Collecting sales data to compile into a report is one of the most important functions of a successful business. It’s essential to know what is happening so that you can make adjustments and improvements as needed to increase your revenue. Being aware of the figures is the first step to recognizing trends and creating the best sales approach to make your business thrive.
Create a Sales Report
A sales report is a document that contains the relevant sales information for management to review. It may touch upon sales numbers for various products and services, customer reactions and feedback, as well as current sales strategies.
Your company must take a close look at sales information regularly. This is the only true way to know how your company is performing.
Carefully consider your approach to data transformation. You want your information to be easy to understand, accessible, and targeted to your current goals.
Consider Your Audience
The method that you use to report sales information also depends upon the target audience that is receiving the information. Some groups just need a quick overview with a few key figures. Others require every small detail.
When you are gathering your data, think about who you are sharing it with and for what purpose. Are you simply presenting the last quarter’s data? Or, are you looking more closely at your customer’s response to a new product that was recently launched? Does the team you are presenting the sales data to need to adjust sales techniques? All of this information gives you clues on how to compile your report to be the most effective.
Always double-check your data for accuracy and be prepared to answer questions to clarify any uncertainties. Have a full report available for anyone that requires more information.
Use Visuals
A written sales report is great to convey details and make a thorough report. However, visual aids are a wonderful tool to help your audience quickly grasp the most important and relevant information.
Graphs and charts are the perfect visual accompaniment to a written or oral reporting of the most recent figures. Choose the type of graph that best represents the information you are discussing. Pie charts are good to compare percentages. Bar charts are easy to read and can be used to compare data that has a greater number of variables. Consider the color and contrast of your visuals as well. The information should be clear and organized.
Make your visuals effective by preparing a report to explain exactly what is happening on the graphs. Visuals are only useful if they are backed up by facts and figures. They should be eye-catching without trying to crowd too much information into the space.
Narrow the Focus
Not every sales report needs to contain full information about the entire company. While a brief overview of the big picture is a good idea, it’s much easier to take the information in and make good decisions when you break it down into smaller chunks.
Try to organize your sales information into categories. Make a separate report for each department or topic of focus. This way you can get an in-depth look at what is happening. Some areas of your business may be performing well, while others need some help. It will serve you best to keep practices and procedures that are already working in place, and only put in the time and effort to change what needs to be addressed.
Always ask for clarification and more information if you are unsure about what a figure means. Management needs to be aware of every aspect of the company at all times, so it can be difficult to understand the nuances of each department.
Once you are in the habit of making and analyzing your sales reports, it will become easier to pinpoint the most important information and use it to your advantage. Continue to stress the need for comprehensive and easy-to-read reports to your entire team.