Oliver Werneyer is an open book

In this episode of Open Books, Pamela Hellig sits down with Swiss-based entrepreneur Oliver Werneyer to explore the realities of startup life, AI innovation, business strategy, and entrepreneurship. Originally from South Africa, Oliver shares his journey from the actuarial world into building and scaling startups in Europe — including launching a payments company for insurers and now developing AI-powered automation tools in Switzerland. Throughout the conversation, they discuss the transition from corporate life into entrepreneurship, the realities of building startups, and why solving hard problems matters more than chasing quick wins. Oliver shares lessons from books like Good Strategy Bad Strategy, The Art of War, and Jobs to Be Done, while unpacking how AI is changing business, decision-making, and the future of work. They also dive into founder psychology, product-market fit, innovation, and the surprising business and life lessons hidden inside children’s books. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, actuary, founder, business leader, or simply interested in innovation and strategy, this conversation is packed with practical insights and thought-provoking ideas. Oliver's Book Picks: Good Strategy Bad Strategy by Richard Rumelt The Art of War by Sun Tzu Monkey Puzzle by Julia Donaldson Jobs to Be Done by Clayton Christensen Connect with Oliver on these platforms: Oliver Werneyer LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliverwerneyer/ Insight LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/insight-actuaries-&-consultants/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/insight_za/ Visit our website: https://www.insight.co.za/