The old way is out and the new way is in. The manner in which you are presently engaged will cease to exist. You must change. You will have no choice!
The date of the metamorphosis has been announced. February 17, 2009 is the day of reckoning. You will either change or be left in the dark. Period!
“By law, all full-power television stations nationwide must switch from the old method of transmitting TV signals known as analog to digital television (DTV) on February 17, 2009. While the benefits of DTV are remarkable, millions of households risk losing television reception unless they take the easy steps to receive a digital signal.”
The cable industry and entertainment industry are taking the necessary, almost beyond necessary, steps to ensure that their customer base knows that in about a year, the way they currently are doing things will change forever. You either change or you will not be able to watch television.
Imagine that, an industry not debating change but mandating it. Imagine that, an industry that has decided that the manner in which they have done something is obsolete. Imagine that, an industry that was willing to embrace change because it actually IMPROVES the consumer’s experience.
Who would have thought it possible that an industry could do this? Who would have thought that an industry would want to do this?
Why make such a sweeping change? Well research determined that DTV is a “more flexible and efficient technology than the current analog system”.
Since digital television is a more efficient use of technology than analog television, the “turning-off” of the old way of broadcasting televised programming it will also free up parts of the airwaves so that incentive for even further innovation is provided to ambitious entrepreneurs.
So not only is there going to be a change to improve the consumers experience, the change is being made to facilitate the progress of future enhancement by others.
Imagine that, an industry that not only embraces change but does so in order for others in the business to succeed as well..
What if the real estate industry did this? What if the real estate industry announced to all of its agents and to the consumer as well that the industry as you know it today, was turning off and those who did not get with the new program would cease to exist?
I know, it’s totally wishful thinking but if Lawrence Yun looked at the numbers, perhaps he could recommend such a change to the leaders of the National Association of Realtors. He certainly would have the data to back up a wholesale change in the manner in which the real estate business is run.
We all have seen the studies, although some disregard them, they are the truth. The public does not hold real estate agents in any regard and finds that the real estate agent as an occupation is pretty much a dodo bird on life support.
Makes you wonder how so many studies, by so many prestigious universities and research firms are disregarded yet the highly biased NAR data is held in such reverie. “People love us…we have the data from the NAR” …if the NAR data is even remotely credible how come it is basically only their data that says that? Any other studies mentioning the exaltation of Realtors? I haven’t seen one and I look hard to find anything else that supports the NAR position as to how highly thought of Realtors are.
So yes, I think Yun would have great support documentation to proffer a proposal to shut down the current way business is being transacted in the real estate sector. That is not to say that anything even needs fixing. This is not by any means a declaration of the current business model being broken. While that may be a personal opinion, it is certainly not a blanket statement or cause for Yun’s fantastical announcement.
Much to the contrary. Most televisions, even the older ones, the “Old School” units with rabbit ear antennae, still work. They still allow you to see your favorite programs. Nobody claimed that the current broadcast system does not work. What is claimed, and supported by a multitude of research, is that the current system is obsolete and wholly inefficient. Additionally, most consumers want DTV.
Who is the television consumer these broadcasters are seeking to appease and serve by providing a much more brilliant and enhanced product to? Demographics, which is the measurement of who your target audience or consumer is, remains critical to the broadcast industry. Primary in demographic analysis is the analyzation of age and gender. These are the two principal demographic characteristics that TV audience research uses.
While it is beginning to skew younger, the 18-49 year old demo has long been the target for advertisers and accordingly, producers provide most of their programming to attract and satiate this segment of the population. The drill down goes further in cable with various niche programming but for the most part, advertisers are looking for the younger skewing 18-49 year old demo.
What is the target demo for real estate? Well according to the 2007 National Association of Realtors® Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers it appears that the following provides a snapshot of a Realtor’s target audience:
* 84 percent use the Internet to begin their home buying search
* 92 percent of those 18-29 use the Internet and 85 percent of those 30-49 use the Internet and then the numbers begin to drop off considerably in the remaining age groups
* The median age of first-time home buyers was 31
* The typical repeat buyer is 46 years old
* The median age of a home seller is 45
* First-time home buyers accounted for 45 percent of homes purchased in 2007
* Twenty-seven percent of home buyers reported using social networking Web sites, such as, MySpace, Facebook, LinkedIn
* Among home buyers aged 18 to 24, 45 percent reported using social networking sites.
So it can be reasonably determined by a cursory review of the NAR data that the target demo in real estate mirrors that of television.
