Comments on: A [hopefully] clearer picture of the future analyst http://www.atlantaanalytics.com/web-analytics-in-business/the-job-i-do-want-to-be-clear/ geekiness for businesspeople. Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:42:49 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: evanlapointe http://www.atlantaanalytics.com/web-analytics-in-business/the-job-i-do-want-to-be-clear/comment-page-1/#comment-3795 evanlapointe Tue, 18 May 2010 02:23:09 +0000 http://www.atlantaanalytics.com/?p=323#comment-3795 Thanks for the feedback, I wholly agree, and should have probably done a better job with this post. The real transition I'm trying to convey is one where analysts break away from the role as it is defined now, and start to attach themselves more to the process and outcomes of their analysis, moving further from the handoff process many businesses struggle with today. I feel like the description in the marketplace is largely around dashboards, reports, testing, and basic analysis - heavily biased toward the "training" tasks - when the job can really evolve into a more proactive one, irrespective of management responsibilities. I do think that we can add incredible value (and be recognized for it) without climbing a traditional ladder of titles, but that requires creating new paths with new functions, maybe some of which have already been created in forward- thinking businesses. Thanks for the feedback, I wholly agree, and should have probably done a better job with this post.

The real transition I’m trying to convey is one where analysts break away from the role as it is defined now, and start to attach themselves more to the process and outcomes of their analysis, moving further from the handoff process many businesses struggle with today. I feel like the description in the marketplace is largely around dashboards, reports, testing, and basic analysis – heavily biased toward the “training” tasks – when the job can really evolve into a more proactive one, irrespective of management responsibilities. I do think that we can add incredible value (and be recognized for it) without climbing a traditional ladder of titles, but that requires creating new paths with new functions, maybe some of which have already been created in forward- thinking businesses.

]]> By: Stéphane Hamel http://www.atlantaanalytics.com/web-analytics-in-business/the-job-i-do-want-to-be-clear/comment-page-1/#comment-3792 Stéphane Hamel Tue, 18 May 2010 01:31:27 +0000 http://www.atlantaanalytics.com/?p=323#comment-3792 Interesting post and I would take some of your thoughts and some of Jim thoughts on the Napkyn blog. The only area where I have to disagree is when you imply being an analyst forever would be some kind of unambitious or "only of marginal value to a business". A very long time ago (yes, I've got gray hair) I read a fantastic book that I still perfectly remember: "Becoming a technical leader" by Weinberg - at the time I was a junior programmer (around 1987). At the time I couldn't envision getting a Master degree (I got an MBA now), and when asked by my boss where I wanted to be five years later, my answer was always "to be recognized as a leader in my field" (yes, you can call that ego!). And my goal was to be recognized as a top developer, system administrator and DBA - not as a manager. It has never been my objective to be a manager and I have always avoided this career path. Even if the natural career path seems to be to climb the organizational ladder until you become CEO, you can actually make a fantastic career as a professional in your field - and bring amazing value to the organization. I guess what is more important is future managers sitting in Marketing and Management classes today are much more aware of the online world and the importance of data-driven management. Yes, as a web analyst today you are undergoing some kind of "training" to become a good analyst with the skills and abilities to optimize the business - and become a CIO if you wish to do so eventually. But it's certainly not everyones dream. Keep up the great posts, it's refreshing to see new ideas and conversation topics! Stéphane Interesting post and I would take some of your thoughts and some of Jim thoughts on the Napkyn blog.

The only area where I have to disagree is when you imply being an analyst forever would be some kind of unambitious or “only of marginal value to a business”. A very long time ago (yes, I’ve got gray hair) I read a fantastic book that I still perfectly remember: “Becoming a technical leader” by Weinberg – at the time I was a junior programmer (around 1987). At the time I couldn’t envision getting a Master degree (I got an MBA now), and when asked by my boss where I wanted to be five years later, my answer was always “to be recognized as a leader in my field” (yes, you can call that ego!). And my goal was to be recognized as a top developer, system administrator and DBA – not as a manager. It has never been my objective to be a manager and I have always avoided this career path.

Even if the natural career path seems to be to climb the organizational ladder until you become CEO, you can actually make a fantastic career as a professional in your field – and bring amazing value to the organization.

I guess what is more important is future managers sitting in Marketing and Management classes today are much more aware of the online world and the importance of data-driven management. Yes, as a web analyst today you are undergoing some kind of “training” to become a good analyst with the skills and abilities to optimize the business – and become a CIO if you wish to do so eventually. But it’s certainly not everyones dream.

Keep up the great posts, it’s refreshing to see new ideas and conversation topics!

Stéphane

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