Annual report highlights
The highlights section in an annual report is arguably the highlight of the entire document itself. They can make great infographics that can be drawn out of the report and be used in presentations to give a snapshot of the year’s successes.
They are often used to illustrate financial reporting, but there is so much more they could and can do.
Typically, the highlights section is towards the front of the report, often the first thing the user will read after the cover and contents. We would suggest a full double-page spread (for a report that will be printed) or at least one full page on a landscape report.
It is worth considering giving more depth and illustrating a wider subject matter to these more engaging types of content. Below are a few suggestions on how you might expand your highlights section and increase engagement.
When illustrating financial highlights, consider moving on from a top-level figure and some accompanying text. If year-on-year profit is up 15% a comparative pie chart will illustrate this in a more powerful way, as well as being more visually appealing.
Try using different visual tools to create variety, mix it up a bit. Despite the fact that these figures are focused on the year’s financial results, there is no reason why the P & L cannot be illustrated with a chart or the introduction of icons and more elaborate infographics. Just because it is finance, doesn't mean it has to be dull.
What else can we draw out of the full report to bring into the highlights? Well, there is a lot. The highlights section should be a summary of the whole report. It should take in topics that are specific to the organisation's activities as well as the results and changes the year’s activities have delivered.
ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) is becoming more and more important in stakeholder reporting. Including some high-level results against targets and strategy show a commitment and year-on-year progress. These can be illustrated using comparative charts, results by ‘activity’ or iconography, for instance.
CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) successes add a more human side to the year’s highlights. This often means the introduction of photographs, awards or recognition and achievements.
Consider showing very brief introductions to any acquisitions or new products or services, sign post them to more detailed sections in the report.
If the company has had a particular press story or an event, bring these into the highlights page, perhaps drawing out a short quote from the main content.
Focusing on a human element will always bring the highlights into a more interesting aspect. These might include a significant appointment or perhaps an employee that has achieved a target or accreditation.
You can see that the scope of the highlights section within your annual report can be much broader and will add real impact to your reporting.
A nice way of arranging these highlights could be to have a left-hand ‘page’ for the financial highlights and a right-hand ‘page’ for the year’s successes.
We can help organisations gather and define this material by speaking with the management team, the PR and marketing departments and the CEO, for instance. This is best done at the very early stages of the process.