That fact being irrefutable, why can’t the real estate industry provide a more efficient and appealing business model to its target consumer and while doing so provide an incentive for those ambitious agents to be continually innovative in their entrepreneurial endeavors as real estate agents?
If I was Dick Gaylord, as the President of the NAR, I would take the necessary steps to inform my rank and file agents, along with stating to the consumer, that business as it is known today in the real estate industry, while not broken and still working, is turning off as of February 17, 2009 and all those not prepared for the change need to upgrade or they will be left in the dark. Sometimes change needs not be subtle.
If the broadcast industry can make this kind of mandate effective, why can’t the real estate industry do the same?
Dave Barnes says:
I just read the Stanford paper. While it is an easy read and says that realtors don’t earn their commissions, it is really a worthless paper. The data set (faculty homes) is way too limited.
I would not use that paper to buttress your argument. I think you need a better reference.
April 23, 2008 — 9:17 am
Barry Cunningham says:
Dave…LOL…Let me ask you a question…while I could have linked a bunch of stories, is there a single study or report that you can provide a link to NOT FROM THE NAR, that says anything to the contrary?
While it is typical for “some” in the business to discredit just about any data other than that which the NAR puts out, I have been hard pressed to find data which that same “some” are willing to accept.
April 23, 2008 — 9:44 am
Dave Barnes says:
Barry,
I have no clue. I am not in the real estate biz at all.
Hell, I am not even a consumer of real estate services as we don’t plan to sell our house for 15+ years.
I am just a nerd who reads this blog.
April 23, 2008 — 11:16 am
Todd Carpenter says:
>>>”* 84 percent use the Internet to begin their home buying search”
I really think this is such a ridiculous point of data. Forget for a minute that it’s based on a very small survey pool. It’s definition is very sweeping.
If I have an agent I’ve used for years, but can’t remember his phone number, and then Google it, I began my home buying search on the Internet.
I could probably write a whole post of examples like this..
The simple fact is that many, if not MOST of the top agents in the nation drive in most of their business outside of the Internet. Certainly, the web is a viable platform for doing business, but not the only one.
Giving an accomplished fisherman a gun doesn’t necessarily make him a better hunter.
April 23, 2008 — 12:34 pm
Denver Mortgage Broker says:
Todd is right. What does it mean to “begin [your] home buying search” on the Internet? If you look at where real estate agents get their business from, it’s going to come from referrals and advertising — not the Internet. That means that people may “begin” their search on the Net, but the real business is done off line.
April 23, 2008 — 1:38 pm
Charleston real estate blog says:
Barry, you seem like a smart guy and yet you continually find bizarre ideas and skewed data to justify your anti real estate agent agenda.
And Larry Yun is just an economist, he does not make policy decisions and that’s probably a good thing considering his prognostications.
April 23, 2008 — 2:10 pm
Sean Purcell says:
Dave,
I have no clue. I am not in the real estate biz at all.
Hell, I am not even a consumer of real estate services as we don’t plan to sell our house for 15+ years.
I am just a nerd who reads this blog.
This has got to win comment of the month award!
April 23, 2008 — 3:40 pm
Sean Purcell says:
Barry,
I find your posts to be a continuous source of guilty pleasure. They are the dessert to my Bloodhound day. I enjoy them tremendously, even decadently, but they contain no real nutrition and should be enjoyed judiciously.
The real estate profession is a lot like baseball. Almost anyone can do it and many, many do play the game. But the best are so superior to the rest as to make any comparison ludicrous. You enjoy critiquing so much of the game, yet you never acknowlege that you are watching a sandlot pick-up game. Suggest whatever changes you see fit. You might have some effect on the Sunday game in the park. But The Show? The agents at the top – the pros – will continue to succeed because they are pros.
BTW, the switch to digital may not be quite so philathropic as you make it out to be. There is substantial profit to be made by forcing every consumer to accept new equipment (whether they actually want it or not).
April 23, 2008 — 3:59 pm
Barry Cunningham says:
Hey Sean,a truer statement you’ve never made when you say “The agents at the top – the pros – will continue to succeed because they are pros”.
I fully agree! Wholeheartedly agree. Guys like Shaw, Bald Guy and the rest need no such change. Obviously doing MORE than well and to suggest otherwise is plain stupid. And that is not my intention.
You say my posts are somewhat “decadent and contain no real nutrition”…well maybe not for you. Maybe not for a lot of successful Realtors.
I did not join Bloodhound when greg asked me because I wanted to talk to established, experienced and top producing agents. That would be boring.
I want to help the other 95%. That is why I am here.
