how to write conclusion for business report

How to Write a Great Business Report Conclusion: Everything You Need to Know

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When creating a comprehensive business report for your company, most of your time and energy will go into writing the main section of your report.

Once you come to the conclusion, you will probably be exhausted and you may feel the urge to just ‘wrap it up’ as soon as possible.

This can be a costly mistake.

Your conclusion carries the same importance as all the other sections of the report since it leaves the final impression on the reader.

How you conclude your business report has a direct impact on the way in which the readers will respond to the important information you gathered.

The business report may be spectacular, but without a convincing conclusion, all your efforts may deteriorate.

In this article, we are going to teach you how to write a compelling conclusion that will leave a huge impression on all your readers.

What Is Conclusion in Business Report Writing?

How do you write a conclusion for a report, types of business report conclusions, improve business reporting with databox.

No matter which type of business report you have written, you will need a good conclusion to sum up all the critical information.

A business report conclusion is the last section of the document used for summarizing the most important information, providing a final word to the readers.

Through the conclusion, you are able to convey the main message of your business document. You use it to outline the report as a whole, remind the readers of the main pain points, and present the key findings and decisions.

Depending on whether you have written a shorter or longer business report, the conclusion length may vary, but it should always be included. It is a sign of good organization and it can make the readers understand the pain points much easier.

To put it simply, the conclusion is supposed to create the impression among the readers that the purpose of the report has been achieved.

Business report conclusions have a lot of similarities to executive summaries, which is why a lot of people tend to confuse these two.

However, there are some important things that differentiate them. These include:

• Executive summaries are mainly focused on displaying what the report will be about, while conclusions are an overview of what was discussed in the report.
• Executive summaries provide readers with a broad overview of the business report, while the conclusion summarizes the key pain points and most important data.
• Executive summaries should convince the readers to continue reading the report, while the conclusion should persuade them to take certain action.
• Conclusions tend to include CTAs (Call to Action), which isn’t the case with executive summaries.

Related : Executive Reporting: Management Reporting Best Practices & Report Examples

Now that you understand what a conclusion is and why it’s so important to include it in your report, let’s show you how you can write the perfect one and impress your readers.

Follow these steps to create a great business report conclusion.

Choose the Position

Include the right information, summarize the contents, facts and statistics, maintain a positive tone, develop a cta.

There are two places where conclusions are most commonly placed – at the end of the executive summary and at the end of the entire report.

For business plan reports, the common practice is to place the conclusion at the end of the executive summary.

This way, you make the first step through the executive summary template and introduce the plan’s main pain points and funding needs. Then, you create a conclusion to summarize these numbers to your potential investors, which directly impacts their decision to go over the executive summary once more, this time reading it more thoroughly.

For other types of business reports, the conclusion will generally be placed at the end of the whole report. Established companies use these business reports to track performances and data from important departments, which is why the conclusion should primarily focus on briefly reviewing the key metrics you included and emphasizing the company’s main strengths.

The information you put into the conclusion also depends on whether you are a new startup looking to attract investments or an established company that wants to track performances and asses objectives.

To raise money, startups should include this type of information:

• Financial needs
• The benefits of their product and how it can affect the market
• Target audience/ideal customer persona
• How the product can attract new customers
• Marketing and sales strategy
• Competitive landscape and analysis
• The expertise of the main members of the company
• Financial forecasts (next 3-5 years)
• Launching plan

Existing companies should include information such as:

• Mission statement
• Performance history
• Data that showcases business growth
• Financial summary
• Overall goals and objectives

While these types of details are important, they aren’t universal for all reports. Your primary goal should be to include the most important data from your specific document and keep the conclusion concise and understandable.

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• Sales (Gross) Volume: How much revenue did your sales team bring in this month, this quarter, or this year?
• MRR Growth: How fast are you growing revenues from recurring subscriptions? 
• Customers: How many customers do you have right now? 
• Customer Churn Rate: What’s your customer churn rate, and how much revenue have you lost to churn?

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The best way to convey your main message is by explaining it in detail throughout the business report and then summarizing it to recap the main points.

When creating the business report, take notes of the most important information that you should later highlight in the conclusion.

Make sure to avoid any extra details since they are already provided within the report. Only include the key points that explain why the business report itself is useful to the company.

Also, don’t use any additional information that you didn’t include in the report. This can only confuse your readers and send mixed messages.

You should prepare some facts, statistics, and data to support the statements in your conclusion. No matter if the reader is a potential investor or the key stakeholders in your company, you will want to include some evidence to back up your claims.

This makes the conclusion much more convincing and the audience will see that your forecasts aren’t based only on vague assumptions.

The tone in your conclusion should match the rest of the document and the best way to leave an impression on the audience is by using a professional and positive tone throughout the whole report.

