SUBJECT: MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Answer these questions using your Pivot Table:

1. Where do most of our customers come from? The answer might tell managers where to spend more marketing resources, or to initiate new marketing efforts.

2. Where are the average purchases higher? The answer might tell managers where to focus marketing and sales resources, or pitch different messages to different regions.

3. What form of payment is the most common? The answer could be used to emphasize in advertising the most preferred means of payment. Are there any times of day when purchases are most common? Do people buy products while at work (likely during the day) or at home (likely in the evening)?

4. Are there regional differences in the average purchase? If one region is much more lucrative, managers could focus their marketing and advertising resources on that region.

5. Are there regional differences in the sources of our customers? Perhaps in some regions, e-mail is the most effective marketing tool, whereas in other regions, Web banner ads are more effective? The answer to this more complicated question could help managers develop a regional marketing strategy.