Board members are expected to make crucial decisions. That’s why it’s so important that your business communicates its key business information in a simple, engaging manner. This article will guide you through the best ways to write an excellent report for your board.
Begin with a summary. This is the sauce that holds everything together in one quick spoonful for your time-poor audience. It will provide your audience with an idea of what’s in store and why they should read the entire report.
The core of your report is the next step. Include important metrics and data that are relevant to the business, such as those that compare against industry benchmarks. Highlight any achievements and milestones the company has reached and any challenges that are impacting the future performance. Don’t forget to highlight any projects in the near future that require approval of the board or financial backing.
Include any high-level statements of opportunity or risk the company has identified and their impact. You should make them available with a level of detail that is consistent with the board’s tolerance to risk.
You should end with your main points and a clear explanation of the next steps the company must take. The purpose of the board report will determine its content. It may be to inform the board or, more commonly, to ask for an answer. This will help you decide visit how to write your report, including whether or not you need to include an outline of the report, clear headings and bullet points for your main messages, and a summation for analyzing your findings.