After going through the conclusion, the readers should feel interested and enthusiastic to support the growth of your organization.

Make sure you exude confidence by using strong and active language.

Including a call to action at the end of your conclusion helps you persuade the readers to support the goals you set up.

This can be anything from “Join us at X enterprises” or “Invest in X and become a part of the success”.

A good CTA includes strong action words through which you emphasize the benefits of investors joining your firm or key stakeholders supporting your objectives.

After you are finished writing the conclusion, go over it once again to make sure there aren’t any spelling, grammar, or punctuation mistakes you overlooked. The conclusion should be clear, precise, and easy to go understand.

You can even ask a colleague or a friend to read it since it’s always helpful to have an extra set of eyes. Ask their opinion on how the conclusion makes them feel and whether it was easy to go through.

As we said, depending on which type of business report you have written and what is included in it, there are a few different types of conclusions you should differentiate.

Let’s walk you through them.

Conclusion with a Prediction

Conclusion with a major problem, conclusion with a quote, conclusion with a summary.

If your report focuses on a decision or strategy that already took place, you can write a conclusion that predicts the outcomes of that specific strategy.

You can include financial forecasts, sales expectations, and overall growth predictions. Make sure to also back up your predictions with sufficient evidence.

Writing this type of conclusion can be a bit tricky. You don’t want to come off strong and repeat the same issue over and over again. However, you do want the readers to take the issue seriously and realize why it is important that everyone focuses on solving it as soon as possible.

Be direct, but also lenient. Describe why that issue is important and provide a few ways on how you can solve it. Keep it brief and memorable.

Ending your conclusion with a powerful quotation can leave a great impression on the readers. However, you should be very careful when choosing the right quote.

You can’t just throw in some saying from Shakespeare and wrap it up. It is best to quote someone influential in the industry in such a way that it reinforces your message.

When writing your short but meaningful summary, don’t go into detail about your main points again. Keep it as brief as possible and only remind the readers of the most important information.

Also, you should remember that a conclusion doesn’t have to include only one of these things. Mixing up a summary and a prediction can be a powerful combination, so always try to figure out a few different ways to convey your message and then choose the right one.

Business reporting is one of the indispensable activities within a company, but it is also one of the most time-consuming. 

The traditional way of creating business reports has always been a daunting task for executives around the world – hours spent copying and pasting, checking different tools for data, tracking the performance each week, and constantly updating the reports manually.

Databox has introduced a new way of doing things.

With our customizable dashboards , you will save both time and energy by tracking all of your important data in one place and updating it in real-time. You can connect your favorite devices and monitor business performances in one comprehensive report.

Additionally, you will also be able to prepare beautiful and understandable reports by using some of our advanced visualization tools. With just a few clicks, you can visualize all of the key metrics and turn them into professional-looking graphs and charts.

Sign up for free and improve your business reporting process in no time.

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Business Communication  - How to Write a Powerful Business Report

Business communication  -, how to write a powerful business report, business communication how to write a powerful business report.

Business Communication: How to Write a Powerful Business Report

Lesson 8: how to write a powerful business report.

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How to write a powerful business report

When a company needs to make an informed decision, it can create a business report to guide its leaders. Business reports use facts and research to study data, analyze performance, and provide recommendations on a company's future.

Watch the video below to learn how to write and format a business report.

The basics of a business report

Business reports are always formal , objective , and heavily researched . Every fact must be clear and verifiable, regardless of whether the report focuses on a single situation or examines the overall performance of an entire company.

Because objectivity is crucial in a business report, avoid subjective descriptions that tell the reader how to feel. For instance, if sales were down last quarter, don’t say “Sales were terrible last quarter,” but rather let the sales data speak for itself. There should also be no personal pronouns, such as “I think we should invest more capital.” A business report should remain impersonal and framed from the company’s perspective.

The structure of a business report

Although the size of a report can range from one page to 100, structure is always important because it allows readers to navigate the document easily. While this structure can vary due to report length or company standards, we’ve listed a common, reliable structure below:

• Front matter : List your name, job title, contact information, and the date of submission. You can also create a title for the report.
• Background : State the background of the topic you’ll be addressing, along with the purpose of the report itself.
• Key findings : Provide facts , data , and key findings that are relevant to the purpose stated in the background. Be clear and specific, especially because the entire report depends on the information in this section.
• Conclusion : Summarize and interpret the key findings, identify issues found within the data, and answer questions raised by the purpose.
• Recommendations : Recommend solutions to any problems mentioned in the conclusion, and summarize how these solutions would work. Although you’re providing your own opinion in this section, avoid using personal pronouns and keep everything framed through the company’s perspective.
• References : List the sources for all the data you've cited throughout the report. This allows people to see where you got your information and investigate these same sources.

