Leaders in almost every profession focus on improving results. Usually, 'improving results' means taking a keener look at current strategy. Businesses examine marketing strategy to boost profits in different markets, governments analyze military strategy when faced with challenges to national security, and educators re-think teaching strategy when student performance starts to dip. Professionals in these and other fields catalogue the results from these studies in strategy reports.
Updated September 26, 2017
Updated September 26, 2017
Start with an executive summary. Identify the subject. Then introduce the current strategy and explain the report's angle. For example, an executive summary for a strategy report on improving student test scores might read, 'Standardized test scores of students at Madison Regional High School are near the state average.'
How to Write an Executive Summary for a Business Plan (PDF) In general, an executive summary summarizes the key points of a report or paper. The main goal of an executive summary is to make even the most technical paper readable and understandable.
Discuss the current strategy and explain why it needs another look. Then state the report's purpose. For example, 'District supervisors say they would like to see test results improve. The high school's teachers usually start in January to prepare students for the end-of-year tests. This report considers whether a change in teaching strategy might better ready students for the new standardized assessments.'
Write an overview. Provide historical background of the subject. Identify key players. Divide the subject into sub-topics with separate headings.
Describe performance indicators used to measure results. For example, in a report measuring the performance of a computer's file server, the Edison Group identified 'Net Bench' as a common measurement of file server capability. The report then described the specific tests that were performed and the results of each.
Analyze the methodology used to make conclusions. Explain why the metrics used are appropriate for the subject matter. In the example about improving student test scores, you might identify the different methods used to evaluate preparation for standardized tests and explain how these methods produced reliable results in other school districts.
Rate the accuracy of strategy findings. Explain why your results are dependable. Discuss inconsistencies, if any, and explain why they don't contradict the report's conclusions.
Present findings in a format most appropriate for the subject matter. For example, use a numbered list of concise text summaries if reporting on strategies to modify student behavior. Use a graph or table for results that report numbers and dollar amounts.
Finish the strategy report with conclusions that support or reject the current strategy. Restate the purpose of the report in the form of a question. For example, 'If students prepare for standardized tests in September, will their scores improve?' Then answer the question in one sentence. Continue with a discussion of the key facts supporting the conclusion.
If you would like to learn how to write a business report in English follow these tips and use the example report as a template on which to base your own business report. First of all, business reports provide important information for management that is timely and factual. English learners writing business reports need to make sure that the language is precise and concise. The writing style used for business reports should present information without strong opinions, but rather as direct and accurately as possible. Linking language should be used to connect ideas and sections of the business report. This example business report presents the four essentials that every business report should include:
- Terms of Reference
Terms of reference refer to the terms on which the business report is written.
- Procedure
The procedure describes the method that was used to collect data for the report.
- Findings
The findings describe the data or other important information the report produced.
- Conclusions
Conclusions are drawn on the findings which provide reasons for recommendations.
- Recommendations
The recommendations are specific suggestions made based on the conclusions of the report.
Read the short example business report and follow the tips below. Teachers can print these examples for use in class in lessons using sound teaching writing strategies.
Reports: Example Report
Terms of Reference
Margaret Anderson, Director of Personnel has requested this report on employee benefits satisfaction. The report was to be submitted to her by 28 June.
Procedure
A representative selection of 15% of all employees were interviewed in the period between April 1st and April 15th concerning:
- Overall satisfaction with our current benefits package
- Problems encountered when dealing with the personnel department
- Suggestions for the improvement of communication policies
- Problems encountered when dealing with our HMO
Findings
- Employees were generally satisfied with the current benefits package.
- Some problems were encountered when requesting vacation due to what is perceived as long approval waiting periods.
- Older employees repeatedly had problems with HMO prescription drugs procedures.
- Employees between the ages of 22 and 30 report few problems with HMO.
- Most employees complain about the lack of dental insurance in our benefits package.
- The most common suggestion for improvement was for the ability to process benefits requests online.
Conclusions
- Older employees, those over 50, are having serious problems with our HMO's ability to provide prescription drugs.
- Our benefits request system needs to be revised as most complaints concerning in-house processing.
- Improvements need to take place in personnel department response time.
- Information technology improvements should be considered as employees become more technologically savvy.
Recommendations
- Meet with HMO representatives to discuss the serious nature of complaints concerning prescription drug benefits for older employees.
- Give priority to vacation request response time as employees need faster approval in order to be able to plan their vacations.
- Take no special actions for the benefits package of younger employees.
- Discuss the possibility of adding an online benefits requests system to our company Intranet.
Important Points to Remember
- A report is divided into four areas:
- Terms of Reference- This section gives background information on the reason for the report. It usually includes the person requesting the report.
- Procedure- The procedure provides the exact steps taken and methods used for the report.
- Findings- The findings point out discoveries made during the course of the report investigation.
- Conclusions- The conclusions provide logical conclusions based on the findings.
- Recommendations- The recommendations state actions that the writer of the report feels need to be taken based on the findings and conclusions.
- Reports should be concise and factual. Opinions are given in the 'conclusions' section. However, these opinions should be based on facts presented in the 'findings'.