I am talking about the other 95%. You know the struggling agent trying to make it. The one with little if any closed sales this year. The little guy. I thought this site was about helping those agents raise their game. The idea to get them to the “show”.
I doubt everyone wants to languish in the minors. There needs to be some realistic advice for the masses. You are right the stars take care of themselves.
However what about the rest. In reading the above commnets I knew people would have a problem with the data..they always do. It’s so easy to dismiss data when you have no other data to support your opposing point of view.
There is seemingly no data available that this industry can accept or will accept. Except the data that shows that many Realtors simply can not make it in this economic climate.
That data isn’t wrong…is it? If we rely on the top producers as beacons of what lies ahead is that prudent?
As for the switch to digital not being philanthropic, I did not say that it was. What I said is that the move will enhance the viewing experience for the consumer. I did not say that the enhance experience was free, nor did I say it was not enacted without a profitable mindset.
April 23, 2008 — 4:21 pm
Barry Cunningham says:
Todd,
150,000 people is a small sample?
April 23, 2008 — 4:22 pm
Broker Bryant says:
Barry, The Internet has always been a good source for Buyers. At least the last 10 years or so. BUT….it has not been a very good source for Sellers until recently.
I will admit though, with the advent of blogging, the Internet is starting to be a pretty good source for seller business even though, by far, at least for me, soliciting expired listings and word of mouth is the way to go to pick up Sellers.
Maybe that’s because Sellers are much more local.
So I guess it really depends on what business you are looking for. I could stay very busy without ever marketing on the Internet. The majority of my sellers don’t even own a computer.
Now a stat I would be very interested in is: How many Buyers, after beginning their search on the Internet, ended up finding their home through a REALTOR(R) via the MLS? My guess would be 85% to 90%. What say you?
April 23, 2008 — 4:28 pm
Greg Swann says:
> I am talking about the other 95%.
No esta aqui. BloodhoundBlog’s audience, overwhelmingly, consists of real estate professionals who are very interested in deploying technology to improve their marketing and performance as professionals. I made the same point on Saturday. In post after post, we are teaching each other how to be better/faster/smarter/cheaper/more-remarkable in our work. Criticism of bad behavior is always appropriate, but the people who come here are the real estate professionals who are striving to do better in everything they do.
I don’t even know how you could talk to the bums in this business. Promise them free beer then lock them in like the Salvation Army, maybe. Doesn’t matter. As above, the people who intend to do better will be here, learning how to do better. The others will be in another line of work very shortly.
Lawrence Yun does not have the power to change the NAR, but that doesn’t matter at all. The NAR is already a dead letter. The necessary changes in the real estate industry will be effected by real estate professionals like those who read BloodhoundBlog. The future of real estate is being written here.
April 23, 2008 — 4:48 pm
Todd Carpenter says:
>>”150,000 people is a small sample?”
No, Barry, the 9,966 usable responses out of those 150,000 surveyed is a small pool. Heck, I don’t know, 150,000 might be a small pool. I guess it depend on how many home sold last year. Isn’t something like five or six million?
I more or less follow Samuel Clemens’ opinion on statistics, This is a pretty good example.
April 23, 2008 — 6:57 pm
Barry Cunningham says:
Greg,
I honestly believe that there has to be some keepers in the “95%” barrel. If I am wrong and you feel that it’s a waste of time, sound the bell, stoke the funeral pire…and c’est la vie.
“The future of real estate is being written here”…Salute!
April 23, 2008 — 7:04 pm
Barry Cunningham says:
Hey BB…like I said in the article, I am not talking about what you are CURRENTLY doing but preparing for the future.
The DTV analogy is to say that it does not mean what you are doing now does not work ..it’s about planning for the future and what it holds.
You asked…”Now a stat I would be very interested in is: How many Buyers, after beginning their search on the Internet, ended up finding their home through a REALTOR(R) via the MLS? My guess would be 85% to 90%. What say you?”
I will post the NAR study and maybe that data is found therein.
April 23, 2008 — 7:08 pm
Barry Cunningham says:
Howard of Charleston..you wrote: “you seem like a smart guy and yet you continually find bizarre ideas and skewed data to justify your anti real estate agent agenda”
Where do I find such data..hmmmm, it is published by your beloved NAR! It’s really quite readily available. They are quite good at providing such data. If you don’t believe it, I will ask you the same question..just what data do you accept? Do you realize that you, and most Realtors disregard almost ANY data that shows information that they don’t agree with. Do you have anything, just one study…that says otherwise.
