Outlining Five Guidelines for Effective Business Reports

Outlining Five Guidelines for Effective Business Reports: A business report is an official document that includes data, research, information and other necessary details to help decision-makers form plans and objectives to help the company. Depending on the topic being reported on, a professional business report could be several pages long and include extensive data and information (Indeed).

Different Types of Business Reports?

Informational Reports

Includes objective information on a particular issue. It presents non-biased facts without explaining the reasons and the possible outcomes of a situation. For example:

• a number of employees,
• the role each of them plays in the company,
• or the departments the employees work in. 

Analytical Business Report

This is used to report on the company’s situation, presenting relevant information, explanations, and conclusions. It helps the company to make good decisions going forward. 

Research Business Report

This is the most comprehensive type of business reporting required when a company considers to trying something new, such as going into a new geographical area or offering a new product.

Explanatory Business Report

This report is required when you want to explain a topic or situation so that everyone can understand it.

Progress Business Report

You want this report to show how things are going at the moment.

More on Business Reports can be found from What a Graph.

Five Guidelines for Effective Business Reports

• Title page – A page setting out key details, such as the report title, the name(s) of who it is for and who prepared it, and a date of completion.
• Table of contents – Include a list of contents for any report more than a few pages long. You could also include a list of tables and charts if relevant.
• Introduction – A section setting out the report’s subject matter and scope.
• Methods and findings – Details of how you conducted your research and the key findings achieved. Use charts and graphs to present key data.
• Conclusions and recommendations – A section (or two) to show what you have learned from your findings and the course of action you recommend.
• Bibliography and appendices – If you have cited any sources in the report, make sure to include a bibliography at the end of the documents. You can also include appendices for in-depth data or extra documentation.

Source: Get Proofed

Sources:

https://getproofed.com/writing-tips/5-tips-for-writing-a-brilliant-business-report/