Daily Data: Why Monday’s Answers Won’t Work For Tuesday

Projecting trends, successes, and failures is a part of most companies’ work. However, that doesn’t mean that one day’s data provide a clear vision for the next. Frequent and consistent analysis of data is necessary in order to increase the success of the company. In a fast-paced business world, statistics can fluctuate drastically from day to day.

Monday Rush

Many businesses close their doors or at least slow operations on Saturday and Sunday. Therefore, when opening time arrives on Monday, clients are eager to make the buys they have been waiting on for two days. Business may spike on Monday for this reason. In other scenarios, companies revise their budgets on Mondays, allowing for a spike on Tuesday. The trends vary depending upon the field. The key note here is that companies should recognize that weekly trends likely occur; each day of the week may yield new fruits for them.

Local Happenings

Local businesses may also see a spike or drop in their success depending upon what is happening in the community. For example, consider a store that sells home alarm systems. This shop may see a major increase in the first few days after a terrifying home invasion happens in the neighborhood. As the community moves further and further away from that event, the sales may begin to level off. Also, community members preparing for a festival or major block party may make more purchases than usual at grocery stores and butcher shops.

Sales and Promotions

When shops note that they are having major sales or giving away promotional items, the numbers are clearly likely to increase on that particular shopping day. However, analyzing the data for that day is not enough. In fact, companies often have sales and promotions because they want to increase their success in the long term. Based on this goal, businesses actually need to analyze how their success increases after the sale or promotion is finished.

Errors

While many technological tools help businesses to calculate their data, that doesn’t mean the methods are without flaw. Owners must account for the fact that a mistake may occur from time to time. If they do not look at data on a regular basis, they may never realize that something is askew with the system. By taking a look at data on a regular basis, they are more likely to notice a day that seems out of the ordinary. Then, they can go in to investigate. Data never sleeps, so you can’t afford to sleep on your data analysis.

Natural Fluctuations

Some owners will try to find the reasons behind the fluctuations in their sales. Embarking on this investigation is important so that they know what to do more of and what to do less of in terms of marketing and producing. However, at times, they will not have a reason for their data. Markets naturally fluctuate. By tracking the data, they can start to determine when a reason exists for changes and when they are experiencing the natural ebb and flow of virtually any business.

New Products and Services

Consistently looking at old data does not help businesses to determine the success of their new products and services. When companies bring a new product or service onto the market, they should really take a close look at their sales. They want to know how the product is doing. However, they also want to see how long it takes for the product to have a major presence in the marketplace. By analyzing this factor, they can improve their strategies when they release new products in the future.

Consistently reviewing and analyzing data are important parts of owning a business. Failure to do so could lead to failure in the company overall.