It's  been a little while, but here's the latest in the series of great covers, which I hope you enjoy.

This time I've chosen Diesel & Motor Engineering, Entergy, Barclays, Nestlé,

and Axfood. 

R_COVER_2010.pdf Download this file

Entergy_2009_Annual_Review_cover.pdf Download this file

Annual_Report_2010_Cover.pdf Download this file

Nestle2010-Annual-Report_cover.pdf Download this file

Axfood_Annual_Report_2010_cover.pdf Download this file

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The Graphis 100 best annual reports 2011 which was published recently

is well worth taking a look through, although it's only the Platinum winners

that you can actually link to from the site, unfortunately for the gold and silver

you will need to google the company to take a look at the report.

Don't forget that Graphis is the international bastion of excellence in

design and visual imagery, so this selection is made based on the

quality of the design and graphics.

http://www.graphis.com/latest/winners/annuals/reports/?book=70

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It would seem that the Financial Reporting Council here in the 

UK feels that it should. In fact, it's proposing permitting the publication

of the annual report in online format only, which I would imagine

is viewed by quite a number of people as fairly controversial.

Indeed, there has already been some anger expressed over the move.

In a recent article in the Financial Times the FRC was quoted as saying

that "by relieving companies of the burden of providing a printed annual

report on request it would enable them to focus on making their

web versions more user friendly and searchable."

I certainly agree with these ambitions, but I also feel that an online

only version could well create a real opportunity to provide the reader

with a much greater depth of content and information too.

It will be interesting to see what response the FRC gets to the proposal,

which is out to consultation until the end of March.

Do you think it's time to move to online only?

I don't normally ask what you feel, but on this occasion I think that

it would be really interesting if everybody shared their views.

Do you think online only would be better or worse, and why? Do you think

it doesn't matter in which format the annual report is presented?

Do you think it's inevitable, whatever anybody thinks?

If you want to take a look at the article, just click on the link below,

which will ask you to register first, but don't worry, it's free and 

doesn't commit you to anything. It only takes a few seconds.

And let me know what you think about a topic that's set to provoke

strong reactions all over the world.

rep.p@creativeconsortia.com

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/71dc17ba-19d5-11e0-b921-00144feab9a.htm1#axzz1AM7izmPj

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This is the second in the series of "Great Covers", which I started at the end of October.

This time, I've chosen SL Green Realty Corp 2009 (front and back), BBA Aviation 2006,

Logica 2009, and Vienna International Airport 2006 and 2007.

r_2009_cover.pdf Download this file

r_2009_back_cover.pdf Download this file

r_2006_cover.pdf Download this file

Logica_AR_2009_cover.pdf Download this file

r_2006_cover.pdf Download this file

r_2007_cover.pdf Download this file

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Take a look at my column on www.reportwatch.net

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To me, the cover is such an important part of an annual report. It should

be compelling and instantly capture the reader's imagination.

It should set the tone of what's to come. It should have real 'pick me up

and read me appeal'.

With this in mind, I thought that it would be interesting to start a

series on 'Great Covers'.

For part one, I've chosen Harley Davidson 2007, BRAC 2009,

Novartis 2005, BAE Systems 2009, Xstrata 2006and LVMH 2009. 

HD_Annual2007_cover.pdf Download this file

brac-ar-2009_cover.pdf Download this file

Novartis_2005.pdf Download this file

BAE_Annual_Report_2009_cover.pdf Download this file

xta-ar2006_cover.pdf Download this file

LVMH_RA_2009_UK_cover.pdf Download this file

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Finnair's Annual Review, titled 'Logbook', is made up of a collection of well written

articles divided into four chapters, each chapter providing an excellent insight into the

performance, activities, views and future of the airline. To me, the overall design and style

manages to not only capture the personality of the airline, but also to reflect the Finnish

culture very well.

The Review's somewhat understated style is attractive, and the charming illustrations

by Anton Yarkin are appealing. The combined effect is warm and user friendly,

and invites the reader to delve deeper into the various articles.

Apart from taking a look online, I would strongly recommend that you order a hard copy,

because part of the appeal of this Review is its feel when you pick it up and flick through

the pages. It's a tactile treat you won't get with an E-Book.

Go to  www.finnairgroup.com/group/group_12_2.html to download and/or order.  

Logbook_09_cover.pdf Download this file

Logbook_09_-_Asia_1.pdf Download this file

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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.

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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.

Novartis_2009.pdf Download this file

Novartis_2008.pdf Download this file

Novartis_2007.pdf Download this file

Novartis_2006.pdf Download this file

Novartis_2005.pdf Download this file

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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

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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

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Danone_09.pdf Download this file

Danone_09_contents.pdf Download this file

interview_with_Frank_Riboud.pdf Download this file

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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.

Metro_Group_2009_cover.pdf Download this file

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

akzonobel_report09_front_cover.pdf Download this file

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 

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