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Tableau vs. Power BI - Which Tool Actually Reigns Supreme for Founders?

šŸ”„ SaaS Metrics & Finance 101 for Sales Reps

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WELCOME TO ISSUE NO #07

šŸ“†Ā Todayā€™s Rundown

Happy Saturday! This week Iā€™ve compiled some amazing resources that will definitely impress you.

TL;DR

  • šŸ’° Navigating the Numbers as a Sales Rep

  • šŸ‘‰ 7 Most Important SaaS Metrics

  • šŸ“ƒĀ Tableau vs. Power BI

  • My friend Josh Aharonoff launched his new Excel Plugin - Model Wiz and finance proā€™s & founders are amazed. So if youā€™re looking to elevate your career or business, check it out below.

  • Iā€™d love to get your thoughts on this weekā€™s poll. Share your thoughts below!

šŸ‘‡ļøĀ Watch: Learn about the 3 Financial Statements, and how they CONNECT by Josh

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Navigating the Numbers as a Sales Rep

(for all my friends with quotas)

1. Different Types of Revenue

Revenue isn't just a numberā€”it's a story told through various lenses. From Bookings to Billings, ARR (Annual Recurring Revenue) to MRR (Monthly Recurring Revenue), each term unveils a different aspect of the revenue journey. Understanding these nuances paints a clearer picture of your sales landscape.

Bookings: When the deal closes & customer signs

Billings: When the accounting department actually "bills"' the customer for the "booking"

ARR (Annual Recurring Revenue): The current 12 month value of the contract

MRR (Monthly Recurring Revenue): ARR divided by 12

Revenue: Revenue is spread out to match the delivery of the product or service

DeferredĀ Revenue: The ARR thatā€™s not yet in Revenue

RPO (RemainingĀ PerformanceĀ Obligation): If anyone ever asks a sales person about RPO, run for the door. Itā€™s the TCV (see below) thatā€™s not revenue yet

TCV (TotalĀ ContractĀ Value): All the ARR across all the years added up

AverageĀ ARR: All the ARR across all the years added up divided by number of years

2. Decoding Quotas

Ever wondered how your quota magically appears?

Behind the scenes, a complex ecosystem thrives. From sales pods to back-office support, the goal isn't just hitting targets but ensuring profitability.

Rule of thumb?

Your quota should typically be 4x to 5x your On Target Earnings (OTE), fueling the engine of success.

3. The Power of Gross Margin

Gross Margin isn't just a fancy termā€”it's the heartbeat of your business's financial health.

It's the difference between revenue and the cost of goods sold, dictating how much cash you have to play with.

Whether you're selling tech or building products, understanding your Gross Margin is key to unlocking opportunities for growth and innovation.

As you navigate the thrilling world of sales, remember: behind every number lies a story waiting to be told.

So, buckle up, embrace the numbers, and let's drive success together!

Got questions or insights to share?

Reach outā€”Iā€™m here to fuel your journey to sales greatness.

If youā€™re looking to elevate your career or your business, check out Excel Plugin - Model Wiz by Josh.

These are the templates that made Josh skyrocket his career & his business, too.

7 Most Important SaaS Metrics

Lately, I've been getting a lot of questions about how to keep your finger on the pulse of your startup's financial performance. Well, buckle up because I'm about to share the seven key metrics you should be keeping a close eye on, and how often you should be checking in.

  1. MRR Dynamics: Think of this as your revenue heartbeatā€”tracking New, Churned, Expansion, and Contraction on a weekly basis gives you a real-time feel for where your business stands.

  2. Financials: Monthly deep dives into Month-over-Month (MoM) performance and comparing Budget vs. Actuals help you stay on top of your financial game.

  3. GrowthĀ Rate: Whether it's Month-over-Month (MoM), Year-over-Year (YoY), or Compound Monthly Growth Rate (CMGR), a monthly check-in keeps you informed on how fast you're growing.

  4. CACĀ &Ā LTV:CACĀ Ratio: Monthly peeks at Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) and Lifetime Value to CAC Ratio (LTV:CAC) let you know if your customer acquisition efforts are paying off in the long run.

  5. BurnĀ &Ā Runway: Monthly Burn Rate check-ins and assessing your Runway help you plan for the financial road ahead.

  6. MRRĀ andĀ ARR: Keep tabs on Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR) and Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) every week to see how your revenue streams are flowing.

  7. LTV: Last but not least, dive into Lifetime Value (LTV) monthly to understand the true value your customers bring to the table.

So, by staying in tune with these metrics at their recommended frequencies, you'll be armed with the insights you need to steer your SaaS ship toward success. Remember, it's all about making informed decisions backed by solid data.

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Tableau vs. Power BI

Today, we're diving deep into the realm of data visualization toolsā€”specifically, the battle royale between Tableau and Power BI. These heavyweights offer powerful solutions, but which one reigns supreme for your SaaS business? Let's break it down.

Tableau

Tableau boasts an intuitive interface and a plethora of features that make data analysis a breeze.

Here's what sets it apart:

  • Versatility: From simple charts to complex visualizations, Tableau handles it all with ease.

  • DataĀ Connectivity: Seamlessly connect to various data sources for comprehensive analysis.

  • AdvancedĀ Analytics: Dive into advanced statistical analysis and predictive modeling.

  • CommunityĀ andĀ Support: Tap into a vibrant community and robust support resources for guidance and inspiration.

PowerĀ BI

Developed by the tech titan Microsoft, Power BI packs a punch with its suite of business intelligence and visualization tools.

Here's what it brings to the table:

  • IntegrationĀ withĀ MicrosoftĀ Ecosystem: Seamlessly integrates with other Microsoft tools, streamlining your workflow.

  • DataĀ TransformationĀ andĀ Modeling: Easily transform and model your data to uncover valuable insights.

  • CollaborationĀ andĀ Sharing: Foster collaboration among team members and share insights effortlessly.

  • User-FriendlyĀ Interface: With a familiar Microsoft interface, Power BI is accessible to users of all skill levels.

When deciding between Tableau and Power BI for your SaaS venture, consider these critical factors:

āœ…Ā User-Friendliness: How easy is it for your team to use and navigate the tool?

āœ…Ā IntegrationĀ Needs: Does it play well with your existing tech stack?

āœ…Ā ScalabilityĀ andĀ Pricing: Can it grow with your business without breaking the bank?

āœ…Ā ComplexityĀ ofĀ DataĀ Analysis: Does it offer the features you need for in-depth data exploration?

Now, it's time to roll up your sleeves and get hands-on.

Explore both Tableau and Power BI through trials to see which one aligns best with your data visualization needs.

Unlock the power of data visualization and arm your team with the insights they need to propel your SaaS business to new heights.

Ready to harness the power of data-driven decision-making?

Reach out to me today, and let's embark on this journey together!

If youā€™re looking to elevate your career, check out The Financial Modeling Course by Bojan.

This is the method that made Bojan and other students go from misunderstood analysts to respected finance leaders.

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Aleksandar