Knowledge
Practical knowledge for decisions in Switzerland
Independent guides from the MaxQ editorial team: plain explanations, clear criteria, common pitfalls and the questions to ask a professional.
77 articles
How our editorial team works
Independent
Articles are neither written nor paid for by the companies they link to. They don’t recommend any provider.
Verifiable
We state conditions and limits instead of false precision. Every article carries a review date.
Not advice
Our guides are no substitute for legal, tax or professional advice. Where it matters, we say so.
AI writes quickly but not automatically consistently. Consistency comes from a lean communications policy that sets what is fixed, what may vary and who signs off.
Read articleAlgae and fungi make a facade look neglected, but they do not necessarily damage it. Checking the substrate first can save scaffolding, time and a lot of money.
Read articleJust because an appliance can be repaired does not mean the repair pays off. Five criteria and a simple calculation lead to a sound decision.
Read articleThe machine will not drain, the door stays locked or there is a burning smell. How to read the symptoms and decide calmly whether a repair or a new appliance makes more sense.
Read articleOn open building sites, it is mainly tools, small parts and expensive materials that disappear. The most effective prevention is not technology but consistent organisation.
Read articleA tidy exterior says little about a used car. Checking documents, wear, the MFK inspection and the contract in turn greatly lowers the risk of an expensive mistake.
Read articleThe best feature list is of little use if the team only uses a fraction of it. A neutral guide to choosing CAD software for metal construction.
Read articleThe nearest agent is not automatically the best. What counts is market knowledge, a well-founded valuation and a contract that protects your interests.
Read articleThere are countless books on self-leadership and performance. Whether one helps you depends less on the title than on your starting point and how the book is built.
Read articleWithout clear guidelines, public relations is often left to chance. A good communication policy creates certainty without paralysing the organisation.
Read articleA company video rarely fails because of the camera, but because of unclear decisions beforehand. A guide for marketing managers in Swiss SMEs.
Read articleIn conveyor pulleys, shaft-hub connections must not only transmit torque but also withstand alternating bending moments. What matters in selection, design and assembly.
Read articleIn metalwork, costing decides both the contract and the margin. A good reference helps apprentices and experienced estimators build structured, traceable quotes.
Read articleA custom profile is less a catalogue purchase than a small development project. What design engineers and technical buyers should clarify before asking for quotes.
Read articleCyber insurance does not replace IT security, but it can limit the financial and organisational damage of an attack. What Swiss SMEs should look for when comparing policies.
Read articleEndless swiping, chats that go nowhere, dates without a spark: many singles are tired of apps. What meeting in person offers, where its limits lie and how to find the right format.
Read articleIllness, accident or death often leave a bigger income gap than expected. With your pension certificate and a simple calculation you can see where you stand.
Read articleWhen switching HR file, ERP or DMS systems, it is not enough for documents to arrive. Auditors and business owners want evidence of what was migrated, what was not, and why.
Read articleMachine-readable tax documents are becoming the norm in Switzerland. Issuers must decide whether an in-house generator or a purchased module is cheaper and safer over time.
Read articleMany buildings perform steadily and still fall short of what they could be. This guide shows which signals point to hidden reserves and how to assess them methodically.
Read articleThe best fiduciary solution is rarely the biggest, but the one with a sensible division of tasks. A guide for SME owners in the canton of Zug.
Read articleMany women wear the same size for years, even though bodies, brands and cuts differ. A few checkpoints quickly show whether a bra really fits.
Read articleFor many customers and business partners, the map listing is their first contact with a retailer. What matters is not the amount of text but how unambiguous the details are.
Read articleAn expensive hamper is not automatically a good gift. What matters is freshness, a coherent selection and delivery that preserves quality all the way to the recipient.
Read articleA good cut does not just look right on the day you leave the salon, but on the third morning after. This guide shows how to find a salon in Lucerne that takes your routine seriously.
Read articleA heavily customised SAP ECC, a tight schedule and an SME busy with daily business: which decisions make a fast switch possible and where the real work lies.
Read articlePrice too high and a house sits on the market for months; price too low and you leave money on the table. The methods, the value drivers and a sensible process.
Read articleMost expensive repairs announce themselves. How a simple service routine, attention to warning signs and the right garage keep your vehicle safe and preserve its value.
Read articleA room works not because of individual beautiful pieces, but because of how they interact. What interior design actually delivers, and how to create more calm yourself.
Read articleWith medical devices, the unit price rarely decides. Checking compliance, supply reliability and service systematically helps avoid shortages in theatre and in the practice.
Read articleThe abolition of imputed rent has been decided, and maintenance deductions go with it. If you plan to renovate anyway, clarify timing and tax effects now.
Read articleMany investors do not know the total cost of their portfolio. An independent outside view shows whether fees, risk and investment strategy fit together.
Read articleOne partner for strategy, planning, financing and sale sounds convenient. Whether the model fits depends less on the size of the property than on the complexity of the task.
Read articleAn apartment building can yield well and still be the right one to sell. What matters is which option makes the best use of the capital invested over the coming years.
Read articleAn unpaid invoice, a contested dismissal, a supplier who fails to deliver: disputes cost time and money. When legal expenses insurance makes sense for your business, and what to check.
Read articleA good cover fits, sheds water and goes on in a minute. What really matters when it comes to material, cut and details.
