Corporate reporting is always changing. Where do you look to keep up?
Right here.
At its best, corporate reporting reflects a highly considered corporate brand and investor brand plan, stemming from a soundly articulated perception management strategy.
But how do you actually deliver that?
We’ve developed this site as a central hub of knowledge and guidance on what the best corporate reporting can achieve, and how to get to the next level on your journey. And we’re uniquely placed to help, with 45 years working with New Zealand and Australia’s largest listed and government organisations.
We’re across reports from tip to tail and everything in between.
Where to start?
What reporting framework is right for you?
Find out about integrated reporting, sustainability reporting, ESG reporting, impact reporting and other options you may wish to consider.
One big report or
break it up?
Some organisations want to put all the information in one place, but different audience groups have different needs.
What fundamentals should drive every type of report?
Some things never change. These are some of the principles you should build your corporate reporting on no matter what the reporting framework.
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.
What are the trends in corporate reporting?
There are slowly-building global movements and faster-moving fads. By understanding trends you can see which ones you need to be building in now for the long term.
Online or print?
Where’s the line?
Our digital age can present a dilemma. Should the offline report repeat online, or should the two channels complement each other, using the strength of each channel?
Reporting in the age of COVID-19
Info on what’s exercising the reporting community right now, e.g. VCMs, Covid, Climate Change etc
“There is no doubt that Integrated Reporting has now reached global tipping point. The principles are now visible in almost every report we see, even if they’re not purporting to be integrated reports. ”
Mike Tisdall – Insight Creative
Founding Director & Strategic Planner
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 seven of the Sanford reports, starting in 2014. (And prior to that, their annual and sustainability reports since 2008.)
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.
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.
Integrated 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.
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.
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.
