How To Compose A Great Executive Summary

by | Feb 1, 2021 | 0 comments

How To Write An Executive Summary – Think A Call-to-Action 

Executive Summary:  1-3 pages which summarizes the overall business plan/proposal and the vision of your company. Clear and concise it encapsulates the mission and pre-sells the whole idea of your venture/proposal.

An Executive Summary is not a summary at all, but a marketing tool designed to sell your business to the client /investor. It needs to be persuasive, specific, focused – not descriptive but purposeful. Having the just right graphics and detailing solutions to problems. It is a Call-to-Action to lure the reader into wanting to delve further into your proposal.

When to Compose? First or Last

Write the Executive Summary first to organize thoughts and use it as a Guide to prepare the overall business plan/proposal.

Write the Executive Summary last after you have conceived the entire plan/proposal and pull out the best parts for summation.

There is no right or wrong time to compose the Summary. Some people prefer to compose/compile it before writing the body of the plan/proposal. While others prefer waiting until the plan is completed and then writing the Summary. Either way, it’s what you are comfortable with.

How the Executive Summary should be structured

Opener: The Why of your vision.
Need: Talk about the ‘what’s in it for them’.  Show you understand there perspective and how they benefit,         ie. the positive outcomes.
Solution: Why your plan/proposal will work. No details, just enough to entice further reading
Evidence: Why your company. What qualifies you vs. the competition. What differentiates you.
Call-to-Action: Close the deal. The whole summary is a CTA. Why they want to invest in your venture and how everyone will share in its success.

Do’s and Don’ts 

– Keep it short. No more than three pages.
– Use straight-forward language not buzz-words
– Don’t use too much technical jargon/lingo
– Focus on Client/Investor. What do they want to know.  How can you help them.
– Mention the Client/investor’s company name several times, if possible.

This is the Executive Summary as Call-to-Action. Follows the advice above and it will work for you.

For a FREE Copy of  ‘How To Design a Pitch’ just contact us. 4MPerformance.com 

Categories: Startups

By Jim Lavorato

Jim Lavorato is the founder of 4M Performance which is designed to assist businesses to survive and thrive in these uncertain times. Jim launched an entertainment-related company in 1988. He was at the forefront in cinema technology and helped spearhead the movie industry's transition to digital presentation and distribution. He also co-founded the Arboreal Group, an environmental consultancy. He has published articles on the motion picture and media industries and is a contributing editor for ScreenTrade magazine and writes a blog "Cinema Mucho Gusto". He is a certified SCORE Mentor in the SCORE Greater Phoenix Chapter and lives in Scottsdale, AZ. Learn more about Jim in his "About" page.

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