How to Write and Develop an Executive Summary

January 24, 2010 by Frank Goley, Business Consultant

An executive summary summarizes your entire business plan in two or three pages. This is a tall order and can be very difficult to accomplish. You want the executive summary to be concise and brief, yet complete, encompassing and inclusive. This article will show you how to write an executive summary that is effective, concise, yet adequately covers your entire business plan. This article will also provide an overview on the sections of a business plan which are important to include in your executive summary and explain different uses for an executive summary.

Process

First, you must complete your business plan before writing your executive summary. Then pick out the important sections of the business plan to put in the executive summary. Order the sections in a format that makes logical sense and outline the important parts of each section. With the outline in hand, write your first draft executive summary. This first draft will typically be ten to twenty pages long. Take the draft and condense it into five to seven pages in length. We will call this your long version executive summary, which is really a mini-version of your business plan. Working off the long version, you will condense it into the final two to three page summary, hitting on the most important aspects of your business plan. It will take at least three renditions of outlining, writing and condensing to develop an effective executive summary. Later in this article I will explain the different uses of the long and short versions of the executive summary.

Organization

Here is a suggested fourteen section executive summary format to use. Amend it for your particular use.

Section One – Company Information

Section Two – Business Plan Purpose and Objectives

Section Three – Company Goals and Vision

Section Four – Company Mission Statement

Section Five – Company Description

Section Six – Company Purpose

Section Seven – Company Situation

Section Eight – Founders, Management and Principals’ Capabilities

Section Nine – Products and Services

Section Ten – The Competition

Section Eleven – Keys to Success

Section Twelve – Finance

Section Thirteen – Growth and Expansion Goals

Section Fourteen – Return on Equity and Investment

Uses

The executive summary gives the user a quick overview of the important facts contained in your business plan. The long version can be used as a standalone document, i.e. a mini business plan, or to succinctly explain your business and generate interest in your opportunity, products and services. The long version summary can be sent to an investor or venture capital firm, accompanied by a venture and investment overview to generate and gauge initial interest. If the VC firm or investor indicates interest, you can then send your custom tailored, to their investment objections and requirements, funding business plan which contains the shorter version executive summary. Long and short versions of your executive summary can be used as a sales document; to approach new suppliers and customers; or to accompany a loan package to a lender; to accompany your marketing plan or strategic plan. It is an initial stand-in for your business plan. The executive summary is not just an overview, but a tool to be used to accomplish your business goals.

About the Author

This blog is written by Frank Goley, the ABC Business Consulting Chief Business Success Consultant, who has over 20 years experience helping companies start, grow, turn-around and succeed. Please visit The ABC Business Consulting Website for more information on what a Business Consultant can do for your Company.

Visit the ABC Business Success Blog for Real-World, Real-Time Business Success Strategies you can use today!

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