Let's Build a Safer World Together.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Executive Support

• Manage the CEO's calendar, prioritize commitments, and resolve scheduling conflicts to enhance time management.
• Identify and initiate contact with potential business partners, assisting in fostering new business relationships.
• Greet visitors with professionalism and occasionally represent the CEO at functions, showcasing the company's values and mission to stakeholders.
• Handle confidential information with the utmost discretion, upholding the highest standards of privacy and confidentiality.

Communication and Correspondence

• Draft and manage the CEO's emails and letters, ensuring effective communication with business partners.
• Proofread business correspondence and reports for accuracy and coherence.
• Prepare and send notes of appreciation, thank you notes, and birthday greetings.

Project and Task Management

• Take meeting minutes and follow up on deliverables to ensure action items are implemented swiftly and professionally.
• Assist the CEO with strategic projects, including market research, company expansion initiatives, and identifying new business opportunities.
• Perform data analysis using Microsoft Excel to support project management.
• Conduct desk research on various topics, including identifying relevant exhibitions and government support initiatives.

Travel and Event Coordination

• Accompany the CEO on international travels, ensuring seamless travel and logistical arrangements.
• Organize company events, including planning, coordination, and execution.
• Make travel arrangements for staff members, including booking flights, hotels, and rental cars.
• Run errands for the CEO, including shopping, organizing gifts, and handling other personal tasks as needed.

Human Resources

• Handle onboarding of new staff members and manage various HR tasks, including leave management and staff welfare.
• Support the CEO in recruitment, including candidate selection, interview coordination, and evaluation.
• Serve as the primary liaison for staff inquiries and maintain open lines of communication.

Compliance and Quality Assurance

• Participate in internal testing of software applications, verifying functionality and user experience.

Work Ethic and Growth

• The CEO manages growth initiatives and needs someone who backs him up at all times. The work ethic of the candidate must align with the CEO's philosophy of going the extra mile and putting work first, with rewards for contributing to the company's growth. The previous PA's promotion to Chief Officer is a testament to this philosophy. Dedication is highly valued, and a relaxed work attitude is not suitable for this role.

QUALIFICATIONS

Educational Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master's degree in Business Administration, Communications, Human Resources, or a related field.

Language Proficiency

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with high proficiency in English.
• Proficiency in Mandarin or other languages is advantageous.

Experience and Skills

• At least 3 years of experience in executive support or a related role, demonstrating significant career progression and achievement in a high-energy, dynamic environment.
• A record of efficiently managing complex schedules, including planning and coordinating international travel, reflecting a high level of organizational skill and adaptability.
• Demonstrated ability to handle confidential information sensitively and securely, maintaining the highest standards of discretion and integrity.
• Proven experience in effectively managing social media accounts and creating engaging, professional online content.
• Solid experience in human resources functions, including active involvement in recruitment, onboarding, and staff welfare, showcasing a strong understanding of HR best practices.
• Competence in performing compliance audits and quality assurance activities, with an attention to detail and a commitment to maintaining high standards.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and social media platforms.

Personal Attributes

• Exceptional organizational skills and impeccable attention to detail.
• High degree of professionalism and the ability to interact with diverse groups of people.
• Self-motivated with a strong sense of responsibility and ownership of tasks.
• Demonstrated problem-solving capabilities with the acumen to escalate issues when necessary.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize effectively.
• Goal-oriented with a high degree of drive and enthusiasm.
• Flexibility to be readily available beyond standard office hours and willingness to undertake international travel as needed.
• Aversion to being a mere "paycheck collector" and a strong desire to actively support and facilitate the CEO's objectives.
• Willingness to travel internationally frequently.
• High level of discretion and confidentiality.
• Must be well-spoken, well-mannered, and presentable.
• Open-minded and able to keep pace with the CEO.

Additional Preferences

• A proactive approach to task and project management, ensuring timely completion and follow-up.

