People sitting on the board of big Swiss companies usually sit on several. A big Swiss bank that makes loans to a major firm often tries to impose one of their employees on the firm’s board, to have a privileged inside view and be able to voice the bank’s interests. Thus, if you are lucky enough to know a board member of some of the most prestigious Swiss companies, you have potential access to most of the others: Tirez le fil et toute la pelotte suivra. (Pull the thread and the whole ball will follow.) People like financier Martin Ebner, who take stakes in big Swiss companies to make the board maximize shareholder value, are not common. Swiss corporate life is much more laid-back and cooperative, and deals are usually done very smoothly.