Week 2: Excel and the E-book

As all business types know, Microsoft Excel can be a very useful, if not one of the most useful, tools in a business setting. It is known for its' seemingly never-ending spreadsheets featuring calculation, graphing tools, pivot tables and a macro programming language. While many business use Excel to crunch numbers and check figures, it can also be used to create trending graphs and schedules - which are also very useful in the business and non-business worlds alike. Basically, if you have Excel and know how to use it properly and completely, then you will be on your way to success.

When it comes to the e-book, Microsoft Excel has plenty of applications. First, concerning popularity, Microsoft Excel can be used to create trend graphs, which can help e-book companies figure out what types of books are most popular and more likely to make further profit. Excel can also organize lists; when applied the the electronic publishing industry, lists on excel can be create to keep track of all factual information concerning a company's novels alongside their base costs, distribution costs, advertising costs and so on. Excel can organize all of those little bits of information involved with running a company, and help them make more sense to the reader. In addition to all of that, Excel can also be a huge help when trying to calculate appropriate prices for products. In the case of the e-book, you could punch in data to Excel that would analyze the price for creating the e-book compared to the price of distribution and selling it. Once those figures are in place on Excel, financial terms can be spelled out that tell the manufacturer how much they can pay to create a book and make a profit at the same time.
Excel is such a common application and very simple to use. By using Excel to organize and calculate the finances of an e-book publishing company, the company will run more efficiently, quicker, and also more accurately than ever before. The days of crunching numbers in your head and imagining a trend graph are over, and have been replaced by Excel and its' simple and easy to use tools.Excel can and will be able to crunch numbers for the company, make sure it doesn't overextend its funds, let it know when it's time (financially speaking) to back down on a book offer or keep going at it. Overall, Excel is a pivotal tool for any company to use in order to stay organized, accurate and efficient. So in order for my book publishing company to survive, thrive and succeed, it must take full advantage of Excel and its' wide array of tool options.

What are your thoughts on Excel? Is it overrated or a necessity in the workplace?

Until next time -