The Rise of One-Pagers: A New Era in Reporting and Decision-Making

Introduction:

Gone are the days of lengthy PowerPoint slide decks dominating the world of Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A). The future is embracing a simpler, more concise approach: One-Pagers. Procter & Gamble and Amazon are leading the charge by fully embracing this efficient reporting method. In this blog post, we'll explore the pros and cons of One-Pagers and how they are reshaping the way we communicate and make decisions.

Embracing the Power of One-Pagers:

One-Pagers offer several advantages over traditional slide decks:

1. Summarizing Evolves Thinking:

With limited space, One-Pagers force us to think deeply about the core message we want to convey. By distilling complex information into a concise format, we challenge our own assumptions and arrive at better recommendations. This evolution of thinking leads to more effective and impactful communication.

2. More Efficient Use of Meeting Time:

One-Pagers are condensed and can be read in advance of a meeting. This allows participants to come prepared, resulting in more productive discussions. With the key points already laid out, meetings can focus on strategic decision-making and problem-solving rather than spending time going through lengthy presentations.

3. Easier Reference Post-Launch:

When results are compared to forecasts, having all the premises and key information neatly presented on a single page makes it easier to track progress and evaluate performance. The compact nature of One-Pagers ensures that important details are easily accessible for future reference.

4. Less Time-Consuming to Prepare:

One-Pagers eliminate the need for tedious slide formatting, reducing preparation time significantly. Once you are familiar with the structure and approach, creating One-Pagers becomes a faster process. This efficiency allows FP&A professionals to allocate more time to analysis and strategic thinking.

Considerations and Challenges:

While One-Pagers offer numerous benefits, it's important to acknowledge the potential drawbacks:

1. Space Constraints Can Be Limiting:

Expressing complex ideas and arguments concisely can be challenging. The limited space of a One-Pager requires thoughtful editing and prioritization of information. Crafting a clear and compelling message within these constraints requires practice and skill.

2. Harder to Control the Message:

One-Pagers require us to be direct and straightforward in presenting our ideas. There is less opportunity to build a gradual case or warm someone up to our concept. The concise format demands clarity and precision in communicating our intentions.

3. Harder to Show the Thought Process:

Visualizations and slide decks allow us to demonstrate a thorough thought process, showcasing the different angles considered. While not impossible with a One-Pager, conveying the same level of depth and analysis can be more challenging. It requires careful selection and presentation of supporting evidence.

Conclusion:

One-Pagers have emerged as a compelling alternative to traditional slide decks in FP&A. Their ability to summarize, save time, and enhance decision-making makes them a valuable tool. However, mastering the art of creating impactful One-Pagers requires effort and practice. As the business landscape evolves, embracing this efficient reporting method can lead to more effective communication, streamlined meetings, and better-informed decision-making. Share your experiences with One-Pagers in the comments below and let's continue the conversation on this exciting shift in reporting practices.