🔌 Stop Using Spreadsheets Like a Toaster

Most teams treat Excel like a toaster.
Turn it on. Heat something up. Hope it doesn’t catch fire.

But spreadsheets can do so much more—especially when it comes to managing KPIs, tracking performance, and making decisions with data.

The problem isn’t Excel.
It’s how we use it.

So if you’re tired of chaotic files, last-minute reporting, and “data” that’s more confusing than helpful… this one’s for you.

The Symptoms of “Toaster Mode”

Let’s play a quick round of “Is Your Spreadsheet a Toaster?”

• It has tabs called “Old,” “v2,” and “Final_Final”
• It was built by someone who no longer works there
• It has formulas that break when you try to filter
• No one knows which number is “correct”
• It’s emailed around weekly with 16 different versions

If any of those sound familiar, your spreadsheet isn’t a tool.
It’s a hot mess waiting to jam your performance review.

What Excel Can Do (If You Let It)

Used strategically, Excel becomes a dashboard, data hub, and coaching tool.

Not a toaster—more like a control center.

You can:

• Build real-time KPI dashboards
• Track metrics across teams, departments, or sites
• Auto-calculate trends, flags, and performance against goals
• Present clear visuals to execs, auditors, and staff
• Empower teams to make decisions without a 30-slide deck

The difference? Intentional design.

Why Mid-Sized Teams Need Better Dashboards

If you’re in a 50–200 person company, you’ve outgrown back-of-napkin tracking…
…but you probably don’t have (or want) a $30K BI platform either.

That’s where Excel dashboards shine.

With the right structure, they give you:

• Fast, visual insights
• Shared definitions for KPIs
• Weekly rhythm for reviews
• Alerts for when metrics slip
• Clear ownership per metric

It’s not about “fancy”—it’s about function.

What I Build (So You Don’t Have To)

When you book my KPI Dashboard Setup, you get a custom-built system tailored to your team’s real-world needs.

Here’s what’s included:
• Definition of 5 high-impact KPIs tied to your operations
• A fully visual Excel dashboard with auto-tracking logic
• Conditional formatting + trend alerts
• A data dictionary that outlines what’s being measured, how, and by whom
• Editable files that your team can own and evolve

Need a walkthrough? Add the onboarding session, and I’ll guide your team through setup, reporting cadence, and how to lead with data.

What Happens When You Don’t Fix This

Let’s not sugarcoat it—bad data systems cause:

• Conflicting reports in meetings
• Missed opportunities to act early
• Reactive firefighting, not proactive management
• Leader frustration (“Why are we still talking about this?”)
• Team confusion (“Which spreadsheet are we using now?”)

And worst of all?
People stop trusting the numbers. And when that happens, you lose one of the most powerful leadership tools: visibility.

What Happens When You Do

A client I worked with—mid-sized, multi-site manufacturing—had KPIs scattered in email threads and slide decks.

We built a shared dashboard in Excel, tailored to 5 strategic metrics:

• NC closure rates
• On-time delivery
• Downtime tracking
• Training compliance
• Internal audit findings

Results?

• Weekly performance reviews became focused and fast
• Teams started owning metrics, not dodging them
• The CEO finally had a one-pager for quarterly reporting

No new software. No endless slide decks.
Just structure + clarity.

It’s Not About Tools. It’s About Traction.

You already have the data.
You just need a system to organize it, visualize it, and act on it.

That’s what I help you build—inside Excel.
Simple, scalable, and smart.

No toasters here. Just dashboards that work.

Ready to Use Excel Like a Leader, Not a Toaster?

If you’re ready to turn your spreadsheet chaos into a decision-making asset, this is where you start.

Check it out here