Category Archives: Integrated 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.

Also posted in Annual reports, CSR reporting, Corporate reporting, Stakeholder communication, Sustainability reporting, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

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, Corporate 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.

Also posted in Annual reports, CSR reporting, Corporate reporting, Stakeholder communication | Leave a comment

Exchanges: Remarkable news and quotes

By Richard Ketchen | Published: June 29, 2011

New coalition aims for better sustainability ratings. Association seeks improved sustainability reporting.

Also posted in CSR reporting, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Exchanges: Remarkable news and quotes

By Richard Ketchen | Published: May 6, 2011

Benefits of integrated reporting. Transparency is not about giving away secrets.

Also posted in Annual reports, Corporate reporting, Stakeholder communication | Leave a comment

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, Corporate reporting, Financial communication, Financial writing, Plain language | Leave a comment