WEBVTT
Kind: captions
Language: en

00:00:00.620 --> 00:00:05.819
When a company needs to make an informed
decision, a business report can guide the

00:00:05.819 --> 00:00:11.190
way. These documents use facts and
research to study data, analyze

00:00:11.190 --> 00:00:17.400
performance, and provide recommendations
for the future. Business reports are

00:00:17.400 --> 00:00:22.410
always formal and objective, and every
fact must be clear and backed up by a

00:00:22.410 --> 00:00:27.300
legitimate source, no matter if the
report focuses on a single issue or an

00:00:27.300 --> 00:00:32.719
entire company. Let's look at the
structure of a typical business report.

00:00:32.719 --> 00:00:38.750
First, list your name, contact information,
and the date of submission.

00:00:38.750 --> 00:00:45.899
We also recommend giving the report a
title. Next, provide some background on

00:00:45.899 --> 00:00:51.350
the topic you'll be discussing, along
with the purpose of the report itself. In

00:00:51.350 --> 00:00:57.719
the key findings, provide relevant facts
and data using bulleted lists, charts, or

00:00:57.719 --> 00:01:03.300
any other medium that can help make your
point. Be clear and specific, because the

00:01:03.300 --> 00:01:08.070
entire report revolves around this
information. When you reach the

00:01:08.070 --> 00:01:13.560
conclusion, summarize and interpret the
key findings, identify issues found

00:01:13.560 --> 00:01:20.549
within the data, and answer any relevant
questions. Then, recommend solutions based

00:01:20.549 --> 00:01:26.729
on what you've presented. Remember to
stay objective, impersonal, and focused on

00:01:26.729 --> 00:01:33.509
the company's perspective. For the
references, list the sources for all the

00:01:33.509 --> 00:01:37.049
data you've cited. This allows your
reader to learn where you got your

00:01:37.049 --> 00:01:41.530
information.
Some companies may require an executive

00:01:41.530 --> 00:01:45.759
summary at the beginning of the report.
An executive summary includes the

00:01:45.759 --> 00:01:50.439
background, key findings, and
recommendations within a single section.

00:01:50.439 --> 00:01:55.770
This lets a reader learn the highlights
without having to read the entire report.

00:01:55.770 --> 00:02:00.220
While business reports may seem
intimidating, you have the ability to

00:02:00.220 --> 00:02:04.630
create one of your own. Collect and
present the facts in an organized manner,

00:02:04.630 --> 00:02:12.310
and you'll help your company make
informed decisions.

