Discussion post

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The first chart I reviewed is the Sales Over Time by Category pictured below. The line chart depicts the annual sales for each product category from 2014 to 2017. It is  well-constructed and effectively facilitates the identification of sales trends over time, which is crucial for informed strategic decision-making. The data source and its aggregation method appear to be appropriate, and the chart clearly indicates a generally positive sales trend despite some minor fluctuations. Additionally, after analyzing the workbook, the incorporated information matches up well with the Data Source and with the use of columns and rows to come up with an adequate chart. Altogether, these insights support a strategic analysis framework. 

In terms of enhancements, this visualization could benefit from the inclusion of annotations that mark significant sales dips or spikes. Providing context for these fluctuations—such as market events or internal changes—could deepen the analysis and offer a more comprehensive narrative, aligning well with the theoretical approaches to analyzing and forecasting sales trends essential to strategic planning. 

The second chart I reviewed is the Total Sales by Category pictured below. The bar chart is well constructed and "communicates what was observed or discovered in the data set" (Leek, pg. 58). It presents sales data by product category, effectively aggregating information across three main categories: Technology, Office Supplies, and Furniture. This categorization is particularly fitting given the project’s aim to pinpoint manufacturing opportunities. By displaying total sales by product category, the chart provides a solid basis for evaluating the prospects of vertical integration in light of sales performance. The visual also supports the concept of conducting a market assessment before considering expansion, echoing principles found in Porter's competitive strategy frameworks. This is instrumental in identifying categories with high potential for vertical integration. 

After examining the details in the Data Source tab of the workbook, it seems beneficial to add a label indicating the Order Date range on the chart. This addition would help educate the audience on the period being analyzed. Highlighting information more explicitly can aid in making well-informed decisions about possible expansion into manufacturing. 

In the review of the draft, the group successfully addresses relevant strategic questions regarding product selection and manufacturing locations, which align with the primary goals of evaluating vertical integration feasibility. The strategic decision to concentrate manufacturing efforts on the Furniture category, despite its lower profit margins and high sales, reflects a strong understanding of utilizing vertical integration to improve control over quality and costs, principles highlighted in Porter's value chain analysis.

However, the report could be enhanced by a more detailed examination of external market conditions and competitive pressures. While the internal data analysis is comprehensive, incorporating external data would offer a broader perspective on market dynamics and strengthen the strategic recommendations. Additionally, the implementation of a SWOT analysis could provide a structured assessment of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats associated with the proposed vertical integration, helping to better align the strategy with both market conditions and internal capabilities.

Overall, the group's draft demonstrates a robust grasp of strategic principles and effectively employs data to back their recommendations. Nonetheless, the inclusion of external market analysis and additional strategic frameworks could significantly improve the depth and practicality of their findings.

 

Leek, Jeff .  The Elements of Data Analytic Style. Leanpub, 2015.