Reg Pauffley - Communicator

world-class corporate reporting

An interesting look at turning data into information

Most annual reports use graphs and charts to communicate data,

but I've just discovered the work of New York based Nicholas Felton,

who specialises in infographics to turn data into information.

Nick produces an annual report of his own, using the data that he's

collected during the year.

Take a look at www.feltron.com, (don't forget to add the 'r'). His work

is fascinating and full of ideas about what can be done with data.

To watch Nick talking with great passion about the subject, there's 

also a good video that's really worth taking a look at - click on

'SPEAKING' and then FSFK Conference.

Great Photography

It's always a pleasure to see great photography, but even more

 so when it's on display in an annual report that is beautifully

designed and produced. Novartis have been using great photography

for many years now, and I strongly recommend that you take a look.

Go to www.novartis.com - click on 'Investors - download Annual Report

2009' - then click on 'image gallery' to view all the photographs

in the 2009 report.

To take a look at previous reports, click on 'visit our order

download centre', then click on 'Archive'.

 

I hope that you enjoy the view.

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Web first approach for Network Rail's CR Report 2010

An innovative piece of work from Network Rail, created and developed first and foremost from a web perspective. The report uses a number of interactive information graphics to introduce all of the key areas. Each image includes a number of pop-up text panels when you scroll over, which in turn provide you with an in-depth review of that particular section.

It’s been embedded into the main Network Rail website under the Community & Environment tab. A print version, which is available as a downloadable PDF, was designed by linearising the content and reusing the info graphics.

I feel that this web driven approach is one that we will see more and more during the next year or two, and is the way forward for the main annual report. It provides so much more opportunity to tell the company story.

I think Network Rail's CR report is compelling. Download the print version, to see just how well that works too:

http://www.networkrail.co.uk/aspx/114.aspx

Adding value to online reporting

Unfortunately I feel that a great number of online annual reports don't seem to add much value over and above the printed annual report, but here are two examples that really do, both are produced by Nexxar,  (www.nexxar.com) who I believe are certainly one of the best online corporate reporting specialists at the moment.

Both have a number of very useful tools; the chart generator is especially good and allows you to even create your own slides, the download manager is very useful, good scroll over glossary, you can create your own report and there's also a tool on the BASF report that allows you to listen to the whole site.  Legal and General  uses video very well. Take some time and look around both sites,it's interesting to see what can be done and how online reports can really add some real added value. 

www.report.basf.com/2009

http://reports.legalandgeneralgroup.com/2009/ara

Danone 09 - Compelling

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An engaging, well written and designed magazine style annual report which is well worth a read. Very reflective of Danone's overall style of corporate communications; open and direct.
It provides the reader with a clear insight into Danone, the current position, the businesses and the strategy going forward. It also includes a good key figures section at the rear with an interview with the executive president of finance.
Great photography by Chris Terry and I really like the way that the contributors are detailed on pages 8 and 9.
 
Go to www.danone.com, click on our company and then click on the 'consult' tab under the interactive annual report 2009.
The navigation is great, let's you look at thumbnails and download the pages in various ways.
One negative - there's nowhere on the website that allows you to order a hard copy
 
Unfortunately the online version, like so many online annual reports doesn't really add much additional value. The home page is visually interesting, but the rest is pretty straightforward. (a bit print on screen) 
 
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Two good examples of strategic content

To start off I've selected two interesting examples that I feel are well worth taking a look at from the point of view of strategic content. I know that you can view each report on screen as a PDF, I would strongly recommend that you request a hard copy of each as well.

 

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My first selection is the German based group, Metro Group, which is the world’s third largest retail group in terms of sales.

It’s an excellent report overall, although rather bulky at 218 pages.

The reader is provided with a very good level of insight into the ongoing strategy for the business through its ‘Shape 2012’ programme. The strategy narrative covers 15 pages, including an informative interview with the CEO, Dr Eckhard Cordes.

Also, take a look at the magazine, which is inserted in the inside front cover; it talks about the ‘ Shape 2012’ strategy from a customer perspective and includes some lovely photography.

 To download the various sections in PDF format or order a hard copy go to: www.metrogroup.de/annualreport


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 Next, it’s a Dutch based group, AzkoNobel, the world’s largest paints and coatings company and a major producer of specialty chemicals.

A very visually compelling annual report, well structured with very instructive content. Again an excellent strategic narrative, which starts on page 3 and runs to page 23. I especially like the Strategic ambitions and agenda sections on pages 16 to 23.

The business performance reviews are also well written and extremely informative. There’s a good ‘at a glance’ section on the inside front cover, which also includes the key performance indicators from both a group and divisional perspective.

This is also one of the growing number of reports that includes a comprehensive facts and figures section on sustainability.

Make sure that you look at the online version too, it really does add value, it’s not just print on screen.

Excellent use of charting, tools and video and it even includes a download for E-Book readers.

 (to take a look at the online version and to download various sections in PDF format or order a hard copy go to: www.akzonobel.com/report)

I hope that you enjoy these reports