Work Permit

• The candidate must hold a Malaysian passport, be a permanent resident of Malaysia, or possess a valid Malaysian work permit

GOOD TO KNOW

• The office is located only 75 meters away from the Dang Wangi LRT station.

OUR PROMISE

• A role full of challenges and growth potential.
• Exposure to a fast-growing sector in the medical industry.
• A family-based company with a Swiss culture driven by pioneer-thinking and cross-departmental talent.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Please include a brief statement explaining why your experience and skills make you the ideal candidate for this role. If you do not have PA experience, describe your understanding of the role and your keen interest in this area.
• We encourage fresh graduates and professionals with a few years of experience to apply. On-the-job and external training will be provided. This is a challenging role not suitable for those seeking a relaxed job environment but offers significant rewards and high bonuses for exceptional support.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Application Development

• Design, develop, and maintain .NET applications with a focus on ASP.NET MVC.
• Leverage Telerik controls to enhance user experience and functionality.
• Optimize web applications for maximum speed, scalability, and efficiency.

Process Improvements and Business Engineering

• Participate actively in business optimization projects, identifying opportunities for process improvements.
• Develop new applications and enhance existing ones to streamline and improve business processes.
• Work closely with stakeholders to understand business requirements and translate them into effective technical solutions.
• Engage in data analysis and reporting using Power BI to support business decision-making processes.

Technical Collaboration

• Collaborate effectively with developers based in India on various layers of the infrastructure for our applications.
• Participate in code reviews, providing constructive feedback to improve code quality.
• Discuss and implement solutions for system enhancements with the distributed development team.

Quality and Performance

• Ensure optimal performance, quality, and responsiveness of applications.
• Identify and resolve bottlenecks and bugs, devising innovative solutions.
• Write clean, scalable, and maintainable code using .NET programming languages.

QUALIFICATIONS

Professional Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• Relevant professional certifications are an added advantage.

Technical Skills

• Strong expertise in the .NET framework, with a focus on ASP.NET MVC.
• Proven experience with Telerik UI controls.
• Proficiency in both front-end and back-end development.
• Familiarity with Microsoft SQL Server and database principles.
• Experience with version control tools like Git.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Power BI.

Experience and Skills

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in .NET development.
• Demonstrated ability to integrate various data sources and databases into a unified system.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
• A commitment to collaborative problem-solving, sophisticated design, and creating quality products.

Personal Attributes

• Eagerness to learn new technologies and frameworks.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.

Additional Requirements

• Must hold a Malaysian passport or have a valid Malaysian work permit.

GOOD TO KNOW

• The office is located only 75 meters away from the Dang Wangi LRT station.

OUR PROMISE

• A role filled with challenges and opportunities for growth.
• The opportunity to set up and lead a dedicated development team after successful onboarding and demonstration of your ability to program new applications and enhance existing ones.
• A supportive and innovative company culture with a Swiss heritage.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Please include a brief statement explaining why your experience and skills make you the ideal candidate for this role. If you have a portfolio, please include examples of your previous work with .NET applications. We encourage both experienced professionals and those with a passion for development to apply. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Quality Assurance

• Document Control: Act as the document controller, uploading documents to the company's document management system, publishing documents, and ensuring staff members are informed and trained on significant changes. Maintain accurate and up-to-date records.
• Continuous Improvement: Proactively enhance the Quality Management System (QMS) to ensure it is efficient and effective. Responsible for preparing, updating, and improving the quality manual, processes, procedures, work instructions, forms, and templates. Stay updated on changes in ISO standards (ISO 13485, ISO 17025, and ISO 9001) and ensure all documentation is up-to-date to ensure ongoing compliance.
• Focus on Feedback, Complaints, and CAPA Processes: Oversee and continuously improve feedback, complaints, and Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) processes. This involves managing and resolving complaints, conducting root cause analysis, implementing corrective actions, preventive actions, and verifying their effectiveness.
• Trend Analysis and KPI Monitoring: Perform trend analysis on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) set for critical processes. Identify areas for improvement and implement strategies to enhance process efficiency and effectiveness.
• Assist in Internal Audits: Assist the Quality Assurance Manager in conducting internal audits. This includes planning audits, preparing relevant forms, performing pre-audit checks on records, and assisting during audits. After demonstrating expertise over several rounds, the candidate may independently conduct audits. Audits are performed in Malaysia and at the headquarters in Switzerland; willingness to travel up to twice per year is required.
• Preparation for External Audits: Assist in preparing for external audits, including drafting the management review. Ensure all documentation and processes are audit-ready and compliant with ISO standards.

