Miro LaFlaga
22m
·
Selected - The Sesamers Podcast
·
Highlights
The Birth of Six Cinquième: A Fusion of Creativity and Business
Miro's journey into the world of startups begins with a unique blend of skills. With a background in business management and a knack for creative direction, he met Ash Finnegan, co-founder of Six Cinquième, during his foray into Montreal's music industry. They decided to combine their talents to create an agency that champions non-traditional creatives. Miro's words resonate with their philosophy:
"We come from a non-traditional background. Let's do it our own way."
Embracing the Sixth Sense: Six Cinquième's Brand Philosophy
Six Cinquième's brand name, pronounced "Six Cinquième" in French, reflects their unique approach. To them, it's not just about the five senses but also the elusive sixth sense - the 'aha moment.' Miro explains that this sixth sense often emerges during problem-solving, a fundamental part of their creative work. It's about finding innovative solutions and making the seemingly impossible, possible.
Humans have five senses, but we believe there is a sixth sense for creatives—the 'aha' moment.
Branding as a Culture Alignment Tool
Six Cinquième's approach to branding goes beyond aesthetics; it's a powerful tool for aligning internal culture. They emphasize the importance of involving employees in the branding process. Miro believes that when employees actively participate in shaping the brand, they become more connected to it, contributing to a cohesive organizational culture. Their philosophy is to bridge the gap between creative design and the people within the company.
Branding is a tool to align your culture. Employees should have a say in it; they should feel connected to it.
Hustle vs. Balance: Redefining Work Culture
Six Cinquième's perspective on work culture challenges the traditional "hustle" mentality. Miro acknowledges the need for ambition and hard work but highlights the dangers of burnout. Their philosophy is to maintain a healthy work-life balance while achieving excellence. He emphasizes the importance of preserving mental and physical well-being and says, "If you don't take care of yourself mentally and physically, it will catch up to you."
It's about creating a good environment and maintaining well-being. You're your number one asset.
Miro Laflaga's insights from Six Cinquième provide a refreshing perspective on branding, culture alignment, and work-life balance in the startup and tech scene. As they continue to evolve and grow, their vision is clear: staying small, agile, and intimate while creating meaningful impact in the world of branding and creative direction.
Find Miro on:
- LinkedIn: mirolaflaga
- Twitter: @mirolaflaga / @SixCinquieme
Find Ben on:
- LinkedIn: bcostantini
- Twitter: @bencostantini
The episode Miro LaFlaga from the podcast Selected - The Sesamers Podcast has a duration of
22:52. It was first published
More episodes from Selected - The Sesamers Podcast
Adrienne Jan
Journey to Becoming a Chief Product Officer
Adrienne Jan shared her career trajectory, starting from Orange to becoming Scaleway's Chief Product Officer. Her journey took her from France to California and back, working with startups and major companies like AEG. She emphasized the importance of international experience, saying, "Go work abroad. It gives you a lot of interesting insights on cultural differences and how they also affect the way our products are used."
The Role of Diverse Teams in Product Development
Adrienne highlighted the significance of her diverse team at Scaleway. The team consists of product managers, designers, tech writers, product marketers, and UX researchers. She explained, "Product managers are in charge of implementing the product strategy and working with the engineering team to build the product." She stressed the importance of each role in creating successful products.
Triple the Velocity in Product Development
One of Adrienne's notable achievements at Scaleway was tripling the velocity of product development. She explained that this rapid development is crucial for competing with major American cloud providers. "We're going to probably launch 30 new products this year," she stated, emphasizing the need for speed and efficiency in bringing products to market.
AI Innovations and Partnerships
Adrienne discussed Scaleway's partnership with the French AI company H, providing a supercomputer of GPUs for training large AI models. She noted the importance of European innovation, stating, "Not all of AI is American or Chinese. There's a lot of opportunity for Europe to have a strong positioning with great engineers and a lot of innovation."
The Future of AI in Product Management
Adrienne is optimistic about AI's role in product management, believing it will automate routine tasks and allow for more focus on creativity and innovation. She advised future product managers to be pragmatic and take risks, saying, "Our job is creating products, and that requires human intelligence in terms of strategy and positioning."
Céline Farcet
Broadening Horizons Through Deep Tech
Céline Farcet's journey at L'Oréal R&I exemplifies a profound evolution in corporate innovation, transitioning from material science to spearheading tech partnerships.
She shifted her focus from academia to startup collaborations, particularly in Deep Tech, to enhance L'Oréal's innovation pipeline. "I was super curious about it," Farcet explains, highlighting her proactive move towards more open and collaborative innovation models.
This strategic shift in tech partnering strategies underscores L'Oréal's commitment to integrating sustainable technology and deep tech collaboration into their corporate fabric.
Innovation at L'Oréal: A Global Perspective
The scope of Farcet's role at L'Oréal is truly global. Her activity spans across the U.S., Israel, Asia, and Europe.