Some companies may also require an executive summary after the front matter section, which is a complete summary that includes the report’s background, key findings, and recommendations. This section lets people learn the highlights quickly without having to read the entire document. The size of an executive summary can range from a paragraph to multiple pages, depending on the length of the report.

As mentioned in Business Writing Essentials , revision is key to producing an effective document. Review your writing to keep it focused and free of proofreading errors, and ensure your factual information is correct and presented objectively. We also recommend you get feedback from a colleague before submitting your work because they can spot errors you missed or find new opportunities for analysis or discussion.

Once you’ve revised your content, think about the report’s appearance . Consider turning your front matter section into a cover page to add some visual polish. You can also create a table of contents if the report is lengthy. If you’re printing it out, use quality paper and a folder or binder to hold the report together. To diversify the presentation of your data, try using bulleted lists, graphics, and charts.

Example of a business report

To demonstrate the principles of this lesson, we’ve created a brief business report for you to review.

Let's start by looking at the first page of this two-page report.

The layout of the front matter is simple and effective, while the background sets the stage in a quick, specific manner. The key findings provide the main takeaways that warrant further investigation, along with a chart to add emphasis and visual variety.

Now let's look at the following page.

The conclusion features a little of the writer's opinion on the key findings, although the writing is still centered around the company's perspective. The recommendations are clear and supported by the data, while the references are thorough.

While business reports may seem intimidating, you have the ability to create a thorough, informative document through practice and careful research. Collect the facts and present them in an organized, objective manner, and you’ll help your business make informed decisions.

/en/business-communication/how-to-write-an-effective-business-email/content/

How to Write a Formal Business Report (Template and Examples)

Formal business reports are official documents that guide and inform stakeholders. These reports are valuable tools when solving company problems or making decisions. 

You should be clear and include all relevant information to make your report useful in decision-making and problem-solving. 

Here are five steps for writing a formal business report:

• Define the purpose and intended audience
• Gather and analyze data
• Create an outline
• Draft the business report
• Revise and format your report

Keep reading to get valuable details under every step and learn to segment your report.

But first, let’s delve deep into formal business reports, the different types, and what differentiates them. We’ll also discuss the elements of a business report and cover valuable tips to perfect your writing skills.

Let’s get started!

Understanding formal business reports

Business reports provide an analysis of the current performance of a business and offer recommended actions to improve operations. A formal business report should include detailed data, analysis, conclusions, and recommendations.

What is a formal and informal business report?

A formal business report is a detailed and organized document that provides information about a specific topic, like research findings, market trends, or a financial situation. It usually includes conclusions based on data collected during the research process. 

Formal business reports can present complicated topics in an easy-to-understand format, allowing company executives to make informed decisions. A formal report typically includes an introduction, a body of information, and a conclusion. It should consist of accurate data and reliable sources and be written formally with proper grammar and spelling.

An informal business report does not follow traditional, formal reports’ formal structure and layout. Instead, it is written in an easy-to-understand language and typically includes summaries of key points, along with recommendations or suggestions for further action. 

Unlike formal reports, informal business reports do not need to be approved by higher management and can be sent directly to the intended recipient. Businesses often use informal reports to quickly provide updates or summaries of projects, data, or other important information. They are also commonly used when sharing ideas, solutions, or findings that don’t necessarily require a formal response from the receiver. 

While informal reports may need more depth and detail than formal reports, they can still communicate important information concisely and clearly. 

Types of formal business reports

Formal business reports include different types that may be used to present data, analyze performance, or make recommendations. Examples of formal business reports include annual, research, feasibility, and marketing research reports. 

Feasibility Reports

A feasibility report is an analytical document that outlines whether an activity or project has the potential to be successful. It includes cost estimates, expected outcomes, and other factors affecting the project’s success.

Business Plans 

A business plan is a formal outline of a company’s objectives and strategies for achieving them. It is used to obtain financing, attract investors, and set goals for the company. 

Business plans typically include sections on market analysis, organizational structure, competitive analysis, product or service description, financial projections, marketing strategies, and tactics.

Progress Reports

A progress report is a document that details the current status of a project or activity. It outlines the progress made, challenges encountered, and a timeline for when the project should be completed.

Financial Reports

Financial reports provide information about the company’s financial performance over some time. They include income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements.

A proposal is a document that outlines how an organization, company, or individual intends to complete a project. It usually includes information such as the purpose of the project, expected outcomes, methods, and associated costs. For example, businesses may use proposals to solicit funding from investors or government agencies.

Market Research Reports

A market research report is a document that provides information about customer needs and competitor activities to develop strategies for the organization. They typically include data on consumer preferences, product demand, market trends, and other relevant factors.

Risk Reports

A risk report is a document that details the potential risks associated with a specific activity or investment. It outlines possible losses and considers how they could affect an organization’s operations. Risk reports may also include measures the organization can take to mitigate losses and recommendations for further actions.

