# 193 - Innovation, Specs, Technology with Mike Crowe

- Show: [People of Packaging](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging)
- Published: 2023-05-11
- Length: 26m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2023-05-11-193-innovation-specs-technology-with-mike-crowe
- Listen: https://encase.substack.com/p/193-innovation-specs-technology-with

## Summary

Mike Crowe, former CIO of Colgate-Palmolive and current board member of Specright, discusses the critical role of specification data management in modern packaging and product development. He explains how his 34-year IT career, including his time as CIO, led him to recognize the value of Specright's platform for saving money, speeding processes, and ensuring data accuracy across engineering, formula, and supply chain teams. Crowe highlights the importance of sustainability reporting and Extender Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws, noting that accurate data is essential for compliance and innovation. He advises young professionals to focus on doing their jobs well, building networks, and understanding the broader organizational impact of their technical work.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2023-05-11-193-innovation-specs-technology-with-mike-crowe#t=0) Introduction and Sponsor Reads
- [2:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2023-05-11-193-innovation-specs-technology-with-mike-crowe#t=151) Mike Crowe's Background and Career at Colgate-Palmolive
- [5:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2023-05-11-193-innovation-specs-technology-with-mike-crowe#t=305) Adoption of Specright at Colgate and Board Joining
- [8:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2023-05-11-193-innovation-specs-technology-with-mike-crowe#t=502) Reasons for Joining Specright Board and Platform Benefits
- [13:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2023-05-11-193-innovation-specs-technology-with-mike-crowe#t=795) Spec Summit Experience and Board Governance Role
- [16:53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2023-05-11-193-innovation-specs-technology-with-mike-crowe#t=1013) Future of Specright and Cross-Functional Data Usage
- [19:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2023-05-11-193-innovation-specs-technology-with-mike-crowe#t=1172) Advice for Championing Data Management Internally
- [22:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2023-05-11-193-innovation-specs-technology-with-mike-crowe#t=1367) Career Advice for Young Professionals

## Topics

- [Packaging design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/packaging-design)
- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Specright (company)
- Colgate-Palmolive (company)
- SupplyCaddy (company)
- Deciphr.ai (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Adapting to New Manufacturing Technology w/ Matthew Wright](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2023-04-18-adapting-to-new-manufacturing-technology-w-matthew-wright) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [An Interview with Scott Miller (2nd)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-07-22-an-interview-with-scott-miller-2nd) (The Amp Hour)
- [509: Swarmed by Engineers](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-09-05-509-swarmed-by-engineers) (Embedded.fm)
- [189: The Power of Your Team in Building Hardware Innovations](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2023-08-18-189-the-power-of-your-team-in-building-hardware-innovations) (Product Startup)
- [BONUS - What's the SCOOP - 2022 Trends with Aegis Software's Michael Ford](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2021-12-17-bonus-whats-the-scoop-2022-trends-with-aegis-softwares-michael-ford) (EMS@C-LEVEL)

## Citing this page

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