ES2002 Business Communication Writing the Executive Summary

ES2002 Business Communication: Writing the Executive Summary2 Overview Definition Purpose Value Important writing considerations

ES2002 Business Communication: Writing the Executive Summary3 Definition Brief and factual overview of report designed to give readers quick preview of report’s content Capsule form of report Names  summary, abstract, overview, synopsis

ES2002 Business Communication: Writing the Executive Summary4 Purpose Facilitates quick processing Helps readers assess the significance of the material

ES2002 Business Communication: Writing the Executive Summary5 Value Readers can glean the main points of the report without reading it in full A time saver An especially useful document for busy managers

ES2002 Business Communication: Writing the Executive Summary6 Important writing considerations Creating the desired impression Organising the content Limiting the length Using an appropriate writing style Reviewing the summary

ES2002 Business Communication: Writing the Executive Summary7 Creating the desired impression Select content carefully Present information in an effective and convincing manner … that the rest of your report is worth reading Important writing considerations Creating desired impression

ES2002 Business Communication: Writing the Executive Summary8 Organising the content Place the points in same order as in report or by level of importance –Statement of problem and purpose –Methodology and scope –Important conclusions, citing significant findings –Key recommendations Important writing considerations Organising content

ES2002 Business Communication: Writing the Executive Summary9 Limiting the length Approximately 10% of the report Short enough to be economical and long enough to be clear and comprehensive Important writing considerations Limiting length

ES2002 Business Communication: Writing the Executive Summary10 Using an appropriate writing style Be formal and impersonal Avoid making evaluative comments about report Avoid making references to report Important writing considerations Using appropriate writing style

ES2002 Business Communication: Writing the Executive Summary11 Reviewing the summary Has the summary captured the report in miniature? Have the key ideas been highlighted? Could someone read the summary and tell the essence of the report? Is the organisation of information effective? Does the summary give the impression that the rest of the report is worth reading? Has the significance of the material to the readers been highlighted? Has the summary been written convincingly? Does language conform to the 5 C’s? Important writing considerations Reviewing summary

ES2002 Business Communication: Writing the Executive Summary12 The Executive Summary of a Business Plan by Mike Volker When raising money, you generally need a business plan. But, it's not a good idea to send off a complete business plan without some introductory discussions or meetings first. In order to determine if someone might even be interested in looking at your opportunity, you need a summary, i.e. an "Executive Summary", of your plan which is brief, to the point, and will hopefully evoke sufficient interest in the recipient to warrant taking a closer look.

ES2002 Business Communication: Writing the Executive Summary13 Think of your opening line about our company as if you were making an "elevator pitch", i.e. picture yourself on an elevator ride with a potential investor. You know that she's getting off on the top floor, so that only gives you a couple of minutes to get her attention. What will you tell her? This summary should contain the most important points of the business plan. It should be fairly brief, typically less than two pages. In any event, it is important to capture the reader's interest in the first page.

ES2002 Business Communication: Writing the Executive Summary14 So, What should be Included? Avoid general statements Articulate key points. –The Company –Mission statement –Management –The Opportunity –Products & Markets –Sales and Profit summary –Funding Requirement –Investment Proposal