Technical Reports

Technical reports are documents that explain the results of a technical project or investigation in detail. They are used to document the findings of a project and provide a record that can be used as reference material. 

Technical reports typically include sections on research methods, results, conclusions, recommendations, and implementation plans. 

What are the key differences between writing a business report and writing an academic report?

Business reports inform a decision or provide direction in the form of recommendations. They may include factual data and analysis but are often practical and focus on the actionable steps needed to achieve a goal. 

Academic reports take a more analytical approach, emphasizing research and thought-provoking discussions that examine different points of view. 

Sources used

When writing business reports, only use real-world sources such as government reports. But when writing academic reports, you may cite theoretical works . 

Conciseness

When writing business reports, use concise points with stakeholders in mind . As for academic reports, you may use technical terms and lengthy explanations to support a point. 

Academic reports are often longer and more detailed than business reports and may also include recommendations but with a focus on developing new strategies or ideas.

When writing a business report, adhere to the following structure: cover page, table of contents, list of figures, executive summary, introduction, body, conclusion, and recommendations. 

But when writing an academic report, follow the structure: introduction, literature review, methods, results, discussion, and conclusion.

The purpose of both types of reports is to provide information that is useful and relevant to the target audience. So keep the audience in mind when writing a report; what information do they need to know? How will it help them make decisions or understand a concept better? 

Elements of a formal business report

An excellent formal business report organizes information into these sections: 

• Table of contents
• List of Figures
• Executive summary
• Introduction
• Recommendation

1. Title page

The title page indicates the company name (and logo), the author’s and readers’ names and positions, and the date.

2. Table of contents

The table of contents lists the sections of a report with their page number and helps jump to a specific title. 

3. List of Figures

The list mentions every chart or diagram included in the report and its page number for easy navigation. 

4. Executive summary

The executive summary briefly overviews the report’s key points, findings, and conclusions. It helps readers to understand the report’s data without reading the entire document. Therefore, this section should be the last to write since the facts in the report will form the executive summary. 

5. Introduction

The introduction outlines the research objectives and methods used to generate data for analysis. It sets the stage for what follows. Unlike the executive summary, it does not mention any conclusion or recommendation. 

The body contains an in-depth review of the research results and their implications. It may include an analysis of trends, correlations, pictorial evidence, and other data supporting the report’s conclusions.  

7. Conclusion 

The conclusion summarizes the data discussed in the body . It is a brief sentence that takes around three to six sentences. 

8. Recommendation

The recommendation suggests an action based on the facts presented in the report. It outlines steps or policy changes necessary to solve a problem.

9. Appendix

The appendix contains information that supports your report but would be distracting if you included it in the body. This information may consist of raw data, charts, transcripts, and surveys used for analysis or any additional resources used in the research process. You may also include acronyms used in the report.

10. References/Bibliography

This section consists of all references you used in your report. Citations protect you from plagiarism and give credit to your sources. You can write citations in APA, MLA, and Chicago styles , depending on the style of your formal report. 

11. Glossary

The glossary is where you define all technical terms used in the report. Use an asterisk next to words you will describe in the glossary to indicate that the reader should check the glossary for a definition. 

How to write a formal business report step-by-step

When writing a formal business report, start by defining the purpose of the report and the intended audience. You then gather data and analyze it before writing the report. Finally, write the report and revise it accordingly.

1. Define the purpose and intended audience

Why are you writing the report? Consider what information you need to include and who will read the report. This will help you structure your document correctly and provide relevant information. 

Defining your target audience will help you tailor the language used and choose relevant information to include in the report.

2. Gather and analyze the data

Collect all data relevant to achieving the goal of your report. This should include quantitative and qualitative data, such as customer satisfaction surveys, case studies, performance metrics, or feedback from stakeholders.

Once you have collected all of your data, analyze it and identify any trends or patterns that may be useful in writing the report. You can use various tools and techniques like statistical analysis , gap analysis , or cause-and-effect diagrams .

3. Create an outline

An outline will help you organize your research data, stay on topic, and avoid including unrelated information under a particular title. Besides having a section of each formal business report element above, outline your key points, headings, and subheadings. 

Use self-explanatory headings, for example, “ Impact of expanding market share. ”

3. Draft the report

Organize the data you collected during research into the draft report. Start by introducing the topic, providing background information, and the report’s objectives. Then include each of the main points you want to discuss, supported by evidence from the research data.

Have the relevant elements mentioned above and write adequate information under each section. The draft does not have to be perfect; you just need to organize the data roughly. 

4. Revise and format your report

After completing your draft, proofread and edit it to remove irrelevant data or add forgotten information. Make sure everything looks good, including the formatting. It also helps to share the business report with someone who can review it and propose necessary changes. Once everything is settled, share the report with your intended audience.

