Welcome to our blog series In the Greenlight, where you can get an inside glimpse into the Koupon team! While we’ve never been much to brag, we think our team is pretty incredible and they deserve their chance in the spotlight every now and then. This month we sat down with Ryan Morris, our Data and Analytics Manager.
Meet Ryan! He’s been at Koupon for over a year and during that time he’s made sure not a day goes by without telling at least one dad joke. Ryan attended the University of Texas, where his claim to fame was being the Hook’em mascot during his freshman year. After four years in Austin, Ryan made his way to Dallas – and we’re lucky he did, because Ryan loves two things in life: data and coupons. Needless to say, he fits right in at Koupon Media.
"More information has been created in the past few years than in the entire human history and that to me is truly amazing!"
Can you give us a glimpse into your role as a Data and Analytics Manager? What drew you to the world of data?
In my role, I’m responsible for simplifying and delivering data to our internal teams and to our clients. I then use that data to discover insights that help us learn about our platform to make informed decisions.
I was drawn to the world of data because of the story it tells. I’m a firm believer that people should always have data and a good story to back up their decision making. Gut feeling and intuition can only go so far, but data can augment the decision-making process and remove uncertainty in the chaotic world we live in. More information has been created in the past few years than in the entire human history and that to me is truly amazing!
"Gut feeling and intuition can only go so far, but data can augment the decision-making process and remove uncertainty in the chaotic world we live in."
What makes your role unique when compared against similar roles in the industry?
The opportunities I have to work with every team at Koupon truly makes my job unique. I’m able to work with product on building requirements where data should be captured and how our data could be productized. I get to work with engineering on designing data structures and managing resources of the database. I’m even able to work with sales and marketing on creating insights and stories with our data to prove to clients the value of our products.
This exposure to each team gives me the chance to see our data flow through the entire process of data warehousing from capturing and storing data, to observation and analysis, and finally to visualization and storytelling.
You worked for a large company before coming to Koupon. Do you have any insights to share on adjusting to the startup culture?
To be successful at a startup, you must be able to move quickly and adapt to the fast changing and high-growth environment. You have to be resourceful and creative with how you execute projects in order to minimize costs while maintaining a focus on scalability and growth. You must constantly be aware of teams and developing ideas around you and always be looking for where the next deal will be made or where new demand for products will originate.
I believe that Koupon has made me more of an expert in my trade, while also turning me into a utility player with an ability to contribute to all teams, no matter the task.
As a data enthusiast, do you have any predictions on the future of the data industry you want to share?
I believe the amount of information being created today will continue to grow. As hardware approaches the physical limits of Moore’s Law, systems will have to take advantage of other methods for capturing, storing, and processing data such as quantum computing.
I also see data beginning to augment more of people’s lives whether it be through making our cars smarter with self-driving vehicles or helping us live healthier lives by giving us ownership of our body’s data through use of wearables. I believe that the information boom happening now will continue to grow, with data and information becoming the most valuable assets of any organization.
As a loyal coupon user, Koupon Media seems like the perfect place for you. What’s your favorite thing about coming to work each day?
The culture we have at Koupon is truly unique. I come to work every day knowing that I get to work alongside people who love to have fun. The Koupon team thoroughly enjoys laughing and spending time together and that’s what keeps me energized and entertained while I accomplish the day’s goals.
"Us data guys don’t drop the bass, we drop the tables."
The Koupon team has dubbed you the king of dad jokes. Can you share your top three jokes?
- Someone asks me how to make pasta? I say use your noodle.
- A guy walks into a juice bar and says “Hey, where’s the punch line?”
- Us data guys don’t drop the bass, we drop the tables.
Check back next month for another glimpse into our incredible team!
