This is the fourth in a series of posts on quantifying the impact of business drivers on sales volume. Please review these posts first to get more context: Part 1 – Overview of this very useful analytical technique that helps answer the question Why did our volume change? Part 2 – Impact of Distribution Part […]
How To Answer Business Questions
Volume Decomposition, Part 3 of 6: Impact of Pricing
This is the third in a series of posts on quantifying the impact of business drivers on sales volume. Please review these other posts on this very useful analytical technique that helps answer the question Why did our volume change? Part 1 – Overview of this very useful analytical technique that helps answer the question Why […]
Volume Decomposition, Part 2 of 6: Impact of Distribution
This is the second in a series of posts on quantifying the impact of business drivers on sales volume. Please review these posts for more information on this very useful analytical technique that helps answer the question Why did our volume change? Part 1 – Overview of this very useful analytical technique that helps answer the […]
Volume Decomposition, Part 1 of 6: Why Are Sales Up (or Down)?
Has this happened to you? Sales of your brand are down vs. the same period last year and management wants to know why. Sales is saying it’s because there is less advertising this year but Marketing is saying it’s because you’ve lost distribution and the retail price and merchandising are not as competitive. Another, more […]
Six Ways To Reduce Your (Inevitable) Data Errors
What are the three most important qualities of a great data analyst? 1. They know their data inside and out 2. They draw useful conclusions from their data. 3. They deliver accurate information Robin and I have written many articles addressing quality number one (knowing the data), which provides a solid base for a successful […]
How to Be a Great Data Analyst
Despite the promise of software vendors that their “methodologies extract meaningful and actionable insights from Big Data,” my experience is that no methodology can substitute for the human brain of an astute analyst. Great data analysts are a rare and valuable commodity. So what makes for a great one? They know the data inside and […]