Tips for writing a formal business report

When writing a formal report, use data and evidence to support your argument, add visuals, use consistent fonts and headings, and highlight important information. You should also use clear language that is easy to understand, considering the audience’s background knowledge.

1. Only use credible sources

Credible sources strengthen your report because they are factual, unbiased, and reliable. To identify a credible source, look out for the following markers. 

• The source’s author should be an expert in their field.
• The information in the source should be up-to-date. 
• The source should include evidence. The author should not have their opinions or speculations.
• A credible source is peer-reviewed by other experts in the field. 

2. Use diagrams in formal business reports

Use diagrams like graphs and charts to illustrate relationships between ideas. They are more engaging, easier to understand, and they capture your audience’s attention. 

Mind that you don’t clutter your diagrams with too much information. Excess detail will confuse your readers. 

Achieve simplicity by:

• Removing backgrounds that cause distractions.
• Removing or lightening gridlines. Gridlines clutter diagrams. 
• Reduce the number of colors you use. Only use color on crucial data in the diagram. 
• Instead of adding every tiny detail, use symbols and have a key. The key explains what each symbol, figure, or line represents. 

3. Use a consistent format

A consistent format makes it easy to follow your report. Keep the format headings and subheadings uniform throughout your report. And make your page margins and font styles consistent. 

4. Use bold fonts to highlight  

Bold fonts stand out against regular text to draw focus on essential data and make it easier to skim through the report. Use bolding sparingly; otherwise, the effect of highlighting will not work.

Formal business report template

A formal business report template will save both time and energy by providing a framework that simplifies the process of assembling data into a comprehensive document.  

Check out this collection of editable business report templates to find one that works for you.

Final Thoughts: Formal Business Report

Formal business reports are essential tools for any business. An excellent report drives company decisions and recommends solutions to company problems. Writing one may be challenging, but this guide gives you a clear pathway to ease the process. 

Remember to use visual aids and credible sources to fortify your report. Organize data into the above sections, and use the discussed tips to write your business report like a pro!

You may also like:

• How to Write a Resignation Letter for a Better Opportunity [Samples + Template Included]
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• How to Write a Subject Line for Job Applications [+Samples]

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Business report writing

How to conclude a report – like a rock star

6 minute read

Grab a pair of headphones and a lighter to wave in the air. Ready? Then let’s rock.

When you’re trying to bring your report to a conclusion, do you ever feel like Paul McCartney at the Olympics opening ceremony , rehashing the same points (‘na na na nananana …’) as the audience sneaks quietly for the exits? Or do you take the John Lennon approach in ‘ I Want You (She’s So Heavy) ‘ and crash to a sudden halt?

Endings can be tough to write, but they’re so important. You want to send your reader away thinking about what they’ve read – or even persuade them to make a decision right there and then. Going out with a whimper isn’t an option. Here’s Neil Sedaka demonstrating just how awkward a bad ending can be – ‘ Breaking up is hard to do ‘ indeed.

Four types of conclusion: PQRS

If your report includes recommendations, you’ll already have stated them in the executive summary and supported them throughout the document. So your conclusion should contain no surprises – no Brotherhood of Man-style twist .

There are four basic types of conclusion you can use, summed up by the letters PQRS: P redict, Q uote, R epeat or S ummarise.

Predict the future (Take my hand and we’ll make it I swear)

There are two main ways you can use predictions. If your report is about a decision already taken, you can use the ending to sum up the effects you expect to see. For example:

‘The council continues to expand its recycling scheme at an incredible rate. We will soon be recycling over 40% of our waste.’

But if the purpose of your report is to persuade the reader to take a certain action, predicting what will happen if they don’t take that action can be a persuasive tactic. For example:

‘Unless we expand our recycling scheme, we are almost certain to fall short of our targets for this year and to perform worse than both of our neighbouring councils.’

Then follow this up with a prediction of how things will be different if they take your advice. You’ll already have mentioned this in the body of the report, but you should crank it up a gear in the conclusion.

Think ‘ Livin’ on a Prayer ‘, where the key changes for the final chorus. (Getting a shaggy perm is optional, but we’d admire your dedication.)

Quote (Who’ll come a-waltzing Matilda with me?)

If you do it with care and justification, ending with a quotation can be powerful. But don’t be tempted to stray into show-off territory; this isn’t the time to demonstrate your encyclopaedic knowledge of Latin or Shakespeare.

A relevant and pithy quote from someone influential and well-informed, however, can be persuasive. It could be someone you’ve already cited in the report, or someone new. For example:

‘As the Chairman of Lambeth First says: “The Lambeth No Knife Charter won’t on its own stop people carrying knives. But if we can make it hard for people to get hold of knives and reduce the number in circulation, then that is a step in the right direction.”‘

This works on two fronts: first, it reinforces your message, showing that others support you. And second, it offers a slightly different angle, and often a chance for a personal opinion.

