33 Tangents

Many assume that the measure of success for an optimization program is a high testing velocity.  The problem here is that in order to support a high velocity, other parts of the test development pipeline become neglected, including developing a well thought out hypothesis.   How critical is a test hypothesis to the success of a test?  What goes into developing a test hypothesis and why is it important?  What happens when that part of the process is neglected?  What is more important, velocity or proper planning?  Is there a metric above all others when it comes to measuring the success?   On this episode of the 33 Tangents podcast, Jim is joined by Jason Boal to wrap up the series on optimization programs.  They discuss why a test hypothesis is a key part of the processes of running an optimization program and gaining support from executive leadership.   THANK YOU We know your time is limited, so it means a lot to us that you would spend some of your time with us. If you have found this episode to be valuable

It is very common to see organizations split out their analytics and optimization programs among different teams. What does it mean to integrate you analytics and optimization programs, or at least prevent them from being separated?  What are some of the risks that are created when you keep them separated? On this week’s episode of the 33 Tangents podcast, Jim and Jason continue their series focused on optimization and a/b testing with Jason Boal, focusing on why organizations shouldn’t keep their analytics & optimization teams separated.  They discuss why organizations end up with separated analytics and optimization programs, the impact of that, and what can be done to address it. THANK YOU We know your time is limited, so it means a lot to us that you would spend some of your time with us. If you have found this episode to be valuable, we would appreciate if you would share it.   And if we are getting you hooked, don’t forget to subscribe, like, and recommend on your favorite podcast platform.   WHERE

Launching an a/b testing & optimization tool brings with it a great deal of temptation.  It is very appealing to just want to jump in and start deploying tests to see what it can do.   What are some of the traps when launching an a/b testing tool and optimization program?  What are some of the common mistakes when getting started with optimization?  What should you avoid?   On this week’s episode of the 33 Tangents Podcast, Jason and Jim are joined by Jason Boal to continue the conversation around testing, optimization, & personalization programs.  This week they discuss the common pitfalls organizations run into when integrating these tools and building these programs.   THANK YOU We know your time is limited, so it means a lot to us that you would spend some of your time with us. If you have found this episode to be valuable, we would appreciate if you would share it.   And if we are getting you hooked, don’t forget to subscribe, like, and recommend on your favorite podcast platform.   WHERE TO LIST

Launching an a/b testing & optimization tool brings with it a great deal of temptation.  It is very appealing to just want to jump in and start deploying tests to see what it can do.   What is involved with standing up an optimization program?  Should you just jump in and start using the a/b testing tool?  What is the approach that should be taken?  What are the key first steps?   On this week’s episode, Jason and Jim welcome Jason Boal, Principal Analytics and Optimization Strategist at 33 Sticks to discuss what is involved with standing up an optimization program.  They discuss things such as the key first steps an organization should take, deciding where your optimization program should live, and the involvement you need from other teams.   THANK YOU We know your time is limited, so it means a lot to us that you would spend some of your time with us. If you have found this episode to be valuable, we would appreciate if you would share it.   And if we are getting you hooked, don’t forget to subscribe, l

Let’s admit it, working on digital analytics can be fun.  For many of us in this space, it gives us a creative outlet.   That being said, doing good stuff alone is not good enough.  Are you working on cool stuff for the sake of doing cool stuff?  Does your work have value?  Does it have it’s place?   On this episode of the 33 Tangents podcast, Jason and Jim discuss the balance between working on the tasks needed for today and spending time on items and research for the future.  They talk about how being intentional and being deliberate play key roles in creating that balance.   THANK YOU We know your time is limited, so it means a lot to us that you would spend some of your time with us. If you have found this episode to be valuable, we would appreciate if you would share it.   And if we are getting you hooked, don’t forget to subscribe, like, and recommend on your favorite podcast platform.   WHERE TO LISTEN The 33 Tangents video simulcast is now available on YouTube Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on

