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Casual Articles - Five Questions for Improving Business Reports
The Interactive Map Meets the Data Visualization Needs of the 21st Century
Data VisualizationData visualization seems to be the trend of 21st century business. Since the internet has taken a leading role in everything from information to advertising to commerce, companies use interactive data visualization to reach out to consumers.Data visualization reaches into every aspect of business. Sales reports, inventory m
evaluating data over time, how to compare it: by quarter, by month, by week, by day.Data VisualizationData visualization seems to be the trend of 21st century business. Since the internet has taken a leading role in everything from information to advertising to commerce, companies use interactive data visualization to reach out to consumers.Data visualization reaches into every aspect of business. Sales reports, inventory m
Are you looking to group things by customers or by products or by dates? Do you only want records meeting a certain criteria? Is there anything that needs to be excluded?
This one can be tricky. Too many details can ma
Top 10 Paying Jobs
Everyone wants something for nothing. The American Dream is still well and alive, and with a bit of schooling and a lot of determination anyone can find it. Don’t panic because you do not have an Associates, Bachelors, Masters, or even a PhD. What’s more, I am going to show you jobs that don’t even require a High School Diploma! Now don’t get me wrong, I am not tellin
Have you ever asked for a report based on data in a database? Or have you ever been asked to create such a report? Starting a report can sometimes feel like a mind reading trip into uncharted territory. I have spent over 5 years creating reports and I found it was often necessary to go back and redo reports because communication was not clear. Sometimes the party requesting the report didn't know what they really wanted. Sometimes the party creating the report does not ask enough questions before starting. Over the years, I have come up with starter questions that provide a plan. Using these I have more often created the needed report on the first draft.Everyone wants something for nothing. The American Dream is still well and alive, and with a bit of schooling and a lot of determination anyone can find it. Don’t panic because you do not have an Associates, Bachelors, Masters, or even a PhD. What’s more, I am going to show you jobs that don’t even require a High School Diploma! Now don’t get me wrong, I am not tellin
I have often had management ask for something specific without first telling me what they wanted to know. When the objective is not set forth at the onset, often what management requested does not give them the answers they were seeking. This is usually due to the fact that people were jumping ahead to the result instead of actually asking the question. Management does not always know the data source and may be unaware of possibilities available to them or the best means of proving or disproving something. Getting an answer to this question has resulted in vast changes to the final report as originally requested.
It is important to know if you just want current information or if you are looking for historical trends. Do you just want to consider open orders/tickets or do you want to look at everything entered in the last three months? You may even need to consider, if you are evaluating data over time, how to compare it: by quarter, by month, by week, by day.
Are you looking to group things by customers or by products or by dates? Do you only want records meeting a certain criteria? Is there anything that needs to be excluded?
This one can be tricky. Too many details can mak
Do Your Patients Have Bragging Rights?
Do your clients know all that you do and have done? Are they proud and honored to have the privilege to work with you? Or are you a run of the mill everyday doctor that treats them in a quick and friendly manner, and then moves on to the next patient, not to be thought of again until their next ailment?When you share information about what is going on with YOU with
wanted. Sometimes the party creating the report does not ask enough questions before starting. Over the years, I have come up with starter questions that provide a plan. Using these I have more often created the needed report on the first draft.Do your clients know all that you do and have done? Are they proud and honored to have the privilege to work with you? Or are you a run of the mill everyday doctor that treats them in a quick and friendly manner, and then moves on to the next patient, not to be thought of again until their next ailment?When you share information about what is going on with YOU with
I have often had management ask for something specific without first telling me what they wanted to know. When the objective is not set forth at the onset, often what management requested does not give them the answers they were seeking. This is usually due to the fact that people were jumping ahead to the result instead of actually asking the question. Management does not always know the data source and may be unaware of possibilities available to them or the best means of proving or disproving something. Getting an answer to this question has resulted in vast changes to the final report as originally requested.
It is important to know if you just want current information or if you are looking for historical trends. Do you just want to consider open orders/tickets or do you want to look at everything entered in the last three months? You may even need to consider, if you are evaluating data over time, how to compare it: by quarter, by month, by week, by day.