Here are The Pogues, doing it very well in Eric Bogle’s ‘ And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda ‘. After seven-and-a-half minutes of the horror of war, it cuts to the original song, with the old soldier – now a double amputee – asking ‘Who’ll go a-waltzing Matilda with me?’

Repeat a major issue (Seriously, she is totally buying a stairway to heaven)

This can be tricky. You don’t want your reader to feel like you’re repeatedly bashing them over the head with the same message. But at the same time, you do want them to walk away with that message in their head.

Basically, you want to bash them very gently, without them noticing. The secret is to keep it brief, to-the-point and memorable. For example:

‘Today, Lambeth – like all councils – faces a major challenge due to the increased uptake of adult health and social services. It is vital that we secure additional funding.’

Go for the Led Zeppelin effect. When Robert Plant finishes his slow, deliberate howl at the end of ‘ Stairway to Heaven ‘, you’re in no doubt about what the protagonist is buying, but you don’t feel as if you never want to hear about a stairway ever again.

Summarise (Where do we go now?)

When summarising, resist the urge to go over all your points again, and keep it brief. Your summary should just bring together your main points, and reinforce any recommended plan of action. For example:

‘The new programme aims to make “every Lambeth child a talker” by involving parents as well as professionals in children’s language development. In the first two years it will concentrate on 20 groups of pre-school children, but it will then link with other groups to pass on good practice.’

This example includes both a summary and a prediction – you can combine the different endings to make the right conclusion for your document.

Most importantly of all, you’re looking to be concise, memorable and powerful. Think the impact of ‘ Sweet Child o’ Mine’ , but with less ‘where do we go?’ and more ‘this is where we go’.

Conclusions, in conclusion

Most importantly of all, your ending needs to be arresting and to leave a lasting impression. Not for you, the gradual fade out. Use the techniques above and aim for a grand finale. Rock on!

Do you have any tips for writing a great conclusion? And what’s your favourite (or least favourite) song ending? Tell us what you think in the comments section below.

These tips (minus the music) were taken from our High-impact business writing course, which is available both to bring in house for teams and  for individuals .

To learn more about making report writing a much easier and less painful task, check out our free webinar recording How to turn your expert analysis into exceptional reports .  It’s ideal if you have to write reports to colleagues and clients as part of your day-to-day job – whether that’s as a traditional written report or as a slide deck.

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Cathy is a certified word and editing expert, having worked as a sub-editor, editor and copywriter at, to name a few, the Guardian , The Sunday Times , The Telegraph , Which? and The Grocer .

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How to Structure a Business Report

• 5-minute read
• 14th March 2019

The content of a business report will depend on what you are writing about. Even the writing style may depend on who you are writing for (although clear, concise and formal is usually best). However, there is a general structure that most business reports follow. In this post, then, we’ll look at how to structure a business report for maximum clarity and professionalism.

1. Title Page

Every business report should feature a title page . The title itself should clearly set out what the report is about. Typically, you should also include your name and the date of the report.

Most business reports begin with a summary of its key points. Try to include:

• A brief description of what the report is about
• How the report was completed (e.g., data collection methods)
• The main findings from the research
• Key conclusions and recommendations

A paragraph or two should suffice for this in shorter business reports. However, for longer or more complex reports, you may want to include a full executive summary .

3. Table of Contents

Short business reports may not need a table of contents, especially if they include a summary. But longer reports should set out the title of each section and the structure of the report. Make sure the headings here match those used in the main text. You may also want to number the sections.

4. Introduction

The introduction is the first part of the report proper. Use it to set out the brief you received when you were asked to compile the report. This will frame the rest of the report by providing:

• Background information (e.g., business history or market information)
• The purpose of the report (i.e., what you set out to achieve)
• Its scope (i.e., what the report will cover and what it will ignore)

These are known as the “terms of reference” for the business report.

5. Methods and Findings

If you are conducting original research, include a section about your methods. This may be as simple as setting out the sources you are using and why you chose them. But it could also include how you have collected and analyzed the data used to draw your conclusions.

After this, you will need to explain your findings. This section will present the results of your research clearly and concisely, making sure to cover all the main points set out in the brief.

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One tip here is to break the findings down into subsections, using headings to guide the reader through your data. Using charts and illustrations , meanwhile, can help get information across visually, but make sure to label them clearly so the reader knows how they relate to the text.

6. Conclusions and Recommendations

The last main section of your report will cover conclusions and recommendations. The conclusion section should summarize what you have learned from the report. If you have been asked to do so, you should also recommend potential courses of action based on your conclusions.

If you are not sure what to suggest here, think back to the objectives set out in your brief.