There is a fine line between valuable work and work that no one really cares about.  Is the work that you’re doing closely associated with the goals of the organization or are you just doing superficial work?   Do you know why your analytics team exists?  What constitutes “valuable” work in your organization?   On this episode of the 33 Tangents Podcast, Jason and Jim discuss what can lead to focusing on the wrong things and not being attached key organizational goals.  They also discuss what it means for an analytics team to live up to the promise of providing value to the business.   THANK YOU We know your time is limited, so it means a lot to us that you would spend some of your time with us. If you have found this episode to be valuable, we would appreciate if you would share it.   And if we are getting you hooked, don’t forget to subscribe, like, and recommend on your favorite podcast platform.   WHERE TO LISTEN The 33 Tangents video simulcast is now available on YouTube Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subs

One of the faults of the digital analytics industry is that we often assume the value of what we’re doing is clearly apparent.    Does your buyer actually care about digital analytics? Do they have a vested interest in the outcome of the project or are they just signing another SOW? Are you just doing stuff that is cool to you with no actual value to the wider organization?   On this episode of the 33 Tangents podcast, Jason and Jim discuss how to recognize if digital analytics is important to your organization and how to address it.  They also discuss certain things digital analytics implementers and practitioners do which actually lessen the importance of data for others in their organization. THANK YOU We know your time is limited, so it means a lot to us that you would spend some of your time with us. If you have found this episode to be valuable, we would appreciate if you would share it.   And if we are getting you hooked, don’t forget to subscribe, like, and recommend on your favorite podcast platform.

During the day to day of a project, whether client side or vendor side, it is easy to loose sight of who is ultimately responsible for the project.  On the client side, this could be some senior level executive sponsor who seen infrequently.  On the vendor side, this could be the person who signed a statement of work, but has delegated the project to someone else.   As someone leading a project, keeping the ultimate buyer of your services in mind is critical to success.  Are you doing work with that person in mind?  Do you know what they are expecting as compared to your day to day contacts?  (Hint: They are more discerning and have higher expectations)   On this week’s episode of the 33 Tangents podcast, Jason and Jim discuss what it means to keep your buyer in mind, how to make sure you’re in alignment with them, and what encourages teams to be out of alignment.   THANK YOU We know your time is limited, so it means a lot to us that you would spend some of your time with us. If you have found this episode to

Whether you are working vendor-side or client-side, there is ultimately a buyer associated with the project you are engaged with.  What does this mean and who is this person?   As someone leading a project, do you know who the ultimate “buyer” of your services is?  Are they your day to day stakeholder?  Why is knowing who this person is critical to your success?   On this episode of 33 Tangents, Jim and Jason discuss the importance of identifying the ultimate buyer of your project, risks of not doing so, and sharing the value of what you are doing with them.   THANK YOU We know your time is limited, so it means a lot to us that you would spend some of your time with us. If you have found this episode to be valuable, we would appreciate if you would share it.   And if we are getting you hooked, don’t forget to subscribe, like, and recommend on your favorite podcast platform.   WHERE TO LISTEN The 33 Tangents video simulcast is now available on YouTube Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Google Podcasts L

Note: We encountered some recording issues in the early parts of this episode and recovered the audio that we could.   While every organization deals with this issue to one degree or another, there are those where it is really bad.  It can take the form of “we just need to implement this new project management software and all of our project delivery issues will be solved”.  It can also be seen with “we just need to upgrade to the premium package from our digital analytics vendor and we won’t have to worry about these data issues anymore”.   What is it like to work in an organization that thinks the next vendor, tool, or technology will solve all of it’s ills?  What causes a company to fall into this trap?  How can they get out of it?  What is the end result of this mindset?   On this episode of the 33 Tangents podcast, Jason and Jim discuss what happens to organizations when they view the next “thing” as the savior for all of their ills.   THANK YOU We know your time is limited, so it means a lot to us that

