TL; DR
Test, Leverage; Develop, Repeat
Corsair’s Ventures got started roughly two years ago. It was and remains a company driven to use the analytic process — to teach the analytic process. That is the most synthesized statement we could make and the most accurate description of what has driven an otherwise confusing course.
Ventures is actually the holding company for a number (currently four) other entities. Three — Publishing, Technology, and Analytics are focused on core aspects of analytic learning — content, tools, and application. The fourth — Institute, brings these three components together. Sound complicated? It doesn’t need to be — except for the legal, tax, compliance, and division of labor needed.
The Analytic Process
The analytic process is equally complicated, for starters it is more of a continuum. It consists of the process of analysis, breaking things down — and the process of synthesis, building things up. It applies to comprehension and the development of knowledge which includes analytics, learning, decision making, and other aspects of professional development. Corsair’s adheres to the process — where it goes we follow. Simple, right?
TL; DR!
Okay then, with a wink and grin, lets make this a little easier. The analytic process can be boiled down to test and leverage; develop and repeat. For two years now, that has been what we have done.
Through Technology and then Publishing, we have performed a myriad of tests over the last 24 months. We have tested technologies and tools. We have tested content and channels. We have worked to determine what works and what doesn’t in the world of analytics.
We have taken that insight and leveraged it to develop new integrated technologies, new formats, new content, new experiences, and new ideas. It is a very iterative process, with each step as much a test as the test that initiated it. And so we test, we leverage; we develop, and we repeat.
We have asked a lot of How?
- How do we vet candidates?
- How do we learn what to teach?
- How do we know what skills the market requires?
- How do we leverage the great analytic content that already exists?
- How do we get people’s attention? How long can we keep it?
- How do we know if any of this is working?
- How do we test while protecting the brand?
- How do we build a brand?
- How do we leverage existing technologies and channels?
- How do we determine what to build and what to buy?
- How do we make the most of every step along the way?
We have gotten a lot of answers, but still have many more questions. We even published interviews with analysts from around the globe. We have succeeded where analytics often does — testing, iteration, and synthesis have been strong. We have struggled where analytics often does — organization and acceleration are a challenge to any analytic endeavor.
We have developed a good number of assets…
As Bootstrappers will, we have developed a number of strong assets. We built a best in class Virtual Interview Program that may be one of the best evaluation tools on the market. We built and automated a service that evaluates and improves your resume (RISE). We have evaluated hundreds of technologies across EdTech, Data Science, and Business Intelligence. Dozens more in the areas of online collaboration, virtual conferencing, remote technologies, design and visualization.
We also evaluated analytic content, from Aristotle to today’s Indiegogo funded publishers. We’ve created an interactive library site to deliver it, test it, and refine it. We’ve generated our own content to test formats, delivery, and marketing. We’ve experimented across multiple channels and platforms, styles and formats. And we have had a lot of fun along the way and built a strong audience to boot.
Organize and Leverage
As our successes have mounted, our reach expands. We recently launched the Corsair’s Network, an integrated platform designed to leverage these varied products to create an holistic and comprehensive experience. It is an analytic network designed to allow our fans to Connect, Learn, and Engage. It is quickly becoming a destination site for analytic content and learning.
While history is a great teacher, we must look forward to how we will continue to TL; DR in 2017. Where should we focus from here? How can we accelerate our development and deliver the service and experience we are trying to create. It will take leverage. It will take organization. It will take dedicated work and plenty of feedback and analysis. So far, our growth has been exponential. Here’s hoping we can continue to deliver in the 24 months ahead.
;D… This too, has been a test. Thanks for reading!
