Crafting clear, accessible, and visually impactful corporate reports

A great corporate report needs to do so much more than just tick a box – it should build trust, inspire action, and drive progress. Whether it’s for employees, customers, shareholders, or the wider world, a well-crafted report strengthens credibility and showcases meaningful change.

From gender pay gap to sustainability disclosures, from annual to impact, all reports should be about more than just compliance. In an era of increasing scrutiny around corporate responsibility, effective reporting has never been more important.

But too often, reports become dense, jargon-heavy documents that fail to connect with their audiences. So how can businesses make their reports clear, accessible, and meaningful?

Why good reporting matters

At their best, reports bring clarity and confidence to a business’s progress. They help organisations communicate with employees, customers, investors, and wider stakeholders in a way that feels transparent and authentic. A strong report shows where improvements are needed, creating a sense of accountability that builds long-term trust.

Good reporting also plays a role in shaping wider industry standards. When businesses openly share their progress, and challenges, it encourages others to do the same. It fosters innovation, sets benchmarks for best practice, and drives collective action on issues like sustainability, inclusion, and responsible business.

What makes a corporate report effective?

At Something Big, our years of experience in crafting award-winning corporate reports has taught us that be effective, reports must be:

• Engaging. A great report tells a story. It uses clear, compelling language and visuals that bring data to life.
• Accessible. Inclusivity matters. From clear language to digital-first formats, reports should be easy to understand, navigate and accessible.
• Accountable. Transparency is key. A strong report includes honest reflections, clear metrics, and measurable outcomes, avoiding vague claims or jargon.

Avoiding common pitfalls

Despite the best intentions, many corporate reports fall into familiar traps. One of the most common is corporate washing – where businesses overstate their efforts or use vague language to appear more responsible than they are. Whether it’s greenwashing in sustainability reporting or purpose-washing in impact reports, this not only damages trust but can also lead to legal and reputational risks.

On the other hand, some organisations take the opposite approach, holding back on sharing progress for fear of scrutiny. While caution is understandable, under-communicating achievements can mean missing opportunities to engage stakeholders, build credibility, and drive change.

Another common issue is information overload. A report should inform, not overwhelm. Too much jargon, excessive data, or a lack of clear structure can make it difficult for readers to extract key insights. Striking the right balance between depth and clarity is essential.

Five tips for clear and credible reports

If you’re looking to create a report that resonates, consider these five key principles:

1. Be transparent – Clarity and honesty build trust. Be upfront about both successes and areas for improvement.
2. Make it accessible – Ensure your report is easy to read, navigate, and understand for diverse audiences.
3. Use storytelling – Facts and figures are important, but a strong narrative helps connect with people on a deeper level.
4. Focus on action – Reports shouldn’t just reflect on the past—they should provide a clear vision for the future.
5. Invest in design – A well-designed report enhances engagement, making key information more digestible and impactful.

Need help with your reporting?

We’re experts in helping businesses create reports that are clear, impactful, and trustworthy. Whether it’s an annual report, a comprehensive ESG update, an impact report, D&I disclosure, or any other type of reporting, we help businesses balance transparency with impact – showcasing achievements and ensuring clarity without overcomplicating the message. Find out more about our report design services here.

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How to Create Clear, Credible, and Impactful Corporate Reports

What makes a corporate report stand out? How can businesses share progress in a way that’s clear, accessible, and trustworthy? In this 30-minute webinar, we explore how high-quality reporting builds trust, inspires action, and drives progress for employees, stakeholders, and the planet.