Analytics Buyer’s Guide — Revisited
Is There A Sixth T?
Where is teaching? I thought that was what your new company was all about? You need a 6th T!
There was some interesting feedback that came from multiple sources after we finished the ABG 5 T series last month. In fairness, we mentioned learning and training in nearly every article, but certainly not with our typical zeal. Why would we fail to directly address something so embedded in the DNA of our company? Why would we omit something that we feel distinguishes us from the competition? The reason is because this is a buyer’s guide.
Do you expect us to believe these articles were completely impartial? Of course not, we are making our case while helping to inform and educate you. These articles themselves are an effort at teaching. So why not call it out directly?
Learning Takes Time, Teaching Takes More
As a buyer’s guide, these articles were meant to apply to anyone looking to build or hire analytic support. We spent an entire article reinforcing the need to honestly access time and its implications. We warned that learning can be a slow process. But teaching doubly so!
In other words, if you are coming at this process with harsh timelines and urgency — teaching may not be realistic?! Ouch! So from the perspective of a buyer’s guide, teaching did not fit in the framework since so many companies would likely not be in a place to capitalize on it, yet…
Analytics Is Still Different
Of course… how so? When you invest early in your analytic infrastructure and support, you gain the advantage of time. Time lowers the cost and enables teaching. That actually isn’t very different than most services, but it is quite different than most products. Early adopters of products may benefit from lower early prices, but are often denied the availability of robust user groups, how-to videos, and other teaching support.
Analytics = Learning = Evolution
Further, the longer you work with a product, the deeper it burrows into your company and your processes. Products don’t learn, yet… And they don’t evolve. As your company learns and evolves, products become obstacles. Analytics leads the charge and the change. There is very little downside for any early adopter. Lower cost, greater value, more flexibility… why would you ever wait?
But most companies do… And The 5 T’s of Analytic Success were intended for all companies, not just the lucky few. Let’s end this article with a little humor.
Be one of our first callers and receive a 6th T at no additional charge! But wait, there’s more… it actually costs less than the original 5!
In all honesty and seriousness, this opportunity won’t last long. Growth forecasts and budgets, VC demands and changing markets will soon rob you of time and patience. Perhaps they already have? Either way, we are here to help:
