John Doe shuffled through another audit report, a familiar pit forming in his stomach. Numbers meticulously analyzed, reports impeccably formatted – yet, board reactions remained lukewarm.
The data, no matter how precise, failed to ignite the urgency John felt in his gut. Frustration gnawed at him. "How can I make them see this?"
“How can they truly understand?” he thought. “There has to be a better way," he muttered, the question echoing relentlessly in his mind for days.
Then, a spark of inspiration – storytelling!
It wasn’t the data itself that was lacking, but the way it was presented. Weaving narratives around the cold, hard facts could be the key to unlocking their true impact.
It’s important to clarify that auditors shouldn't “weave stories” around their findings. Audits are about accuracy and factual reporting. However, they can present their findings in a compelling way to grab attention and ensure their message is understood.
Here’s how:
- Shifting the focus: John decided to ditch dry pronouncements like “inventory records were inaccurate.” Instead, he’d paint a picture: “Inaccurate records could lead to stockouts, leaving empty shelves and frustrated customers who might take their business elsewhere.”
- Numbers talk: Numbers weren’t just decorations; they added weight to the narrative. John wouldn’t just say “unrecorded expenses,” he’d quantify it: “Unrecorded expenses resulted in a $100,000 understatement of liabilities, potentially jeopardizing the company’s financial health.”
- Provide context: John understood the “why” behind the findings was crucial. “Inaccurate inventory records,” he realized, “stemmed from outdated systems and a lack of staff training, increasing the risk of stockouts and subsequent revenue loss.”
- Follow a narrative structure: Frame the report as a story: introduce the issue, delve into details and conclude with recommendations.
- Use clear and concise language: Ditch jargon: “Lack of standardized procedures for expense reporting contributed to discrepancies, hindering accurate financial decision-making,” John rephrased. Now it was clear – and concerning.
- Visual appeal: To further enhance the impact, John planned to incorporate strategic visuals. Charts and graphs could make complex data easier to understand, while color could highlight key findings, grabbing attention and ensuring the message resonated on multiple levels.
By incorporating these storytelling techniques, John aimed to transform dry reports into captivating narratives. Facts would become relatable situations, consequences would be tangible threats and recommendations wouldn’t be suggestions – they’d be clear calls to action. This impactful approach, John believed, wouldn’t just foster comprehension; it would cultivate a sense of shared responsibility, driving positive change within the organization.
About the author: Chidambaram Narayanan is a seasoned internal auditor with 20+ years of experience in accounting and audit. Specializing in financial and IT domains, he has worked in Fortune 500 companies across manufacturing, automotive, engineering, and retail sectors.
Chidambaram holds the prestigious title of Chartered Accountant and is equipped with a robust set of certifications, including CISA and Microsoft Azure Cybersecurity suite (SC-200, SC-300, SC-400, SC-100, SC-900). Presently, he serves on the board of the ISACA Muscat Chapter.