How Can I Run Commission Simulations

To simulate commissions under different models, you have 4 options:

1. Run time-based simulations
   
1. Ex: you are in April and want to forecast potential spend up to year end (using existing models)
   
2. Create new model and calculate
   
1. Clone plans, alter tiers / rates / quotas, calculate payouts using existing sales data  
3. Leverage Sales Cookie AI
   
1. Ask the Sales Cookie AI to analyze trends or generate forecasts
4. Use BI tools
   
1. Connect with BI tools such as Power BI, Excel, Tableau and run forecasts

Here is a detailed description of each option.

Run Time-Based Simulations

Consider the following scenario:

1. Your plan has YTD attainment, with increasing rates / tiers
   
2. You are in April, so you have sufficient YTD sales data
   
3. You want to know how you might end the year

You can use time-based simulations to "fill" the remaining timeline (up to December 31) based on past sales data.

Please refer to this KB for more information. 

Create New Model and Calculate

You can perform the following:

1. Clone existing plans > new plans in draft mode 
   
2. Edit new plan rates / quotas / exclusions / etc.
3. Draft plans are not visible to payees

You can then run calculations for draft plans. They will remain hidden from payees.

Even better, you can even run calculations in test mode and create test calculations

Please refer to this KB for more information. 

Leverage Sales Cookie AI

You can use the AI to ask questions like this:

1. Which plans had low attainment across many payees?
   
2. Analyze attainment history - any seasonal variations?
   
3. Forecast total payouts for plan X over the next 3 months based on trends 
4. How would payouts have changed if Tier 3 for plan Y had been paid 5%?  

Here is an example where AI produces a forecast using seasonal corrections (ARIMA):

Use BI Tools

You can connect BI tools to Sales Cookie and retrieve your data - for example using Power BI you can:

1. Use the Analytics pane for forecasting
2. Use DAX to create custom metrics and use linear regression / moving averages
3. Use AutoML (Automated Machine Learning) for automated predictive modeling (ex: time-series forecasting)

Here is an example where spend was analyzed under different models with the Analytics pane:

Please refer to this KB for more information. 

• Related Articles

• How Do Time-Based Simulations Work?

  Simulations allow you to forecast results by performing calculations as if the current period was complete. It does so by "filling" missing transactions, up to your end date. This is best explained using a diagram: Suppose that today is April 15, and ...

• How Can I Automatically Re-Run Calculations?

  This article is for administrators who want to automate a daily re-run for some calculations. Note that you remain responsible for starting new calculations each pay period. Note: we also have a different mode which fully automates calculations - ...

• Can You Explain The Core Commission Schema?

  The following description explains the core commission schema. Here are the main entities whose relationships we will discuss: Plan - Plans represent commission structures. Each plan has a set of eligibility, crediting, attainment, and payout rules. ...

• How Can I Start (Or Re-Run) A Calculation?

  You can start a calculation from different places within your workspace: Starting a calculation is the same as submitting a plan for calculation You can either start a new calculation, or re-run an existing calculation From the left pane: Login to ...

• What Does Releasing Credits Do?

  Releasing credits on a calculation allows users to view pending credits and rewards on their personal incentives dashboard. Releasing credits allows your reps to measure their progress mid-period (learn more about releasing rewards here, and the ...