Exploring Lausanne: A Memorable Visit in May 2025

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Lausanne, Switzerland, for the SFP Portfolio & Science program and meeting with my key stakeholders from May 12 to May 16, 2025. It was an enriching experience filled with insightful sessions, networking opportunities, and a chance to explore the beautiful city of Lausanne.

Highlights of the Visit

During my stay, I attended several key meetings and events. Here are some of the highlights:

SFP Portfolio & Science Program: This exclusive program was held at the Hotel de la Paix and provided a deep dive into PMI’s smoke-free technologies and science. The sessions were led by experts and offered a global perspective on our initiatives.

Networking Opportunities: I had the chance to meet and interact with colleagues from various locations, including Mark Tan, Francoise Kumpf, Seynabou Gauthier, Hans Etienne, and Mathieu Moreau.

Team Dinner: On May 13, we enjoyed a delightful team dinner, which was a great opportunity to bond and discuss ongoing projects in a relaxed setting.

Capturing the Moments

I made sure to capture some beautiful shots during my visit. Here’s a video compilation of the memorable moments from Lausanne:

Reflections and Future Plans

This visit was not only about attending sessions and meetings but also about experiencing the culture and beauty of Lausanne. The city’s charm and the warmth of the people made this trip truly special. I look forward to more such opportunities to connect and grow together.

Stay tuned for more updates and stories from my travels!

Back to Lausanne — One Year Later, With a Full Heart and an Even Fuller Inbox

This Sunday holds a special meaning for me — and not just because it's Mother’s Day. After a full year, I’m heading back to Lausanne. The excitement I felt last year when visiting our company headquarters for the first time has mellowed this time around. Firsts have a magic of their own, don’t they? But truth be told, my mind is full and my calendar even fuller, and this Swiss trip somehow feels like just another item on my to-do list.

Maybe that’s what happens when real life refuses to pause, or in other words: "that's the way".

Last Thursday, I had an off-site training that took me away from my inbox for a few hours — a dangerous luxury. By Friday, even with extra hours of work, I couldn’t reduce the number of unread (or “read-marked-but-not-really-read”) emails below twelve. Still, I have hope — and a small dream for tonight and tomorrow: to catch up, inch by inch, if the universe allows.

To make my three-hour flight more productive (and mildly entertaining), I dedicated the first two hours to watching the original Star Wars — something I had promised myself, even added to my New Year’s resolutions. I’ll be honest: when something doesn’t convince me, I struggle to engage. But I powered through, ticked the box, and now I can at least say I get the references. Sometimes, done is better than perfect, right?

Mission Completed

Why Start with IV? I Will Learn Soon...

Projects, Priorities, and… Precision Knives?

Tonight — and this week — I’ve got a few things planned. One of them is to finalize a small automation project I built using Microsoft 365’s Finance Agent and turn it into a short, clean-cut video to share internally. I’m hoping it might inspire a few colleagues. I was already visualizing how to structure the clip — what to say, what kind of background to use — even as I watched the movie on the plane. Fingers crossed it turns out well.

If I can squeeze in a bit of email cleanup, find a decent meal, and hit my steps goal with a walk around town, I’ll call it a productive evening. Bonus points if I manage to grab those special kitchen knives my relatives asked for — apparently, no trip to Switzerland is complete without them. I wrote about this last time too: yes, Switzerland is expensive, but if there’s one thing that offers serious price-for-value, it’s those knives.

Migros Without Victorinox Knives

Looking Ahead

I’m scheduled to fly back Friday night. What will I be taking home with me this time, I wonder? The main goal of this visit is to reconnect with our Lausanne-based stakeholders and, if all goes well, spend an evening in conversation with someone very dear to me (he knows who he is when he reads this). Whether it’s dinner, deep talk, or a bit of quiet mentorship — it’s these moments that matter most.

And so, the journey continues — altitude included.

With gratitude,
Volkan