The rigor of a computer science and managerial economics degree from Carnegie Mellon. The seriousness and corporate know-how of Wall Street asset management. Discipline, confidence and the ability¹ to bring linchpin value as evidenced by full-time job offers from NYC firms Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs and TIAA-CREF, various small hedge funds, as well as then-big players Bear Stearns and Countrywide Lending. (It was a busy 8 years.)

• The drive to keep things moving

  Some days it's tact, finesse and friendly persuasion. Other days call for pushy, aggressive and tenacious. The competitive landscape of hedge funds and trading teaches one to be a self-starter and a pusher, important attributes in any PM who is expected to push a project through impasses and setbacks. Being comfortable with adversity is a unique trait, and the challenge is not just to keep things moving, but to keep them moving forward.

• Fluency in programmer-ese

  Even when they are talking about the same thing, often a programmer and a non-technical person just aren't on the same page. Tech people have a certain way of looking at things and like certain frameworks for processing info and developing algorithms, whereas non-technical people usually don't. When non-techs say "many people", techs are not sure if that means "multiple users". Being able to translate the needs of non-technical audiences into language or pseudocode that programmers like and understand (and back) saves money and time.

• Ability to take good risks because we can quantify risks

  Neither risk-adverse nor risk-loving, we learned from trading what risk-tolerance really means. We use this ability to gauge the risk appropriate for the project or client at hand. We're not scared by complexity -- in web project terms, one source of risk is scope creep, which is something that a proper deck of tech specs can and should address. What distinguishes us is the ability to know when to take good losses and a risk management background from the capital markets.

• Experience using sophisticated tools for quantitative analysis and large data sets

  Being able to look at a set of data and read the stories and spot the patterns. Knowing where to look, what to look for, and how to find it. Translating quantitative data into qualititative conclusions or hypotheses and ultimately, actionable insights. With the amount of data that Google Analytics makes available to everyone, data analysis isn't just for quant shops and insurance companies anymore. Being able to manipulate and visualize data quickly comes in very handy.

• Deep knowledge of robust systems and processes

  And knowing their place. We understand the importance of systems, processes and business continuity plans. These are just part of the risk controls and infrastructure necessary to manage portfolios, as was the case when our principal was on a team of 3 portfolio managers responsible for all day-to-day operations of 20+ equity portfolios ranging from hundreds of millions to billions of dollars, including the world's then-largest² Social Choice fund. We appreciate technology the way we appreciate cooked food, but our philosophy is that requirements lead and technology follows. Technology is a means, and the ends is a functional and beautiful product -- not one that aggravates the user with bad design, ugly boxes and poor usability.

• Formidable financial industry experience leading to business model understanding

  You'll often hear industry professionals complaining of the disconnect between business decision-makers and tech people. Possessing client-facing and front-office business experience that most programmers and techs don't have, while also having the problem-solving ability acquired from years of software design and development, we bridge the gap between business and tech. We are students of business attracted to usability and information. By having developed a level of business insight and financial acumen not commonly found among traditional creative types, we try to bridge that gap too.

• Clear functionality, good form, beautiful design and visual solutions

  We don't let technology take creativity hostage, and we work with both technical directors and creative directors. This feature doesn't really follow from our Wall Street experience, but it is our core value, it's the reason we are in this field now and not finance, and it's important enough to be on our front page.

• And a bunch of other things including, So why did we leave finance?

  From our principal: Because I was ready for a creative challenge, lured back into the visual field of 3D graphics, and to begin a tech startup applying hedge fund algorithms and methodologies to certain areas of the web. It was time to translate the skills and framework acquired from finance and apply them to interactive and creative technologies and new media.

  Important Traits

  • Thought leader
  • Strong writer
  • Ability to process information, think critically, assess and connect
  • An engineer's affinity for correctness and preciseness precision
  • Energetic and organized

¹or perceived potential

²Might still be, haven't checked lately.