Jennifer Day - Bitter Analyst Woman

Make a little time to sit back, relax and get to know some people in the web analytics industry foolish enough to be questioned by me.

It’s time to talk to Jennifer Day - formerly an evil vendor, currently a bitter, tired angel analyst with a love for comics.

JayDay, tell us all about you.

After spending 10 years as an evil web analytics vendor, I am just rounding up my first year as a pure and angelic web analyst.  Do I miss being evil?  Sure, sometimes.  Who wouldn’t?  I try to be evil in little ways throughout my life to make up for the loss.
Also I am a foodie, a geek (although technically I think I’m a nerd – but just thinking about that makes me pretty geeky), a voracious reader, a mom, a wife, and some other titles that don’t occur to me just now.

Which do you love more – comics or web analytics?

Oooh, that’s a tough one. I am new to comics so it has that shiny, new-love feeling.  Whereas analytics is like a favorite sweater.  Will comics love last?  Or is it just a crush?  Mom, you just don’t UNDERSTAND us!  We’re going to be together forever!

Do you believe web analytics vendors are the enemy?  Is that what caused you to defect?

Nope, poorly informed public and powers-that-be are ALL of web analytics’ enemy.  If only the industry didn’t think vendor practitioners were evil and stopped treating them like second-class citizens, maybe we could work together to fight the common enemy.  Think of the leadership a well-nurtured vendor practitioner could provide to so many!  Anyway, I defected so I could be a “good guy” and shout stuff like that from the rooftops but now I’m bitter and old and tired.  Some young whippersnapper’s gonna have to fix it up.  I’m gonna take a nap.  (If I can – shout-out to the WAA Research Committee who have always, ALWAYS been awesome.  You should join.  Yes YOU.)

A bird, a web analyst and a small, sickly lizard walk into a bar.  How many monkeys does it take for Father Christmas to want you for a sunbeam?

I believe the answer is a beetroot.  A turnip may do in a pinch, but it’s far less festive.

If you had to leave the web analytics industry, what would be your dream job?

I always said owning a restaurant.  I even know exactly what kind – a bakery/deli.  I’d settle for opening a cheese shop, or a little farm.  It would definitely be a food thing.

Who is your superhero-sans-cape in the web analytics community and why?

Even though I am a comics girl, I don’t generally go in for the whole superhero thing.  I think I’d have to pick Joseph Carrabis.  Though he’s not technically “web analytics” I truly believe his work is the future of what we do – the data NextStage can provide is amazing.  Maybe it could save the day?  Leap tall buildings in a single bound?  Do everything a spider can? (ha!)

Why on earth did you call your daughter Foxylocks?

Well, obviously, her name is a future brand.  Of … well, hair extensions according to search.  Hmmm.  Who picked this name again?  EMER!

What is your favourite web analytics blog (after mine, of course)?

I have to be honest, I’ve really dropped off my analytics blog reading (see: tired, old, bitter).  My must-reads have more to do with the authors that make me feel like all is not lost: yours (obv), Joseph’s many blogs (obv) (all linked into his Twitter and Facebook), and (maybe less-obv) Christopher Berry’s (@cjpberry) two blogs (http://christopherberry.ca and http://christopher-berry.blogspot.com/).

What is your wish for 2011?

People already know stuff for 2011?  Well, it needs to be an epic year.  My birthday is 11-11 and this will likely be the only time in my lifetime I have an 11-11-11 birthday.  So, everyone needs to make cool stuff happen – okay?  No pressure.

What three items would you take to a deserted island – assuming that deserted island was conveniently wired for electricity and the internet?

I’d have to have my nook.  And an 8″ chef’s knife.  And LOTS of matches.

Check out the full list of interviews in the Silly Series here!