Special note
If you’re just reading my blog to get my insight but don’t want to hear about my day job (I get criticized whenever I talk about it) then you can skip this post. It’s a tough line to walk as if I don’t talk about it, (I’ve been sucked into the paywall), and criticized if I do talk about it (I’ve become a corporate shill). Regardless of the rift, I’m going to continue to provide a well rounded view to what’s going on in my worklife regardless of a few resentful comments.
Conversations in my coverage
I’m attempting to be very transparent in my day to day job as an analyst, and I’d like to share with you some of my upcoming research projects that I’ll be completing over the next year. If you’re watching my closely you’ll realize that some of these topics I talk about here on my blog, or on twitter, it’s natural to really envelope the topic with both arms, in many cases, it helps me to develop an idea, framework, or thesis before I get started. There are over 500 analysts at Forrester (Update a few hours later: I just learned that the actual number is 331 research professionals which include analysts, researchers, RAs, etc.) , with many different focuses primarily for decision makers in IT or Marketing (I’m focused on the interactive marketer or social media manager).
Upcoming Research
The title analyst leads to much discussion, as a more functional title would be researcher and advisor. Over the next few months I’ll be doing research on Social Networks (white label too), Online Communities, Community Managers, and widgets/open social. Writing reports is the toughest part of my job, each report takes a few months, and each sentence has to be defensible by insight, interviews, data, experience, or knowledge, unlike blog posts, there’s little room for uncertainty. Honestly, and I told this to our CEO, I think that writing them is a real pain in the ass. So if you’re working in areas that I mentioned, I’ll be reaching out to some of you for interviews or data as I approach each report.
How does this blog play into this?
While the final output (reports) are limited to Forrester clients (it’s our product, just as you have yours at your company) you’ll find tons of juicy bits on my blog that act as a supplement, and information, interviews (my videos are often done after I interview someone for research, I like to “bring you along” with me) and also includes data and case studies that get cut from the reports, all which I hope you’ll find helpful…at no cost. Keep in mind that I was partly hired for this web strategy blog, but I am not paid for it, everything you read and watch is above and beyond my duties in the day job. My measurement goals do not include this blog, and anything I do here is out of pure passion (I’ve blog for 2 hours before 6am nearly every day), quite frankly, I could quit blogging and I’d still get paid, but that’s not the point –it’s damn fun.
Coming soon
Also, in the near future, I plan to write some posts to help you make your interactions with analysts easier such as: when and how to brief an analyst. Just wanted to share with you all as I approach my fourth month into this role.
Love to hear your feedback, questions, or comments.
I for one appreciate your sharing and am glad you are not going to be deterred by these – putting it politely – armchair critics.
I’m with Des. I appreciate your insight. In the …two years(?) I’ve been reading your work, I’ve never thought your writing had a certain agenda except to share and glean knowledge.
Thank you for being you. Keep it up:-)
Don’t let the back chatter get you down, you’re doing an awesome job. Looking forward to your presentation on Marketing Profs.
Keep up the good work buddy!
This is refreshing. Thanks for the post.
Ignore them, they will always complain. People really interested in the topic of this blog will rather complain how you do not blog enough about it š
And if you can say, tell us what you need, I am sure people are happy to help you.
Thanks, Jeremiah. I appreciate what you do share – it’s done in a thoughtful, engaging way, and your passion really comes through. I’m also fascinated by the peeks into what the day-to-day life of an analyst is like. I write a lot of reports, too, and I have that voice in my head, muttering over every sentence “oh yeah? says who? Prove it!” So I get that.
I think it’s fantastic that you took the time to write this post. It does help us understand, a bit, how you’re walking the line between confidential / customer and open / bloggable. It’s fascinating. Just think — even 10 years ago no one would have had access to all the great information / insights you’re gathering… except for Forrester clients.
As for why anyone would criticize you, ignore them! There are far too many naysayers in the blogosphere. We would all do well, by way of a 2008 resolution, to ignore them.
I’m always floored by how conscientious you are about disclosure and transparency. You’re an amazing resource for all of us freeloaders. I can only imagine what your paid clients get. (I can only afford to imagine that.)
“I could quit blogging and Iā¢d still get paid, but thatā¢s not the point āitā¢s damn fun.”
