4 Tips for Creating a Strong Impact Report for Your Business

28 mrt

2 minute read

In recent years, there has been a growing demand for reliable information on sustainability, and businesses are increasingly being asked to provide transparency. To meet this demand, more and more companies are creating impact reports. An impact report is a document that outlines a company's social, environmental, and economic impact. It's a way for companies to showcase their sustainability efforts, share concrete examples of their impact, and provide transparency to stakeholders. In this blog post, we will share four tips for creating a strong impact report that will help your business thrive.

Do Your Research
Before you start creating your impact report, you need to do your research. What should your impact report include? What information should you provide? Make a checklist of what you need to cover in your report.

Your research is a crucial part of your impact report because your numbers and information need to be accurate. Transparency in your data and communication is essential. By making the impact report open to the public, B Corps require companies to be transparent about their sustainability efforts. You can find many examples of effective impact reports that you can use as inspiration.

Keep It Concise
Once you've collected all the information and data, you need to make it accessible and easy to read. We recommend creating a compact report that's easy to read and is set up from a strong concept that fits your brand. Avoid writing long, boring texts about how great your company is. Instead, combine facts with storytelling. Take the reader on a journey and respect their time. Avoid creating a dry impact report that reads like a financial statement.

Choose a Suitable Format
You want people to read your impact report, so you need to choose a format that suits your brand and your target audience. By creating a creative and original impact report, you have a greater chance of it being read. Combine images, dynamic effects, and illustrations to tell your story.

Here are some ideas: If you're a publishing company that only produces sustainable, organic, and green books, a book-style impact report could work well. You can share the tangible book with stakeholders, and consumers can browse the digital book via your website. Look to IKEA as an example, whose impact report comprises a video, stories, a book, and a landing page. There is a form of content that appeals to everyone.

If you're a clothing brand, you could create a garment with a QR code that links to your website, where people can see your impact report. Tip: always make sure to provide a downloadable PDF version of your report.

Use Your Content
Use the information and input from your impact report to create content that you can share across multiple channels. Create an impact section on your website or a content calendar that's linked to your impact report.
You can share storytelling or an infographic on social media targeted towards consumers, or a valuable monthly email to stakeholders, investors, or shareholders. Keep your community engaged and show them the positive impact that you have made.

Conclusion
Creating a strong impact report is a great way for businesses to showcase their sustainability efforts and provide transparency to stakeholders. By doing your research, keeping it concise, choosing a suitable format, and using your content, you can create a powerful impact report that will help your business thrive. At THE NOW, we understand the importance of creating impact. We can help your business develop a strong and unique Branding Strategy and Design that will drive your impact, reflects your sustainability efforts and resonates with your stakeholders. Contact us today to learn how we can help your business thrive.