Sitting on the swishest sofa ever -- an L-shaped signature design in scarlet leather -- in the lobby of Zurich Insurance, I picked up a book from the sea-green plate-glass coffee table and began reading up on "The Swiss." What should I expect of the president of such a company? Having met any number of CEOs, I was lured to make false judgment: He would be late middle-aged, graying or bald, and play golf -- but with a name like Herr Eichmann, might also click his heels and bow low to kiss my hand.

Wrong.

Manuel Eichmann may be growing a touch distinguished at the temples, but he remains youthful in every other respect. In black slacks and the company's in-house sport shirt in bright blue, logo placed strategically over the heart, he looked as calm and relaxed as Tiger Woods taking yet another divot out of the record book. Except there was not a golf club anywhere in sight. What a relief!