A further important aspect for successful business resides in the sustainability of relationships with customers and suppliers. Optimal reliability, consistently high quality and transparency in the business relationship form a solid basis for effective long-term collaboration.

For Sonova, creating sustainable added value for hearing specialists means more than just delivering top-quality, technologically advanced products. Service, training and the quality of advice offered to end users also play a key role in the hearing system business. For Sonova, suitable continuing professional development is vital, and the company organizes and supports various audiological conferences and conventions through its different brands.

In November 2009, for example, some 250 customers participated in the international Hearing Care for Adults conference “The challenge of aging” organized by Phonak in Chicago. Over 40 international participants per session registered for the third Phonak Virtual Audiology Conference, at which 18 internationally renowned speakers presented lectures and led discussion forums on a wide range of current audiological topics via the Internet.

This year around 300 people participated in the pediatric conference “Sound foundation through early amplification” in April 2010 in Stuttgart, and Sonova expects around 500 people to attend the international pediatric audiology conference in November 2010 in Chicago.

In its dealings with suppliers, too, the Group values high quality and long-term business relationships. Sonova has a Group-wide set of supplier guidelines, and their compliance is monitored on a regular basis. These set down the Corporate Governance and employment standards which all suppliers working with Sonova must observe. Sonova expects not only its own employees, but also suppliers to conduct themselves in a manner that is compatible with generally recognized ethical principles.