Business Report Explained: How to Write a Business Report

Business reports offer critical takeaways from findings, research, or meetings. These informational reports are an act of knowledge sharing, providing managers, team members, human resources, or other employees with updates from a given period. Business reports offer everyone the information they need to succeed in their jobs.

Small businesses and major corporations rely on business reports for institutional success. As an essential tool for knowledge sharing, business reports democratize information, supplying employees with the intel they need to inform and perform their jobs. Business reports also create a log, acting as reference points for where projects, sales, and companies are at a given time.

There are a few common types of business reports. Consider the following business report examples:

1. 1. Analytical reports: Analytical reports help companies reach informed decisions. They report findings and offer insights to empower business leaders to assess relevant information and decide on strategies.
2. 2. Annual reports: An annual report can take different forms, but its key points will speak to company performance over the past calendar or fiscal year, showing through bird's-eye view analytics how the company grew or shrunk concerning sales, employee retention, and other variables.
3. 3. Marketing reports: Marketing reports outline how a specific campaign performs, sharing KPIs (key performance indicators) and analytics to give a snapshot of consumer reception and return on investment.
4. 4. Progress reports: In business communication, progress reports detail the status of a particular project. It will inform decision-making and let leaders know about the punctuality of a project.
5. 5. Research reports: Companies use research reports when considering testing new markets or new products. The purpose of the report is to provide contextual and background information that speaks to what the company seeks in its future initiatives.
6. 6. Sales reports: Companies may generate daily, weekly, or monthly sales reports to let sales managers and higher-ups know how much revenue the company is bringing in.

While business reports are formal reports, they do not require academic writing. Follow these steps to strengthen your report-writing skills:

1. 1. Create a clear structure. You can include a brief title page, including the name of the report writer, date, and report title. Then, open with a table of contents so readers can easily reference page numbers and find what information they need.
2. 2. Start with an executive summary. This paragraph or two should summarize the main points outlined in the rest of the body of the report. It gives a quick overview of what the reader needs to know.
3. 3. Fill out the body. The body will include pertinent details. Stick with one font, and have a clean report structure with headings, subheadings, and subsections to punctuate the flow. Key points of the report can appear in graphics and bullets under each main section.
4. 4. Offer a conclusion. This section of the report may reiterate parts of your executive summary and come with personal recommendations or insights from the writer.
5. 5. Edit. Business reports should have concise writing, a clear focus, and organized thoughts. Proofreading the entire report before turning it in is essential.

MasterClass at Work is the learning platform to help unlock the full potential of your employees and inspire a learning lifestyle in everyone. From negotiation to mindfulness to baking—these are just a few things your teams can explore.