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5 Helpful Tips For Producing An Annual Report 

All companies produce annual reports detailing their progress, or otherwise, over the previous year – they are important formal documents that inform staff, shareholders, investors, external analysts, and customers of how a business is performing and its financial wellbeing. Here are some tips as to what to include and how to present your company’s Annual Report 

Report Content

  • Opening Letter Often from the company chairman, this is an open letter to inform people of the chair’s view of the significant developments of the previous financial year, company initiatives, and a brief overview of the financial position of the business. 
  • Business Profile This should include any corporate mission statement, details of directors and company officers, the registered offices, the products and/or services of the business, and competitor profiles and projected risk factors.
  • Management Analysis Usually contains an overview of previous company performance over recent years and details of profit margins, sales, and income. This section may detail any recent business acquisitions and any other relevant information that may be of interest to stakeholders. 
  • Financial Statements Probably the most important part of the document is the financial statements – these figures document the company progress or otherwise. Statements will include a balance sheet, cash flow and income statements, showing whether the company has made profits or losses, and market share prices where relevant, along with any dividends paid. 

Define Key Message

Your document should highlight any corporate accomplishments and their business impact – investors, employees etc will want to know what the company has done and why. 

Finalise Content and Structure

Deciding on the final contents of the report is important – what to include and what to exclude. Ensure the included content tells the whole story of the company performance – use precise and unambiguous writing that projects a professional and unbiased position of the company situation and performance. The content should be an honest reflection of the year’s events.   

Design

A well-designed and professionally printed document can be used as a marketing tool as well as for internal company use – it should be easy to read, engaging and professional. A professionally printed and wire bound brochure or document will present your business as professional and efficient. Use headings and sub-headings, keep the text short and concise, use photographs and graphics where relevant, and use any company colours and logos where possible to highlight your corporate brand. 

Plan In Advance

As with most business strategies, forward planning is essential – creating an Annual Report is a long-term process accumulated over the course of the year. Collate and record relevant detail and evidence as the year progresses – do not wait until the report needs to be produced before starting to source the relevant figures, details, and graphics. 

Printing

After designing your layout and finalising the content of your annual report you will need to consider the printing of the document. Decide on the covers for your Annual Report, the font in which you want it to appear, and choose the most appropriate binding to finish your document in a smart and professional way – a wire bound brochure is a popular choice for these documents. You will want to produce a professional document that projects the image of a smart and efficient business, so identify an established print company to produce your document.  

 

If your company is based in Avon or the surrounding areas, then speak with DL Graphics. They are an established printing company in Bristol who provide high-end printed materials for all businesses – they can provide wire bound booklet printing in Bristol, not only for annual reports, but all manner of wire bound brochures for business use. 

 

 

How To Make Your Compliment Slips Memorable

Flat mosaic stationery set from freepik.com

Companies use many different forms of printed stationery in the marketing and advertising aspects of their business, one of the most popular items being the compliment slip. They are used mainly as a simple acknowledgement of thanks to a customer or client for a purchase or service rendered, or as an appreciation to staff members for loyalty or hard work. Showing appreciation and thanks to your customers is an important part of your business and using compliment slips is a great way to convey and demonstrate this and to build loyalty and encourage future business with your customers. Here are some of the benefits and uses of printed compliment slips: 

Compliment Slips

Compliment slips are basically just as it sounds – slips of paper containing “thank you” or compliments! Businesses use them to show appreciation or gratitude to a host of different people involved with the business – customers, clients, suppliers, employees, and such. Printed compliment slips will be headed with the company branding and contain relevant contact details for the business – address, telephone numbers, email address, website access and any social media platform access that the company utilises. Underneath the contact information is a blank space for someone to write a personal message or note for the intended recipient. Compliment slips can be printed in different colours, sizes, shapes, or designs – whatever best suits the image, brand, and ethos of the company.   