As for having an “anti-real estate agent agenda”…are you kidding? We are absolutely bullish on real estate, work with MANY fine real estate agents and have a number of agents on staff. Hardly the operation of the anti-agent.
Anti-agent? Nope…just a guy who looks at the landscape, reviews endless studies and data, and sees where it appears the industry is headed and wants to make sure he is prepared and along the way wants to share that information with others…even if they choose not to recognize the help offered.
Obviously we are reaching a lot of people who do want to prepare for what almost certainly lies ahead. Maybe it’s because they are young and impressionable or perhaps that is the demo we are trying to reach.
By the way, Howard what is the specific demographic market you are trying to reach up there in the Low Country?
April 23, 2008 — 8:18 pm
Barry Cunningham says:
C’mon Todd…now I know you are pulling my leg! You obviously know how large a sample needs to be to be pretty accurate. While there is certainly a margin for error in any data, the sample utilized once quantified and validated is viable.
It’s one thing not to believe or have any faith in data, it’s another to simply disregard or ignore it. The former is based upon personal choice while the latter is based upon..well you know.
Like I have asked many a Realtor that discredits just about any data, what data do you accept, whether in or out of real estate?
Is it that there is a widespread misunderstanding or unawareness of how data in almost all business and industries is compiled?
You do realize that it’s an almost uniform discrediting of all data provided regardless of the source that occurs when speaking to most agents.
By the way..which Samuel Clemens opinion were you speaking of that you subscribe to?
This one: “There are lies, damn lies, and statistics.”
Or perhaps this one: “Tis better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than to open it and remove all
doubt.” Too late!
Keep your pants on…Just having a little Mark Twain humor so don’t send me a bunch of emails and turn this into a Carol Hian moment (whatever that was about)
April 23, 2008 — 8:32 pm
Sean Purcell says:
Barry,
just a guy who looks at the landscape, reviews endless studies and data… wants to make sure he is prepared and along the way wants to share that information with others…even if they choose not to recognize the help offered
I do believe you want to help and maybe I am missing something in your postings. Can you please share, cogently and succinctly, where it appears the industry is headed?
April 23, 2008 — 9:48 pm
Todd Carpenter says:
Barry, 10,000 responses out of MILLIONS of homes sold is not a sufficient pool for me. Maybe it is for you, or maybe you’re now covering because you already stated here that you thought the number was 15 times larger. I’ll leave it to other readers as to who Twain’s “open mouth” quote should apply. 😉
However, I conceded in my first response that you could “forget” about the pool size. The question itself is ambiguous and speaks very little as to how committed to the web a real estate agent has to be to succeed.
I tend not to trust a statistic quoted by someone who benefits from it so richly. If you’ve ever been to a REALTOR.com sponsored seminar, you know how this statistic leveraged.
April 23, 2008 — 10:37 pm
Broker Bryant says:
Barry, I wasn’t disagreeing with you. Just pointing out that the Internet has historically always been about Buyers. Even the stats are talking about buyers.
BUT….I believe that is changing. Sellers are also starting to use the Internet to find an agent more often. Although I believe that figure would be far less than 87%.
I completely agree that things they be a changin’
April 24, 2008 — 5:04 am
Charleston real estate blog says:
Barry, I have posted the Harris Poll on my website indicating the low regard that the public has for real estate agents. So forget about disregarding data I don’t agree with. Well, actually, I do agree that many real estate agents should be held in low regard but I personally don’t choose to be included as one deserving of that opinion.
And I have posted my criticism of the outlandish spin that the Laughable Lereah and Larry “the yuckster” Yun have spewed forth. So don’t worry about me.
But let’s talk about the fact that you think you can help real estate agents prepare for the future with your artful spin on statistics and anecdotal stories. I respectfully disagree.
April 24, 2008 — 6:52 am
Barry Cunningham says:
Hey Todd…I used to study statistic, survey and polls in my past life. Politicians and a lot of money in industries out side of real estate rely on data with much smaller sample bases. I could quote you the volumes of research that has been done regarding poll and survey data…but what’s the sue…you wouldn’t believe it anyway and unless it some unrealistic polling sample you would just discount it anyway.
So what’s the use. You don’t want to be confused by the facts and that’s fine.
April 24, 2008 — 7:19 am
Barry Cunningham says:
Sean,
Hi, you asked “Can you please share, cogently and succinctly, where it appears the industry is headed?”
hmmm..as you know, there is no industry that has a crystal ball available to them. One can only research, compile data and make a reasonable assessment of that data.
