How to Write The Executive Summary Section of a Business Plan
Posted By Frank Goley, Business Consultant On August 26, 2010 @ 12:09 pm In Business Planning | 2 Comments
Write the Executive Summary Last
The Executive Summary [1] should be written last. Why? Because it organizes and summarizes the entire Business Plan. You cannot achieve this effectively until all other sections of the Business Plan [2] are completed. You should develop two types or renditions of the Executive Summary for your Business Plan. A short version which is 2-3 pages and a longer version that is 5-7 pages long. The Executive Summary contains the Company Statement, Visions and Mission, the Purpose of the Business Plan and a short summary of each section of your Business Plan, along with a Financial / Profitability Section. You can also provide the key strategic competitive success areas of your Marketing Plan [3].
The Executive Summary is a Mini Business Plan
The Executive Summary (short version) is part of your Business Plan, giving the reader a quick overview of the important facts contained in your Business Plan. The Executive Summary (short and long versions) can also operate as a stand-alone document to be used to generate interest in your business opportunity or venture, i.e. to be sent to a funding source to generate and gauge their initial interest. An Executive Summary can accompany an Investment Overview [4] to provide more details to a venture capitalist about your particular business opportunity.
Brevity and Inclusiveness are both Key
Brevity, yet completeness and inclusiveness, is key when writing your Executive Summary. It should be concise yet have adequate detail about your Business Plan. This can be difficult to achieve if you attempt to write it prior to completing all the sections of your Business Plan.
An Example Format of an Executive Summary
This is an example of the different sections that an Executive Summary can contain. Adjust for long or short versions and for your intended audience.
1. Company Information
2. Business Plan Purpose & Objectives
3. Company Goals & Vision
4. Company Mission Statement
5. Company Description
6. Company Purpose
7. Company Situation
8. Founders, Management & Principals Capabilities
9. Products & Services
10. The Competition
11. Keys to Success
12. Finance
13. Growth & Expansion Goals
14. Sales Forecast
15. Return on Equity / Return on Investment
[5]
[6]Article printed from The Business Success Blog: http://abcbusinesssuccessblog.businessconsultingabc.com
URL to article: http://abcbusinesssuccessblog.businessconsultingabc.com/2010/08/26/how-to-write-the-executive-summary-section-of-a-business-plan/
URLs in this post:
[1] Executive Summary: http://www.businessconsultingabc.com/Writing_An_Effective_Executive_Summary.html
[2] Business Plan: http://www.businessconsultingabc.com/Writing_An_Effective_Business_Plan.html
[3] Marketing Plan: http://www.businessconsultingabc.com/Developing_and_Writing_A_Winning_Marketing_Plan.html
[4] Investment Overview: http://www.businessconsultingabc.com/The_Investor_Overview.html
[5] Image: http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fabcbusinesssuccessblog.businessconsultingabc.com%2F2010%2F08%2F26%2Fhow-to-write-the-executive-summary-section-of-a-business-plan%2F&linkname=How%20to%20Write%20The%20Executive%20Summary%20Section%20of%20a%20Business%20Plan
[6] Image: http://www.addtoany.com/share_save
Click here to print.