Author: Paula Vignola

As more organizations migrate to the cloud, securing access to critical systems has become one of the most urgent challenges in modern IT. The rise of zero trust frameworks has transformed the way we manage authentication and identity - requiring new strategies to counter evolving risks.

Join us on Thursday, 12 June 2025, for an evening talk in Zurich with Klaus Haller, Security Architect at AXA. Drawing on extensive experience with Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud, Klaus will unpack today’s cloud security landscape and share actionable approaches to protect high-privileged and technical accounts.

This session will explore key distinctions between IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS, and dive into the complexities of managing identity in hybrid and multi-cloud environments. Klaus will also discuss recent incidents—such as the Azure signing key loss (Storm 0558)—to shed light on real-world vulnerabilities that IT teams must address.

What You'll Learn

• How to identify and assess identity risks across hybrid and multi-cloud environments
  Cloud-native tools and techniques to safeguard privileged and workload accounts
• Strategies for securing authentication when working with external partners and open systems

This event is ideal for Project Managers, cloud architects, IT leaders, security professionals, and anyone involved in digital transformation initiatives. 
Enjoy the early bird registration discount—save CHF 5 when you register by 5 June 2025. Register Now!

Along with practical insights, participants will also receive 0.5 PDUs in Ways of Working, 1 PDU in Business Acumen, and 0.5 PDUs in Power Skills. It is a great opportunity to support both your leadership development and certification progress.

About the Speaker – Klaus Haller

Klaus Haller is a seasoned security architect with deep expertise in Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud. His diverse background spans project management, compliance, data loss prevention, and test coordination. Klaus is also the author of Managing AI in an Enterprise and a regular contributor at conferences and industry events.

LinkedIn

Author: Alpha Ziman, PMP, PMI-PBA

Event Recap: Skilling up human side to navigate complexity

On April 9, PMI Switzerland hosted an evening of insight and inspiration at the isolutions office in Zurich.

This wasn’t just another talk about project tools or timelines—instead, we explored something deeper: how to lead with more humanity in today’s complex project environments.

In a world where uncertainty is the new normal, the event challenged attendees to rethink leadership—not as a checklist of tasks, but as a personal practice rooted in self-awareness, adaptability, and emotional intelligence.

From Breath-Hold to Breakthrough: A Leadership Metaphor in Action

Facilitated by Camille Caclin, this segment guided participants through a unique breath-hold exercise designed to simulate pressure scenarios in project settings. From this experience, three distinctive mindset profiles emerged:

• The Challenger – Confident and driven, but may over-control when stressed.
• The Self-Doubter – Risk-averse and hesitant, sometimes missing key opportunities.
• The Explorer – Grounded, curious, and adaptive, even in the face of stress.

The key insight? Our mindset under stress impacts how we lead. Recognizing these patterns can help project managers shift from reactive habits to more adaptive, effective leadership.

Resilience Over Reaction

Many project challenges stem not from poor planning, but from how people respond under pressure. This session encouraged a new approach to setbacks—one focused on:

• Equalization – Making intuitive adjustments to restore balance.
• Mutation – Embracing deep, strategic change in response to high-pressure or systemic issues.

By reframing setbacks as moments for growth rather than obstacles, project professionals can build true resilience and deliver more sustainable outcomes.

Redefining Success in Project Leadership

As expectations for project managers continue to grow, the pressure to be expert, manager, and leader all at once can feel overwhelming. The session highlighted a more realistic and effective model: one that centers on:

• Leading yourself first
• Thinking systemically
• Building relational strength with teams and stakeholders

These competencies equip leaders to meet today’s challenges with clarity, empathy, and adaptability.

Soft Skills as Strategic Strengths

This insightful segment was led by Jan A. Eckert, PhD, who emphasized that what we learned in school won't sustain us throughout our careers. Drawing on insights from the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report, he explored soft skills such as:

• Emotional awareness
• Assertiveness
• Cognitive dissonance management
• Relational agility

These are the skills that foster psychological safety, build trust, and enable meaningful collaboration—skills that, increasingly, define successful project leadership in complex settings.

A Night of Insight and Connection

The evening concluded with a relaxed apéro and networking session, where attendees had the chance to share reflections, connect with peers, and exchange ideas sparked by the session.
“I never realized how much my own stress response shapes the way I lead. This session was a real eye- opener” – Event participant

We extend our heartfelt thanks to isolutions Zurich for generously hosting this event and supporting our shared commitment to meaningful professional development.

Stay Connected

Explore what's next! Don’t miss out—check out our upcoming events on the PMI Switzerland Events Calendar and continue your professional growth journey with us.
Let’s keep learning—and leading—with heart and intention.

Author: Oliver Höhn, PMP

On a rainy Saturday end of March, 15 enthusiastic project managers swapped their spreadsheets for brain training at the PMI Master Class in Zurich.

Led by the lively Petra Oggenfuss, brain trainer, we discovered memory techniques that made remembering 15 new people/names at once possible.

The day was filled with laughter, interactive exercises, and practical tips, proving that cognitive fitness can be both fun and effective – and it can be trained!

Who knew that boosting brain power could be the highlight of the weekend?

Author: Philip SPRINGUEL, PMP

Dear members and colleagues,

This month’s newsletter features exciting news from your Swiss chapter VP Sponsors & Partners, Mafalda Amaro, who reports on PMI Switzerland receiving a well deserved honour at the PMI Leadership Institute Meeting last month in Barcelona.

To understand why PMI Switzerland continues to lead among chapters worldwide, sign up for more innovative events that develop your skills and networks. This month, read from Alpha Zima about an upcoming interactive leadership workshop focused on team dynamics, to be held on May 15th at the SIX Convention Point, Zurich. Read also from Oxana Hezog who invites you to the 25th SPM Frühjahrstagung, at the Careum Auditorium in Zürich on May 20th, in German.

As always, your monthly newsletter introduces you to new members who’ve joined our ever growing community. Connect with them, visit our website and engage with your peers on our social media channels.

Philip SPRINGUEL, Newsletter Copy Editor