Why Listening to Your Customers is Your Superpower – Especially at Realize LIVE Europe
To truly understand the value of your product, you need to talk to the people using it. To attract new prospects, you should ideally have your value proposition of your existing customers in mind. In case you have the opportunity to bring customers and prospects together, you usually have the ideal match for future sales, of course, assuming they are loyal customers.
There is rarely a place where both sides are coming together. But I tell you a secret. There is one in Americas and one in Europe, happening every year, which is Realize LIVE. At our biggest customer conference, there are coming together like-minded people, all with the same challenges, sometimes closer to a solution, hopefully thanks to Siemens.
So what you should do is let both sides talk with each other and let them exchange ideas, visions, problems, and solutions. Your task: Just listen carefully and try to think who and what you could bring to the table to add something valuable. That’s exactly what I did last week in Amsterdam at Realize LIVE Europe, taking place from June 30 till July 2nd. I connected people and (tried to) talk less, as I knew this is one of the rare moments, where I can learn a lot by just listening. 💡
Let me share a few of my personal customer highlights of the three days:
🪰 Stefka Mavrodieva, CDO of Nasekomo, delivered one of the most memorable presentations on insect farming! With Siemens software and hardware, her company transforms black soldier flies into protein-rich pet food. Her bold storytelling, including a close-up on one of the flies, made digital transformation in agriculture not only tangible but truly compelling.
☕ Thomas Schaetti, the passionate force behind the Olympia Express coffee machine revival, showed what sustainability looks like when tradition meets innovation. Thanks to Siemens technology and Swiss engineering spirit, this 1920s brand continues to thrive for a new generation of coffee lovers.
🚌 Jan Griebner, rencently annouced Head of Engineering at Tremonia Mobility GmbH, demonstrated the power of Designcenter. Using #SolidEdge and #NX his team can seamlessly work with data from their former parent company, Daimler Buses.
🔧 Christophe Payon, CEO at SKARTEK s.r.o., shared a powerful transformation story. Letting go of familiar tools that slowed progress wasn’t easy—but absolutely worth it. His team proved that real change comes from within, and often from the people closest to the problem.
🏆 Koen Bosmans and Kristof Cambre took home the Sustainability Impact Award, while the audience sipped RAY & JULES – coffee sustainably roasted with the help of #Simcenter simulation. A win-win for both innovation and the environment. ☕
🐄 Guilherme Rossi Maria, R&D engineer, came the long way from Brazil, to show how a “cultural shift and technical migration” has helped Siltomac to reach the next level. You will hear more about their interesting story including transitioning form from competitor software to Siemens Designcenter, as they will be our hero customer for Solid Edge 2026.
💥 And of course, Markus Müller, head of CAD/PLM at Supfina, reminded us why authenticity matters. Initially skeptical, he’s become one of the strongest voices for Synchronous Technology, our most powerful CAD capability for managing supplier data. His deep understanding—and honesty—makes him a trusted advocate and a true ambassador of #SolidEdge & #Teamcenter.
So, what’s the big takeaway when meeting with customers or attending conferences?
Events like Realize LIVE aren’t just about showcasing features—they’re about listening. They’re about learning what works, what needs to change, and what truly makes a difference in the field.
If you want to be part of this experience, already mark your calendar for Realize LIVE Europe 2026, Amsterdam, 29 June – 1 July, 2026 and Realize LIVE Americas, Detroit, June, 1 – 4, 2026.
Meanwhile keep in mind: When your customers tell their stories, your value becomes real.
