Knowing more than you ever cared to is a blessing and a curse. Become comfortable with that feeling here in the Silly Series, a look at the folks in the web analytics industry.
It’s time to talk to Doug Hall, a man so tall, I have no idea what he looks like up there (and I’ve met him).
Make yourself comfortable and tell us all about Doug Hall.
Tall – 6′ 7.5″ in bare feet to be exact – that’s the most obvious thing I guess. Less obvious things about me – I’m type II diabetic. I’m the wrong side of 35 but still the right side of 40. I’m a British chap living in West London with Marie (my partner and best friend for the last 15 years) and two cats – Lord Admiral Horatio Nelson Dillon-Hall and Widget. Nelson lost his arm before he owned us…after naming him we ran out of steam so ‘Widget’ was the best name we could come up with. I like my cats. They’re cool. Nelson likes Miso soup: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2Tmy98pqu4
I have a pilot’s license, I juggle (4 balls or three clubs maximum), ride a unicycle (just), run (I completed the London Marathon in 2009) and cycle (two wheels as well as one). I used to ride motor bikes but got scared.
I’m a marketing technologist: a conversion rate optimisation professional with a deep technical background which I now employ to make websites that suck less. I love data – It’s very powerful when used properly. I work with a wide variety of businesses from medium sized to global corporates as the Head of Internet Marketing at ConversionWorks.co.uk. It’s a great place to work and with our sister company, Webexpectations.com, we have rolled out some pretty exciting projects with a lot more to come this year.
One day I’d like to have a career as a writer or Luge test pilot.
How would you define web analytics using a haiku?
Well, I’ve been accused of many things but a poet (especially of the Haiku variety) has not been one of them so here goes:
Optimise or not?
Actionable insight joy!
Love Stat Sig for sure.
Hopefully that hasn’t offended anyone’s poetic ears too much!
On the last UK census, what did you provide as your job title and occupation?
Hmm, the census. I’m a fan of gathering voice of customer data but the census was a bit extreme. At least we could fill it in online! My jaded response was exactly in line with my email signature:
Job Title:
Conversion Genius
Occupation:
Vendor of common sense
Touché Her Majesty’s Government and shame on me for being immodest…
There are sixteen sheep in a field. You have six feet of rope and a four-year-old dog. What is the probability of your having chicken for dinner?
As long as I can build a risotto around it or perhaps butterfly the chicken, stuff it with a variety dried fruit, wrap it in pancetta and serve with a medley of steamed fresh vegetables from the garden then p>0.99
How do you apply your web analytics skills to the day-to-day running of your home?
Hmm – is everything I do data driven? Do I test everything? I certainly have scheduled reports from my phone provider and bank – BORING! A key part of my approach to web analytics is openness and honesty – this is a serious part of how I run my life. My partner and I share ideas and make joint decisions. Marie is an inspiration – working together we’ve done some pretty amazing (and crazy!) things. We have freedom to choose directions and put forward ideas that we discuss and act on. Sounds rigid and structured? Don’t worry – these ideas generally center on having maximum fun. I find this approach works pretty well in business too.
Who is your superhero-sans-cape in the web analytics community and why?
Dr. Mike Baxter (www.saleslogiq.com) I’m sure he’d agree that we’ve exchanged a fair amount of knowledge over the years and that I taught him everything he knows about statistics (!). Want to meet a brilliant personification of the mad professor (yes, he’s a Dr. and Prof of psychology)? Mike has the exquisite ability to inform and entertain in equal measures. A top bloke.
If you were to judge a talent competition to find a new web analyst, what party piece would impress you most?
Juggling and riding unicycles are key life skills I’ve wasted too many hours on so anyone who can master these skills clearly has too much time on their hands and should be put to better use!
In all seriousness, a case study featuring on site search (my favourite metric group) would have to be demonstrated. It’s not hard and too often ignored.
What is the most ridiculous thing you’ve ever done to impress a love interest?
I have to admit to having used the line ‘Do you know I’m a pilot?’…just once and to Marie just after I qualified so I guess that’s allowed?
What is your wish for the remainder of 2011?
Peace and love and high margins to all my clients. Everyone should try something new every day – sort of testing life’s experiences I guess. I formed some half-arsed New Year resolutions for 2011 but they have gone in the bin as being too negative – I’m going with the positive life expanding stuff now.
If you could exist on a two dimensional plane, what shape would you like to be?
Shouldn’t all nerds be squares?
Check out the full list of interviews in the Silly Series here!
