November 2010
Just about everyone knows that economic growth momentum is heading south to emerging markets. Yet as the world’s attention shifts to the leading organisations in Africa, Asia, emerging Europe, the Middle East and Latin America, in many cases their communications fail to do them justice.
Step forwards the annual report – for many organisations in these regions the cornerstone of all communications and main source of transparency. All too often these reports carry confused messages, so wasting the chance to create a good impression.
With developing country organisations interacting more with the US and Europe, clear communications with emphatic messages are becoming important. Annual reports, and web sites, create lasting first impressions. Trading and financing relationships depend on them.
Although local business cultures may mean developing and structuring clear messages is not as simple as in the West, the time has come for organisations with growth ambitions to take their communications seriously.
Doing so is relatively easy, and the benefits are considerable. Not doing so could carry a significant cost in terms of lost opportunity.
The Clerkenwell Consultancy advises on and writes annual reports for organisations worldwide.