Swivel.com: Cool data sharing website or nothing special?

I read a recent article about a new website - swivel.com, and I'm curious to hear your thoughts.

http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/12/05/swivel-to-launch-this-week-communitize-your-data/

Described as both the "YouTube for Data" and "a place where curious people explore data — all kinds of data," Swivel is a user-generated data-sharing website with postings on anything from Super Bowl advertising rates to a breakdown of NBA players by their native country.

What do you think? Would you use Swivel for sharing new SAS procedures, unique statistical models, or other tips & tricks? Do you think Swivel has the potential to take off and be bought out by Google, or is it just a time-wasting device with nothing relevant to your career or interests? Check out www.swivel.com and share your comments on our blog.

Web Analytics and Emerging Statistical Opportunities

As we look at trends for 2007 and beyond, we cannot ignore the increasing presence of web analytics. Far more than just analyzing clicks to a site, there are interesting statistics involved. I found an interesting article in the Jamaica Observer that gives a nice overview of what jobs are out there in this field and also some salary information. Wayne Marsh is the author. An exerpt of particular interest is below:

"The standard for these new Internet career opportunities are still being defined as business owners clarify their needs based on the potential of the Internet. However, some have been in existence long enough to create a de facto standard. Below you will find a list of some of the more popular career opportunities that currently exist. I have listed the titles mainly as specialist but you may find many other prefixes or suffixes added to them such as director, vice President, manager, analyst, etc.

Web Analytics Specialist

Web Analytics is the process of transforming statistical data from your website into intelligence. When speaking about website statistics the most frequent statistic quoted is 'hits'. We have come a long way since then, as you can now not only measure how many visitors come to your site but also what path they took to become a customer. A Web Analytics Specialist's job is to analyse data and provide reports in order to facilitate business decisions and help glean relevant insights. The data analysed is not the raw website statistics stored in your server logs, but data generated from a web log analyzer. This is software that converts raw server log file ingredients into meaningful traffic data. As a Web Analytics Specialist you will know if your website is providing a return on investment. If you have an interest in market research or statistical analysis this career path is right up your street"

I would enjoy hearing comments on the web analytics job trends that you're seeing in your market space as well.

Best,
Emily

To view the complete article, please click the link below:
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/magazines/Business/html/20061230T130000-0500_117305_OBS_NEW_AND_EMERGING_CAREER_PATHS_TO_CONSIDER_IN______.asp

For more information from the author, take a look at their company website at www.wsiwebprofits.com

Hot Jobs

See below for positions we are working on for our clients who are hot to hire! Contact me Jasmine Sharp at jsharp@smithhanley.com for more information.

Director, Consumer Marketing & Research - Atlanta, GA - Salary up to 130k
Exciting opportunity to build an analytical direct to consumer marketing team from the ground up for a major financial institution. MS in Stats, Econ, Mathematics. Experience in building and managing teams. Strong SAS, and data warehouse skills required.

Director, Marketing Analytics -London or Scotland- Salary up to 200k USD
Exciting opportunity in the U.K. to work for a premier financial institution. Superior experience in database marketing, both strategically, and analytically plus 10 years minimum experience supporting direct marketing campaigns and analyses. Quant MBA a strong plus.

Statistical Analyst - OH - Salary up to 60k
Great opportunity to develop and apply analytic reports using quantitative techniques. Knowledge in the use of database query languages, SAS, advanced Excel, and Access required.

Strategic Marketing Analyst - TN - Salary up to 75k
Opportunity in the Pricing and Revenue Management group. Advanced degree in Quantitative discipline and 3-5 years experience building complex statistical models. Strong knowledge of of advanced statistical techniques (Bayesian forecasting, time series, regression) using SAS essential.

Analytical Insight Manager - CO- Salary up to 125k
Large CPG client looking for strong analytical background ideally in CPG industry. Good SAS, Consumer analytics, IRI/Nielsen/supplier side experience a huge plus. Will relocate right candidate.

Director, Marketing Science - MO- Salary up to 125k
Internationally renowned market research consultancy looking for technically savvy market research professional. Experience with regression, discrete choice, experimental design-pref. supplier side. Will work in SAS. Strong communication & presentation skills, highly visible role.

Customer Experience Matrix: The Right Way to Think about Marketing Mix Models

Customer Experience Matrix: The Right Way to Think about Marketing Mix Models

The Holy Grail of Marketing Science Candidates

In the area of quantitative marketing sciences it is often the case that clients are looking for one of two things in a candidate:

1) strong statistical modeling and multivariate statistical experience normally using SAS or SPSS
2) a strong understanding or experience of statistical modeling and multivariate statistical techniques but the ability to then understand & interpret the insight derived from the analysis and how that may affect the business or to make strategic recommendations

This is a dilemma. As candidates join this market space at the Analyst/Statistician level, you learn the analytical business of your company from the ground up, you learn to mine the database, clean the data etc. and eventually build statistical models from scratch. Naturally as you progress you may work on higher-level statistical requirements, with different departments and larger datasets, but for the majority you don't get involved in what the direct business impact is of the analysis, making the presentations to clients, delivering strategic recommendations etc. This seems to generate a skills gap as you move up the ladder.

More and more we are working on roles that want a mix; the ability to build or understand models and multivariate analysis AND the ability to present the results to non-technical business people and have an impact on the companies bottom line. Do they want MBA's then we ask? "No" is always the reply, they want the best of both worlds, business statisticians with strong communication who are comfortable with feet in both camps. This is the holy grail of senior marketing science candidates.

I mention this for two reasons, firstly I may be completely wrong and I would love to hear from people in this area who are experiencing differently, likewise if I am right. But also as information to heed with an eye to your career progression. If you are working your way through the ranks as a Statistician and you can emerge in a few years with statistical analysis and modeling experience and have the business/strategy experience also, you will be a very marketable candidate. If you are already there, well, give me a call!!

Mark Tattersall :: Executive Recruiter :: Smith Hanley Associates :: 312-629-2400

New Year, New Job?

I came across this article on Yahoo, and I thought it was an interesting read, as well as encouraging. From our standpoint here we have gotten many new job orders in both Marketing Science, as well as Credit Risk Analysis. It seems that candidates who use SAS, and SPSS everyday are in high demand. It is a good idea to update your resume, contact your references, and talk with a recruiter who specializes in your field. Ex Quantitative Marketing Science

http://hotjobs.promotions.yahoo.com/cci/article.php