This international strategy allows L'Oréal to "scan globally all the innovations that could come from the ecosystem of startups."
This ensures that only the most fitting advancements are chosen, aligning with their strategic challenges. Such global scanning is crucial for maintaining a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving cosmetics sector.
Pioneering Projects and Partnerships
Farcet shares insights into some exciting projects, such as L'Oréal's acquisition of Lactobio. This Danish microbiome startup (the microbiome isthe community of microorganisms, such as fungi, bacteria and viruses, that exists in a particular environment) is part of L'Oréal's portfolio alongside Gjosa, a Swiss company. Gjosa developed a low-flow showerhead in partnership with L'Oréal.
These examples highlight L'Oréal's dedication to diversifying its technology base and enhancing sustainability efforts. Furthermore, they reflect L'Oréal's strategic approach to improving product offerings through innovative external collaborations.
The Role of Events in Scouting Innovations
Participation in events like Hello Tomorrow is crucial for Farcet and her team.
These events help them identify and integrate cutting-edge technologies. "It's not enough to just meet [startups]," Farcet explains.
She emphasizes the importance of conducting meticulous technical due diligence. This process determines the potential cosmetic value of new technologies. Consequently, this thorough vetting ensures that only the most promising innovations meet L'Oréal's rigorous selection criteria.
Looking Ahead: Innovation at L'Oréal Through Sustainability and Tech Integration
Farcet is particularly excited about the role of sustainable technologies in meeting L'Oréal's future goals.
The 'L'Oréal for the Future' program aims to transform L’Oréal’s activity by taking into
account the complete value chain (upstream and downstream) by 2030. One of the commitments leads to increase in the incorporation of bio-based ingredients through sustainable processes without increasing
land use.
This ambitious plan requires continuous innovation and effective partnerships, leveraging both to maintain a balance between growth and sustainability.
Stephan Savarese
This podcast episode was recorded onsite at JEC World.
From Aerospace to Advocacy
Stephan Savarese's career evolved from aerospace engineering to climate advocacy, a testament to adaptability. Initially immersed in R&D, a significant moment at COP 21 ignited his shift towards environmental solutions.
Consequently, TechnoCarbon was born. At its core is Carbon Fiber Stone, reflecting a profound commitment to green technology and CO2 negative growth.
Synthesizing Sustainability in New Materials
Carbon Fiber Stone stands as a beacon in TechnoCarbon's lineup. This composite is revolutionary, surpassing traditional materials in both robustness and eco-friendliness.
Savarese is confident in its potential. Ultimately, he sees this carbon-negative material redefining the industry and spearheading a shift towards sustainable composites.
Unity in Innovation: Forging Paths to Greener Futures
Indeed, collaboration has been instrumental in TechnoCarbon's rise. The company's journey, from a Paris-based incubator to global accelerators, showcases a series of strategic alliances.
These partnerships have been more than beneficial; they've been crucial. They have propelled Carbon Fiber Stone into the spotlight, emphasizing the collective drive for environmental innovation.
Challenging Skepticism: Pioneering with Carbon Fiber Stone
TechnoCarbon's bold vision initially faced industry skepticism. Yet, Savarese addressed these doubts with unwavering advocacy for Carbon Fiber Stone.
He has continually highlighted the importance of embracing new, sustainable materials. Through this, he demonstrates that innovation is not just about creating but also about convincing and converting the market to be change-ready.
Projecting Impact: TechnoCarbon's Aspirations for Carbon Fiber Stone
With regard to the future, Savarese anticipates TechnoCarbon will experience significant growth thanks to their innovative work in sustainable composites. He predicts a future where such materials are key to business success.
Furthermore, he urges entrepreneurs to establish ventures that align financial viability with environmental advancement. This foresight lays the groundwork for innovations that are both economically beneficial and vital for reducing carbon footprints.
Want more from Sesamers&Jec?
2 more podcast episodes from JEC World with startup founders and other industry experts: Chris Skinner, Blanca Garro
JEC World 2024 Recap
JEC Startup Booster: the premier startup competition at JEC World, where 20 finalists gather in the Startup Booster Village to showcase their innovations, network, and engage with potential investors over three dynamic days.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and X to be the first to listen to the new episodes.
Blanca Garro
This podcast episode was recorded onsite at JEC World.
Reinforce 3D's Origin: Blending Engineering with Business Acumen
Blanca Garro's ascent to CEO of Reinforce 3D combines her engineering background with sharp business insights. Her story begins with a chemical engineering degree, which led her across Europe, where she discovered the additive manufacturing sector.
Realizing the need for more business-oriented knowledge, she pursued an MBA, bridging her technical expertise with a deeper understanding of business development. This unique blend of skills and her passion for technology spurred her decision to join Reinforce 3D.
She vividly expresses her excitement: "I really fell in love with the technology," emphasizing the allure of innovative potential.
