Startup's First BI System: Zero to Dashboard Intelligence

The Starting Point

"No reports, no dashboards, no system - just scattered Google spreadsheets"

Rose All Day was a growing cosmetics startup that had been operating completely without business intelligence infrastructure. Everything ran through scattered Google spreadsheets with no centralized reporting or dashboard system whatsoever.

Key Challenges

• Zero reporting infrastructure: No reports, dashboards, or systematic data tracking
• Scattered data chaos: Google spreadsheets scattered everywhere with no organization
• No centralized visibility: Founders had no single place to view business performance
• Unstructured KPI tracking: No systematic way to monitor key business metrics
• Manual data processes: Disorganized business processes around data management
• Multi-channel blindness: No unified view across General Trade, E-commerce, and Modern Trade

Our Foundation-First Solution

Phase 1: Data Organization & Cleanup

• Tidied up scattered Google spreadsheet data into organized structure
• Identified and documented key business processes around data management
• Established systematic data update procedures for team

Phase 2: KPI Identification & Framework

• Captured all KPIs that founders needed to track across business channels
• Defined business calculations and logic for each metric
• Created measurement framework for General Trade, E-commerce, and Modern Trade

Phase 3: Simple BI Implementation

• Connected organized spreadsheets as main database foundation
• Built comprehensive dashboards using Looker Studio for visualization
• Applied all business calculations within dashboard environment
• Created unified view across all sales channels

Transformation Timeline

Total Duration: 2.5 months

Technology Stack: Google Spreadsheets, Bigquery Looker Studio (visualization)

Technology Strategy:

• Spreadsheet as Input Layer: Maintained familiar Google Sheets with organized structure
• Regular team updates: Enabled team to continue updating data in familiar format
• Bigquery Computing Power: Incorporate Complex Business Computation for faster performance
• Looker Studio visualization: Connected Bigquery to professional dashboard interface

Quantifiable Results

ROI Impact

• Zero to complete BI system enabling founder decision-making
• Scattered data → Organized foundation supporting business growth
• No visibility → Unified dashboard across all sales channels
• Simple technology stack requiring minimal maintenance and training

Transformation Approach

• Founder-focused design: Dashboard specifically designed for leadership decision-making
• Simple technology choice: Used familiar tools (Google Sheets) with professional visualization
• Channel integration: Unified General Trade, E-commerce, and Modern Trade visibility