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 answer is to Read More »

Posted in Annual reports, Corporate reporting, 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. Read More »

Posted in Annual reports, Communication strategy, Corporate reporting, Plain language, Stakeholder communication | Leave a comment

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 pearly whites. Or, as Colgate says, “Smile care you can trust.”

The importance of both trust and transparency was driven home again recently Read More »

Posted in Annual reports, Communication strategy, Corporate reporting, Stakeholder communication | Leave a comment

Exchanges: Remarkable news and quotes

By Richard Ketchen | Published: January 11, 2011

Keeping annual reports simple. The future of narrative reporting. Photos can speak louder than words. Read More »

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

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). Read More »

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

Exchanges: Remarkable news and quotes

By Richard Ketchen | Published: November 8, 2010

Undressing for success. Accountants say less reporting provides more insight. Canadian regulators, meanwhile, want more reporting. Read More »

Posted in CSR reporting, Integrated reporting, Stakeholder communication | Leave a comment

Monster annual reports: Frankenstein’s still alive

By Richard Ketchen | Published: October 26, 2010

When the 2006 annual report from Hong Kong banking giant HSBC thudded onto the doorsteps of shareholders, the 458-page beast weighed in at 1.47 kilos or 3.2 pounds. The monster report was so heavy that the UK’s Royal Mail limited the number its workers were allowed to carry, to prevent back injuries. Pundits, meanwhile, claimed that the traditional annual report was on its way to being history. So, what, if anything, has changed? Read More »

Posted in Annual reports, Corporate reporting, Financial communication | Leave a comment

Exchanges: Remarkable news and quotes

By Richard Ketchen | Published: September 24, 2010

The new corporate reputation. Numbers versus a good story. Making annual reports more readable. [more]

Posted in Communication strategy, Financial writing, Stakeholder communication | Leave a comment

Annual reports: Bridging gaps or burning bridges?

By Richard Ketchen | Published: August 1, 2010

Like it or not, every company has communication gaps. Gaps exist between promises and performance, and between perception and reality, among others. Now, a new gap is developing between disclosure and understanding. [more]

Posted in Annual reports, Financial writing, Stakeholder communication | Leave a comment

If money talks, let it speak clearly

By Richard Ketchen | Published: July 15, 2010

NASA’s latest rocket took a six-minute test flight last month. The Ares I-X is the longest rocket ever built at 327 feet. It’s part of NASA’s plan to send astronauts on a 238,857-mile journey to the moon by 2020.

What’s that got to do with business and financial communication? Well, some wag, usually a politician, would tell you that 2.5 million dollar bills laid end to end would reach the moon. Or, for that matter, the same number of fifty-dollar bills. Amazing! But not always enlightening. [more]

Posted in Financial writing, Stakeholder communication | Leave a comment