 evaluation
The external evaluation demonstrates that SEC achieves sustainable positive outcomes with the SMEs it advises. The following modifications were observed in the SMEs advised by SEC experts:
49% increased their profits.
39% created new jobs.
82% registered a general improvement in quality.
77% indicated sustainable improvements of their employees’ know-how.
77% were more competitive in the market.
External return study
A study on the experts’ return confirms that the senior experts have high-level cultural competences and play an important role in raising awareness in Switzerland.
Caption: SEC expert Josef Böhni on a consultancy assignment in Panama in 2014.