Benefits of Compliment Slips

Compliment slip printing is an affordable, cost-effective business stationery option – simple slips of paper can be printed in-house in most cases but, for a professional and high-end quality, better produced by an established print company versed in business stationery printing.  Quality complimentary slips can add a professional and class touch to your business whilst at the same time presenting a ‘human’ and personal element to your business exchanges. Usually included alongside another business document being relayed to a client or customer they are easy to use and distribute – likewise they are lightweight and portable so useful marketing tools to have at any business conference or convention at which your company may be being represented. Everybody likes to feel valued and printed compliment slips are an easy and effective way to relay that appreciation to clients or other business associates and suppliers. 

Common Uses

Including compliment slips with a customer order being dispatched, or simply undertaking a marketing mailshot including compliment slips are effective uses of these versatile printed stationery items. You can utilise compliment slips within your own business to acknowledge employees for specific tasks or performance – it is as important to recognise and appreciate your own staff as it is for customers and clients! 

Content

You can include as much or as little on a compliment slip as you think appropriate – there is no set format as to the content! It may be a simple, quick note of thanks or you can include in detail the specific act you are thanking them for – just so long as the note is personal the recipient will appreciate the time taken to write it! Whilst getting your compliment slips professionally printed to look smart, it is essential that the actual message is hand-written and personal. Typically, an example may be: 

 “Thank you, Mr Smith, for your recent order placed with ourselves. Your business is very much appreciated, and we hope you were happy with your product – if there is any way we can assist you in the future with a similar order or, indeed, an alternative product, then please just let us know and we will endeavour to help in any way.” 

It is appropriate to issue compliment slips when someone else compliments your business, products, services, or staff, or perhaps when a customer places a particularly lucrative order – it is even appropriate to issue a compliment slip when an existing client closes their account with you – a note of appreciation for previous business adds a professional and classy touch (and may even encourage the client to rethink their decision!).  

If you want further information on compliment slip printing in central London then please speak with DL Graphics – they are a professional, established, and well-respected online print shop in central London who are experts in all aspects of business stationery printing and will be able to advise you fully on compliment slip printing as well as other printed business materials. 

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Tips for the best business stationery

We can imagine that you’re serious about making the most of your business brand across all media formats, so you’ll know that quality business stationery printing is one area that cannot be ignored. A snappy website and seamless online experience are great achievements, but we overlook the personal touch of physical branded stationery at our peril. For one, its personal. Your clients know that the branded letters, compliment slips and envelopes they receive are born out of the professional relationship you share. They represent your professional services and show them that you care.

Just so you know we care about your business success in this area, we’ve gathered our top tips for business stationery to ensure professional excellence.

1.Keep it simple

Why do we continue to send personalised cards or invitations for special occasions like weddings? Because they are personal to us. Your business is also your personal endeavour, so you owe it to yourself to present the personal side of your business, to show clients that they are important to you. This doesn’t mean that you have to go over board. Business stationery printing is about establishing your brand. Include a small logo, simple graphics and clear contact information to encourage clients to get in touch, even via social media or email. This is not a marketing campaign – if done right, your branded stationery will present a refined, professional and personal touch.

2.Colour is key

Maintain a sophisticated professionalism in your physical communications by also choosing simple colours. Your brand and your colour choice is key to representing a consistent and efficient service. Subtle graphics and a simple colour scheme will underpin the stationery but won’t overpower or become garish alongside the written information being conveyed. Business card printing can be designed more boldly in that they are a marketing and communications hybrid and are not intended to be written on. However, we suggest that they still adhere to a simple branding colour pallet for the sake of clarity. Quality compliment slip printing and letterhead printing is what we do best, so we recommend that you maintain the same premium paper stock across all of your stationery items in order to present them all as a single consistent set.

3.Include a business slogan or strapline

Is your business slogan or strapline integral to your business communications? Why not include it on to a distinctive envelope printing selection so that your clients know who they are receiving post from even before they’ve opened the letter? This is a great way of advertising your business to those who might read and identify your business slogan by chance, enroute to its final destination.

