When to Use a Marimekko Chart

1. When to Use a Marimekko Chart

2. When to Use a Marimekko Chart Use a Marimekko when you want to create a 100% stacked bar, and add an additional dimension, by making the width of the bar as variable instead of fixed. Some examples of when you would use a Marimekko Chart are: • Sales by Country and Region • Sales by Market Segment and Sub-Segment • Sales by Market Segment and Region • Sales by Region and Market Segment • Sales by Competitor and Market Segment • Sales by Competitor and Channel • Cost Savings Through Consolidation • Sales Pipeline • Tracking Key Performance Indicators Along Two Dimensions • Tracking Key Performance Indicators Through Drill Down

3. Sales by Country and Region You can use a Marimekko chart to drill-down on a key variable. This chart illustrates both which regions have the most sales and which emerging market countries within the region make up the region’s sales.

4. Sales by Market Segment and Region A Marimekko chart is most often used to map two variables. In this case, it’s sales by market and region. You can identify regions to target for specific market segments. This is an example of a market map.

5. Sales by Region and Market Segment You can reverse the dimensions in the previous chart and take a regional view. You can then identify the market segments that are strongest and weakest in each region. In either of these charts, you could substitute channel for market segment.

6. Sales by Competitor and Market Segment Use a Marimekko chart to map the market for your organization and its main competitors. You can see how consolidated or fragmented the market is and can identify opportunities for expansion.

7. Sales by Competitor and Channel If there are a few major channels in a market (e.g., direct to customer, through reseller), different manufacturers could use a different channel mix. This chart can help identify opportunities to increase sales by concentrating on a specific channel.

8. Cost Savings Through Consolidation A Marimekko can drive home inefficiencies in an organization that can be reduced. This chart shows the proliferation of different types of servers in different departments in a university. Standardizing could lead to cost reduction.

9. Sales Pipeline The Marimekko chart can summarize the key deals in your pipeline. Use pipeline stage for your bars and place the individual deals in the series. You might want to use an ‘other’ series to group your smaller deals. Add data rows to show related information, like deal size.

10. Tracking Key Performance Indicators Along Two Dimensions Your business has KPIs that directly relate to revenue or expenses that you are trying to manage. You can view these KPIs along two dimensions in a Marimekko chart. In this example, a hospital tracks ‘denied claims’ (revenue that is challenged by the insurer) by hospital department and insurer.

11. Tracking Key Performance Indicators Through Drill Down You can also drill down into a KPI. In this example, a consulting firm tracks billable hours by client and by project within the client. You can see the biggest projects and the largest clients.

12. Choosing the Right Chart for the Job A successful business chart should help you as well as your audience make sense of what would otherwise be complex numbers and ideas. When designed poorly, charts just confuse. But choosing the right chart and utilizing good chart design will convey your message clearly and effectively. For more information on other charts available in Mekko Graphics and the right way to use them please explore the following resources: Mekko Graphics charts not available in PowerPoint: Cascade (Waterfall) Chart Bar Mekko Chart Our Chart Finder and Sample Presentations can help you learn about other charts enhanced by Mekko Graphics