Tackling head on the myth of creativity lost to Workiva

Spend just a little time talking to people who’ve given scant thought to using Workiva for a reporting project, and you’ll notice a pattern to their concerns.

 

‘The templates are too stiff,’ they might say. Or ‘There’s no room for creative flair.’ We’ve overheard these gripes in networking sessions and even LinkedIn comment threads. All too often reporters without deep understanding of Workiva are blinded to its benefits by its perceived shortcomings.

 

But I’ve got a secret to share: there’s not much more to this than ill-founded rumour. Sure, Workiva has been built with compliance, collaboration and efficiency front of mind. But if you commit to going deeper, investing in people and processes that weave creativity through and alongside it, any creative compromise will be negligible. You’ll be ready to unleash a powerful canvas for innovation, and the results can be stunning: beautiful and creatively engaging reporting that wows stakeholders while saving time, money and ticking every regulatory box.

 

We’ve been crafting creative, award-winning and Workiva-powered reports for the likes of Barclays, Ahold Delhaize, 3i, HEINEKEN and ASML for more than half a decade. Crucially, we’ve also worked hand in hand with Workiva to help shape the design functionality of the platform to broaden and deepen its benefits for all.

 

With all this experience, we’ve come to understand the art and science of producing creative reports born of efficient process using the platform. Here’s just a few tips to get you started.

 

Creative by design: start with a smart audit

Think Workiva is limiting your creativity? It all starts with how you approach it. One of the most powerful moves you can make is conducting a creative audit right from the start. Have a Workiva expert audit your reporting setup. Why? Because with the right strategic plan you can unlock ways to maximise both creative flair and compliance.

 

An audit helps you map out the best design approach, making sure the platform’s structure enhances rather than restricts your design vision. It sets the foundation for a report that blends creative storytelling with seamless functionality—keeping you ahead of the game.

 

Think like a user: design with users in mind

Design that collapses the moment someone edits a piece of content is a creativity killer. When designing on Workiva, think concurrently about how the report will be edited. Your design should be robust enough to adapt to inevitable changes, without sacrificing visual appeal.

 

Create layouts and data visualisations that look beautiful and remain functional. This foresight will make sure your creative brilliance doesn’t get lost in the constant shuffle of collaborative updates, and contributors don’t accidentally break your design when making routine changes. The result? A report that stands up creatively to revisions.

 

Set the creative scene: nail your style guide early

Workiva might be cloud-based, but don’t let your creativity float around aimlessly. Establish a solid style guide from the get-go. Think of it as your creative anchor—detailing fonts, heading hierarchies and key design elements. This will be your blueprint for consistency, allowing contributors to bring their best without stepping outside the design guardrails.

 

When the first report setup is treated like a blank canvas, the style guide becomes a tool to make sure your creative ambition carries through every single page. With a strong style guide in place, every update will feel like part of the original masterplan, not a chaotic rework.

 

Harness super-users: empower internal champions

There are always people in every team who adapt faster, picking up on Workiva’s nuances with ease. Embrace these ‘super-users. Turn them into ambassadors who can teach others, troubleshoot issues and maintain momentum.

 

Super-users should become mentors, easing the learning curve for others and making sure creative doesn’t get dimmed by confusion or limiting speculation about the platform’s shortfalls. They bridge the gap between functionality and flair.

 

Check in, don’t check out: the power of feedback loops

Ever notice how quickly projects derail when there’s radio silence? Regular check-ins—especially in the early stages—are essential for avoiding that. When using Workiva, these check-ins help catch knowledge gaps before they become bigger problems. Early feedback keeps contributors in sync, embeds best practices and prevents creative bottlenecks.

 

Establishing a regular rhythm of communication makes sure everyone is aligned, creativity is kept alive and technical issues don’t snowball into setbacks. This simple habit leads to a better final product: creative, compliant and headache-free.

 

 

Wrapping up: Workiva and tomorrow’s reporting

Today, annual reports are expected to do so much more than simply satisfy regulatory requirements. They must engage an ever-expanding audience, from investors and analysts to employees, NGOs and industry commentators. At the same time, must stand up to scrutiny from stakeholders who demand greater transparency, especially in areas like governance and sustainability.

 

The challenge is striking the right balance between meeting the demands for disclosure and creating communicative reports that are easy to access, compelling and visually captivating. This is where the fusion of technology and creativity is so important. Using the platform strategically, empowering your team and building in flexibility that doesn’t compromise creative integrity can make a huge difference to your reporting. The payoff? It’s worth it.