Assignment 1: Using Spreadsheets to Create a Business Case from Raw Data
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Instructions
Background
This exercise helps students understand how a raw file of sales transactions can be analyzed to produce valuable information for managers. Your challenge is to see what the data is telling you via the Dashboard you created and then present your case for improvement!
You are the Senior Vice President of Sales for the Natun Computer Company. This is your regular report to the CEO, summarizing the recent performance of the company. Although all stores are approximately the same in terms of retail space and workforce, there have been falling sales in some stores. Leadership is interested in using data-driven decision-making to make management changes at the regional and store level. In addition, Product Development is looking for a direction to focus investments. Marketing is also interested in how the “best sellers” can be leveraged in advertising and promotions to increase overall sales.
Instructions
Use the data provided to perform the following analyses using PivotTables and to create a visually appealing dashboard similar to your LinkedIn learning (required for all six analyses).
Analyze all three of the following items:
• Best Performing Regions by Total Revenue
• Best Performing Stores by Total Revenue
• Best Selling Products by Total Revenue
Select all three of the following items to analyze:
• Total Revenue for each Product by Selling Period
• Total Revenue for each Region by Selling Period
• Total Revenue for each Store by Selling Period
Use APA format for your entire report, including your tables, and cite your sources used. Don’t forget a clear introduction to your project and conclude with a summary of your recommendations to the CEO.
Provide your insights and recommendations in a formal business case — in the form of one descriptive paragraph (6 total) and one data table (6 total) — for each analysis. Each paragraph must refer to the information presented in the table using the labeled Table number. For each analysis, provide your insights on historical performance and your recommendations for future actions.
Make sure to submit your final report with one Word document and one Excel file.