More then fun: it’s your personal brand. (Which typically lasts longer than a job)
š
Hey Jeremiah – once you write a doc for Forrester, it will be available for individual purchase on forrester.com. For example, the doc “Top Consumer Technology Predictions For 2008” by Charles Golvin (I believe you consulted on that) is avaiable at http://www.forrester.com/go?docid=43972. I know you want to avoid the “shill” accusations, but I thought I’d at least mention it in case people were interested.
Jeremiah – Anyone that has seen ANY of your writings pre-Forrester would already know that you are trying to help people understand and use social software in the enterprise.
To some, that raises anti-corporate* hackles. However, if they just let it go, they’ll understand that your message is broader and that there is lots to learn from trying to apply social software in ways other than just send a new facebook app to friends.
Keep it up!
Chris
*To be honest, I think that large organizations have incredible challenges to reach true agility. You have the patience of a saint.
I’ve always considered this – and you’ve used the term yourself – your “professional” blog…so it only makes sense to write about your profession. I think it provides even more insight, in fact, because as you move from working in the industry to working as an analyst of the industry, you give all of us a unique perspective (stepping back and seeing the forest through the trees)…keep it up š
I find it quite narrow minded that some folks would criticize you on joining an analyst firm and writing about it.
First, your production in the blog has not decreased since you joined Forrester as far as I can tell. Both quantity and quality of posts are scary high so kudos (and kudos to Forrester for not insisting that you save the good stuff for clients).
Second, I would think the puristsĀ would be delighted that such a passionate champion of social media has joined a firm as influential as Forrester. You now have a platform for spreading the word that is different from your blog and previous employer. Not only that, you are probably reaching an audience that had not been exposed to you in the past.
Third, your transparency has been excellent since you accepted the position. In fact, your transparency should set the standard for all industry analysts.
Fourth, you are bringing to your readers a new set of data and insights that you wouldnā¢t have had unless you were working at Forrester. These new insights complement what you were doing before.
Fifth, I doubt if you took a vow of poverty to purify yourself to write about this topic, eh? So I agree with many of the previous posters, ignore the naysayers.
No matter what you blog about it’s the same old “you can please some of the people, some of the time….. ” and if you have an opinion then you can be sure someone will counter it, just for the sake of arguing a point. I think most people want to know what is out there and appreciate reasonably unbiased opinion if you have the insight into what people are looking for. That is really how how the focus groups work anyway. So if you have the information, then say it like it is.
For startup companies coming up behind Facebook we know what we are up against, and we know what comparison levels we are going to be pegged against, so if you hit us when it hurts, when we are trying to play leapfrog, we have to allow you enough leeway to tell it like it is and provide suggestions on what should be… So be honest. In the end the truth can hurt the big guys as well as the small fry.
Thank you for explaining the nature of your job. I’ll share this with my students, who often find it hard to believe that the research and writing skills we teach them in college will ever come in handy š
Well, that’s research for ya, you do a great job of it and I’m sure you know you should feel free to contact me, or we’ll grab a beer next time you are in the Silicon Valley!
I’m amazed at your output – both quality and quantity – and appreciative!
Jeremiah – let us know how we can help with any background or data for your reports. Blogging and writing formal reports at the same time must be a real challenge. Any insights on how to work with your colleagues would be extremely helpful.
Let me know if you need anything on the Norwegian or Nordic markets. Sharing is the new secret… š
Just wanted to add my comments to the rest and say that I find your writing very insightful and useful – please don’t stop!
i appreciate the job focus. i’m interested in completing my phd in social communication technology and societal influence, so i always pay attention to what research is out there. i might be using you as a resource when i finally get accepted and started in my program!!!
I appreciate any information you can pass along from a Forrester standpoint so please don’t let one or two comments deter you. My company is a Forrester client. I just received an invite to a webinar tomorrow where Laura Ramos is presenting. What is her area of accountability as compared to your focus? Thanks Jeremiah.
Sandra
Laura is fantastic, she is sitting just a few feet from me as I write this. She’s got a lot of experience with B2B marketing, and social computing, as well as other marketing areas
http://www.forrester.com/rb/analyst/laura_ramos
My area of focus is tighly focused on social computing for marketers.
Keep in mind this blog has a much wider scope than my actual research focus in the day job.