An annual report is a lot like an old friend. They are both expected, yet appreciated when they show up. And the best ones don't come around every year. Annual reports have been going strong for centuries, starting with what historians think was a letter from Sparta's king written on animal skin back in 500 B.C., but some would argue that the first modern annual report dates to 1539 and a shareholder letter from a Bavarian mining company called Osterreichische Kupfer-Eisengiesserey Werke AG [Austrian Copper & Ironworks].
The annual report has gone through many changes over the years, but one thing is certain: they are a unique opportunity to communicate with a variety of audiences about the company's performance and direction.
So, how do you make one? Start off by following these 10 tips to help improve an annual report's readability and appeal:
1. Less text, more visuals on your target annual report
The idea that "a picture is worth a thousand words" holds especially ...