Jürg Hunkeler took over responsibility for Bank Linth’s corporate client business in 2018. Hunkeler, who hails from Berne and has been living in the Rapperswil region since 2011, is a banker with all his heart. He went on the ice as right winger at the age of 14, and still plays in the Rapperswil-Jona stadium every Monday. There is much that links him to the Lake Zurich region, and when the Lakers play, he is in seat 52.
Jeffrey Tomlinson has been head coach of the Rapperswil-Jona Lakers Ice Hockey Club and Swiss vice champion since 2015. The German-Canadian already attracted attention as a centre at the age of 17. Among others, the left-handed shooter played in the British Ice Hockey Superleague and as right winger for Eisbären Berlin. He has been a coach since 2004. His friends call him “Tomma”.
Jeff, what do you think: can one plan to win?
JT: Yes, I think so. We can influence success. We can give the guys a good game plan and prepare them in such a way that they feel comfortable facing exactly these opponents on the ice.
JH: In order to give a top-class performance, a team must also always have a goal in mind.
It’s therefore good to know what the players need. Or, in my case, what the employees need to approach the goal with vigour and energy.
JT: Much is a matter of instinct. Plus background knowledge.
I know my team very well. Everybody is different. Some need tender loving care, others need a kick.
I’ve experienced many situations during my career, good as well as less good. I’ve made mistakes and have learned from them. I wrote down many experiences and saved them on my computer, so that I can look them up again.
Improvisation as a means to success?
What makes a good team?
JH: It’s the same for me. If someone wants to buy a company, I usually first try to find out what kind of person the owner is. Then I choose the specialists who suit him. We call this cross working.
At the bank – as with ice hockey – success depends on the game plan and the players.
JT: But only if the team consists of players with a good character who fight for one another, with respect and joy. Then you can also win.
JH: And what I think is also needed: the team members not only have to be technically good, but must also believe in themselves.
Technique is just the tool. And you have to taste success, as this gives you the self-confidence to spread your own wings.
As head coach you also have to be able to improvise.
JT: This is part of ice hockey. If Plan A doesn’t work, we have to switch to Plan B in a flash.
My experience helps me make the players believe that there had never been anything else but Plan B.
The two sides of experience.