4.Use quality paper

We’ve said it before; we’ll say it again. Consistent branding is underpinned by utilising the same quality paper stock across the set of stationery items your business sends out to its customers. We stock a variety of premium quality paper and card for your purposes and budget, with great quality print production and final finishes to exhibit the best of your brand to existing and future customers.

DL GRAPHICS – WHO ARE WE AND HOW CAN WE HELP?

DL Graphics are a printing company in London. From concept to client, we at DL Graphics have it covered. Established in 1989, we have been trading and evolving for 32 years, specialising in creative & artworkprint & distribution, and interactive & online. So, if you’re in the market for some branded business stationary, from business cards, complimentary slips, envelopes and letterhead printing in London, or are simply looking for inspiration, our online print shop is the place for you! Call us on 02072423337 or email info@dl-graphics.com or use our contact form and we will get back to you within 24 hours.

How business stationary can promote your business

letterhead printing london

If you want your business to exude authority, accountability, and professionalism, there is no better way than through branded business stationary. Branded business stationary delivers the message that your company thinks about every detail and aspect of the business, especially the finer details. By simply having your own letterhead, you are boosting your credentials tenfold. You are reminding people of your business and you are reinforcing your stance as a company. Let’s take a closer look:

Boost your brand identity

Business stationary is so much more than just a place to stamp your company logo. It’s a way for customers to recognise you and your prospects. So, the way you choose to present yourself on business stationary needs serious thought; giving consideration to the font, colour and size, to ensure it works alongside your current branding and builds upon it to enhance your brand identity.

Business stationary creates a more official product, and great business stationary can make a strong first impression with customers, reinforcing your brand identity. It doesn’t have to work just for customers either – have your stationary within easy view around the workplace so your brand identity is at the forefront of everyone’s minds.

More often than not, business stationary is the first thing people will see from you and your business, so the image needs to be consistent with the rest of your branding. People need to recognise who you are. Ensure all elements match each other, from signage to website to business stationary. By having a consistent catalogue of marketing tools your image should easily communicate your unique branding.

Why your stationary says you care about the finer details

Business stationary says a lot about a company – most importantly, your attitude to the finer details. Choosing business stationary with your branding, illustrates you are a company that thinks about every aspect of the job. Every printed letterhead and memo you send out projects your image as a company, so you want one that projects professionalism and accountability. This is something standard stationary simply cannot provide.

In a world where everyone is fighting to stay afloat, branded business stationary can be the difference between zero customers to a plethora of customers. Consider different finishes to give that something extra, from embossing the logo, to the choice of colours. Done right, this extra effort can only reflect positively on your brand and your business.

Back up your networking efforts with branding

Even in today’s society, the most effective form of marketing is through word-of-mouth. By networking with customers and other professionals you can get yourself known out there, building connections with other businesses in your field and strengthening relationships and new opportunities. Of course, networking also requires branded stationary such as business cards to truly help you and your business. Once you’ve given the right impression to someone, you want them to have something professional to take away from the event and remember you and your services should they wish to use you in the future.

Branded business stationary makes you more memorable and has a higher chance of brand recognition and customer retention. Ensure you have your logo or company name and contact details on each piece. There’s no point being memorable if people can not then contact you after the event. Complimentary slips are also a good way of providing information to people in a subtle and professional manner; creating a long-lasting impression.

DL Graphics – who are we and how can we help?

DL Graphics are a printing company in London. From concept to client, we at DL Graphics have it covered. Established in 1989, we have been trading and evolving for 32 years, specialising in creative & artwork, print & distribution, and interactive & online. So, if you’re in the market for some branded business stationary, from business cards, complimentary slips, envelopes and letterhead printing in London, or are simply looking for inspiration, our online print shop is the place for you! Call us on 02072423337 or email info@dl-graphics.com or use our contact form and we will get back to you within 24 hours.