Business Report writing
- 1. SUHAIB AZEEM KHAN MBA (finance) A.M.U. Aligarh
- 2. CONTENTS : Report Types of Report Report writing Factors shaping report 5 steps for effective report writing Structure of report Style and Formatting guidelines Qualities of good reporting.
- 3. An analysis of the data of the investigation, written in an objective, logical and factual way. Any matter on which definite information is required.
- 4. Status Reports Satisfies our need to know. Describes:- Things People And Events Decision Reports Gives the reportee a set of options based on an analysis of a problem and relevant facts.
- 5. A process involving activities: Thinking Writing Discussing Revising
- 6. Target audience Purpose Relationship between the reporter and the reportee Availability of resources, including time
- 7. Collect your ideas Write a first Draft Revise your Draft Proof read Publish
- 8. Title page Letter of Transmittal (covering letter) Table of contents Executive summary Introduction Main Body Conclusion Appendix References & Bibliography
- 9. 1. Title Page Title of the report Name of reportee Name of writer Date of submission 2. Letter of Transmittal Formally presents the report to the reportee 3. Table of contents What actually report contains?
- 10. 4. Executive Summary: Background Methodology Findings and recommendations 5. Introduction: Brief background Objectives Steps followed
- 11. 6. Main Body: Presents and interprets data 7. Conclusion: Inferences/summary findings Suggestions/recommendations 8. Appendix: Additional material. e.g.; Copy of questionnaire. 9. References & Bibliography: Web-sites, Sec. data consulted for report.
- 12. 1. Number each figure/table, add a meaningful caption to each figure. 2. References (of papers, documents,manuals,web pages etc) at the end of your report (after conclusion and before the appendix) 3. Give citations to each of these references inside the text (Using standard formats like APA) 4. Size of report 5. Use A4 paper & font size 12 (Times New Roman; preffered) 5. Spell check electronically as well as manually 6. Number the pages 7. Read and edit several times before submission 8. Bind report
- 13. Reader-oriented Brief Well-sequenced Complete Presented in appropriate language
- 14. 1. Reader Oriented: Who For? What For? 2. Brevity: Cutting out irrelevant data 3. Well-sequenced: Basis of sequencing could be chronology(order in which things happen) 4. Completeness: Source of data Relevant data Credibility and supporting evidence
- 15. Linguistic correctness “ Small mistakes make big differences” i. Spelling mistakes R eceive - D eceive S k illed - S t illed ii. Grammer iii. Punctuation marks
- 16. The companies have been systematically prevented and frustrated for several years by antiquated labor laws prevailing in the country since independence, from organizing their labor forces by compelling them to retain excess staff resulting in much higher production cost levels and lower productivity levels compared to countries such as; China, Philippines, Cambodia, and even Bangladesh, which appear to have rid themselves of anti-production laws.
- 17. Another version of same paragraph: Outdated labor laws have prevented our companies from managing their labor forces efficiently. The companies are compelled to retain workers who are no longer needed. Consequently , the production costs go up, productivity comes down. Is it surprising then that we are unable to compete with countries such as; China, Cambodia and Bangladesh, which have rid themselves of anti-production labor laws?
- 18. Mix sentence length and paragraph lengths. Varying focus from concrete and the general. Usage of appropriate transitional devices ; like meanwhile, however, nevertheless etc. Use sub heads to guide your reader from one sub topic to another. Use figurative language. Don’t use abbreviations which user don’t know. Avoid jargons.
- 19. “ Being willing to listen to feedback from others and follow their advice can help you in becoming a more persuasive communicator and create reports that successfully convey your desired message.”