Not a single day in his life has Patrick Bucher, Lead Microsoft Infrastructure Switzerland, worked in his originally learned profession. He is not your typical "beer buddy", but he won’t say no to a glass of wine.
My mobile phone and I don't have a very intimate relationship. The delivery time for a private WhatsApp message from me can easily be a few days. If it's urgent, many people write directly to my wife. And I also don't like to talk on the phone, although the phone is one of the tools I use most at work. I have a lot to do with customers and like to get a feeling for people – not to mention that a phone call is often more efficient in my opinion than sending ten emails back and forth. Generally, however, I prefer direct contact, being on site with customers, and not doing everything via MS teams and remotely. I guess, I’m kind of old school that way.
In all these years it has never been monotonous or boring.
After 23 years at Trivadis, I am also old school in terms of experience. I started my career here somewhat unexpectedly as a young database administrator. At that time, Trivadis was known for its Oracle expertise and looking for a team leader for a large customer project – and although I wasn't exactly an Oracle crack, I got the job. Since then, I have taken on new tasks from time to time, managed various internal projects, supported management, was head of sales for managed services and then was allowed to take over the database team as head of Swisscom IT services for a year ad interim. For five years now, I've been responsible for Microsoft infrastructure projects in Switzerland. So, as you can imagine, in all these years it has never been monotonous or boring.
My original career plan looked quite different, though. In fact, I wanted to become a rally driver. I even did an apprenticeship as a car mechanic, but ended up not working even a single day in my learned profession. I realised that for my dream to come true, I would probably need a father with a lot of money or at least his own car garage. So, I reoriented myself and took the path that had once emerged as an alternative because of my interests. I took a beginner's course at UBS for developers and then trained as a business IT specialist. Along the way, I slid further and further into the database field – and finally landed, as I said, at Trivadis.
At Trivadis, there are no hierarchical power games. We all work together. That's also how I manage my team. Everyone has their responsibilities and freedoms.
It still became rather racy – although in a completely different way. Over the years, I've seen a lot of bosses come and go – at least 13 of them – and in my own position as a superior I have introduced, said goodbye to and welcomed back many an employee. There was and is always something going on. My favourite part of the job are the interpersonal relationships – although I'm not your typical beer buddy. I don't like beer at all, actually. I tend to be direct and consistent, also as a boss. There have been situations with people telling me they couldn't imagine working with me – and today we have the best relationship.
At Trivadis, there are no hierarchical power games. We all work together. That's also how I manage my team. Everyone has their responsibilities and freedoms. As well as their peculiarities. That’s accepted and we maintain a very collegial atmosphere. So, I might not be tempted by a beer, but I am open to having a glass of wine with you. Maybe one day in my own bar or even on a sailing ship on the oceans – just two dreams of mine.
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