A couple of weeks ago I spent a little bit of time talking to industry guru Bryan Eisenberg about a bunch of really interesting stuff. The result is two podcasts that I, humbly, think are pretty fun.
If you know Bryan then you'll know that he does not shy away from tough topics or asking controversial questions. He does that and more in these two podcasts.
Bryan is not just an industry colleague but also a good friend. Like me Bryan is also a vegetarian and at conferences he always scopes out places we can have dinner. He has also been very generous in sharing his advice and help, something a newbie Independent Consultant can clearly use lots.
Doing a podcast with a friend is so much more fun. You'll hear a lot of laughter, Bryan (like a good friend) selling the book, and general good humor. I really did enjoy myself.
You'll also notice that around minute ten in second podcast Bryan says "thanks for taking the time to talk to us today Avinash", and then we continue chatting!!
Podcast One:
This podcast focuses on:
- Why "looking beyond the click" to optimize the experience is so necessary.
- How technology has leveled the playing field, so companies of all sizes can be data-driven.
- The importance of being data-driven, yet customer-focused.
- The new "data democracy," and how it's created an environment where Google needs an Analytics Evangelist.
- Exploiting "the long tail".
- Controversial blog topics, such as "What is enterprise-class web analytics software?"
- Documenting processes in your company, so you can fix them by measuring and optimizing intelligently.
Download:
Grokcast: Interview with Avinash Kaushik (Part 1)
(17 mins 25 secs. 27.9 mb)
Podcast Two:
This podcast focuses on:
- The importance of process in web analytics.
- My 2 rules of Web Analysis.
- How web analysts should spend their day?
- How to find your next great web analyst?
- The Trinity approach to web analytics.
- Closing thought: the one report you all can take advantage of right away.
Download:
Grokcast: Interview with Avinash Kaushik (Part 2)
(15 mins 44 seconds. 25.2 mb)
I hope that you'll enjoy these podcasts as much as I did, and at the same time find them to be educational.
You'll hear about Persuasion Architecture in the podcast, in case you don't know what it is please visit the Future Now Inc website. On that page is also a link to a very informative news letter, check that out as well.
[On a related note, Bryan also suggested an excellent idea to my friend Mike Moran, author of the new book Do It Wrong Quickly: From real people out there like you and me get the sorriest, the most egregious tales of delay, indecision, paralysis by analysis, and refusal to try things out. Please e-mail Mike your stories (mike at mikemoran dot com), there are prizes involved!]
Please share your feedback on the podcasts via comments. Where they interesting? Did you learn anything? Should I slow down my talking speed to something less than six hundred miles per hour? :)
Avinash,
Happened to meet you at the ACCM Conference in Boston and was impressed with your presentation (both content and enthusiasm). I heartily concur with Jim Sterne’s assessment of your passion and zeal (intro of your book). Hell, I was impressed enough to come back to my new boss with a recommendation that he purchase your book so I could get a proper grasp of Web Analytics.
Regarding the pods, I found them excellent distillations of your books principles. A major takeaway for me (spoiler warning) is the idea of immediately looking at bounce rate. As a newcomer to the field, and as one hired from a totally different training venue, I’ve kept my eyes open for a good starting point to apply the principles of your book/presentations and I'm grateful for a focus point such as this to latch onto. Anyway I appreciate all your insights and hope to see you back in Boston sometime.
Nate Sidmore
Christianbook.com
"Rookie" Web Analytics Specialist
Great podcasts Avinash & Bryan. It was very educational, there was so much in there. I agree with your point of view on enterprise class analytics tools and your 10/90 and 80/20 rules are awesome!
Like Nate I am strongly encouraging my boss to read your book.
Tracie
Avinash these are both must listen podcasts, thanks so much for sharing them (I guess that credit should go to Bryan!). As you mention it was clear that you guys had fun.
Frankly I'm looking for the T-Shirt:
10% Technology
90% Raw Brains
Mix liberally
Carefully turn out
20% Reporting
80% Unstructured Analysis