Any conclusions or prognostications can only be made thereafter. Is it foolproof? Of course not, but it’s a lot better than simply discrediting all of the data and hoping it’s not true.
April 24, 2008 — 7:22 am
Barry Cunningham says:
BB..yes we are in agreement on this one. See it can happen!
April 24, 2008 — 7:23 am
Barry Cunningham says:
Howard…I did not, or would not imply that you are in the sample pool of agents held in disregard..and I am quite sure that a man of your stature can easily see the buffonery of Lereah and Yun.
But you are quite mistaken if you think that I am “spinning” any data. You are even more mistaken that some agents can not be helped further their business along by a review of the forecasts, projections and otherwise accurate data provided by a multitude of reliable sources.
That is quite the elitist attitude and many of my clients would beg to differ.
In reality some get it, some don’t. When the adage says that “5% of the agents make 95% of the money”, then that tells me there is quite a large audience of people who have not been around for 20 or 30 years who need all of the help that they can get and I for one am doing my best to assist them.
Sometimes it’s not about ourselves. I like to think there is a chance for the less fortunate to succeed and I believe that before they become too jaded that they receive all of the assistance available.
Most of the commenters and contributors here are in that top 5% as Greg has done a great job in assembling the best. However that does not mean for an instant that all of the readers are in that top 5%. That’s a real big audience of non-commenters and contributors looking for information.
April 24, 2008 — 7:39 am
Charleston real estate blog says:
Barry, it is not elitist to simply think some of your data leads to a different conclusion than you do.
And with all due respect, for you to say, “those (agents) who did not get with the new program would cease to exist” is quite elitist.
April 24, 2008 — 8:06 am
Todd Carpenter says:
>>>”Hey Todd…I used to study statistic, survey and polls in my past life. Politicians and a lot of money in industries out side of real estate rely on data with much smaller sample bases”
Wow, Barry you are so right. If it’s good enough for a politician, it must be the truth. What was I thinking.
You’ve done a pretty good job of trying to argue a point I originally said you could forget about. You’ve done nothing to address my central argument that the data is far to sweeping to mean anything.
April 24, 2008 — 8:12 am
Barry Cunningham says:
Todd, I have to think you are stirring the pot. The science of surveys, forecasts amd projections is valued and documented. If you choose to not believe or hold such data in any regard, that is your choice.
The manner in which certain data is collected can indeed be fallible. But is ALL data fallible? Of course not.
There is no argument here, I don’t personally know anyone who dies from lung cancer but all of the historical data has shown that it does.
Recently some of that data changed when second hand smoke was found to be less of an issue…does not mean I want to start smoking any time soon.
April 24, 2008 — 9:09 am
Barry Cunningham says:
Howard it’s not my data!
April 24, 2008 — 9:10 am
Todd Carpenter says:
Barry, you continue to skirt the issue. Accusing me of “stirring the pot”, calling me a fool, or “confused by the facts”. or simply “pulling your leg” does not make your argument any stronger.
You’re basing your argument on a statistic that was generated by a entity that uses it to sell their own product, web advertising.
Let’s say the NUMBER is 100% accurate. So what? Remember that I’ve said over and over that it’s worth forgetting how accurate it is.
The real point remains. How do you define, “use the Internet to begin their home buying search”? What question, or questions did they ask to come up with such and ambiguous statement?
If indeed, you have studied statistics, you know how easy it is to start with a predetermined conclusion, and work backwards to develop a question that anticipates the most favorable answer.
April 24, 2008 — 10:32 am
Russell Shaw says:
I am going to set aside the main point here and only take up one thing: “I want to help the other 95%. That is why I am here”.
What works for top agents is exactly what will work for agents who are not top agents. There are no great ideas for the other 95% that don’t apply to the top agents. Top agents are top agents because they found and do what works.
There are many ideas about “what should work”. Most of those ideas are spread by people who will make money if they can get agreement with what they say. Most of what they say is well-packaged but complete crap and useless.
April 24, 2008 — 11:49 am
Sean Purcell says:
Barry,
On the rare occasion that I am trapped at an airport or a bar or some other temporary holding pen and forced to be aware of nightly TV news programs, I am fascinated by the facile manner in which they “report” the issues of the day.
There is nothing behind it. Simply and superficially a recitement of facts, sometimes right but often wrong, designed to tittilate, infuriate or pacify but rarely to understand and almost never to improve.
Your non-answer to my question was disappointing but telling. You post for effect but without purpose.
