Is Google+ the new era of blogging?

I don't know for sure, but in any case, the best way to read what I think, find worth reading, engage in the conversation directly, is to follow me on G+.

TMS: from tags distribution to orchestrating digital customer data

A commissioned study conducted by Forrester Consulting on behalf of Tealium (May 2013) indicates that "94% of marketers see data integration as the next step in the evolution of tag management". This is one of several golden nuggets backed up by a rigorous study from a reputable firm.

94% is virtually everyone, right? So almost everyone said "yes" when asked "Do you see data integration as the next step in the evolution of tag management?" At least, that's what the 142 digital marketing decision makers interviewed said.

Always question the unquestionable

My questions to you, fellow #measure aficionados, are:

1. could the formulation of the question result in some leader bias?
2. is a sample of 142 respondents representative enough?

My take is that a) formulating the question in this way is bound to give a positive answer - I think asking which one of many choices is perceived as the next step would have been preferable and b) I'm no survey expert, but looking back at my stats books tells me that a sample around 350 would be more representative (at 95% confidence and +/- 5% error margin) when the exact population size is unknown. On top of that, although the survey gives some indications of the profile of the 192 respondents, I wonder if they might be mostly Tealium clients.

"Lies, damn lies and statistics"

This famous quote highlights the persuasive power of numbers. When reading such studies - any study - keep in mind there are commercial interests involved. I'm certainly not saying Forrester or Tealium are at fault. Sponsoring studies is part of the marketing strategy to build credibility, reputation... and sales. I bet another similar study sponsored by another vendor would bring a different light on some aspects while reaffirming some others.

Data integration is undeniably important. After all, who could be against virtue? But there are several other factors to consider when choosing a TMS vendor.

The Ultimate List of Lists for Digital Analysts

Are you looking for the best tools to watch your competitors? What about a list of call tracking or real time analytics tools? Where should you look for jobs? What about conferences? Who are the industry though leaders? Where can you find good academic resources?

Search no more!

Those are List.ly lists - a crowdsourced way to uncover the best resources and collectively add, vote and comment on those items.

The Future of Working with Data with Keeping Up with the Quants Author Thomas Davenport

Today, the increasing volume of data and the rate at which it’s captured has transformed many business professionals into de-facto data analysts. Thus, the ability to routinely execute quick, informed and data-based decisions is a top skill in demand in business today.

Author and professor Thomas Davenport’s new book, Keeping Up with the Quants, serves as a “quantitative literacy” guide for managers as they wade through the world of data today and tomorrow. Keeping Up with the Quants, co-authored by Davenport and Jinho Kim, covers the basics of quantitative analytics, the essential habits of effective analysts and insight on how business users and top-ranking quants can best collaborate.

Michael Koploy, Managing Editor at business intelligence software review company Software Advice, recently hosted a Google+ Hangout with Davenport to discuss key takeaways from the book and Davenport’s thoughts on the future of business analytics.

Among other topics, Davenport and Koploy cover:

• The importance of balancing creativity with a regular, thorough analytical process
• Why great companies hire great analysts--and why that isn’t likely to change anytime soon
• Why visualization tools are effective at analyzing “Big Data”
• How “Ph.Ds with personality” drive analytical innovation in business
• Why everyone should dabble in coding

A full recording of the Google+ Hangout can be found below:

Software Advice has posted a blog post summarizing the key takeaways from the conversation on its Plotting Success blog, which you can check out here: Hangout with Thomas Davenport: The Future of Working with Data. Be sure to check out Keeping Up with the Quants: Your Guide to Understanding Analytics, on sale now. For further questions, connect with Koploy (@PlottingSuccess) or Davenport (@tdav) on Twitter.

Hear me speak! Free webinar on #BigData & #Marketing

Hear me speak about Big Data and Marketing Strategy in a free webinar presented by Target Marketing, sponsored by Tableau Software.

Big Data and Marketing Strategy: How informed marketers separate the signal from the noise

Thursday, May 16th, 2013 | 2:00 p.m. (ET)/11:00 a.m. (PT)

Data has become one of the biggest challenges and opportunities for marketers today. There is an endless stream of it coming from digital and offline channels, enough to choke many outdated data warehouse systems. And in that stream seems to lie just about everything you need to know about what your customers are doing, and what they will be doing tomorrow. The best marketers today are able to read those currents and position their companies where tomorrow's customers are going to be. How do they do that without getting drowned in the flood of information?

Join us on this webinar to hear how successful marketers and marketing consultants deal with data, including:

• What data is most important to their strategies
• How they organize and analyze that data so it is not overwhelming
• Key insights they're looking for
• When is the data too much and what do they ignore

Come to this session armed with your questions. You'll be able to submit them directly to our panelists for a live Q&A session during the hour.

In 5 or 10 years from now, where do you see yourself?

The subject of this post is likely something you were asked at least once. It’s a frequent job interview question, or one you get asked when doing annual reviews with your manager.

I was asked this questions at least a dozen times over the past 25 years.

My answer has always been the same – clear and simple:

“I want to be recognized for my contribution.”

Tableau Google Analytics Connector

The Tableau Customer Conference was one of the best I attended - great product, great team, great corporate culture. Attending the conference was a great opportunity to learn and share how Cardinal Path use Tableau extensively to merge web analytics behavioural data with back-office data to provide deeper analysis and insight to our clients.

Tableau just published a press release mentioning our early use of the Google Analytics Connector - one of the many features coming up in Tableau v8.

“With Tableau’s Google Analytics Connector we will not only connect easily and more efficiently through the API, we will also be in a position to increase our client analytical maturity by demonstrating the benefits of merging online behavior data with back-office operational data sources,” said Stephane Hamel, Director of Strategic Services at Cardinal Path. “That’s going to increase analytical power and better decision insight.”