Write a Board Report

Write a board report for the following business:

Company name: [name]
Reporting period: [month/quarter/year]
Audience: [board of directors / investors / advisory board]
Business stage: [startup / growth / mature]
Key metrics to report on: [list the KPIs — revenue, churn, burn rate, headcount, etc.]
Performance vs last period: [better / worse / on target — describe]
Performance vs budget/target: [ahead / behind / on track]
Major events this period: [key wins, setbacks, pivots, hires, losses]
Decisions needed from the board: [what you need them to approve or weigh in on]
Key risks to flag: [what the board needs to know about]

Report structure:

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (half page)
- Period highlights in 3 bullet points
- One sentence on overall trajectory

2. FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE
- Revenue, expenses, burn/profit vs targets
- Cash position and runway
- Notable variances and explanations

3. OPERATIONAL METRICS
- KPI dashboard (format as a table: Metric / Target / Actual / vs Last Period)
- Commentary on top 3 metrics

4. STRATEGIC PROGRESS
- Update on strategic initiatives
- Milestones hit and missed

5. PEOPLE
- Headcount changes
- Key hires, departures, or changes

6. RISKS AND ISSUES
- Top 3 risks with likelihood and impact
- Mitigation actions underway

7. ITEMS FOR BOARD DECISION
- Clear ask for each item requiring board input

8. NEXT PERIOD OUTLOOK
- What we are focused on
- What success looks like next period

Tone: direct, factual, and honest. Boards value candour over spin.