Category Archives: Corporate reporting

New trends in sustainability reporting

By Richard Ketchen | Published: April 4, 2012
When it comes to determining the primary audience for sustainability reports, is it investors, customers or another stakeholder group? A recent study by Ernst & Young and GreenBiz.com found employees to be the second most important audience for sustainability reports. That’s not surprising when you consider that the study also found employees to be second [...]
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Corporate responsibility reporting gains traction

By Richard Ketchen | Published: March 8, 2012
Corporate responsibility reporting hit an all-time high in 2011. Once seen as fulfilling a moral obligation to society, the so-called triple-bottom-line approach to reporting is now considered a business imperative by the world’s largest companies. According to a study by KPMG, corporate responsibility reporting is increasingly providing financial value and driving innovation.
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What makes a great annual report?

By Richard Ketchen | Published: October 19, 2011
Asking an investor what makes a good annual report is like asking somebody what makes a good pizza. Some enjoy the simplicity of a thin, crispy crust topped with only tomato sauce and cheese. Others prefer thick-crusted varieties capable of supporting a shopping-cart load of toppings.
Also posted in Annual reports, Integrated reporting, Messaging strategy, Narrative structure, Plain language, Stakeholder communication, Strategic messaging | Leave a comment

Exchanges: Remarkable news and quotes

By Richard Ketchen | Published: August 16, 2011
Study calls for truer account of performance. Major investors ask companies to embrace ESG issues. Hybrid annual reports on the rise.
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3 tips for simplifying your annual report

By Richard Ketchen | Published: June 20, 2011
Complexity is unavoidable in today’s ever more complicated and sophisticated business environment. Much of the complexity in corporate reporting, however, is created by the sheer volume of disclosure. The solution? Thoughtful reduction to achieve simplicity.
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Exchanges: Remarkable news and quotes

By Richard Ketchen | Published: May 6, 2011
Benefits of integrated reporting. Transparency is not about giving away secrets.
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Telling the story behind the numbers

By Richard Ketchen | Published: April 4, 2011
Love it or hate it, management’s discussion and analysis, or simply the MD&A, provides a window on details behind earnings and other key performance numbers. But is the MD&A a bastion of storytelling and plain language? Probably not. So how can you capture a reader’s attention and communicate clearly and effectively in the MD&A? The [...]
Also posted in Annual reports, Financial communication, Financial writing, Integrated reporting, Plain language | Leave a comment

Wise words and plain language from Warren Buffett

By Richard Ketchen | Published: March 2, 2011
Warren Buffett, legendary investor and Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, recently released that company’s 2010 annual report. His famously open and honest shareholder letters first appeared in 1977. The letters are a must-read for anybody who communicates in writing with stakeholders.
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Is your annual report squeaky clean?

By Richard Ketchen | Published: February 17, 2011
“A DECENT annual report is becoming like a hygiene factor—it’s like washing your teeth on a daily basis.” That was the answer of one European corporate finance executive to the question, What makes a good annual report? So in addition to being transparent, your annual report also needs the same care and attention as your [...]
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How to manage the annual report tug-of-war

By Richard Ketchen | Published: November 29, 2010
If it hasn’t already started, it will be in full swing within a few weeks. I’m referring to the tug-of-war that takes place during the planning and production of an annual report. This contest usually features two teams: left-brainers (the logic and finance folks) versus right-brainers (the intuitive and creative types).
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