Annual reporting is constantly evolving. Where do you look to keep up?
Right here.
At its best, annual reporting accurately reflects what you stand for. But how do you actually deliver that? This site attempts to help you get to the next level on your journey, with guidance and knowledge-sharing.
Our 45 years working with New Zealand and Australia's largest listed and government organisations mean we're uniquely placed to help.
We’re across reports from tip to tail and everything in between.
Where to start?
Some things
never change
The principles of good reporting is one of them. Changing trends don’t change core fundamentals. Don’t lose sight of them.
Finding the right framework
Integrated, traditional, sustainability, impact or some bespoke combination? What’s right for you?
One big report or
a suite of smaller ones?
Some organisations want to put all the information in one place, but different audience groups have different needs.
The art of storytelling
Engaging your audience is the first step to getting your message across. Telling your story requires artful writing and considered design
Optimising online readership
Online consumption is now leaving print readership behind. Should you refashion your report to be digital-first now?
Fast trends and slow
There are slow-burn global evolutions and faster-moving fads. By understanding trends you can see which ones you need to be baking in now for the long term.
8 things we can learn from the 2023 reporting season
With <IR> settling into mainstream and ESG taking over more and more of the report, there are some clear trends and the rumblings of concerns and conflicts. So how are companies responding to these contrary requirements?
Confused about the difference between ESG and Sustainability?
We can help with that. It’s subtle – essentially what lens you’re viewing the subject through and what stakeholder group you’re really talking to. So it’s worth getting that clarity of stance sorted before you start. Delve into the difference.
Diving into integrated reporting?
If it seems an overwhelming leap, we’re on hand to guide you gently and less painfully. We give you four core principles to get you started.
Six articles to streamline your Sustainability/ESG reporting process
ESG and sustainability reporting has imposed considerable complexity and resource pressure on companies. Here’s how to navigate the detailed journey through good process while keeping your eye on the real objective.
“Just when you begin to understand integrated reporting, along comes TCFD, Modern Slavery, ESG, GRI, SASB, ISSB, CDP, CDSB, VRF - the alphabet soup has been getting particularly murky.”
Mike Tisdall – Insight Creative
Founding Director & Strategic Planner
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Integrated Reporting – Sanford
It seems that wherever we turn in corporate New Zealand, the Sanford integrated reports are held in the highest esteem and the benchmark that other companies measure their integrated reporting progress by. We have produced all eight of the Sanford reports, starting in 2014. (And prior to that, their annual and sustainability reports since 2008.)
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Online Reporting – Watercare
An online report can mirror the printed report, complement it with more detailed information, or be a summary of its key messages. Either way, it should be structured specifically for online navigation. This online report for Watercare acted as a summary with strong linking to more detailed information.
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Storytelling – Vector
Expecting people to change their entire mental picture of who you are and what you do takes an arresting shift in communication style. Vector chose this Annual Report to lead the bold charge on this core repositioning, because it has the stamp of corporate authority to send the strongest possible signal that this is who we are today.
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Digital-first Reporting – NZ Post
When you only have one shareholder, corporate reporting tends to be about everything but the financials. NZ Post address their integrated report to their wide range of stakeholders, and the best way to engage them is to tell the human stories. This integrated report is essentially a magazine.
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Sustainability Reporting – Fonterra
When you‘re not quite ready to tell a fully integrated story, or your sustainable story is so rich and detailed that it’s too much for your average reader, a standalone Sustainability Report still has a role to play. For Fonterra, sustainability is a critical factor in its social licence to operate.
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Investor Branding – Comvita
Share price is heavily influenced by perception, and it can take some time and a multi-year strategic communications plan to frame and build the right perceptions. Comvita is a classic example, where a significant business turnaround is underway and investors need to understand the long term positioning over time.
About Insight Creative
A creative thinking + design agency.
It starts with listening and understanding.
Your challenges. Your needs. First we think. Then we design.
Making you the most effective communicator you can be.
Corporate reporting. Brand. Employee engagement. Immersive experiences. Marketing & communications.