André Hoffmann's Insights and medikan's Future: Jenestin Anthonipillai's St. Gallen Symposium Experience

In an era of global challenges and ever-evolving leadership, the 52nd St. Gallen Symposium witnessed a remarkable presence – Jenestin Anthonipillai, the CEO of medikan, who was among the 200 Leaders of Tomorrow. This prestigious event aims to bring together today's leaders to find innovative solutions for the ongoing issues that our planet faces. Among the distinguished attendees were luminaries such as André Hoffmann from Roche Holding, Sal Khan from Khan Academy, and CEO of BOSS, Daniel Grieder. Interestingly, Jack Ma, the founder of Alibaba Group, was once a part of this very group of "Leaders of Tomorrow."

One of the highlights of the symposium was André Hoffmann's panel discussion on family businesses. In his insightful talk, Hoffmann emphasized the need to move beyond traditional accounting principles. He argued that while financial metrics are essential, they should not be the sole measure of success. Instead, businesses should also focus on measuring their impact on society, human capital, and natural resources. Hoffmann stressed that responsible ownership entails keeping all doors open, even if some are less profitable but have a positive impact on the world.

Hoffmann's thoughts on long-term ownership resonated with many in attendance. He acknowledged that the stock market often rewards short-term thinking, which can hinder a company's ability to innovate and make a lasting impact. According to him, the purpose of a company extends beyond making money; it should be centered around a common purpose. In the case of Roche Holding, this purpose is saving lives. Hoffmann's vision of a stakeholder-centric approach, with a primary focus on the patient, exemplifies the importance of aligning a company's mission with its values.

Hoffmann also emphasized the significance of strong family ownership in research-driven companies. He pointed out that innovation takes time and requires long-term stability, which family ownership can provide. The continuity and sense of humanity that family involvement brings to a company can be a significant competitive advantage.

For Jenestin Anthonipillai and medikan, this moment at the 52nd St. Gallen Symposium will undoubtedly be cherished forever. It serves as a reminder of the importance of long-term thinking, responsible ownership, and the potential for meaningful collaborations that can shape the future of healthcare and beyond.