Quality Control

• Laboratory Analysis: Perform analysis using GC-FID, auto titrator, FTIR, and other laboratory equipment as required. Conduct preventive maintenance on all laboratory equipment to ensure optimal functionality.
• Quality Control Releases: Execute quality control (QC) releases, stability studies, cleaning validations, and material compatibility studies in accordance with established procedures. Maintain accurate records performed tests, equipment maintenance, and laboratory activities.
• Troubleshooting and Safety: Assist in troubleshooting equipment malfunctions and technical issues as needed. Adhere to safety protocols and maintain a clean and organized laboratory environment.

QUALIFICATIONS

Educational Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology, or a related field.
• Experience with ISO 13485, ISO 17025 or ISO 9001 standards is highly desirable.

Language Proficiency

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with a high proficiency in English, are required.

Experience and Skills

• Working experience in quality control is an advantage.
  Proficiency in operating GC-FID, auto titrator, FTIR, and other analytical instruments is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to handle confidential information sensitively and securely, maintaining the highest standards of discretion and integrity.

Personal Attributes

• Keen interest in quality management, processes, and procedures.
• Strong attention to detail and excellent organizational skills.

GOOD TO KNOW

• Our laboratory and office are located 75 meters away from the Dang Wangi LRT station.

OUR PROMISE

• Employment that is full of challenges and potential for growth.
• Working and learning in one of the fastest-growing sectors in the medical industry.
• A family-based company with Swiss culture driven by pioneer-thinking and talent that exceeds departments and hierarchies.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Please include a brief statement explaining why your experience and skills make you the ideal candidate for this role. If you do not have any QA experience, describe your understanding of quality assurance and explain why you have a keen interest in this area. We encourage fresh graduates and professionals with a few years of experience to apply for this position. On-the-job training and external training will be provided. However, candidates should be willing to familiarize themselves with relevant standards, partially on their own time. This position offers an excellent opportunity for growth within the organization, as a QA/QC Executive interacts with all departments and gains a deep understanding of organizational processes. Please note that this is a challenging role and may not be suitable for those seeking a relaxed job environment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Duties & Responsibilities

• Prepare sales quotations, order confirmations, delivery notes, invoices and related documents using SAP Business One. Training will be provided.
• Prepare shipping and custom clearance documents.
• Liaise with customers, forwarding agents and internal departments to ensure a smooth and efficient flow of information, timely deliveries, and prompt resolution of any issues or concerns.
• Ensure proper filling of documentations and supporting evidence.
• Provide prompt and professional responses to customer inquiries regarding pricing, orders, and other related concerns.
• Prepare purchase orders and follow-up on order confirmations and deliveries. 
• Assist with general administrative tasks including answering of phone calls, greeting visitors, taking meeting minutes, photocopying, scanning, printing, filing, archiving, scanning, renaming, and saving quality management records.
• Carry out background research and present findings to the management and perform any other duties as assigned by the CEO/COO.

Working Hours

• 9:00 am - 6:00 pm (with a 1-hour lunch break), Monday to Friday.

QUALIFICATIONS

Your Track Record

• Diploma with experience or Bachelor's degree in any field. Fresh graduates are encouraged to apply.
  Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
  Ability to adapt to foreign cultures and multi-international oriented mind with good communication skills.
  Meticulous, with good organization and planning skills are essential, ability to work under pressure.
  Experienced with MS Office.