7. References

If you have used any third-party sources while writing your report, list them in a bibliography after the main report. This could include other business documents, academic articles, or even news reports. The key is to show what you have based your findings and conclusions upon.

8. Appendices (If Applicable)

Finally, you may have gathered extra documentation during your research, such as interview transcripts, marketing material, or financial data. Including this in the main report would make it too long and unfocused, but you can add it to an appendix (or multiple appendices) at the end of the document. It will then be available should your reader need it.

Summary: How to Structure a Business Report

If you are writing a business report, aim to structure it as follows:

• Title Page – Include a clear, informative title, your name, and the date.
• Summary – A brief summary of what the report is about, the data collection methods used, the findings of the report, and any recommendations you want to make.
• Table of Contents – For longer reports, include a table of contents.
• Introduction –Set out the brief you were given for the report.
• Methods and Findings – A description of any methods of data collection and analysis used while composing the report, as well as your findings.
• Conclusions and Recommendations – Any conclusions reached while writing the report, plus recommendations for what to do next (if required).
• References – Sources used in your report listed in a bibliography.
• Appendices – If you have supporting material (e.g., interview transcripts, raw data), add it to an appendix at the end of the document.

Don’t forget, too, that a business report should be clear, concise, and formal. And if you would like help making sure that your business writing is easy to read and error free, just let us know .

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How to Write a Business Report Conclusion

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Whether you’ve written a business report to inform your staff of impending changes at the workplace or to explain a major decision, the report must be clear and concise and provide enough detail to forestall questions. That’s why it’s so important to conclude your report with authority.

How you end a business report will leave a lasting impression on the reader and enhance your chance of meeting your goal in writing the report. If your goal is to seek funding or an operating change at work, or if you wish to request something specific, conclude on a positive note that shows your readers you have their needs in mind and can provide a benefit.

Summarize the Contents

The most effective way to communicate a message is to give that message in detail and then summarize or recap the message that you just expressed. One of the key aspects of a business report conclusion is summarizing the information for your reader. Your summary should mirror your opening or executive summary, recapping highlights that lead to a conclusion.

Avoid details, because you’ve already provided them in your report and can make assumptions the reader will accept. Highlight only the key points that summarize your main pieces of information, which might include new, important facts, projections or a justification for the reader. Most importantly, don’t introduce any information in the conclusion that wasn’t in the actual report because this may confuse your reader.

Offer a Brief Action Plan

After you’ve summarized the contents, it’s important that you provide an action plan or recommendation based on the information in the report. This doesn’t have to be super specific, but it should give the reader a general overview of your assessments about the report, and some of the steps necessary to accomplish a task, fix a problem or implement a solution.

For example, if your report concerns the possible acquisition of another company, you could write, “Based on the findings of this report, I recommend that we analyze XYZ’s financial statements for the past three years, and if we find them to be acceptable, set up a meeting with the board of directors to present our acquisition plan.”

Make a Subjective Statement

If the purpose of your report is to provide more than just a list of facts and figures, tell the reader why the facts you have just presented are important. After you have laid out the specifics in a report on a new competitor, point out how the competitor might affect your sales and suggest ways to deal with the new threat.

Show a Benefit

Let the reader know that there is a payoff in reading your report and following your recommendations. Tell the reader what to do with the information you've presented and why it benefits her. If you are requesting funding for a project or to be sent to a seminar or workshop, tell the reader what she will get out of investing with you or spending company funds to send you on a business trip. For example, while a business seminar might cost the company $1,000, the specific skills you learn might help you decrease $50,000 in current spending or increase revenues by $100,000.

Include Supporting Data

After the written portion of a business report, include an appendix with charts, graphs, a budget, photos and other support documents that help strengthen your case. Providing this information in the body of your report might make reading the report too laborious or boring. Conclude business reports with objective documents that show you have done your homework and that your facts, conclusions and recommendations are supported by objective research.

• Oxford University Press: Structuring a Business Report
• Victoria University of Wellington: How to Write a Business Report

Sampson Quain is an experienced content writer with a wide range of expertise in small business, digital marketing, SEO marketing, SEM marketing, and social media outreach. He has written primarily for the EHow brand of Demand Studios as well as business strategy sites such as Digital Authority.

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How to write the conclusion section of your business plan.

This tutorial explains how to write the conclusion for a business document, for example, a report, thesis, project, or any document that needs a section to gather together the main points.

The structure of the conclusion is as follows:

Reviewing this conclusion, we can see that it mirrors the structure of the executive summary. This serves several purposes:

• Reminding the reader of the messages made in the executive summary
• Reinforce the main message the authors want to highlight
• Laying information throughout the white paper to nudge the reader in the right direction.

