Cora Liebig: Making the future, any way you'd want

You know the old saying, never judge a book by its cover? Meet Cora. Mother of four, appreciator of dad jokes, likes baseball. Oh, and she's completely reinvented three different markets at the same time. Better living through chemistry while giving someone the tools to make a better world? Better listen in.

Show Notes:
00:03:53 Revolutionizing 3D printing with printable materials.
00:08:18 3D printing allows for flexible materials.
00:14:11 Starting own business for impact.
00:19:00 Leverage unique expertise and opportunities.
00:27:38 Opportunism and networking drive success.
00:30:39 Listen to customer feedback.
00:36:53 3D printing enables on-demand manufacturing.
00:43:02 Walk in their shoes.
00:48:15 Active LinkedIn presence for information.

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Inspiring customers to create can be a challenging task, but the speaker in the episode offers a strategy to overcome this challenge. By anticipating customers' application requirements and needs, the speaker and their team can provide examples of what can be done with their product. One approach mentioned is the use of demos. For instance, in the context of 3D printing, the speaker challenges the assumption that 3D printed materials are fragile by inviting individuals to try and break a 3D printed part made from elastomer, a flexible material. This demonstration aims to show customers that the materials offered are actually strong and durable, encouraging them to explore the possibilities of what can be created.

Another strategy discussed is empathizing with customers and identifying their specific needs. The speaker gives an example of a customer who initially doubted the capabilities of their product until the speaker's team identified a problem the customer was facing. The customer had experienced issues with a 3D printed part shattering when placed on a shelf. The speaker's team assured the customer that they could fix this problem, ultimately convincing the customer to invest in their product.

Overall, the episode suggests that inspiring customers to create involves understanding their application requirements, providing examples of what can be achieved, and addressing their specific needs and challenges. By doing so, the speaker and their team can overcome the challenge of inspiring customers and ultimately drive their creativity and innovation.

In addition, the guest in the episode emphasizes the importance of customer feedback and the willingness to adapt offerings to meet customer needs in technology development. They believe that understanding what customers want from their products and services is crucial for effective development and improvement of technology.

The guest shares their personal experience of attending US conferences and primarily engaging with German leads. This indicates their active pursuit of customer feedback and market insights from potential customers. They recognize the value of early market feedback and customer input in shaping their technology development process.

Furthermore, the guest mentions leading an international team at Dow, with one-third of their team based in Switzerland. This suggests that they had a diverse perspective and were exposed to different customer needs and preferences from various regions. This international experience likely influenced their understanding of the importance of customer feedback in technology development.

Moreover, the guest discusses the need to inspire customers and understand their specific application requirements. They mention working on demos and examples to showcase the possibilities and potential of their technology. By anticipating customer needs and providing tangible examples, they aim to inspire customers to create and utilize their technology in innovative ways.

Overall, the episode highlights the guest's belief in the critical role of customer feedback and the willingness to adapt offerings in technology development. They recognize that understanding customer needs and preferences is essential for success in the ever-evolving field of technology.

Germany's strong industrial base and specialty manufacturing capabilities make it an ideal market for 3D printing products. The host mentions that Germany has been protecting its industrial base and has a significant presence in specialty manufacturing. This is significant because specialty manufacturing aligns well with 3D printing, particularly in scenarios where mass production is not necessary and custom machinery and products are required. Germany's expertise in specialty manufacturing makes it an attractive market for 3D printing companies like Chromatic.

The host also highlights the demand for 3D printing products in Germany, stating that Germany wants these products. This further emphasizes the potential of the market. Additionally, the host emphasizes the importance of targeting the right customers and selling to the intended audience. This implies that Chromatic sees a market opportunity in Germany and is actively pursuing it.

Furthermore, the host mentions that Chromatic's success in Germany has given them credibility, allowing them to claim that their products have passed the approval of German engineers. This indicates that Germany's stamp of approval holds weight and can positively influence the perception and acceptance of 3D printing products in other markets, including the United States.

Overall, the episode suggests that Germany's strong industrial base and specialty manufacturing capabilities make it an attractive market for 3D printing products. Chromatic has recognized this opportunity and is actively targeting the German market.