Marketing spending analysis is essential for tracking and optimizing an organization’s investment in marketing activities. It starts with the annual budget, outlining the total funds allocated for marketing projects throughout the year. Estimated costs are the projected expenses for specific periods, while actual spending costs reflect the real expenditures incurred. The gap cost—the difference between estimated and actual costs—highlights discrepancies, indicating whether spending has exceeded or stayed within budget.
Settings Sheet
To effectively manage and analyze marketing spending, it is essential to maintain an organized database of all relevant data. The process begins with the "Settings" sheet, where lists and categories used in subsequent tabs are defined.
Reference Table Sheet
The "Reference Table" sheet is used to record brand-specific data, including annual budget plans.
Database Sheet
The "Database" sheet serves as the central repository for periodically recording estimated and actual spending costs. Users can select the brand, status, and supplier information to accurately reflect the required data, ensuring that all entries are correctly categorized. Data entry should be done in the designated white columns, with new entries added automatically when data is recorded in the last row.
Dashboard Sheet
Once the data is fully recorded and organized, the "Dashboard" sheet becomes a powerful tool for visualizing marketing spending analysis. This dashboard allows users to review the data through dynamic graphs and slicers, which can be manipulated to focus on specific areas of interest.
By following this structured approach, businesses can effectively manage their marketing budgets, ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently and that spending aligns with overall financial objectives.