- Use simple tenses (usually the present simple) to express facts.
- Use the imperative form (Discuss the possibility ..., Give priority ..., etc.) in the 'recommendations' section as these apply to the company as a whole.
Continue learning about other types of business documents using these resources:
Memos
Email
Introduction to Writing Business Plans
Introduction to Writing Business Plans
Business memos are written to an entire office. When writing business memos make sure to clearly mark for whom the memo is intended, the reason for writing the memo and who is writing the memo. Memos tend to inform colleagues of office and procedural changes that apply to a large group of people. They often provide instructions using the imperative voice. Here is an example memo with follow-up important points to use when writing business memos in English.
Example Memo
From: Management
To: Northwest Area Sales Staff
RE: New Monthly Reporting System
We’d like to quickly go over some of the changes in the new monthly sales reporting system that we discussed at Monday’s special meeting. First of all, we'd once again like to stress that this new system will save you a lot of time when reporting future sales. We understand that you have concerns about the amount of time that will be initially required for inputting your client data. Despite this initial effort, we are confident that you will all soon enjoy the benefits of this new system.
Here is a look at the procedure you will need to follow to complete your area's client list:
- Log on to the company website at http://www.picklesandmore.com
- Enter your user ID and password. These will be issued next week.
- Once you have logged on, click on 'New Client'.
- Enter the appropriate client information.
- Repeat steps 3 and 4 until you have entered all of your clients.
- Once this information has been entered, select 'Place Order'.
- Choose the client from the drop down list 'Clients'.
- Choose the products from the drop down list 'Products'.
- Choose the shipping specifications from the drop down list 'Shipping'.
- Click on the 'Process Order' button.
As you can see, once you have entered the appropriate client information, processing orders will require NO paperwork on your part.
Thank you all for your help in putting this new system into place.
Best regards,
Management
Important Points to Remember
- Use the following structure to begin a memo:MEMO
From: (person or group sending the memo)
To: (person or group to whom the memo is addressed)
RE: (the subject of the memo, this should be in bold) - The term 'memorandum' can be used instead of 'memo'.
- A memo is generally is not as formal as a written letter. However, it is certainly not as informal as a personal letter.
- The tone of a memo is generally friendly as it is a communication between colleagues.
- Keep the memo concise and to the point.
- If necessary, introduce the reason for the memo with a short paragraph.
- Use bullet points to explain the most important steps in a process.
- Use a short thank you to finish the memo. This need not be as formal as in a written letter.
Reports
Memos
Email
Introduction to Writing Business Plans
Memos
Introduction to Writing Business Plans
To learn how to write a business email, remember the following: Business emails are generally less formal than business letters. Business emails written to colleagues are generally direct and ask for specific actions to be taken. It's important to keep your business emails short, as the easier it is to reply to an email the more likely it is that a business contact will reply quickly.
Example 1: Formal
The first example shows how to write a formal business email. Note the less formal 'Hello' in the salutation combined with a more formal style in the actual email.
Hello,
I read on your website that you offer Music CD copying for large quantities of CDs. I'd like to inquire about the procedures involved in these services. Are the files transferred online, or are the titles sent by CD to you by standard mail? How long does it usually take to produce approximately 500 copies? Are there any discounts on such a large quantity?
Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. I look forward to your response.
Jack Finley
Sales Manager, Young Talent Inc.
(709) 567 - 3498
Sales Manager, Young Talent Inc.
(709) 567 - 3498
Example 2: Informal
The second example shows how to write an informal email. Notice the more conversational tone throughout the email. It's as if the writer were speaking on the phone.
At 16.22 01/07 +0000, you wrote:
> I hear you're working on the Smith account. If you need any information don't hesitate to get in > contact with me.
Hi Tom,
Listen, we've been working on the Smith account and I was wondering if you could give me a hand? I need some inside information on recent developments over there. Do you think you could pass on any information you might have?
Thanks
Peter
Peter Thompsen
Account Manager, Tri-State Accounting
(698) 345 - 7843
Account Manager, Tri-State Accounting
(698) 345 - 7843
Example 3: Very Informal
In the third example, you can see a very informal email which is very similar to texting. Use this type of email only with colleagues with whom you have a close working relationship.
At 11.22 01/12 +0000, you wrote:
> I'd like a suggestion for a consulting firm.
How about Smith and Sons?
KB
Important Points to Remember
- Email is much less formal than a written letter. Emails are usually short and concise.
- If you are writing to someone you don't know, a simple 'Hello' is adequate. Using a salutation such as 'Dear Mr Smith,' is too formal.
- When writing to someone you know well, feel free to write as if you are speaking to the person.
- Use abbreviated verb forms (He's, We're, He'd, etc.)
- Include a telephone number to the signature of the email. This will give the recipient the chance to telephone if necessary.
- It is not necessary to include your email address as the recipient can just reply to the email.
- When replying eliminate all the information that is not necessary. Only leave the sections of text that are related to your reply. This will save your reader time when reading your email.
Reports
Memos
Email
Introduction to Writing Business Plans
Memos
Introduction to Writing Business Plans