You want to have strong analytical abilities on your side

This is the title of a recent Marginal Revolution post.

It’s also really great advice when selecting a marketing partner.

And making most decisions (I think there are plenty of decisions that can be properly defended by saying it just feels right (just as there are more than plenty where this defense is the first sign of a bad outcome)).

Maybe the above (first parenthetical) statement is best qualified by adding that they are being defended by “reasonable, analytically-inclined people”. Someone with a track record of terrible decisions does not get to say it just feels right and others are satisfied.

When in doubt “look for strong analytical abilities, and if you don’t see it, run the other way.”

Also, this from MR.