The organisers of Baselworld are releasing a ‘one minute with’ video series that is designed to give an insight to the personality and plans of new managing director Michel Loris-Melikoff.
The cameras accompany him at work, in meetings, during Baselworld planning sessions and while enjoying his hobby of sailing in a bid to reveal what makes him tick.
Mr Loris-Melikoff took over from long-serving MCH Group boss Sylvie Ritter back in the summer and he quickly walked straight into the eye of a storm when key exhibitors, including the Swatch Group, withdrew from the show.
And only last week Raymond Weil said it would not be taking part in the 2019 event over concerns that the absence of Swatch Group brands and others would impact distributor visitor numbers.
Baselworld bosses hope the video series will demonstrate how the show will change under his leadership, as well as provide a glimpse into what moves and inspires him.
The first episode, which can be viewed below, finds Mr Loris-Melikoff aboard his sailing boat and opens with him describing Baselworld as a “very, very big challenge”.
He says: “I couldn’t imagine a life without challenges. I tend to be a communicative person. I need contact with people and with our clients. It is important to simply remain grounded and down to earth, to be honest with oneself, and not to pretend to be someone you aren’t. That’s exactly how I want people to perceive me.”
Mr Loris-Melikoff insists that managing Baselworld and sailing share many things in common.
“Aboard a sailboat you have to cope with the forces of nature so you can sail from point A to be point B. It’s exactly the same situation at Baselworld. You have many external influences that affect your work, but ultimately you have to set sail for new shores so you can reach your goal.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdUAtW6R6dQ
