How to Write a Business Report for English Learners

If you would like to learn how to write a business report in English follow these tips and use the example report as a template on which to base your own business report. First of all, business reports provide important information for management that is timely and factual. English learners writing business reports need to make sure that the language is precise and concise. The writing style used for business reports should present information without strong opinions, but rather as direct and accurately as possible. Linking language should be used to connect ideas and sections of the business report. This example business report presents the four essentials that every business report should include: Terms of Reference Terms of reference refer to the terms on which the business report is written. Procedure The procedure describes the method that was used to collect data for the report. Findings The findings describe the data or other important information the report produced. Conclusions Conclusions are drawn on the findings which provide reasons for recommendations.   Recommendations The recommendations are specific suggestions made based on the conclusions of the report.   Read the short example business report and follow the tips below. Teachers can print these examples for use in class in lessons using sound teaching writing strategies. Reports: Example Report Terms of Reference Margaret Anderson, Director of Personnel has requested this report on employee benefits satisfaction. The report was to be submitted to her by 28 June. Procedure A representative selection of 15% of all employees were interviewed in the period between April 1st and April 15th concerning: Overall satisfaction with our current benefits packageProblems encountered when dealing with the personnel departmentSuggestions for the improvement of communication policiesProblems encountered when dealing with our HMO Findings Employees were generally satisfied with the current benefits package.Some problems were encountered when requesting vacation due to what is perceived as long approval waiting periods.Older employees repeatedly had problems with HMO prescription drugs procedures.Employees between the ages of 22 and 30 report few problems with HMO.Most employees complain about the lack of dental insurance in our benefits package.The most common suggestion for improvement was for the ability to process benefits requests online. Conclusions Older employees, those over 50, are having serious problems with our HMOs ability to provide prescription drugs.Our benefits request system needs to be revised as most complaints concerning in-house processing.Improvements need to take place in personnel department response time.Information technology improvements should be considered as employees become more technologically savvy. Recommendations Meet with HMO representatives to discuss the serious nature of complaints concerning prescription drug benefits for older employees.Give priority to vacation request response time as employees need faster approval in order to be able to plan their vacations.Take no special actions for the benefits package of younger employees.Discuss the possibility of adding an online benefits requests system to our company Intranet. Important Points to Remember A report is divided into four areas:Terms of Reference- This section gives background information on the reason for the report. It usually includes the person requesting the report.Procedure- The procedure provides the exact steps taken and methods used for the report.Findings- The findings point out discoveries made during the course of the report investigation.Conclusions- The conclusions provide logical conclusions based on the findings.Recommendations- The recommendations state actions that the writer of the report feels need to be taken based on the findings and conclusions.Reports should be concise and factual. Opinions are given in the conclusions section. However, these opinions should be based on facts presented in the findings.Use simple tenses (usually the present simple) to express facts.Use the imperative form (Discuss the possibility ..., Give priority ..., etc.) in the recommendations section as these apply to the company as a whole. Continue learning about other types of business documents using these resources: MemosEmailIntroduction to Writing Business Plans Business memos are written to an entire office. When writing business memos make sure to clearly mark for whom the memo is intended, the reason for writing the memo and who is writing the memo. Memos tend to inform colleagues of office and procedural changes that apply to a large group of people. They often provide instructions using the imperative voice. Here is an example memo with follow-up important points to use when  writing business  memos in English. Example Memo From: Management To: Northwest Area Sales Staff RE:  New Monthly Reporting System We’d like to quickly go over some of the changes in the new monthly sales reporting system that we discussed at Monday’s special meeting. First of all, wed once again like to stress that this new system will save you a lot of time when reporting future sales. We understand that you have concerns about the amount of time that will be initially required for inputting your client data. Despite this initial effort, we are confident that you will all soon enjoy the benefits of this new system. Here is a look at the procedure you will need to follow to complete your areas client list: Log on to the company  website  at http://www.picklesandmore.comEnter your user ID and password. These will be issued next week.Once you have logged on, click on New Client.Enter the appropriate client information.Repeat steps 3 and 4 until you have entered all of your clients.Once this information has been entered, select Place Order.Choose the client from the  drop down  list Clients.Choose the products from the  drop down  list Products.Choose the shipping specifications from the  drop down  list Shipping.Click on the Process Order button. As you can see, once you have entered the appropriate client information, processing orders will require NO paperwork on your part. Thank you all for your help in putting this new system into place. Best regards, Management Important Points to Remember Use the following structure to begin a memo:MEMOFrom: (person or group sending the memo)To: (person or group to whom the memo is addressed)RE:  (the subject of the memo, this should be in  bold)The term memorandum can be used instead of memo.A memo is generally is not as formal as a written letter. However, it is certainly not as informal  as a personal letter.The tone of a memo is generally friendly as it is a communication between colleagues.Keep the memo concise and to the point.If necessary, introduce the reason for the memo with a short paragraph.Use bullet points to explain the most important steps in a process.Use a short thank you to finish the memo. This need not be as formal as in a written letter. ReportsMemosEmailIntroduction to Writing Business Plans To learn how to write a business email, remember the following: Business emails are generally less formal than  business letters. Business emails written to colleagues are generally direct and ask for specific actions to be taken. Its important to keep your business emails short, as the easier it is to reply to an email the more likely it is that a business contact will reply quickly.   Example 1: Formal The first example shows how to write a formal business email. Note the less formal Hello in the salutation combined with a more formal style in the actual email. Hello, I read on your  website  that you offer Music CD copying for large quantities of CDs. Id like to inquire about the procedures involved in these services. Are the files transferred online, or are the titles sent by CD to you by standard mail? How long does it usually take to produce approximately 500 copies? Are there any discounts on such a large quantity? Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. I look forward to your response. Jack FinleySales Manager, Young Talent Inc.(709) 567 - 3498 Example 2: Informal The second example shows how to write an informal email. Notice the more conversational tone throughout the email. Its as if the writer were speaking on the phone.   At 16.22 01/07 0000, you wrote: I hear youre working on the Smith account. If you need any information dont hesitate to get in contact with me. Hi Tom, Listen, weve been working on the Smith account and I was wondering if you could give me a hand? I need some inside information on recent developments over there. Do you think you could pass on any information you might have? Thanks Peter Peter  ThompsenAccount Manager, Tri-State Accounting(698) 345 - 7843 Example 3: Very Informal In the third example, you can see a very informal email which is very similar to texting. Use this type of email only with colleagues with whom you have a close working relationship. At 11.22 01/12 0000, you wrote: Id like a suggestion for a consulting firm. How about Smith and Sons? KB Important Points to Remember Email is much less formal than a written letter. Emails are usually short and concise.If you are writing to someone you dont know, a simple Hello is adequate. Using a  salutation  such as Dear  Mr  Smith, is too formal.When writing to someone you know well, feel free to write as if you are speaking to the person.Use abbreviated verb forms (Hes, Were, Hed, etc.)Include a telephone number to the signature of the email. This will give the recipient the chance to telephone if necessary.It is not necessary to include your email address as the recipient can just reply to the email.When replying eliminate all the information that is not necessary. Only leave the sections of text that are related to your reply. This will save your reader time when reading your email. ReportsMemosEmailIntroduction to Writing Business Plans