# Human Input in a Data-Driven World w/ Martin Cloake

- Show: [The Manufacturing Executive](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive)
- Published: 2021-02-09
- Length: 31m
- Episode: 35
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-02-09-human-input-in-a-data-driven-world-w-martin-cloake
- Listen: https://www.spreaker.com/show/the-manufacturing-executive#episode-57dfeae6-978b-46de-8c70-5dd9779a9503

## Summary

Martin Cloake, CEO and co-founder of Raven.AI, explains how his company helps manufacturers balance data technology with human insight to drive continuous improvement. He recounts his early career at Blinds to Go, where he learned that shop floor engagement and problem-solving are more critical than raw data analysis. Cloake details how Raven.AI’s platform addresses data quality issues by combining machine telemetry with operator input, citing a Danaher plant case study where identifying maintenance wait times led to significant efficiency gains. He argues that successful Industry 4.0 adoption requires starting small, involving operators, and focusing on actionable guidance rather than complex dashboards.

## Chapters

- [0:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-02-09-human-input-in-a-data-driven-world-w-martin-cloake#t=50) Introduction: Martin Cloake and Raven.AI
- [2:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-02-09-human-input-in-a-data-driven-world-w-martin-cloake#t=138) Blinds to Go: From Retail Sales to Plant Supervision
- [3:36](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-02-09-human-input-in-a-data-driven-world-w-martin-cloake#t=216) The Failure of Excel and the Value of Walking the Floor
- [3:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-02-09-human-input-in-a-data-driven-world-w-martin-cloake#t=219) Founding Machine Telemetry and Raven.AI
- [15:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-02-09-human-input-in-a-data-driven-world-w-martin-cloake#t=921) The Data Quality Problem in Manufacturing
- [17:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-02-09-human-input-in-a-data-driven-world-w-martin-cloake#t=1064) Danaher Case Study: Reducing Maintenance Wait Times
- [21:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-02-09-human-input-in-a-data-driven-world-w-martin-cloake#t=1301) Stagnant Productivity and the 'Real-Time Data Fire Hose'
- [28:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-02-09-human-input-in-a-data-driven-world-w-martin-cloake#t=1690) Strategy: Start Small, Involve Operators, and Double Down

## Topics

- [Connected products & IoT](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/connected-products-and-iot)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Quality & yield](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/quality-and-yield)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Raven.AI (product)
- Blinds to Go (company)
- McGill University (other)
- Spartan Bioscience (company)
- Shopify (company)
- Survey Monkey (company)
- Stackpole International (company)
- Sanofi (company)
- Danaher (company)
- Hitachi (company)
- Waze (product)
- Deloitte (company)
- Mappy (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [BONUS: Gaps in the Manufacturing Industry (and what to do about them), LIVE from Fathom's Manufacturing Exchange in Hartland, WI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-11-07-bonus-gaps-in-the-manufacturing-industry-and-what-to-do-about-them-live-from-fat) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [The Truth about Machine Learning with Oden Technologies CEO Willem Sundblad](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-10-26-the-truth-about-machine-learning-with-oden-technologies-ceo-willem-sundblad) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [250: How to Uncover Your "Hidden Factory" and Extract More Value from the Plant Floor featuring Tri Tech Automation](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-08-26-250-how-to-uncover-your-hidden-factory-and-extract-more-value-from-the-plant-flo) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [Insight-Driven Strategy with IoT | Eigen Innovations’ Scott Everett](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2021-11-30-insight-driven-strategy-with-iot-eigen-innovations-scott-everett) (IoT For All Podcast)
- [192: Leading with Productivity to Drive Sustainability Featuring Lauren Dunford, CEO of Guidewheel](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2024-07-02-192-leading-with-productivity-to-drive-sustainability-featuring-lauren-dunford-c) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)

## Citing this page

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