Report writing tips
The objective with reporting is to be able to give line managers the key information required to make decisions that will improve the companies financial earnings. Therefore, when reporting, everything needs to relate to money and the three key factors that your line manager wants to know. You will also need to concentrate on formatting, as when your line managers are busy, they will most likely have 30 seconds to 1 minute to look at your report. The types of reports that aspiring marketers should become familiar with include:
• Proposals - for new products and campaigns
• Performance – Presenting an up to date status on the company’s results.
• Planning - Plan and schedule project timelines and implementation
• Briefs – Write briefs for project delegation.
• Work In Progress – An up to date sheet that provides the company projects activities progress.
• Reviews – Learn how to review strategic alliances, joint ventures and competitors.
By practicing the use of the following reporting formats, you will have gained experience and preparation in project management, monitoring progress and campaigns.
A 60 second readable report
When dealing with a senior line manager, they will want to receive important and up to date information in a snapshot.
Depending on what information they need to know, they will want to grasp the most important factors just by glancing at the report.
Making an ‘easy to read’ report that communicates the most important key factors will be the major attribute to successful reporting in business and marketing.
Some handy reports include:
• Company highlights
• Product highlights
• Competitor review
• Sales dashboard
Work in Progress Tracking Sheet
A work in progress (WIP) sheet will keep a recorded tract of project proceedings. It provides your line manager with an up to date status on the project at hand from yourself and all the departments that are involved.
A WIP should be conducted for all projects and monitored by the project manager.
• A work in progress sheet provides project managers with
• A list of undergoing projects
• Status on who the project is with
• Status on the projects time progress
• Status on the project priority
• Project deadline.
Students should start integrating this with their university studies for good organisational and management practice before becoming a professional in the industry.
Project | Priority | Status | Department | Delegate | Deadline |
Magazine ad | High | Copy development | Marketing | DJ | 29/1/08 |
The title of the project. | Description of the project priority. | Short description of the development stage of the project. | The department the project is with. | Delegate the project is with. (In initials) | Due date of the project. |
Courtesy of D.S.M James Marketing and www.londongraduatemarketingjobs.com.
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