WRITING A POWERFUL BUSINESS REPORT
What is Business Report • When a company needs to make an informed decision, it can create a business report to guide its leaders. Business reports use facts and research to study data, analyze performance, and provide recommendations on a company's future.
• A business report is an assessment of a particular issue or a set of circumstances (or financial operations) that relate to the performance of a business. It is written in the form of a memo with the report attached.
The Basics of a Business Report • Business reports are always formal, objective, and heavily researched. Every fact must be transparent and verifiable, regardless of whether the report focuses on a single situation or examines the overall performance of an entire company.
Title page • Every business report should feature a title page. The title itself should set out what the report is states. Typically, you should also include your name and the date of the report.
Table of Contents • Short business reports may not need a table of contents, mainly if they include a summary. But longer reports more extended set out the title of each section and the structure of the report. Make sure the headings here match those used in the main text. You may also want to number the sections.
Executive Summary • Write a brief overview of the report’s purpose, conclusions, and key recommendations. Try to include :
• A brief description of what the report is about • How the report was completed (e.g., data collection methods) • The main findings from the research • Key conclusions and recommendations
Introduction • The introduction is the first part of the report proper. Use it to set out the brief you received when you were asked to compile the information.
• Explain the context of the report to spark the reader’s interest • State the purpose of the information and give a clear indication of what to expect
Discussion • Present and discuss the findings • Include a literature review, the method of data collection, and analysis of the data, and the analytical framework used to recommend a solution if necessary
Conclusion • Interpret and summarize the results; relate them to the problem of the business When writing conclusions: • Interpret and summaries the findings, say what they mean • Relate the conclusions to the report issue/problem • Limit the conclusions to the data presented, do not introduce new material • Number the conclusions and give them a parallel form and be objective: avoid exaggerating or manipulating the data.
Recommendations • Recommendations are oriented to the future: what changes are recommended, or what actions are recommended for the future? They are specific, action-oriented suggestions to solve the reported problem. • Provide specific and action-oriented recommendations to solve the problem Describe how suggestions can be implemented and present each suggestion separately
Appendices • Refer to appendices in the text (e.g., Appendix A) and list them in the order they are mentioned in the text Appendices should: • Provide detailed explanation serving the needs of specific readers • Be clearly and neatly set out - be numbered/lettered • Be given a descriptive title • Be arranged in the order they are mentioned in the text • Be related to the report’s purpose—not just ‘tacked on’.
Dos • Present information that helps to make a business decision • Include specific and descriptive headings and subheadings • Incorporate tables, graphs, etc. when applicable • Add Recommendations or Appendices when applicable
Don’ts • Present an argument aimed at demonstrating your knowledge • Organize information into nondescript paragraphs • Ignore graphics, recommendations, and appendices
Example of a Business Report
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