Tag: That Think You Do

The Unfulfilled Promise of Online Analytics, Part 3 – Determining the Human Cost

Note: this post originally appeared as a blog arc on my old Analytics Ecology blog. I’m resurrecting the complete arc here as it’s referenced in That Think You Do‘s “Unhealthy Comparisons” chapter
Enjoy!

Knowledge will forever govern ignorance, and a people who mean to be their own governors, must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives. A popular government without popular information or the means of acquiring it, is but a prologue to a farce or a tragedy or perhaps both. – James Madison

There was never suppose to be a part 3 to this arc (Ben Robison was correct in that). Part 1 established the challenge (and I note here that the extent of the response and the voices responding indicates that the defined challenge does exist and is recognized to exist) and Part 2 (I’ll resurrect them both if there’s interest) proposed some solution paths. That was suppose to be the end of it. I had fulfilled my promise to myself1 and nothing more (from my point of view) was required.

But many people contacted me asking for a Part 3. There were probably as many people asking for a Part 3 as I normally get total blog traffic. Obviously people felt or intuited that something was missing, something I was unaware of remained unvoiced.

But I never intended there to be a Part 3. What to cover? What would be its thematic center?

It was during one of these conversations that I remembered some of the First Principles (be prepared. “First Principles” will be echoed quite a bit in this post) in semiotics.2

According to semiotics, you must ask yourself three questions in a specific order to fully understand any situation3:
Continue reading “The Unfulfilled Promise of Online Analytics, Part 3 – Determining the Human Cost”

“It’s too accurate” (more undocumented uses of NextStage’s Evolution Technology)

Note: this post originally appeared as a blog arc on my old Triquatrotiticale blog. I’m resurrecting the complete arc here as it’s referenced in That Think You Do‘s “The Liz Effect” chapter.
Enjoy!

This post is about looking in one’s mirror and dealing with what is seen. This post’s origin is being told that the reason a company will not use NextStage’s tools is because the tools are “…too accurate.”

First – and I suppose it truly is a first– note that one of the owners of a company is sharing a reason a prospect won’t use that company’s product.

Second, I’ve actually glommed comments from a few folks into this post.

Third, because it’s too accurate???

I did thank the company for their interest, explained that we could always do business in the future, so on and so forth.

Then I hung up the phone and went back to wondering “…because it’s too accurate“?

Let me clarify this a bit. I’m honored by their decision, specifically the reasons behind it. This company’s principals were declining because they were, indeed, principled, and in a way NextStage can completely understand; before they resold our tools they would use the tools on their own material.

But there was some fear in their voice when they said, “Your technology is excellent. Nobody questions its accuracy anymore. You’ve published enough, others have published enough, it shows up in scientific material, Chris Berry even told everybody at his eMetrics Toronto presentation that they should go with NextStage if they want scientifically provable and actionable results, so nobody questions whether or not NextStage tools are accurate anymore.”

(thank goodness, that! And thank you, Chris, for that)

And then the kicker came, “We’re afraid to find out we’re full of BlueSky…” (they used another term) “…or something worse, like our designs really do suck and we always knew they did but could never admit it to ourselves. If we use your tools then we’ll have no choice but to face the facts.”1 Continue reading ““It’s too accurate” (more undocumented uses of NextStage’s Evolution Technology)”

Understanding and Using NextStage’s Level 1 Sentiment Analysis Tool

Note: this post originally appeared as a blog arc on my old Triquatrotiticale blog. I’m resurrecting the complete arc here as it’s referenced in That Think You Do‘s “The Liz Effect” chapter
Enjoy!

For those of you who weren’t in the loop, NextStage has been taking it’s desktop tools and turning them into web tools. The first to come out of that particular shute is NextStage’s Sentiment Analysis Tool. I’ve written about that tool before in Sentiment Analysis, Anyone? (Part 1) (happy to resurrect, if you wish) and Canoeing with Stephane (Sentiment Analysis, Anyone? (Part 2)) (ditto). Here I’ll be sharing how to use and understand the Level 1 version of that tool.
Continue reading “Understanding and Using NextStage’s Level 1 Sentiment Analysis Tool”

Zina-Vivianne Walker on That Th!nk You Do

A book that will draw you in and make you think.

It’s published!

That Th!nk You Do is available on Amazon! Yeeha!

I asked some folks if they’d mind reading an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) and letting me know what they thought of the book and am posting their comments (many of which appear as blurbs, comments, and endorsements in the book itself).

Today’s blurb is the last in this series and is courtesy Holistic Trauma & Mental Wellness Coach Zina-Vivianne Walker.

A book that will draw you in and make you think.

 

What can I say? A book that will draw you in and make you think.
To me, that is ideal.
Raw writing is the best. Writing that makes one pause….writing that makes you tilt your head and question. The best!!!

Thank you, Zina-Vivianne!

You can find That Th!nk You Do on Amazon and at other fine retailers.

Gail @GailMcDonald19 McDonald on That Th!nk You Do

A multifaceted and all-encompassing masterpiece for humanity.

It’s published!

That Th!nk You Do is available on Amazon! Yeeha!

I asked some folks if they’d mind reading an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) and letting me know what they thought of the book and am posting their comments (many of which appear as blurbs, comments, and endorsements in the book itself).

Today’s blurb is courtesy Gail McDonald, co-host with Susan Sneath of The Change Zone. You can also follow Gail on Twitter.

Joseph’s masterpiece connects science, data, and research with the practicality (and yes complexity) with our everyday lives and how we can begin to better understand what makes us tick (as opposed to being a ticking time bomb!) And all of this is delivered with a strategically delivered sense of humour!

 

I’m feeling challenged to put into words what That Th!nk You Do offered to my soul.
I did begin with this comment initially, so I’ll start here.
“Altruistic – written with a blend of personal stories, researched facts and a delightful mix of paradoxical phrases.”
The appeal for me personally was how the well laid out information flowed. Each piece masterfully woven with the piece before and the piece after. It catered to my insatiable curiosity on how the mind works and why it works the way it works.
I savoured the “time slice” piece – paying attention to how the brain optimally works. How to successfully serial task (new to me) and give myself permission to prioritize tasks as I see fit and being ok with not overfocusing (and then losing focus.) I no longer see it necessary to finish one thing before going on to another and understanding I can still be productive (and more so.) I allow myself to listen to my energy level and what needs to be prioritized, when and why.
Joseph’s explanation of psychoacoustics and archeopsychology were fascinating and to learn the “why” they are beneficial were even more so. As he states “every strength is a weakness and every weakness a strength” offers much to self reflect upon.
The chapter on “compensation guilt” strongly resonated with me and again, gave me cause to self reflect. (I didn’t realize compensation guilt was a thing.)
Joseph’s masterpiece connects science, data, and research with the practicality (and yes complexity) with our everyday lives and how we can begin to better understand what makes us tick (as opposed to being a ticking time bomb!) And all of this is delivered with a strategically delivered sense of humour!
I feel joyfully challenged by Joseph’s masterful subtleness to look deeper with clarity at my own habits and am grateful he has provided tools to support the process.
The “principles” at the end are a great compliment to a very practical, provocative, and sometimes edgy work of art. My favorite (or one of my favorites) – “Technology Is not how we make and keep relationships. We make and keep relationships because of who we are, not what tools we use to keep in touch.” To me, that is a game changer.

In summary – A multifaceted and all-encompassing masterpiece for humanity. Thank you, Joseph Carrabis, for the contribution to the betterment of all humankind!

Thank you, Gail!

You can find That Th!nk You Do on Amazon and at other fine retailers.