Subscribe to my free stakeholder communication newsletter
Download my Free report
- Richard provided prompt, personal attention to our annual report project. This makes a huge difference when deadlines are tight and the pace is hectic. He has a knack for getting the written message across clearly and simply – the way an annual report should be.Rob Miller, President & CEO, PRT Forest Regeneration Income Fund
Topics
- Annual reports (15)
- Communication strategy (6)
- Corporate reporting (14)
- CSR reporting (5)
- Financial communication (2)
- Financial writing (8)
- Integrated reporting (8)
- Messaging strategy (3)
- Narrative structure (3)
- Plain language (5)
- Stakeholder communication (16)
- Strategic messaging (1)
- Sustainability reporting (4)
- Uncategorized (5)
-
Subscribe by RSS
Download my Free report
Success stories
How big can we dream? That was the question First Calgary Financial used to underpin the theme for its 2010 annual report. Significantly, it was also a question embedded in the credit union’s new strategic plan.
The annual report theme was selected to help stakeholders understand the organization’s direction and bring to life operational and sustainability achievements in 2010 through a series of stories. Among these was the experience of a young business member who had a dream to build an upscale tattoo studio featuring the work of classically trained artists. Not exactly the type of business you’d expect a financial organization to use to portray how it operates, but then First Calgary Financial doesn’t do business as usual.
Describing First Calgary Financial as “cleverly inventive and resourceful,” the Credit Union Executive Society recently honoured the credit union with an award of merit for marketing excellence for its 2010 annual report. Over 500 credit unions from across North America competed for recognition in 27 categories for the 36th annual Golden Mirror competition. All projects were judged on their ability to convey examples of exceptional creativity, unique perspectives and audience engagement.
This was the fifth annual report I’ve written for First Calgary Financial, and the third to be recognized for corporate reporting or marketing excellence. Show me
PRT, Canada’s largest forest nursery company, faced questions in 2009 about the lingering effects of the downturn in US housing markets. That market’s poor fundamentals were affecting PRT’s primary customers, Canadian forest products companies. PRT needed to tell a convincing story about its plans to diversify, adapt and maintain profitability.
Using a series of vignettes, I wrote supporting narrative for the shareholder letter that built investor confidence in the company’s competitiveness and diversification plans. Both the company’s earnings and share price are stronger in 2010. This was the eighth consecutive year I’ve written PRT’s report. Show me
Having changed its corporate structure and diversified its operations, PRT still needed to refresh an out-of-date website. The site needed an upgrade to increase awareness of PRT’s products and services and to support diversification plans without alienating legacy customers. It also needed to be simpler and easier to navigate.
The solution? A comprehensive content strategy, revised information architecture and new content that combined readability with usability. Working in partnership with a design agency and PRT staff, I guided PRT through a strategic redevelopment of its website. The new site is cleaner and leaner, enabling customers and investors to quickly and easily find information that’s important to them. Show me.