For Search Vendors Suddenly Transformed into Analytics Companies
January 11, 2016
I read “48 Questions to Ask to a Potential Data Scientist Hire.” The list is useful. I added two questions to make it easy to calculate one’s score. My additions are:
- What is Bayesian drift and how does one adjust to it?
- What is one use case for C* algebras when determining similarities?
Now, here’s what I propose to the vendors of keyword search systems using the phrases “analytics,” “metrics,” and for good measure “Big Data” in their marketing pitches.
Get the top three or four executives in the company together. Invite at least one of the people providing venture funding for the company.
Distribute the questions to everyone and then work through the 50 questions. Yep, you can collaborate and make phone calls to a junior in high school who is good in math.
Calculate your score. Use this scale to determine the probability of your new market positioning. Here’s the grading scale for your collective team:
90 to 100 percent: A. You are a top five percenter! You have a winner.
80 to 89 percent: B. Meh. Look for a company to buy and try another market positioning, maybe human resource management?
70 to 79 percent: C. Dull normal. Fire people, just like Yahoo and IBM.
60 to 69 percent: D. You are a disgrace to your ancestors. Start raising money. Include your relatives, the bank holding your mortgage, and a neighbor known to be losing touch with NCSI.
0 to 59 percent: F. Failure. Check out the openings at Wendy’s or KFC.
Stephen E Arnold, January 11, 2016
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