source form: learnenglish

A business report is a formal document. It should be concise, well organised, and easy to follow; using headings, sub-headings, sections.

Sections should be numbered: – major section 1,2,3 etc. – first level of sub-section 1.1, 1.2 etc., 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 etc. – second level 1.1.1, 1.1.2, ……, 1.2.1, 1.2.2, ….. etc.

Report format:

Title page - subject of the report, author, date

Terms of reference - who ordered the report, when and why, any conditions

Contents page - all section numbers and titles, using exactly the same wording as in the report

Abstract - brief summary of report – task, summary of conclusions and recommendations

Introduction - background information

Main body of report - findings, description, facts, opinions, etc. This must be well structured

Conclusion - summary of results

Recommendations - usually in the form of a list

Appendices (not always necessary) – additional details, tables, graphs, detailed analysis. These must be numbered and cross referenced in the text

Glossary (not always necessary) -explanation of any specialist terms

Bibliography - references to any books, journals, etc. which were used either for background reading, or directly quoted in the report.
They should be arranged alphabetically by the author’s name The reference should include: author, date of publication, title, edition,
place of publication, publisher.

General guidelines:

• If using Word™ or a similar package, use (but don’t just rely on) the spell-checker.
• Check your grammar and punctuation.
• Make sure you read it through and that you understand it.
• If you can get someone else to read it – even better.
• Make a copy – if you’re using a PC make two separate copies, and keep them safe.

source form: learnenglish

1) Facilitator, note-taker, and time-keeper should introduce themselves and define their roles. This will let people know what to expect of them.2) General introduction between all members: Make newcomers, or infrequent members feel welcome by having everyone introduce themselves, or do a ‘check in’ with all present – how is everyone feeling before the meeting? This is good to do at all meetings

3) Brief agenda intro (written on blackboard and/or give everyone copies of agenda, or use a single copy that everyone can add to and see) Include time limits (if nec.) and who’s responsible for each item. Allow everyone to include items on the agenda.

4) Approve/revise agenda and time limits.

5) Review previous week’s meeting. Any items not taken care of? Follow up.

6) For each agenda item, first define, then discuss:

 

a) CONTENT = what is discussed (topic or problem)b) PROCESS = how the topic is discussed (ie, brainstorming, go-around, presentation)

c) RESOLUTION = is a decision needed or are we just discussing? If a decision is necessary, define what kind of decision will be made (ie, consensus, voting)

d) ACTION = record what action was decided on, who is responsible, and the date by which they have to accomplish the action

7) Summarize meeting (note-taker) and make sure everyone agrees on what happened. Set roles and agenda for next meeting.

9) Evaluate meeting.

10) Closure: Do some sort of formal ending of the meeting (a poem, a song, a reading, a ‘check out’ where each person says something; how the meeting went, what they’re up to next, &c.).

Before next meeting

1) review meeting
2) follow up on action items

source form: learnenglish

grammar (noun): the structure and system of a language, or of languages in general, usually considered to consist of syntax and morphology.