Essential Sections of a Business report

Essential Sections of a Business report

what are the Sections of a Business report

Title page Executive Summary Table of Contents Introduction Discussion/Findings – business-related headings Conclusion Recommendations References Appendices (optional)

Title page
Executive Summary
Table of Contents
Introduction
Discussion/Findings – business-related headings
Conclusion
Recommendations
References
Appendices (optional)

Title Page 

The title page must include:
• The research question (the focus of your report)
• Your name and student ID
• Name of the unit
• Date of submission
• Name of your lecturer
• Word count

What should I include in the Executive Summary?

Briefly outlines the subject matter, the background problem, the important findings/issues/arguments raised in the discussion, the conclusion, and recommendations

What should I write in the introduction of a report?

the background to the issue (i.e. why is the report being written) • the purpose of the report • a definition of the research problem/topic • an outline of the report’s structure • an overview of the report’s sections and focus • the scope of the report (the specific areas of the topic that are being explored) • the outcome (position statement, recommendation)

• Overview of the report’s essential information:
• Designed to be read by people who may not have time to read
the whole report, but need to make decisions and take action
(usually senior management).
• Briefly outlines the subject matter, the background problem,
the important findings/issues/arguments raised in the
discussion, the conclusion, and recommendations
• Designed to stand alone and be read in isolation.
• Usually written last and is approximately 200-300 words long.

Table of contents
Include all headings and sub-headings used in your report
Page number for each section should be provided.
In MS Word, click on the References tab, then on Table of Contents

How to create a table of contents using Microsoft Word:

Introduction 
The introduction provides information regarding:
• the background to the issue (i.e. why is the report being
written)
• the purpose of the report
• a definition of the research problem/topic
• an outline of the report’s structure
• an overview of the report’s sections and focus
• the scope of the report (the specific areas of the topic that are
being explored)
• the outcome (position statement, recommendation)

Discussion
The body section of the report;
• expands and develops the research in a logical and coherent
manner following the structure outlined in the Introduction.
• contains a detailed description of the findings and a discussion
of them.
• includes an analysis of the findings.
• What could be potential barriers and how will you deal with
these to overcome them?
• includes supporting evidence, including visual data.

To help readers navigate your report use:
Headings
Subheadings
Bullet Points/Numbers
NOTE: These are never used for essays!!!!

Conclusion
Restate the purpose of the report
Briefly summarise the main points from the findings to show
how the purpose of the report has been fulfilled and the
thesis/position justified
Don’t introduce any new material or citations

Recommendations
The recommendations section suggests
suitable actions, outcomes, changes or
solutions to the problem(s) identified in
the research.
The recommendations are generally listed
in point, form starting with the quickest,
easiest and cheaper to the more expensive
and time-consuming.
Don’t forget, an organization may decide
not to take on board recommendations.
State this too, and what the consequences
will be.

Language of recommendations

Tentative language is used when
making recommendations.
Words such as ‘should’ ‘could’ ‘may’ are used as the
recommendations are merely suggestions.
Recommendations often start with
‘It is recommended that…’
References
• All academic material must be appropriately referenced, including:
– lecture or workshop content
– textbooks or journal articles
• Thorough and regular referencing adds academic weight to your arguments.
Statements not backed up by data and/or appropriate business
theory/frameworks carry less weight.
• Referencing adds rigour, integrity and believability to your arguments –
doing this as often as possible will enhance your paper by demonstrating
your business knowledge with credible sources.
• Indicate the author, year and page number in-text where ever possible
using in-text citations

Headings and Sub-headings
Headings must be short, relevant and consistent.
• Number headings and use bold font.
• If one section has a number of components to it then use subheadings under your main heading. Eg:
2. Critical Analysis of the Changing Environment
2.1 External Environment
2.2 Industry Environment
• Headings need to be logical so the connections are clear.

Reader-friendly: Structure, paragraphs,
signposting
1. The headings need to be uniform (same size font, position)
2. Paragraph structure
• one main idea per paragraph
• each paragraph has a clear topic sentence
3. Signpost your structure to the reader – use guiding sentences,
transition statements and concluding remarks

Presentation of the report
Needs to have the ‘wow’ factor, be sexy, professional and leave
a good impression
•An easily read and consistently applied font
•Australian spellcheck + language settings (NOT United States)
•Numbered headings and generous use of white space (in
margins and at the top and bottom of each page as well as to
separate each section)
•Effective use of color, logos, images, and graphs – but not too
much – these must be referenced too
•Consistent use of abbreviations and acronyms
•Proofread before submission

Appendices – Advantages
• Attract attention
• A picture speaks 1,000 words
• Simplify concepts
• Useful for non-native speakers
• Condense & summarize
• Large quantities of data
• Highly persuasive
• Visuals are the key to changing closed minds

Choosing Visuals
Visuals must add value to your report:
• Inform
• Show ideas, relationships, processes trends more clearly
• Provide evidence to support arguments

What is visual data?
There are many different types of visual information/data used in
academic and business contexts.
When included in academic or business reports, all visuals are
categorized as either: Tables or Figures

1. Tables
Used to organise data or information
A table includes a set of data arranged in rows and columns
The data may include words or phrases, numbers or percentages
The table may set out a final result
The table may set out a cumulative total – e.g. budget

2. Figures – includes all other visual forms
Graphs (visual representation of data that displays the relationships among variables –
usually arranged along x and y axes
Diagrams – simplified visual representation of concepts, ideas, relationships
(i.e. flowchart)

Visual information: Describing visuals
Although visuals largely speak for themselves, it is common to help
the reader interpret them by briefly commenting on their main
features.
The graph (figure 1.) shows the change in the price of oil since 1990.
The map (figure 2.) illustrates the main source of copper in Africa.
The diagram (figure 3.) displays the organization of both companies.
The infographic (figure 4.) demonstrates the importance of visual information for
readers.

In Summary..
Visuals can add value to your written work if chosen
carefully. Including visuals in your university assignments
entails following certain conventions.
Each visual must have:
1. Description in the body of the report that link to
the appendix – explaining the relevance of the
visual to the purpose of the paper
(see appendix 1)
2. Title (figure/table, number and title)
3. In text citation
4. Included on the reference list

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