3D Printing Innovations: Unveiling the CFIP Technology
Next, we delve into the heart of Reinforce 3D's innovation: continuous fiber injection process (CFIP) technology. Blanca eloquently demystifies this technology, highlighting its revolutionary impact on the composite sector.
Traditional composites involved layering fibers, but CFIP introduces a method to inject continuous fibers, enhancing the material's strength and functionality. Blanca's explanation makes this complex technology accessible to all, revealing how it offers a stronger and more versatile approach to manufacturing composites.
Eco-friendly Manufacturing: Sustainability in the World of Additive Manufacturing
Blanca emphasizes sustainability as a crucial driving force in today's manufacturing industry. She passionately talks about the need to innovate responsibly, focusing on "how to do more with less."
This approach is not merely a trend but a fundamental shift in how manufacturing processes are designed and executed. Her insight into Reinforce 3D's commitment to sustainability shows the industry's movement towards more environmentally conscious practices, where new technologies like CFIP play a pivotal role.
Startup Leadership Insights: Navigating the Startup Landscape
Moreover, Blanca offers an honest perspective on the complexities of evaluating the market size and fundraising in the DeepTech ecosystem. She discusses the unique challenges faced by startups, especially in specialized sectors like composite materials.
Understanding market potential and attracting investors requires a nuanced approach, as Blanca explains: "It's really difficult to size my market." This candid admission sheds light on the daunting yet critical aspects of growing a tech startup in a rapidly evolving industry.
Tackling Gender Disparities in Tech and Engineering
Lastly, Blanca addresses the issue of gender disparity in the tech and engineering sectors. As a female CEO in a male-dominated industry, she brings a unique viewpoint on the challenges and opportunities for women in these fields.
The lack of female representation, especially in engineering roles, is a significant concern, as she points out the scarcity of women's CVs for engineering positions. Her perspective underlines the importance of striving for gender balance and the need for systemic changes to encourage more women to enter and thrive in these industries.
Want more from Sesamers&Jec?
2 more podcast episodes from JEC World with startup founders and other industry experts: Chris Skinner, Stephan Savarese
JEC World 2024 Recap
JEC Startup Booster: the premier startup competition at JEC World, where 20 finalists gather in the Startup Booster Village to showcase their innovations, network, and engage with potential investors over three dynamic days.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and X to be the first to listen to the new episodes.
Chris Skinner
This podcast episode was recorded onsite at JEC World.
The Chemistry of Composites: Driving Industry Evolution
Chris Skinner's transformation from a chemist to a visionary leader in strategic marketing at Owens Corning is a tale of the composites industry's evolution.
"We're at the forefront of merging material science with market demands, a testament to our dedication to innovation in composite materials," he states.
This integration of science into commercial success embodies the progress and adaptability at the heart of the composites industry.
Collaborative Innovation: Revolutionizing R&D in the Composites Industry
The research and development landscape in the composite industry is undergoing a significant transformation. "The era of solo achievements is evolving into a time of collaborative efforts," Chris Skinner notes.
He emphasizes that in this industry, success hinges on merging diverse talents to drive innovation. This evolution highlights a crucial trend: teamwork is becoming increasingly indispensable for advancing composite technology trends and material conversion strategies.
The Startup Booster: Igniting Innovation in Composite Materials
The Startup Booster Competition in JEC world stands as a testament to Owens Corning's commitment to innovation. It's not merely a contest; it's a visionary platform where emerging technologies gain momentum.
"We're crafting an ecosystem ripe for transformation," Skinner asserts, "where cutting-edge ideas meet opportunity and scalable solutions emerge."
The Pink Panther Effect: Strategic Branding in Composite Materials
Opting to color Owens Corning’s fiberglass pink and aligning it with the Pink Panther wasn’t just about looks.
Skinner explains, “We’ve crafted a story that changes how customers interact with our products. This move has made them not only noticeable but also more engaging and memorable.”
He highlights how this approach isn’t just branding ; it’s storytelling that resonates emotionally with users, adding a unique and lasting impact.
This strategy shows the effective use of narrative in creating a deep, lasting connection with customers.
Effective Branding in the Composite Industry: The Power of Now
Skinner highlights a crucial shift in marketing philosophy—focusing on the present benefits that resonate with consumers.
"We're living in a time when the immediate application and advantage of a product take precedence," he says. Skinner encourages a marketing approach that emphasizes instant satisfaction, thus fostering an immediate connection between the product and its user.
Want more from Sesamers&Jec?
2 more podcast episodes from JEC World with startup founders and other industry experts: Blanca Garro, Stephan Savarese
JEC World 2024 Recap
JEC Startup Booster: the premier startup competition at JEC World, where 20 finalists gather in the Startup Booster Village to showcase their innovations, network, and engage with potential investors over three dynamic days.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and X to be the first to listen to the new episodes.