The real estate industry is fluid. Agents must constantly adapt and improve. Showing the way or sharing a new idea is to be lauded. Sometimes critiquing and dismantling can even be helpful. But if you find that the only tool in your belt is a hammer, well… all problems start to look like nails.
I look forward to reengaging you one day when your post contains polls and data in support of an idea, idealogy or at least a conclusion as opposed to just an increase in ratings. 🙁
April 24, 2008 — 4:20 pm
Barry Cunningham says:
Sean..I answered yur question above…just because you don’t like the answer does not mean you did get one.
You asked: “Can you please share, cogently and succinctly, where it appears the industry is headed?”
I answered:”hmmm..as you know, there is no industry that has a crystal ball available to them. One can only research, compile data and make a reasonable assessment of that data.
Any conclusions or prognostications can only be made thereafter. Is it foolproof? Of course not, but it’s a lot better than simply discrediting all of the data and hoping it’s not true.”
Metaphors and rhetoric aside, there is nothing to address..I am not looking to “practice” debating. You are obviously not one who desires to be confused with fact. It seems that many agents here and elsewhere do not believe the stats and data. That’s your choice. It does not negate them, BTW…have you offered any data in opposition? No!
As for needing to post to gain rankings, that’s not worth dignifying with a response. Check the rankings before making such a statement.
April 24, 2008 — 6:48 pm
Sean Purcell says:
Barry,
You have missed it twice. You post polls and statistics and decry the state of real estate professionalism. In many instances I agree with you. Statistically speaking I often as not disagree, but whether you agree to it or not statistics are bubble gum and can be construed by anyone with half a mind (and you, Barry, have a mind and a half).
My point has been and continues to be that you write posts with an eye toward the debate. Fine. But when that appears to be the only purpose I choose to call you on it. This is just such a post. Yes, you have numbers from a report or a poll. I didn’t even bother to research this one as it appears to once again be secondary to the purpose of your post. No where do I see that you have a conclusions or a point other than
Who are you arguing with?
These posts generate great debate over the veracity of the data but what is your point? other than to inflame agents. I ask this seriously just as I did previously. I think you probably have a good many ideas but you do not let them come out and play.
In the previous comment you repeated your non-answer. In the comment I was quoting you stated that you were
just a guy who… sees where it appears the industry is headed
and I quoted that back to you. Where is it heading? What is your idea? Your response was (and is again) that no one can know. You just said you had an idea! Your write fairly rough posts lashing out at the real estate profession (which it may deserve) but give us the why.
BTW, you must read more carefully. I did not write rankings, as I most assuredly know who you are and who I am. I ended my comment by furthering the television metaphor – and the word was ratings. Play fair 🙂
April 24, 2008 — 7:48 pm
Barry Cunningham says:
Sean…I can’t go back and forth in this forum. It does not make any sense to do so. I’d like to have you on the show to discuss so that we can debate openly and with proper decorum.
In doing so, all inflection and understanding will be obvious and neither of us will misrepresent what the other is saying and hopefully we will come to some agreement. Even if it is to simply disagree.
Up for it?
April 24, 2008 — 8:52 pm
Greg Swann says:
> I’d like to have you on the show to discuss so that we can debate openly and with proper decorum.
Now there’s a great idea.
Also, Sean, if you feel like it, you might do a general post on “How to Lie With Statistics.” We’d all learn from it.
April 24, 2008 — 9:14 pm
Barry Cunningham says:
Ok..let’s do it..no more expounding comments..man-to-man…and just remember…just whose stats they are…(we may be in more agreement than you think)
April 24, 2008 — 9:20 pm
Sean Purcell says:
Good Morning Barry,
“Step into my parlor,” said the spider to the fly. 🙂
I heartily accept the opportunity to discuss and debate great ideas with you. You have a definite advantage in that forum so for me, it will be an educational experience to say the least. Let’s have some fun!
April 25, 2008 — 7:54 am
Sean Purcell says:
Greg,
Also, Sean, if you feel like it, you might do a general post on “How to Lie With Statistics.”
Intriguing idea. I love statistics and the great lies that can be told. I will have to put some thought into how to structure such a post, as I am usually just tearing into someone else’s analysis. 🙂
April 25, 2008 — 7:57 am
Barry Cunningham says:
So..does that mean you’ll come on the show? Please advise
April 25, 2008 — 8:01 am
Sean Purcell says:
It seems my response to your invitation is still awaiting moderation.
Short answer: Yes… I accept the opportunity… it will be educational… let’s have some fun.
What day?
April 25, 2008 — 8:21 am