1 In the “PowerPoint culture,” information is sacrificed in favor of decoration.

2 The practical thing about maps is that north is always at the top and rivers are always blue. Similar rules could also increase comprehension in business charts.

3 If we are able to clearly visualize a symphony with the help of sheet music, then this should also be possible for monthly sales.

4 Many management reports should be called data analyses or statistics since they don't actually report anything.

5 A good report consists primarily of understandable text which, when necessary, is supplemented with transparent tables and meaningful charts.

6 A collection of “lightweight” PowerPoint images is hardly a report.

7 Necessary components of management reports are an understandable summary, a transparent structure, as well as clear statements in complete sentences.

8 People don't expect to hear mere statements from a trustworthy author, instead they expect understandable explanations and plausible recommendations.

9 The person preparing the report should avoid vague formulations, like significant, clearly and substantially, and instead present understandable facts from which recipients of the reports themselves can then assess then for their significance, clarity, or relevance.