Your Style

• Doesn't mind to perform repetitive tasks.
  Able to maintain confidentiality at all times.
  Self-motivated, responsible and willing to learn.
  Able to perform under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
  Pays attention to details.
  Loyal with intention to stay long-term and grow within the company.

GOOD TO KNOW

• Office located 75 meters away from Dang Wangi LRT station. 
• Opportunity to grow and venture into sales/account management, marketing, purchasing or human resources.
• Work as part of a small team with easy access to your line manager. 
• Good performance with will be rewarded.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop and execute marketing and communication strategies that integrate digital and traditional media.
• Lead our digital marketing initiatives, including search engine optimization (SEO), online advertising campaigns, social media marketing, and content creation.
• Drive lead generation efforts and deploy marketing automation tools to streamline marketing processes and increase efficiency.
• Collaborate with graphic designers and department heads to ensure all marketing materials adhere to our brand identity and meet regulatory standards.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of marketing strategies and campaigns, utilizing metrics and insights to guide future marketing decisions.
• Manage and optimize corporate events, webinars, and direct mail campaigns to reach and engage our target audiences effectively.

Working Hours

• 9:00 am - 6:00 pm (with a 1-hour lunch break), Monday to Friday.

QUALIFICATIONS

Your Track Record

• Bachelor’s or higher degree in Marketing, Communications, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of experience in marketing, with a strong background in digital marketing strategies.
• Proven track record of managing SEO, online campaigns, and marketing automation with measurable success.
• Exceptional writing and communication skills in English; preference for native speakers.
• Demonstrated ability to produce compelling written content that resonates with diverse audiences.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to oversee multiple projects simultaneously and meet tight deadlines.

Your Style

• Innovative and proactive, with a keen eye for the latest marketing trends and digital technologies.
• Strong analytical skills to strategize and execute high-profile marketing projects.
• Ability to foster strong relationships with team members, stakeholders, and clients.
• Confidence and creativity in handling marketing campaigns and in problem-solving.

GOOD TO KNOW

• Office located 75 meters away from Dang Wangi LRT station. 
• Opportunity to grow and venture into sales/account management, marketing, purchasing or human resources.
• Work as part of a small team with easy access to your line manager. 
• Good performance with will be rewarded.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and maintain front-end web applications using .NET Core 8.
• Implement front-end design, ensuring seamless integration with back-end logic.
• Perform validation and testing to ensure data integrity and user experience.
• Collaborate closely with the back-end development team to enhance system functionality.
• Optimize web applications for speed, scalability, and efficiency.
• Work with stakeholders to understand business requirements and translate them into effective front-end solutions.

QUALIFICATIONS

Professional Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.
• Relevant professional certifications are an added advantage.

Technical Skills

• Experience with HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, and modern front-end frameworks.
• Familiarity with .NET Core 8 and related technologies.
• Understanding of front-end validation techniques and tools.

Experience and Skills

• Strong problem-solving skills and a passion for learning new technologies.

Personal Attributes

• Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment.

GOOD TO KNOW

• The office is located only 75 meters away from the Dang Wangi LRT station.

OUR PROMISE

• A role filled with challenges and opportunities for growth.
• The opportunity to set up and lead a dedicated development team after successful onboarding and demonstration of your ability to program new applications and enhance existing ones.
• A supportive and innovative company culture with a Swiss heritage.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Please include a brief statement explaining why your experience and skills make you the ideal candidate for this role. If you have a portfolio, please include examples of your previous work with .NET applications. We encourage both experienced professionals and those with a passion for development to apply. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Remote work is possible on a contract basis.
• Applicants must be able to start immediately.
• The office is conveniently located 75 meters from the Dang Wangi LRT station for local candidates.
• If you're eager to take on new challenges and grow with a company that values innovation, we encourage you to apply.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Setting up, converting and operating production and packaging lines, including machines such as bottle sorters, filling systems, capping machines, labelers, booklet applicators, checkweigher systems, vision inspection systems, carton erectors, pick-and-place robots, carton sealers, palletizing robots, pallet stretch machines, and pouch filling and sealing machines.
• Repairing and maintaining production equipment to ensure smooth operations.
• Ensuring compliance with occupational health and safety regulations.
• Assisting with the optimization of existing systems and processes, as well as commissioning new equipment as part of qualification (IQ, OQ, PQ) and process validation.
• Supporting the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), work instructions, and FMEAs.

