Board members have a lot on their plate, and they’re expected to make key decisions. It’s important to communicate the essential business information of your organization in a lucid, engaging way. This article will walk you through the best methods for writing a successful board report.
Start with a summary. This is the base that holds everything together in one easy spoonful for your busy audience. It will provide your audience with a taste of what they can expect and the reasons why they should read the complete report.
The substance of your report lies the next. Include important metrics and data that are meaningful for the business, and those that compare to industry benchmarks. Highlight any milestones or achievements the company has made, as well any challenges that could affect future performance. Don’t forget to highlight any projects that are coming up that need approval of the board or financial support.
Include any high-level statements of opportunity or risk the company has identified and their impact. Be sure to present these with sufficient detail that is suitable to the board’s risk tolerance.
You should conclude with your key takeaways and a concise statement about the next steps the company should take. The purpose of the report will determine the contents – whether it’s to inform the board, or – more commonly – to solicit the decision. This will determine how you structure the whole report, and whether or not you have to include an outline of the report along with clear headings and bullet points for your primary messages, as well as a www.boardroomlife.com/four-critical-factors-that-impact-nonprofit-success/ summary for analyzing your findings.