“By putting the employee first, the customer effectively comes first by default, and in the end, the shareholder comes first by default as well.” - Richard Branson   Have you ever been part of a project or initiative and after it is over, you feel as though things are not improved or in a better condition?  This can happen when a vendor’s focus is solely on the tasks that need to be done and losing site of the bigger picture.   What is that bigger picture?  If all of the tasks are done, shouldn’t that mean the bigger picture was taken into account and things should be in a better place?  How can you ensure your team keeps their eyes on both the tactical and the strategic?   On this week’s episode of the 33 Tangents podcast, Jim and Jason discuss their experiences with being involved with projects that were deemed a success yet feeling as though no progress was made, including the things they’ve learned to ensure that doesn’t happen.   THANK YOU We know your time is limited, so it means a lot to us that you wo

One of the expectations when bringing in a digital analytics agency to help, is that they will have your best interests in mind.  Our success is their success, right?  That isn’t always the case.   Why wouldn’t an agency have their client’s best interests in mind?  What other interests could there be?  Could there be conflicting interest?   On this week’s episode of the 33 Tangents Podcast, Jim and Jason discuss the multiple interests an agency could have and how to determine if they are shared with you.   THANK YOU We know your time is limited, so it means a lot to us that you would spend some of your time with us. If you have found this episode to be valuable, we would appreciate if you would share it.   And if we are getting you hooked, don’t forget to subscribe, like, and recommend on your favorite podcast platform.   WHERE TO LISTEN The 33 Tangents video simulcast is now available on YouTube Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Google Podcasts Listen on TuneIn Listen on Amazon Music   WHERE TO FIND

Buying certain brands and logos is a concept that permeates all facets of life.  Whether it is cars, clothing, kitchen appliances, or even marketing technology, brands & logos bestow a level of status.   It can be easy to understand why someone does this on a personal level, but at the company level?  Shouldn’t it only matter that the tool does what it says it’s supposed to?  Why do companies fall into the trap of buying something for the logo or brand it is associated with?   On this week’s episode of the 33 Tangents podcast, Jim and Jason discuss the different reasons that drive organizations to buy & acquire technology and how that can impact the long-term integrity of their MarTech stack.   THANK YOU We know your time is limited, so it means a lot to us that you would spend some of your time with us. If you have found this episode to be valuable, we would appreciate if you would share it.   And if we are getting you hooked, don’t forget to subscribe, like, and recommend on your favorite podcast pl

How can you make a career out of your passion? On this week’s episode of the 33 Tangents podcast, Jason and Jim are joined by Shai Dahan.  Shai is an American contemporary painter and street artist living in Sweden He is also the illustrator of the book “A Is For Analytics”.  Some of Shai accomplishments include: In July 2012, Shai received recognition for his solo exhibition at the Borås Art Museum in Sweden.  He was later featured as the opening keynote speaker at TEDx Göteborg in October 2012. In 2019, Shai painted Sweden's largest outdoor mural in Ryavallen stadium which is over 950 square meters.  The mural was painted as part of the European Athletics U20 Championships. Shai was been awarded as Ambassador of the city of Borås on June 29, 2019.  He has also been named one of Borås 40 Under 40 Most Successful People. On October 5, 2019 Shai completed The World's Largest Dala Horse (Dalahäst) in the Lower East Side of New York City.  The mural of the Dalecarlian Horse has been measured to be 18 meters (59

Digital analytics agencies are not all the same.  There are a wide variety of services that can be offered and each digital analytics agency has their own approach.   How does an organization find the right digital analytics agency?  What questions should you ask?  What should an organization consider?   On this week’s episode of the 33 Tangents podcast, Jim and Jason discuss how an organization can evaluate a potential partner and why organizations have bad consulting experiences.   THANK YOU We know your time is limited, so it means a lot to us that you would spend some of your time with us. If you have found this episode to be valuable, we would appreciate if you would share it.   And if we are getting you hooked, don’t forget to subscribe, like, and recommend on your favorite podcast platform.   WHERE TO LISTEN The 33 Tangents video simulcast is now available on YouTube Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Google Podcasts Listen on TuneIn Listen on Amazon Music   WHERE TO FIND US Website: www.33stick