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Tips on how to write conclusions for a report

The conclusions section of a report is one of the most important parts and, along with the introduction, one of the last to be written. It brings together all the points raised in a coherent way, ready for the next section, the recommendations, to be written. When highlighting the conclusions to your report, you should keep the following in mind:

• p ut it to one side and leave it for a few days – this allows you to come back to the report with fresh eyes
• read the completed sections of the report through again – whilst you are doing this have a pad and pen at your side and note down the main points you come across
• keep the conclusions concise and to the point – this is not the time to waffle. The conclusions are meant to be brief
• there should be no bias or subjectivity – it should be an accurate, balanced and considered view of what has been covered in the report
• it shouldn’t contain any new material – this is not the time to be introducing new material to the reader, it should only refer back to areas already highlighted in the report
• write in the third person – don’t use ‘I found’, instead you should be saying ‘the results show’, or ‘the findings indicate’ • be concise and clear – some people are very busy and may only have the time to read the conclusions. Others may read the conclusions first to see if the report contains anything of interest to them.
• make sure it is connected logically to the recommendations – you should draw your conclusions from the report and then base your recommendations on these.
• present each conclusion as a separate point
• once the report is complete, go back and re-read the whole document from start to finish to make sure that the conclusion flows on from the body of the report in the same style and tone

Degrees of certainty

Drawing conclusions is a tricky business – our levels of certainty can range from being 100 per cent sure to being not very sure at all. So, the language you use in your conclusions should reflect this. Don’t say something is certain if you are not sure whether it is or not. Use the following examples as a basis for your conclusions, choosing them as appropriate:

• c ertainty (100 per cent certain something will happen) – ‘it will’, ‘is sure to’, ‘is certain to’, ‘definitely will’
• probability – ‘will probably’, ‘is likely to’, ‘will almost certainly’, ‘should’, ‘is expected to’
• possibility – ‘could’, ‘may’, ‘will possibly’, ‘should’
• improbability – ‘unlikely to’, ‘will probably not’, ‘should not’, ‘is not expected to’
• certainty (100 per cent certain something will not happen) – ‘it will not’, ‘is certain not to’, ‘there is no chance’

Use these tips and you’ll be turning out professional, concise conclusions to your reports in no time.

If you’d like to know more about how to write reports, our Report Writing Course is perfect. It’ll teach you how to plan and write reports in a simple, clear way that’ll impress anyone who reads them.

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4 Tips on How to Write Conclusion Business Report

Table of Contents

To write conclusion business report  that portrays an accurate picture takes careful planning and relying on the major points highlighted in the report. 

It is one thing to compile and analyze critical data in a single place for easy access by users of the information. It is another thing to synthesize and organize the information as a conclusion.

Here are four tips on how to write a conclusion business report that speaks louder than words.

How to Write Conclusion Business Report

Your business report’s conclusion will leave a lasting impression and boost your chances of success . End on a positive note to show you care about your readers and can give what they desire.

1. Outline the Major Points

The most efficient method of conveying information is to explain something in-depth and then restate the key points. In a business report, summarizing the findings for the reader is an essential part of the last section. Just as an introduction or executive summary should summarize key points before concluding, so should your summary.

Stay away from specifics; your report already contains all the information your reader needs. Only the most crucial aspects of your analysis, whether they be brand-new data, forecasts, or an explanation, should be highlighted for the reader. Refrain from surprising the reader with new material that wasn’t covered elsewhere in the report. It will just produce confusion.

2. Give Action Plan

After summarizing the report, it is vital to make recommendations or action plans based on the findings. This doesn’t need to be detailed. But, it should convey your general impressions of the report and the steps you think are necessary to accomplish the task. The task, in this case, could be to fix the problem or implement the solution.

“Based on the findings of this report, I recommend that we study XYZ’s financial records for the past three years. And, if we find them to be acceptable, set up a meeting with the board of directors to present our acquisition plan.” Business reports provide essential data and assessments to companies.

3. Make Projections With Facts

If your report is meant to be more than a dry compilation of data, explain why the information you just presented is relevant. For instance, after presenting reports on a new competitor, discuss its possible impact on sales and offer solutions.

4. Be Analytical

Give the reader some incentive to read your report and implement your suggestions. Give the reader clear instructions on how to apply the supplied information and explain how it will help. Tell the reader the benefits of investing in your project or sending you on a company-funded training or seminar.

For Instance,

Your employer may spend $1,500 sending you to a conference, but what you learn will improve business income by $70,000.

Appendices containing charts, graphs, a budget, images, and other supporting materials should be included after the report’s main body to bolster your argument further. Including this detail in the report’s main text could make reading the report tedious or time-consuming.

Business reports should always conclude with evidence that you researched and supported your claims.

Your business report should have a clear goal, make a list with actionable items, and make projections. Write conclusion business report by summarizing the significant points in the report. It should spur analytical thinking on the part of the reader.

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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