A Handful of Tips 92 – Report Writing

The five best tips before you start a report

Writing a report is an opportunity to make recommendations for change.

The people who read reports are usually busy people so the layout and the way you present your findings are crucial.

Don’t rush to get started. Make a realistic plan first.

1. Obtain clear terms of reference

Find out who requested the report and the objectives before you start.

2. Negotiate your budget and the amount of time you have to complete the report 

Decide on how best to use your time and the allocated money.

3. Collect as much relevant background information as possible 

List people who should be interviewed?

4. Find out what help you can expect from other sources 

Can you get permission to use colleagues and others to help you  collect data?

5. Plan the work to be done  

Break up big activities into smaller search areas.  

Set a realistic timetable for each proposed task.

Prepare your leading questions.

Make appointments to contact people you want to interview.

                                      You are now ready to start.

-Geoffrey

“Find out everything everyone else knows on the subject, then begin where they left off.”

SOURCE: For more details on this topic read,  “Persuasive Ways” published by Moss Associates Ltd, New Zealand,  or the Chinese language version by the Shanghai People’s Publishing House. It’s also published as “Secrets of Persuasion” by Cengage Learning Asia and available as an e-book from Amazon.com.