A business report is an official document that transparently conveys facts, research findings, statistical data, or other data pertinent to an organization. Organizations mainly use it for internal communications. The importance of report writing in business cannot be emphasized enough. It helps a company plan its activities and allows it to review the progress of different entity segments. If you want to have a good-looking company report, visit ElegantDoc.com. It features a visually appealing, preformatted formal business report template, which you can edit in a few minutes. Is your goal to create a report on your own? If so, here is a detailed guide on how to do it in any editor or presentation design service.

How to write a business report?

Plan before writing it

Why are you writing a business report? By answering this question, you know the data you must include. As a result, conducting research, compiling the findings, and drafting it will be easier and faster.

Check for an in-house format

Your organization may already have a standard layout for formal business reports. Confirm from the company’s manual or inquire from the individual who wants the report if there’s a preferred format. Using an in-house format enables your report to appear more professional.

Include a title

Ensure the title accurately captures the report’s contents and sparks the reader’s interest. The title should be clear, visible, and brief. Remember to add your and other authors’ names when you write the report.

Include a table of contents

A table of contents is a vital component of business report writing structure. It gives users a general idea of what the document covers. Ensure all the section headings match those in the report.

The page numbers should also match. Notably, you can generate the table of contents after some time. Wait until you are done drafting the report.

Start with an overview

This part highlights the major points (including findings) of the report briefly. To be on the safe side, inquire about the length of this speed read from the person who told you to work on the report. Even though the overview appears in the initial segment of the report, ensure you write it last. This allows you to incorporate info from the last parts (conclusion and recommendation).

Write an introduction

An introduction explains the report’s purpose. Describe your subject in detail for the reader to comprehend what the report wants to address. Be sure to add any definitions and sum up the major argument here.

Outline your methodology

What kind of research methods did you rely on in getting the information on the subject matter? Did you use quantitative, qualitative or both methods? Answer these questions in this part, and remember to explain the reasons for choosing a particular methodology to build the report’s credibility.

Represent the body of your report

Report writing for business may lack meaning if you fail to represent the body of your document. So, remember to provide a detailed discussion of your work, including your research findings. Basing your report on raw data rather than on your assumptions leads to a greater effect. Especially if you can clarify the exact insights presented by information from the report. Prove to your audience that you have examined the subject thoroughly for them to appreciate the significance of the content you presented to them.

Finish with conclusion and recommendations

This is where you interpret the results to help the reader know what they mean. At the same time, you recommend what has to be done to address the subject. However, take care to avoid repeating points already discussed in your report. Notably, it would help if you communicated how the organization would be affected when the suggestions are implemented..

Add a bibliography and appendices

Business report writing isn’t complete without a bibliography and appendices section. Acknowledge all the sources you have used in writing the report alphabetically. Ask your organization what citation format is ideal for your case. Be sure to feature maps, notes, tables, charts, questionnaires, etc., in the appendices part. Label each material using a letter for easy referencing in the report.

Pay attention to the company report design

Although this is the last point in the company report guide, it’s one of the most important. A good design allows you to report the company’s progress positively and draw the investors’ attention. While creating a company report may be challenging with MS Word due to the lengthy process involved, you can do it without stress using ElegantDoc.com.

Summary

By now, you know the constituents of a company report. However, the process of designing a business report is time-consuming and laborious. You can avoid this by using a good tool with ready-made templates.