Read articleWhat the media, customers and the public say about your company is now spread across many channels. A guide to keeping track without building a communications department.
Read articleMany websites lose enquiries not for lack of reach, but because visitors cannot find their answers. Here is how to turn the perspective around.
Read articleA spray alone does not solve a mould problem. The right product depends on area, material and extent, and without fixing the source of moisture the mould will come back.
Read articleA big discount is only a good deal if size, quantity and product suit your child. Here is how to tell which offer is worthwhile for your family's routine.
Read articleA glass partition looks simple on paper but often reveals its weaknesses only in daily use. Clarify use, acoustics and installation first and you avoid costly fixes.
Read articleA low fee only pays off when the scope of work, payment terms and loyalties are right. Here is how to compare estate agent offers properly.
Read articleA house cannot be split like a bank account. Owners who organise the succession of their property early protect both family peace and wealth.
Read articleA renovation brings existing building fabric together with new wishes. A clear process keeps costs, deadlines and quality under control, from the first meeting to the handover of the keys.
Read articlePlastic equipment shows its strengths with aggressive media. Whether a custom build pays off depends on temperature, pressure, installation and lifetime costs.
Read articleAnyone selling rooms through several booking platforms knows the risk of double bookings and outdated rates. How a central system helps, and where its limits lie.
Read articleIt arrives once a year and many people file it unread. Yet the pension certificate shows how well you are covered for retirement, disability and death.
Read articleRecycled fibre sounds like the obvious sustainable default. Whether it suits your packaging depends on the product, the process and the contact conditions.
Read articleAround 1400 luminaires, converted rather than scrapped: the lighting upgrade at Messe Basel shows when an LED retrofit of existing fittings makes sense.
Read articleA worn cover looks dramatic, but what matters is underneath. A systematic check shows whether your sofa deserves a second life.
Read articleA faster robot does not make a stable cell. What matters is how gripper, feeding, image processing and control work together.
Read articleA new bearing gets the pump running again, but not necessarily running reliably. Narrowing down the cause after the first failure is what prevents the second.
Read articleA machine that is too small costs time every day; one that is badly set up can damage the floor. The key criteria for warehouse and logistics floors.
Read articleSelling privately saves the commission but costs time and carries risks on price and negotiation. Here is how to work out which route suits your property.
Read articleWhen you sell a house, less of the sale price remains than many expect. Knowing the costs early lets you price realistically and avoid surprises at the end.
Read articleNot every property should be sold the same way. For sites and older apartment buildings, the potential that is made visible often determines the price.
Read articleA buyer who wants to sign right away is tempting. But a good sale is measured by price, security and conditions together, not by how long the property was on the market.
Read articleThe best sales rarely happen under pressure. If you look at earnings, market and personal plans together early on, you can sell from a position of strength and have time to increase value.
Read articleThe formal incorporation of a GmbH takes only a few weeks. What really matters is the preparation: legal form, capital, name, registered office and the duties that start on day one.
Read articleIn buildings with changing tenants and uses, signage dates quickly. A modular system, clear responsibilities and early involvement of all parties keep wayfinding stable.
Read articleConstruction disputes rarely arise over the main contract, but over variations, daywork reports and defect notices. Settling signature level and authority upfront saves time and risk.
Read articleA film can tame overheated offices and glaring shop windows without replacing any glass. Whether it pays off depends on the glazing, orientation and goal.
Read articleOutdoor workers are exposed to UV radiation for hours on end. Which protection level makes sense in daily work, and why the team rule matters more than the number on the tube.
Read articleFurniture is not sustainable because of a green label, but because it can be used, maintained and repaired for a long time. Here is how to recognise real substance.
Read articleThe top pinches, the bottoms slip, the swimsuit digs in: with swimwear, your usual clothing size is often misleading. Here is how to find the right fit.
Read articleMore control over workload and shifts sounds appealing. Whether temporary work in a hospital, care home or home care service suits you depends on experience, life situation and contract details.
Read articleA sheet of tissue paper costs little but shapes the moment of handover. When the extra step is worth it in store and how to buy the right paper.
Read articleA wine from your holidays, a gift from friends, a bottle from a restaurant: if you want exactly that one again, you need precision rather than luck. A guide in five steps.
Read articleThe purchase price is only part of the equation. If you assess ownership period, mileage and equipment needs honestly, it usually becomes clear whether a used or a new car suits you better.
Read articleThe market sets the framework, but many value drivers are in the owner's hands. An overview of factors, valuation methods and common mistakes.
Read articleIf you advise, plan or broker, you are liable for mistakes that cost clients money. Whether your insurer pays is decided in the fine print.
Read articleA tree that looks worrying does not necessarily have to go. A proper assessment shows whether targeted care restores safety or whether felling is the better option.
Read articleIn many SMEs, IT runs on the side and always under pressure. That costs more than nerves; it creates security gaps. How to break the cycle without trying to fix everything at once.
Read articleIn production and warehousing, labelling rarely fails because of print quality. It fails on materials, integration or service. Here is what really matters when choosing.
Read articleLogin codes, reminders, alerts: automated messages are part of critical processes. What Swiss companies should look for when choosing a platform.
Read articleA good window loses its value if the joint to the building is wrong. Why fitter training matters and how to recognise a well-trained installation team.
Read articleWhether you want to teach later or mainly deepen your own practice, these criteria help you assess a yoga teacher training with a clear head.
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