Blog: predictive analytics

Showing blogs: 1–4 of 4

Trigger Happy

Aug 12 2009

I was surfing the web the other day looking for some deals and entered into a sweepstakes, just for kicks. In the process, I inadvertently signed up for some educational deals and also provided them with my number (read the fine print, boy) . Within ten minutes (if that) of clicking the submit button, I received a call from a call center asking if I wanted any brochures or advice regarding higher education. I was amazed at the quick turnaround time from entering the information on the website, updating the database to triggering an event at the call center.

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Collaborative Filtering at Netflix - Three Essential Links

Jun 18 2009

The Netflix prize has drawn significant attention to the emergent field of collaborative filtering. The links below provide rich details about the challenge and the prize.

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Three links about the future of predictive analytics

Mar 25 2009

 

 

 

  1. New England vs. Silicon Valley (Kevin Hillstrom) -- Key quote: "There may be fundamental differences in the way your customers shop, based solely on geography."
  2. The Prediction Lover's Handbook (Thomas H. Davenport and Jeanne G. Harris) -- Definition, use cases, strengths, weaknesses, and prospects for the following techniques:

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Silver lining in very dark cloud?

Mar 12 2009

The Winterberry Group recently published a research study on trends in direct mail.  http://www.winterberrygroup.com/research/wp/   The study found that direct mail spending in the U.S. declined by 3% in 2008 and volumes declined dramatically by about 4.5 overall, 12% in some verticals.  This is unprecedented, after more than 30 years of steadily increasing streams of direct mail.   What is more, the study projects that volume will decrease a further 10 - 15% this year.    So is this the death knell for direct mail or will growth rates resume once the economy bounces back?  The study actually predicts that direct mail will not resume its high growth rates, because the current tough economic conditions have forced direct marketers to innovate by focusing on more targeted approaches, less expensive online channels, etc.  

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