Focused Reporting:

Provide the Critical Information Managers Really Need for Decision Making


You just delivered your report to management.
It was concise, not cumbersome.
It focused on projections, not historical information.
It contained analysis, not just information.
It showed trends, not just numbers.

Guess what? They liked the report.

Ask Yourself:

  • Do my reports Capture the Attention of the Reader?
  • Are the reports I produce Clear and Easy to Interpret?
  • Is the information in the reports Relevant and Concise?
  • Do my reports Alert Managers early on about potential problems?
  • Do my reports contain useful Forecasts?
  • Do the Visuals clarify the information in my report?
  • Are my reports contain the Critical Information managers need?
  • Are my reports used as Decision Making Tools?


    • If you answered no to any of these questions, this workshop is for you.

Today's managers don't just need information. They need reports to be decision making tools. Reporting accurate information is no longer enough in today’s business world. With multiple areas of responsibility, today’s managers need clear, relevant reports more than ever. Instead of getting the critical information they need to react quickly, managers are inundated with cumbersome reports. Unfortunately, the useful information managers need for decision making is too often buried within the context of a bulky report.

In this comprehensive workshop we’ll teach you step by step how to prepare clear, concise, and relevant reports.

WORKSHOP OBJECTIVE: By the end of this workshop participants will be able to
  • Assess management’s reporting requirements.
  • Design a structure for a comprehensive report that will meet these requirements.
  • Produce a final, quality report with accurate information that includes data, analysis, and supporting visuals and materials in a clear, easy to understand format.

THE BENEFITS OF ATTENDING THIS WORKSHOP: There are many benefits to producing focused reports.

You’ll go:
From This:
Emphasis on Data
Cumbersome Reports
Irrelevant Information
Emphasis on Historical Data
Weak Decision Making Tools
To This:
Emphasis on Analysis
Focused Reports
Critical Information
Emphasis on Future, Strategy
Strong Decision Making Tools


WHAT YOU'RE LEARN IN THIS WORKSHOP:
    Clarifying the Reporting Objectives
  • Management's Expectations - How to make sure you're on the same track as management before you begin work on any report.
  • Knowing Your Report Audience - Who will use your report? When do they need the information? What will they do with the information? Learn how to clarify the basic needs of the report user.
  • Report Parameters and Guidelines - Will your report focus on one specific area or have a broader focus? We'll provide you with a complete checklist.
    Gathering the Raw Data for Your Report
  • How to verify raw data for accuracy.
  • How to weed out irrelevant data.
  • The Pitfalls of Using Stale Data - How to make sure your report is based on the most current data available.
  • Eliminating Information "Blockages" - How to make sure you get all the information you need to produce a quality report.
    Analyzing and Interpreting the Report Data
  • What does the data tell us? How to recognize trends and their significance for management.
  • Recognizing "red flags" in your data.
  • When to include projections and estimates in your report.
  • How to link financial and operational data to produce a performance snapshot.
    Designing the Report
  • Choosing the Right Report Format - A sales report will have a completely different structure from a budget report. Learn the characteristics and structure of commonly produced reports.
  • "Sequencing Information" - Learn how to present your information in a logical format.
  • Easy ways to Simplify and Clarify Complex Information.
  • Why "Less is More" with visuals - why using these sparingly makes your report more effective.
    Producing a High Quality Report
  • How to avoid the "Endless Revisions" cycle that wastes valuable time.
  • Proofing your report - the five things you need to check for before sending any report.
  • The one essential item that must be included in every report you send to management.

Who Should Attend

Managers and staff who prepare reports for other members of their organization. Whether you’re new to preparing reports or just want to sharpen your skills, this workshop is for you.
Not sure if this workshop is for you? Call one of our workshop specialists with your questions at 781 368-7246.