Digital analytics agencies are not all the same.  There are a wide variety of services that can be offered and each digital analytics agency has their own approach.   Why would a company want to work with a digital analytics agency?  What benefits could an organization realize?    On this week’s episode of the 33 Tangents podcast, Jim and Jason discuss the reasons why a company would want to work with a digital analytics agency and the steps they need to take to understand what they really need.   THANK YOU We know your time is limited, so it means a lot to us that you would spend some of your time with us. If you have found this episode to be valuable, we would appreciate if you would share it.   And if we are getting you hooked, don’t forget to subscribe, like, and recommend on your favorite podcast platform.   WHERE TO LISTEN The 33 Tangents video simulcast is now available on YouTube Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Google Podcasts Listen on TuneIn Listen on Amazon Music   WHERE TO FIND US Websit

For many organizations, working with an agency is not a positive experience and it can be likened to working with a mechanic.  You don’t know if they’re being honest about the work that is needed and when you find a good one you hold on tight.   What things from an agency should a company see as red flags?  What questions can you ask ahead of time to bring these to the surface?   On this week’s episode of the 33 Tangents podcast, Jason and Jim talk about what they’ve seen as red flags with agencies, some of which border on the line of unethical.  They provide insights into the reason for them and what organizations should avoid.   THANK YOU We know your time is limited, so it means a lot to us that you would spend some of your time with us. If you have found this episode to be valuable, we would appreciate if you would share it.   And if we are getting you hooked, don’t forget to subscribe, like, and recommend on your favorite podcast platform.   WHERE TO LISTEN The 33 Tangents video simulcast is now availab

Do you believe your organization has a need to work with a digital analytics agency, but not sure where to start?   In the Digital Analytics & Marketing space, what kinds of agencies exist?  What are the different services available to an organization?  Isn’t hiring an agency just hiring an agency and asking these questions pointless?   On this week’s episode of the 33 Tangents Podcast, Jason and Jim discuss why an organization employees the services of an agency the types of service companies that exist in the digital analytics space.  They discuss the impact of experiences both client side & agency side at various points in their career to date.   THANK YOU We know your time is limited, so it means a lot to us that you would spend some of your time with us. If you have found this episode to be valuable, we would appreciate if you would share it.   And if we are getting you hooked, don’t forget to subscribe, like, and recommend on your favorite podcast platform.   WHERE TO LISTEN The 33 Tangents vid

Merriam-Webster defines story as: 1) an account of incidents or events and 2) a statement regarding the facts pertinent to a situation in question.  Storytelling is a very powerful part of the human experience and a key tool used throughout human history.   It provides a level of familiarity and when done well, it conveys information in a way that resonates with all involved.   How does storytelling apply to individuals in a workplace setting?  Why is that every group activity starts with an “ice-breaker” activity?  Do you know anyone that doesn’t have that one authentic story they use as part of getting to know someone?    On this week’s episode of the 33 Tangents podcast, Jim and Jason discuss how storytelling has played a role for them specifically in their individual careers, how to make storytelling genuine & memorable all while sharing some interesting moments in the process.   THANK YOU We know your time is limited, so it means a lot to us that you would spend some of your time with us. If you have

Merriam-Webster defines story as: 1) an account of incidents or events and 2) a statement regarding the facts pertinent to a situation in question.  Storytelling is a very powerful part of the human experience and a key tool used throughout human history.   It provides a level of familiarity and when done well, it conveys information in a way that resonates with all involved.   During a recent episode, guest Stephen Marshall said “Story is the glue for new facts and information.”  How does story apply to brands?  What does effective storytelling do for a brand?  How can brands ensure they are authentic?   On this week’s episode of the 33 Tangents Podcast, Jim and Jason are joined by two special guests to discuss brands and storytelling.  The first is returning guest Stephen Marshall, the CMO of the East Tennessee State University’s Research Corporation whose purpose is building academic/industry partnerships.  The second is first time guest Chase Friedman of Vanquish Media Group.   Chase Friedman is the Found