YOUR PROFILE

• Completed technical training as a plant maintenance mechanic, industrial mechanic, or comparable qualification.

• Experience in setting up, converting, and maintaining production equipment, ideally in the packaging or filling sector.

• Independent and structured working style with strong technical understanding.

• Knowledge in machinery maintenance and servicing.

• Proficient in German at a C1 level or higher, an in English.

• Basic knowledge in quality assurance and production documentation is an advantage.

• Leadership experience for shift operations.

• Ability to work in a team, reliable, and flexible.

• Willingness to work in a two-shift system.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

In this multifaceted leadership role, you will oversee Research & Development, Regulatory Affairs, and Quality Management—not just by planning and supervising, but by directly executing critical technical tasks. You will be personally involved in formulation development, technical documentation, analytical support, and global regulatory submissions.
As the company’s Person Responsible for Regulatory Compliance (PRRC) under Article 15 of the EU MDR and internal auditor, you will ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory obligations related to medical devices. In addition, you will oversee regulatory compliance for biocidal products in accordance with BPR and other international frameworks. You will also be responsible for the creation and maintenance of Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and for ensuring proper classification, labelling, and transport of hazardous goods under IATA, ADR, and IMDG regulations.

You will support and ensure product compliance across key regulatory frameworks, including:

• Regulation (EU) 2017/745 – Medical Devices Regulation (MDR)
• Regulation (EU) 528/2012 – Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR)
• Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 – Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH)
• Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 – Classification, Labelling and Packaging of Substances and Mixtures (CLP)
• ISO 13485:2016 – Medical Devices – Quality Management Systems – Requirements for Regulatory Purposes
• ISO 9001:2015 – Quality Management Systems – Requirements
• ISO/IEC 17025:2017 – General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories
• Global regulatory requirements for chemical disinfectants and medical devices in key markets including Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, and others
• Transport compliance regulations including: (1) ATA – International Air Transport Association (Air Transport of Dangerous Goods), (2) ADR – European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road, (3) IMDG – International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code, (4) Including validation of transport stability and proper packaging of hazardous materials

YOUR PROFILE

To succeed in this role, you are a proactive, detail-oriented expert with the ability to balance strategic oversight and hands-on execution. You thrive in a dynamic environment and are comfortable wearing multiple hats—scientist, auditor, author, communicator, and problem solver. You are confident working independently while collaborating closely with colleagues across departments and external stakeholders. You adapt quickly to changing regulations, manage ambiguity with confidence, and enjoy working in a fast-moving, lean organization where your decisions directly impact the company’s success.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Extensive professional experience in the medical device, disinfectant, or related regulated industry-typically 10+ years, with at least 5 years in a senior or cross-functional leadership role
• Proven, hands-on involvement in: (1) Formulation development and test design for disinfectants or similar products, (2) Design History File (DHF) creation and maintenance according to ISO 13485, (3) Technical documentation creation and maintenance under EU MDR and/or BPR, (4) Safety Data Sheet (SDS) creation and chemical classification under CLP, (5) Transport of dangerous goods (air, road, rail)
• Experience with: (1) Post-market surveillance, risk management, and clinical evaluations, (2) Communication with Notified Bodies, Competent Authorities, and third-party laboratories, (3) Performing internal and external audits
• In-depth knowledge of applicable regulatory frameworks and standards: (1) Regulation (EU) 2017/745 – Medical Devices, (2) Regulation (EU) 528/2012 – Biocidal Products, (3) REACH, CLP, and international transport regulations (IATA, ADR, IMDG), (4) ISO 13485, ISO 9001, ISO/IEC 17025 and Good Distribution Practice for Medical Devices
• Excellent English skills (minimum C1); German or Mandarin is an advantage

RELEVANT TRAINING AND COMPETENCIES

We value documented competence and practical experience. While formal certifications are an advantage, they are not mandatory if equivalent knowledge and performance can be demonstrated.