Are you looking to group things by customers or by products or by dates? Do you only want records meeting a certain criteria? Is there anything that needs to be excluded?
This one can be tricky. Too many details can ma
Dealing With Deadlines
Deadlines are a fact of life. We all have them, but if you are a procrastinator like me they jump up without warning. I've learned a trick that seems to keep deadline from appearing when I least expected them. I put them on my email calendar at a minimum of two weeks out and then send myself a repeat reminder weekly. But let’s be honest here, do any of us do our best job
bjective is not set forth at the onset, often what management requested does not give them the answers they were seeking. This is usually due to the fact that people were jumping ahead to the result instead of actually asking the question. Management does not always know the data source and may be unaware of possibilities available to them or the best means of proving or disproving something. Getting an answer to this question has resulted in vast changes to the final report as originally requested.Deadlines are a fact of life. We all have them, but if you are a procrastinator like me they jump up without warning. I've learned a trick that seems to keep deadline from appearing when I least expected them. I put them on my email calendar at a minimum of two weeks out and then send myself a repeat reminder weekly. But let’s be honest here, do any of us do our best job
It is important to know if you just want current information or if you are looking for historical trends. Do you just want to consider open orders/tickets or do you want to look at everything entered in the last three months? You may even need to consider, if you are evaluating data over time, how to compare it: by quarter, by month, by week, by day.
Are you looking to group things by customers or by products or by dates? Do you only want records meeting a certain criteria? Is there anything that needs to be excluded?
This one can be tricky. Too many details can ma
The Versatility Of Sheet Lead And Its Uses
Sheet Lead is one of the most malleable of common metals. It can be easily shaped, formed, bent and/or easily cut to suit all applications. Sheet lead is extremely resistant to corrosion from the atmosphere, salt water, and most industrial chemicals.It is ideal for making corrosion resistant gaskets, lead lining tanks, reducing sound in rooms and replacing metal fl
his question has resulted in vast changes to the final report as originally requested.Sheet Lead is one of the most malleable of common metals. It can be easily shaped, formed, bent and/or easily cut to suit all applications. Sheet lead is extremely resistant to corrosion from the atmosphere, salt water, and most industrial chemicals.It is ideal for making corrosion resistant gaskets, lead lining tanks, reducing sound in rooms and replacing metal fl
It is important to know if you just want current information or if you are looking for historical trends. Do you just want to consider open orders/tickets or do you want to look at everything entered in the last three months? You may even need to consider, if you are evaluating data over time, how to compare it: by quarter, by month, by week, by day.
Are you looking to group things by customers or by products or by dates? Do you only want records meeting a certain criteria? Is there anything that needs to be excluded?
This one can be tricky. Too many details can ma
Could Your Company Survive a Disaster?
In the wake of most catastrophes, the media often concentrates on tragic personal stories: lost life, lost homes, lost belongings, lost pets. But what about lost businesses? Medical facilities, law offices, corporate and government organizations—none are immune to the costly effects of flood, fires or hurricanes. Patient histories, client, vendor and employee files, fin
evaluating data over time, how to compare it: by quarter, by month, by week, by day.In the wake of most catastrophes, the media often concentrates on tragic personal stories: lost life, lost homes, lost belongings, lost pets. But what about lost businesses? Medical facilities, law offices, corporate and government organizations—none are immune to the costly effects of flood, fires or hurricanes. Patient histories, client, vendor and employee files, fin
Are you looking to group things by customers or by products or by dates? Do you only want records meeting a certain criteria? Is there anything that needs to be excluded?
This one can be tricky. Too many details can make a report large and cumbersome, but too few will cause additional reports to be run. You want to have enough information so that if the need to drill down on the data occurs, you'll be ready.
While the details usually remain in the background for drill-down purposes, the summary is the one page view. Often visual charts can be used. This is also the place for basic statistics such as subtotals, totals, or averages.
If you start with questions in these five areas, you'll be able to get the report done right the first time. There are, of course, always additional questions to ask. Some may be triggered naturally by one of these first five. Ask as many questions as you can without becoming an hindrance to the process. Just like in any other business area, it will save time if you measure twice and cut once.
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