There are many serious, practical interviews out there, properly illustrating the gifts and talents of people in the web analytics industry. This, however, is the Silly Series – only nonsense here!
Today, it’s the turn of Bill Bruno, a man who aspires to be a teen actress with a recording contract (I think that’s what he said).
Who is Bill Bruno, and how do you see through those eyelashes?
My fear/hatred of the dentist started when I was a little kid thanks to the eyelashes. The assistant who took the x-rays before the dentist came in would always comment on how she wanted my eyelashes and how long they were. I was always afraid she’d go all Buffalo Bill on me: kidnap me and just take them from me. I wonder if she enjoys jail….but I digress.
I’ve been in the analytics space for just over 6.5 years. Started at Stratigent right out of college where I majored in Computer Engineering at the University of Illinois. Started on the consulting team and eventually went on to manage the team for awhile prior to taking over business development and account management. Currently, I’m the President of the company and work with a great group of people that make my days easy. Outside of work I’m a big fan of sports, and play in about 4-5 different leagues per season…basketball, football, softball, dodgeball, etc. My weekends are typically filled with visits to local establishments to kick back a few waters with friends.
At a polite dinner with acquaintances, how do you explain what you do? At a raucous party, what’s different about your job description?
You’re making an assumption that I go to polite dinners, I appreciate that. IF I was at one of those, hypothetically speaking, I’d tell people that I work for an analytics consulting firm that specializes in helping our client become data-driven with their marketing decisions. When they look at me blankly, I’d then ramble on for 5-10 minutes and provide examples. My family refers to me as Chandler Bing from Friends, simply because they have no idea what I do on a day to day basis.
For the raucous party, it tends to vary based upon the number of O’Douls I’ve had and who I’m talking to. I’ve developed the lens used in blue-ray players, been a diamond merchant, and even developed applications used in Facebook. But, if I’m really looking to impress people I tell them I work for an analytics company that helps make websites and user experiences better. That really gets the party going.
How often have you been mistaken for teen actress Billi Bruno?
I had to look this one up…I knew I recognized that name from somewhere. Made the mistake of mentioning this question to two of my best friends this past weekend and I have been ridiculed ever since. I can only hope to be as successful as she is. Wikipedia, my source for everything, tells me her real name is Sarah…that begs the question of where the heck Billi comes from? Like most teen stars, I’m sure she’ll try to become a recording artist…maybe we can collaborate on an album like Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow someday.
If you were a graphical dashboard element, what type would you be?
I’ve spent days deliberating this one, and I think I’d be a sparkline. Sparklines get the point across efficiently while not taking up a whole lot of space on the dashboard. They tell a story. I like efficiency, so this works for me. Efficient conference calls, meetings, reports…I’d keep rambling on my answer here but that would be hypocritical since I’m a sparkline.
Who is your superhero-sans-cape in the web analytics community and why?
There are a lot of people I could mention in this answer: Jim Sterne, Avinash, and E-Pete to name a few. I’ve really loved seeing all the new names popping up making contributions to the industry, specifically around education and awareness. Jason Thompson is a great example of this, really respect what he’s done. For me though, and I’m not just saying this so that I get paid more, I’m going to go with Josh Manion. I know that’s biased, given that he hired me and we’ve worked together in one way or another for 6.5+ years, but Josh took me under his wing out of college and pushed me to excel in this space. He’s an innovator, and simply put an exclamation point on that by going off and starting Ensighten. He has contributed quite a bit to this industry in my opinion.
What is your top tip for successful public speaking?
I’ve been doing public speaking for Stratigent for years now, I love it. One of the best things someone ever told me was “if you’re not nervous, you’re not ready.” So many people over-practice and memorize every last detail of their presentation and lose all the nerves…and you know what? The presentation comes across as boring and no one remembers it. Don’t be afraid to stray from the script. Stay on topic, but if something comes to mind that would be a good example to send home a point, go for it. Chances are that your audience can read, so don’t recite your slides to me. Engage the audience in a conversation. Don’t be afraid to jump off the stage and interact with the crowd.
What is your wish for the remainder of 2011?
I have two wishes actually:
- That people stop believing morons proclaiming potential raptures and the end of the world and just focus on living.
- That the government stops letting people who know nothing about online tracking drive the privacy debate. I’ve personally reached out to congress but they are not interested in hearing our side of the story.
What is the square root of a tambourine?
I do believe that is the cowbell, but I haven’t taken a math course in a long time. I’m going to let you in on how I end up wasting time during the day. I literally Googled “square root of a tambourine” and the Wikipedia page for “Mr. Tambourine Man” was the first result. I clicked that, started reading and before you know it 10 minutes have past and I’m now on a page about Transylvania. I feel like this could become the new “6 degrees of Kevin Bacon” game.
Cowbell, final answer. And I need more of it. I’ve got a fever…
You went from Analyst to President at Stratigent in 6 years – who did you have to blackmail to do that?
The list is long and distinguished. I actually haven’t received a paycheck in over 2 years as a result of paying people off, but hey, at least I’ve got the title on my business cards!
In all honesty, I took a chance out of college to start in the basement of a house for a company I thought was going places. 6.5 years later we’re on our 3rd office and continue to grow and prosper. I’m thankful every day for the people I work with.
If were to suddenly decide to find yourself and abandon your current life for a small hut outside Clonakilty, what 3 items or people would you take with you?
If I was to live there, I’d call it Clon like the locals do (thank you 10 min Wikipedia diversion again). It says the town is big on music and sports as well. Not sure I can convince any of my family/friends to join me on this quest. So, I’d bring my phone, that’s for sure…not sure how I’d handle not being able to tweet and stalk people on Facebook. I’d also bring my golf clubs, because there is some great golfing in Ireland. And finally…drum roll please…the 10 foot mural of myself that adorns my entryway. What’s that? I can’t carry that on the plane? Fine, I’ll bring my guitar and start practicing for my music career with Billi Bruno then.
Check out the full list of interviews in the Silly Series here!