Candidates should ideally have completed training or possess experience in the following areas:

• ISO 13485:2016 – Lead Auditor qualification (IRCA or equivalent)
• EU MDR 2017/745, including: (1) Technical documentation (Annex II & III), (2) Clinical evaluation (Annex XIV), (3) Risk management (ISO 14971), (4) Post-market surveillance (PMS) and vigilance, (5) PRRC responsibilities under Article 15
• Medical Device Single Audit Program (MDSAP) including its structure, audit process, and nonconformity grading system
• Biocidal Products Regulation (EU) 528/2012 and related dossier requirements
• REACH (EC 1907/2006) and CLP (EC 1272/2008) compliance and SDS authoring
• Dangerous Goods Transport Regulations: (1) IATA (air transport), (2) ADR (road transport), (3) IMDG (sea transport), (4) Packaging, labelling, and validation of transport stability
• Applied hygiene, microbiology, and virology in the context of disinfectant efficacy evaluation
• Various types of validation in medical device manufacturing including process, cleaning, and transport validation in accordance with ISO 13485 and EU MDR 2017/745
• Analytical method validation (e.g. gas chromatography, titration, viscosity, pH, stability testing)

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

In the production area:

• Setting up, operating and monitoring production and packaging lines (e.g. filling, labelling or cartoning machines)
• Carrying out simple maintenance work and troubleshooting
  Quality checks and production documentation according to specifications
  Assisting with cleaning and set-up processes

In the logistics area:

• Receiving goods, incoming goods inspection and storage
• Picking and packing finished products for dispatch
• Providing raw materials for production
• Loading and preparing for dispatch, including transport documents
• Driving industrial trucks (e.g. forklifts)

YOUR PROFILE

• Professional experience in production or logistics, ideally in industry (e.g. food, chemicals, pharmaceuticals)
• Technical understanding and enjoyment of physical work
• German language skills at least at B2 level as well as solid English language skills for everyday work
• Forklift licence
• Experience with SAP Business One or willingness to familiarise yourself with the system
• Structured, reliable and team-oriented way of working

WE OFFER YOU

A varied job in a collegial environment with flat hierarchies
Thorough induction and development opportunities
Long-term prospects in a stable company with international growth
Modern infrastructure and high-quality products with real benefits

Have we piqued your interest? Then we look forward to receiving your complete application documents including your salary.

KEY RESPONSIBILITES

• Setting up, retooling and operating our modern production and packaging lines, including bottle unscramblers, filling machines, capping machines, labellers, booklet applicators, checkweighers, vision inspection systems, case erectors, pick-and-place robots, case sealers, palletising robots, pallet stretch wrappers and filling and sealing bag machines
• Maintenance and servicing of production systems to ensure trouble-free operation
• Assistance in complying with occupational health and safety measures
• Support in the optimisation of existing systems and processes and in the commissioning of new systems as part of the qualification process (IQ, OQ, PQ)
• Collaboration in the creation of work and operating instructions

YOUR PROFILE

• Completed technical vocational training in the field of mechanics, mechatronics or plant engineering - or sound practical experience in a production environment with comparable technical responsibility
• Sound experience in setting up, retooling and maintaining production systems - ideally in the packaging or bottling sector
  Independent, structured and solution-orientated work as well as a high level of technical understanding, Independent, structured and solution-oriented way of working as well as a high level of technical understanding
• Knowledge of maintenance and servicing of machines
• Very good knowledge of German (at least level C1) and good knowledge of English (at least level B2)
• Experience with SAP Business One or willingness to familiarise yourself with the system
• Basic knowledge of quality assurance and production documentation an advantage
• Team spirit, initiative, reliability and flexibility