New Service Helps Companies Maximise The Value Of Their Annual Reports

Nov. 15, 2010 - PRLog -- London, UK.

Companies are failing to benefit from the time and money they put into their annual reports. A new service from Richard Hollins Limited can help them transform their annual report into a powerful tool for investors.

The problem is simple. Too many companies see the annual report as just that: a report on last year's performance.

The companies who gain the most from their annual report realise that it represents their once-a-year chance to sell themselves to investors. Research shows that the effort pays off, with the quality of a company’s annual report correlating with its share price performance.

Richard Hollins Limited now offers a detailed and impartial review of a company's most important investor document. Clients receive clear, actionable feedback, so they can make their reports work harder.

In particular, the review analyses the report's narrative content for:

•   clarity – how well the report explains the company's investment case
•   completeness – what needs to be added (or removed) to improve the narrative
•   balance – whether the report provides the right level of detail, and
•   structure – how well the narrative flows

Another important element of the review is its analysis of corporate governance reporting. Corporate governance has never been under greater scrutiny and while the requirements continue to evolve, the way companies communicate it has not. The review therefore considers the content, accessibility and overall communication quality of the report's governance disclosures.

In addition to the content, the review also covers the less tangible factors which contribute to a successful report, including:

•   how well the design and imagery support the company's messages, and
•   the effectiveness of the language and tone of voice

"Companies invest huge amounts of time and money in their annual reports but they're not seeing the benefit they should," says founder and director Richard Hollins. "Our focus is on helping them to communicate better, from the first page of the report onwards. It's not a box-ticking exercise. Each review is a bespoke piece of research, covering every aspect of what makes a report work. Our recommendations make a real difference for clients."

To find out more about the annual report assessment service, go to http://www.richardhollins.com/services/communication-advi...

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Richard Hollins Limited offers business copywriting and financial copwriting services to companies throughout the UK, as well as internationally. We also provide communication advice and training in writing effective business English.