Warren Buffet Honored for Annual Report Writing

» Kirk - Billionaire Buffett Honored for Writing

Thu Feb 3, 6:16 PM ET
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OMAHA, Neb. - Billionaire investor Warren Buffett (news - web sites), long lauded for his stock-picking acumen, is being honored for his writing skills.

The National Commission on Writing for America's Families, Schools, and Colleges is honoring Buffett's folksy and easy-to-understand annual report on Berkshire Hathaway Inc. as a major contribution to the art and craft of writing.

"No annual report has had a greater impact on American business," said Bob Kerrey, the commission's chairman and a former Democratic senator from Nebraska.

"With clarity, insight, and wit, each year Warren Buffett advises countless leaders of business and industry, scholars of commerce, public officials, and investors from across the spectrum," said Kerrey, who is president of New School University in New York.

Buffett says he writes his annual report as though he were explaining Berkshire to a sister who has been away for a long time. Often the reports are sprinkled with humor, such as when Buffett blamed himself for his company's poor performance in 1999.

"My performance reminds me of a quarterback whose report card showed four Fs and a D but who nonetheless had an understanding coach," Buffett wrote. "'Son,' he drawled, 'I think you're spending too much time on that one subject.'"

The commission issued its second report to Congress in September titled, "Writing: A Ticket to Work...Or a Ticket Out, a Survey of Business Leaders."

Buffett was to receive his award Friday in Omaha. Honored last year for their contributions to the craft of writing were Sens. Robert Byrd, D-W.V. and Thad Cochran, R-Miss.

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-- posted by Kirk

» jerrib - Sounds like

-- posted by jerrib

» Kirk - Re: Sounds like

Read any of his annual reports at: BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.

They ar far better reading than your typical annual report to shareholders.

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-- posted by Kirk

» H2O - Re: Re: Sounds like

It's rare that a technical writer writes an annual report. Usually that's marketing communications. And while it would be fun to be more humorous in technical writing, unfortunately certain constrainst prevent that. Regulatory agencies tend to frown on "creativity" and translation costs would surely soar. But maybe some tech writers moonlight writing text for annual reports. Any out there?

I also think it depends on the company and its image. I doubt you'll see such light-heartedness in a GE annual report. There is just no room for humor at GE (from my experience). And I doubt a company involved in the medical fields would want to use humor.

Thanks for sharing this with us.

John

-- posted by H2O