Career Rocket Episode #5: David McBride
When making a job change
“Run towards a job and not away from one.” - David McBride
Digital analytics veteran and leader
The goal for my Career Rocket series is to make an impact on people’s careers by sharing wisdom from successful folks with high integrity. You can also listen to the podcast of this post hosted in collaboration between DURMC and Empathetic Machines which dives deeper into the topics covered here.
Target audience for this episode: aspiring professionals in the digital analytics discipline
Today’s guest: I am excited to have my friend David McBride as our guest today on Career Rocket. Anyone who is actively involved in the digital analytics industry over the last 10 years probably has heard of David. He is kind of a big deal in this space. What I love about David is his calming presence that commands respect. He always seems to genuinely care about what you have to say. David has so much experience and wisdom to share. I know readers and listeners will get valuable career insights!
Professional background and highlights
20 year working career, 13 years in the analytics industry across a variety of industries and functions
Currently, SVP, Digital Solutions and Consulting at Course5 Intelligence
Previous experience includes analytics product roles at IBM and Intel as well as analytics practitioner roles at American Eagle Outfitters and Comcast.
Personal background and highlights
Serves on the board of directors for the Digital Analytics Association
Enjoys cycling, hiking and trail running
Lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife and four children
How many people have you managed over your career? Around 40
For each career stage, please share the most important characteristics to have in the field of digital analytics.
Entry level: 1-3 years
High threshold for pain. One must be open to accepting a lot of feedback, be open to taking the hits, put in the long hours, experiment and try new things, not begrudging tasks that are asked of you, and stay optimistic.
Early tool expertise. Ask yourself what do you want to be known for and learn how to learn that quickly?
Gain visibility into your impact. Understand how your activities connect to the bottom line of the business. Tip: create relationships with someone in finance or operations.
Mid career: 3-6 years
Public speaking. Put yourself out there and keep practicing. Tip: consider joining Toast Masters. It is a great way to practice, be accountable, and get repetition in versus doing a one time class.
Self-awareness and building your personal brand. Take a step back and ask for feedback.
Quest for efficiency. As you get more involved outside of your work, being efficient will be important.
Persistence. Don’t give up. Tips: Read a lot—not just business books! Observe people you admire
Senior career: 6-12 years
Are you going to specialize or go broad? There are lots of opportunities in analytics. Be deliberate in which way you go and experiment.
Mgr/Directors:
Empathy. Have not just an awareness but a desire to understand your people.
Care to not over-correct and meddle too much.
Seek uncomfortable situations which is an indication of growth!
Looking back, please share what you feel have been your biggest drivers to a successful career?
Seize the opportunities -- even if you’re not sure you’re ready for them. I made a move from Dell to Comcast into a role where I did not think I was ready.
If there was one thing you would like to tell someone earlier on in their career that you wish someone had told you, what would it be?
Don’t leave a job in a fit of passion. Move strategically because the opportunity offers growth. Run towards an opportunity and not away from the pain.
Don’t worry about material things. Plan for the figure (retirement, discipline around savings, etc.) but don’t get caught up in debt because you want a fancy car or house. Those things perish and will matter less over time. Relationships, who you have become, how you have helped, are you viewed as a problem solver...that’s what that matters. Of course, I would not turn down a Porsche 911, but relationships with others, family, friends, community are so much more important.
Looking ahead, where do you think are the upcoming hot spots in careers around your discipline?
Data literacy and unlocking action
Here is a Link to a webinar David had with Forrester
Data + Customer value POV. First party data will matter more and more. How do you create an offering where the customer is fine with you having their data? They want to log in.
Customer Experience/Journey orchestration and optimization
What are the interesting challenges you anticipate will be coming up in your discipline in the coming years?
Lack of third party data
Complexity of integrating data and tools
Ethics--digital analytics code of ethics
Not only do you have a successful professional career, you seem to be genuinely grounded and happy. What does living abundantly mean to you and how have you carried it out?
Abundance does not mean things. People are more important than things.
Time with family and relationships with one another
Taking care of my health and exercising
Giving back and helping others grow -- being part of a community
If you want to get deeper insights of this post, check out the full conversation on the podcast episode!
Check out our full list of Career Rocket guests here
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