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Cases

Ohjelma
Bike Lease Finland

Bike Lease Finland

Leasing and maintenance of employee bicycles, digital services.

Ohjelma
Excelence Solutions

Excelence Solutions

Consulting and data analytics, expert services and consulting.

Ohjelma
Finnish Timber Oy

Finnish Timber Oy

Ecological log buildings and construction site processes, project business.

Ohjelma
Green Scape

Green Scape

Customized green wall services for B2B clients, service business.

Ohjelma
Marine Craft

Marine Craft

Customized motorboats, project delivery, manufacturing industry.

Ohjelma
Scandinavian Design

Scandinavian Design

Leasing and maintenance of company bicycles, digital services.

Task

Trend Analysis Exercise



In this task, the student analyzes a fictional 12-month sales or profitability data set provided by a case company. They identify the key trends, seasonal variations, and anomalies in the data, and consider what changes may be due to the company's operations or market environment. Finally, the student makes a concise summary and suggests one follow-up analysis or action. The task develops the ability to utilize financial data in practical decision-making.

Learning objectives

After completing the task, the student:
1. Can interpret 12-month sales or profitability data and identify key trends.
2. Understands the difference between seasonal variation and random anomalies in the examination of financial data.
3. Can relate numerical observations to possible causes and background factors of the case company's business.
4. Becomes skilled at making clear, decision-supporting conclusions based on economic trend analysis.

Step by step

  1. Trend analysis exercise

    Objective:
    The objective of the assignment is that the student is able to interpret 12 months of sales or profitability data, identify key trends and seasonal variation, and present business-relevant explanations for the observed changes from the case company’s perspective.

    Materials:

    • The case company description from the learning material.

    • A fictional sales or profitability data series of the case company for a 12-month period provided in the course (e.g. monthly revenue, gross margin or profit).

    • The assignment is based on this information and well-grounded assumptions about the company’s industry and seasonality.

    Assignment steps (instructions for the student):

    1. Familiarise yourself with the case company and the data
      Read the case company description and examine the 12-month data series provided to you.
      Write 5–8 sentences summarising:

      • the industry in which the company operates

      • who its key customers are

      • what the general appearance of the data is (e.g. stable, growing, declining, strongly fluctuating).

    2. Identify the main trends
      Review the entire 12-month period and record at least 3 observations on how sales or profitability develops:

      • the overall trend (growth, decline, remains almost unchanged)

      • any turning points (points where the direction clearly changes)

      • exceptionally high or low months.
        Describe the observations clearly in your own words, not just as a list of numbers.

    3. Analyse seasonality and anomalies
      Consider whether the data shows seasonal variation (e.g. spring or end-of-year peaks) or individual anomalies.
      Write 1–2 paragraphs answering:

      • which months appear strong and which appear weak

      • whether the changes are likely recurring seasonal patterns or random anomalies.

    4. Propose possible explanations for the trends
      Based on the case company description and reasonable assumptions, present at least 3–5 possible explanations for the observed changes.
      You may consider, for example:

      • changes in the market situation (competitors, demand growth/decline)

      • the company’s own actions (campaigns, price changes, new products)

      • seasonal factors (holidays, festive seasons, high seasons).
        Write a short justification for each explanation: why it could influence the data in this way.

    5. Draw conclusions from the case company’s perspective
      Prepare a half-page summary answering the following questions:

      • what the most important trend in the 12-month period is

      • what risks the trend may pose if it continues

      • what opportunities the trend opens for the case company

      • what follow-up questions or additional data you would need for more precise conclusions.

    6. Propose one follow-up analysis or action
      Conclude the assignment by proposing one follow-up analysis (e.g. product-level review, customer segment analysis) or practical action that management could take based on the findings. Briefly justify why this would be a useful next step.

    Submission and evaluation:
    Submit a text of about 1–2 pages showing:

    • a concise description of the case company and the general appearance of the data

    • the identified trends, seasonal variation and anomalies

    • well-justified explanations for the observed changes

    • a clear summary of the conclusions and the proposed follow-up analysis or action.

    Evaluation focuses on how well you:

    • identify and articulate the trends and seasonal variation visible in the data

    • are able to link the analysis to the case company’s operations and environment

    • provide logical and business-credible arguments

    • write in a clearly structured and understandable way.

    Recommended working time: approximately 45–60 minutes, individually or in pairs.

Tasks by audience and theme

University of applied sciences

Polytechnics and higher education studies.

68 tasks