And for that, you can thank Kris Schneck and her team.
Kris is the Senior Director of Data for Dow Jones Indexes. Among other things, her group licenses the "real-time" (immediate, live) values of The Dow®, as well as the thousands of other indexes in Dow Jones's arsenal, to market data vendors, and for display on TV and financial Web sites.
"It's amazing how powerful the Dow Jones name is in financial circles. Actually in all circles," says the energetic Kris, who has been with the company since 1993. "Our customers always mention how important it is for them to feature The Dow®. It adds credibility and prestige, and at the end of the day, it drives traffic. And that's the name of the game."
The group also licenses "delayed" data. Some organizations and investors prefer a simple end-of-day number. "We have a variety of customers that represent every type of investment interest," adds Kris, in between what seems like (literally) back-to-back meetings. "We don't do the 'cookie cutter' thing. We don't just say that one size fits all clients."
She pauses, then elaborates, "Big clients, like Reuters News Service, might need real-time values because their TV and online viewers need them. And an investment bank trading floor has to have a series of real-time indexes. But a small firm's Web site might have completely different requirements. Whatever the need, we provide the data."
Kris's team is also responsible for compliance, which includes some degree of detective work. There is constant monitoring to make sure that Dow Jones's indexes are not being used without permission.
"We have some of the most sophisticated software in the industry, and we use it to track down anyone using our data—real-time, delayed, whatever—incorrectly," she explains, her BlackBerry constantly buzzing while she speaks. She answers customer and team queries while not missing a beat. And we surf around the Internet, looking for what we jokingly call 'the lawbreakers.'
"We also call and email our clients to let them know we're here to help, so that there is no miscommunication about usage. But to be honest, we never really have to worry about our clients. In fact, they're our best allies. They tell us when someone is using our data without approval, since they're most likely competitors. They tip us off, and we go in and put an end to it."
In her years at Dow Jones, Kris has held several positions, having been given new opportunities based on her previous successes. She started her career with the firm as a Customer Service and Billing Representative and also worked in the Dow Jones Circulation Planning department before moving to Dow Jones Indexes, where she was an Assistant Business Manager and Director of Data Distribution before being promoted to her current job.
"I feel very fortunate to have been so many years with the same firm, especially Dow Jones. I've been taught so much by so many great people. I feel like every position helped me grow professionally as well as personally. This company really encourages development at your own pace."
Kris makes a point of giving credit to her team. "Right now, my team is made up of these amazing individuals. Jill Gootee, Karin Jensen and Victoria James always come through for our clients. They're really great at what they do."
"It's a little clichéd to say it, but honestly, it's a team effort. Dow Jones Indexes is a team effort. I'm just a part of it."
Her clients—and colleagues—are happy that she is.