LitBuy: How to Compare Seller Performance Using Spreadsheet Insights
For procurement teams working with multiple book suppliers, consistently evaluating seller performance is crucial for maintaining quality and operational efficiency. While specialized software solutions exist, most organizations already have access to a powerful analytical tool: spreadsheets. By leveraging built-in features like pivot tables and sorting tools, you can systematically compare sellers and make data-driven purchasing decisions.
Step 1: Structure Your Raw Data Correctly
Begin with a well-organized dataset containing the following columns for each purchase order:
- Seller Name:
- Order Date:
- Order ID:
- QC Accuracy:
- On-Time Delivery:
- Condition Upon Arrival:
- Fulfillment Consistency:
- Order Date:
Step 2: Create Performance Pivot Tables
QC Accuracy Analysis
Build your first pivot table to analyze quality control performance:
- Select your entire dataset
- Insert → Pivot Table
- Configure fields:
- Rows:
- Values:
- Rows:
This creates a clear comparison of average QC accuracy rates across all sellers, immediately highlighting your highest and lowest quality performers.
Fulfillment Consistency Dashboard
Create a second pivot table to evaluate operational reliability:
- Use the same data range
- Configure fields:
- Rows:
- Values:
- Values:
- Values:
- Rows:
Step 3: Apply Sorting for Priority Insights
With your pivot tables created, apply multi-level sorting to identify true top performers:
Dual-Metric Sorting Technique
- Right-click any value in your QC Accuracy pivot table
- Select Sort → Sort Largest to Smallest
- Repeat the process for Fulfillment Consistency
- Compare the sorted results side-by-side to identify sellers consistently ranking in the top tiers for both metrics
Composite Score Calculation
For more sophisticated analysis, create a composite performance score:
- Add a new column: Performance Score
- This weighted calculation prioritizes quality while accounting for operational reliability
- Create a pivot table sorting sellers by this composite score
Step 4: Visualize Performance Trends
Enhance your analysis with basic conditional formatting:
- Select the values in your pivot tables
- Apply Color Scales
- Use Data Bars
- Identify performance outliers and trends at a glance
- Use Data Bars
Putting Insights into Action
Seller Tier Classification
Based on your analysis, categorize sellers into performance tiers:
- Tier 1 (Premier):
- Tier 2 (Reliable):
- Tier 3 (Development):
- Tier 2 (Reliable):
Continuous Monitoring
Maintain your analysis by:
- Refreshing pivot tables monthly with new order data
- Tracking performance trends over time using date filters
- Setting threshold alerts for significant performance changes
Conclusion
Spreadsheet tools provide LitBuy procurement teams with accessible, powerful methods for seller performance evaluation. By systematically applying pivot tables and sorting techniques to QC accuracy and fulfillment consistency data, organizations can objectively identify top performers, allocate orders strategically, and maintain quality standards across their supplier network. This data-driven approach transforms raw purchasing data into actionable business intelligence.