Have you been asked to write a business report, but just don't know where to start? Well, look no further! In this Business Kitz blog, we will walk you through all the key items to include in a business report, and the various kinds of reports you may be asked to write.
What is a business report?
A business report is a compilation of well researched and analysed data with a clear business objective. This allows organisations to identify key concerns and findings, and effectively communicate them within the internal business structures. The report is typically official in nature and therefore needs to be accurate and timely.
What are the different types of business reports?
Before attempting to write any report, it is important to understand the different report formats and their purpose. Outlined below are the 4 main types of reports commonly used by businesses:
- Periodic Report
As the name suggests, this type of report is produced at different phases in the year, typically quarterly or bi-annually. These reports highlight key areas of concern and offers ways to improve in the future. This includes examining the internal efficiency and how that impacts the organisation externally.
- Justification/Recommendation Report
This form of report is mainly for management hierarchies when suggesting implementations of new concepts or tools to improve business practice. This typically leads to a final decision being made that impacts the execution of future tasks.
- Research Report
A research report uses analytical and statistical data to gather information on relevant issues that need to be addressed.
- Investigative Report
The main purpose of this report is to recognise potential risks that the organisation may face during certain situations. This gives decision makers within the organisation the relevant information to decide whether to action something or not.
How to write a Business Report?
Below we have outlined the typical structure of a business report to assist in guiding your writing:
Planning
The most important step when writing a report is to have a clear understanding of the objective of the report and then find relevant information through extensive research . Consider what the report is reviewing and gather all relevant information, figures and data related to this topic. Compile all of your key findings and make note of points of improvement that you come up with during the review process. Also, right now is the perfect moment to check whether the organisation has any specific report formatting requirements that you must adhere to.
Title
Once all of the information has been compiled, come up with a title that clearly addresses what you are reviewing, including the period the review is based on. In addition to this, provide a brief description of your key findings along with your name and compilation date.
Table of Contents
Add a table of contents at the beginning of the report to lay out all the relevant information presented in the report, as well as any accompanying figures or graphs. This will also make your report easy to navigate by having each section easily accessible.
Introduction
The introduction of the report should clearly state the purpose of the report along with any background information that is necessary to support the report. This should also include any unfamiliar information or definitions to increase readability.
Research Methods
This section explains the methodology behind the research such as qualitative or quantitative data.
Findings
This is the main area in which you will showcase the relevant information in a logical manner that provides the organisation with a thorough understanding of the issue or key revelation. This section should be easy to comprehend and therefore, should utilise visual and written information to aid this process.
Conclusion
Within this section, key takeaways should be noted and their relevance should be reinforced. It is helpful to provide suggestions for improvement and also the limitations of the research findings.
Proof-read
This step is essential to ensure that the report is void of any grammatical and technical errors that could potentially disrupt the professional tone of the report or undermine the legitimacy of the information presented. It is important to ensure the entire report is cohesive and has a logical flow, too. The aim is to ensure that the reader has a comprehensive understanding of the topic by the end of reading the report.
Legal Advice
Writing a business report that best supports your organisation can be challenging. Check out Business Kitz subscription service today to access our full range of legal, commercial and employment documents to begin your business with a solid foundation that ensures compliance. If you are unsure about how to best protect yourself and your future business, our sister company, Legal Kitz can assist you. To arrange a FREE consultation with one of their highly experienced solicitors, click here today, or contact us at info@legalkitz.com.au or 1300 988 954.
