Podcast: Google, Evangelism, Data Privacy, Analytics, Yahoo! & Getting The "Web"

yumYesterday I had the pleasure of doing a long and wide ranging podcast with Simon Chen the Managing Director of Eight Black Group, based in Melbourne Australia.

Five minutes on Simon's blog and you'll be impressed by his unique communication style. Incisive, funny, insightful, brutally honest are just some of the words that you might think of. I am a huge fan of letting your unique personality shine though in our wonderful blogosphere and Simon does that, and more.

Simon's a tough interviewer, you'll see that the same blog personality shine through on the podcast. He is funny and does his best, repeatedly, to get me into trouble (you might enjoy that) throughout the podcast.

Here are some of the questions that he asked:

  • How did you get into Analytics?
  • Does Google interpret the data that passes thru its servers from an analytics perspective and use it to their advantage?
  • Why write a book on it?
  • What does your job at Google entail – ie What does an "Analytics Evangelist" do?
  • Should there be more about teaching people rather than just create complex tools?
  • If you were to walk into General Motors tomorrow what would be the three things you would do to the website? What would you insist happen?
  • Should Microsoft quit the search space?

There is more, but that should give you a good idea. If any of these questions interest you here are the podcast details…….

I have to admit it is not fun listening to your own voice (for 65 mins!!). There are 87 things you would have said differently, em's and ah's that you would want to edit out, and then there is worry/hope that you have added something of value to the brave souls who'll listen in.

But you be the judge and tell me what you think, if you do give it a listen, about the podcast, the sometimes controversial topics covered, my answers, and how you think I can do this better.

Please share your feedback via comments. Thanks.

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Comments

  1. 1
    Tim Lee says

    Great podcast Avinash, I was amazed that you were able to stand your ground and gamely answer all the Google related questions.

    I have to agree with your comment about why online marketing or experience has not grown even more. But as you say there is hope.

    Good luck with the book.

    Tim.

  2. 2

    "Um's and Ah's"

    Heh. Can appreciate the pain. When I was a wee lad, as opposed to the much older lad I am today, my parents sent me to Speech and Drama lessons. How to talk proper like.
    Having a classroom of 10-12 yo boys all counting each and every Um and Ah is a scarily effective way of using peer pressure to stop bad habits up front. :-)

    I guess the trick with podcasts vs presenting is that one has the backdrop of the formal which gets you thinking and behaving a certain way; vs the podcast which is more informal and chatty.
    I suspect I'd do far worse. :-)

    If you like, I can do a time sequence graph for you displaying the number of Um's and Ah's from the podcast?
    It looks like it's finished downloading, so now to listen. Just not sure I'll understand an Aussie accent though….

    – Evil Steve

  3. 3

    Excellent podcast. Was a great listen, trying to get over my jet lag! :-)

  4. 4
    Kevin S says

    Very informative podcast Avinash. It was very motivating to listen to, and it made me realize how much more I have to learn about web analytics. The good thing is that unlike others you also put in the required effort to teach via your blog. Thanks.

  5. 5
    Abagil says

    Avinash I think you did a great job sparring with Simon – I have to agree that he is rather persistent.

    I am glad to hear that Google is doing more to evangelize and teach its community of users.

Trackbacks

  1. […] Gisteren kwam Google Analytics officieel met Version 2 van de gratis tool (inclusief nieuwe interface, email reaporting, dashboards, map displays).

    Avinash, tegenwoordig Google Evangelist, heeft een zeer uitgebreide post geplaatst met nieuwe features van de brand new release. Zeker even interessant om te lezen. […]

  2. Eight Black says:

    An Interview With Avinash Kaushik…

    I had a great time doing this interview with Google's Analytics Evangelist – Avinash Kaushik . And I am so grateful to Avinash for his candid and honest answers to my questions. A nicer guy you could not find.
    You can listen to the call simply by…

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