An executive summary is one of the easiest ways to make your lengthy business easily digestible for the venture capitalists and angle investors. Before conducting a lengthy meeting, you can simply use the executive summary form to define everything in detail. Not only used for business plans, you can use executive summaries even for investment proposals. It just summarizes the reason why you are writing the plan.

Along with convincing the investors and capitalists, this process of distilling the essence of your business on a page encourages you to think over what is important and essential to you, and what to discard and eliminate. It simply gives you a better vision, making your business better in the long haul. With many business owners forming new ideas, the need of executive summaries is growing. This is why executive summary templates for business plans are readily available nowadays, for your ease.

Read this article to explore more about executive summaries in detail and its templates.

Executive Summary Examples

What is an Executive Summary Exactly?

An executive summary is a non-technical summarized version of what is presented in the document. Students provide it in the beginning of the report and business owners provide it in the beginning of the business plan. But it is one of the main aspects in the business plan nonetheless. This makes it easier for the readers to become acquainted with the large body of text in the material.

It is strange but it is one of the main and first things that readers opt to read when they do not want to spend time reading the long document, yet it is the last thing written by the writers.

Specifically talking about the business plan executive summary template, your business investor would first want to know what your business is all about or what you already have. After that, they would go into the details. Consequently, the executive summary does the same thing. It succinctly provides the reason for writing the business plan, highlighting the key features. It clearly tells the readers what you really want and why you are writing it.

Since it is a doorway to your business plan, it needs to be written in a way that it grabs the attention of the readers. When it comes to writing the executive summary for a business plan, it is a bit tricky and technical. You need to get your pitch right. You need to convince your reader or investors that you have a great idea for them to invest their money in and they won’t regret it. You need to tell them the underlying magic which makes your company and business plan apart from the stack. Containing background information, analysis of your business and the main conclusion, readers get to know everything in just a glance (if written in the right way).

Why You Need to Write the Executive Summary?

Why will anyone spend time reading the entire document that you have made? No one has that much time anymore. This is the main reason why you need to write the executive summary. Lenders, investors, managers and especially executives and CEOs do not have time to spare and are really busy. They will only prefer to read the shortest text and if they find it convincing, they will definitely go in your favor. CEO of Katy, Pablo Bonjour, states that perhaps, executive summary is the only thing that many people prefer reading in many cases. He further adds that if they find it effective and good enough, they would prefer reading the rest of the business plan, otherwise they will not.

It is rare for busy people to read the entire business plan report. If you are showing your business plan to investors, they will only be interested in reading the summarized version because the analysis would be of no use to them. They will only see the considerations for funding; this is why having a strong executive summary is vital and key for a positive feedback.

So, now that you know that it is all about the quality of the write-up, this takes us to our next section.

Executive Summary Templates

How to Write an Executive Summary?

Just like bloggers begin with an attention getter like a humorous anecdote, your executive summary will also need to have a strong hook.  When it comes to writing the executive summary, your ultimate goal should be to get face time with the investor and get your foot in the door. If they find your executive summary really appealing and strong, there are chances that you may be invited for a meeting to present your idea. Let’s help you explore some tips to write a great executive summary.

Tip # 1: Your Pitch Matters Most

Before you begin writing the executive summary, you need to be clear about the idea in the first place. When you are clear about the idea and how you are going to convince your investors, you will eventually be able to come up with something astounding in your mind. You need to remember that the purpose of the executive summary is to deliver hard sell. This is why you must use a salesy and actionable pitch. You have to convince your reader that investing with you will make them feel worthy. You need to sell, not tell your investors.

Tip # 2: Do Not Waste Words

This can also be explained in terms of size of the executive summary. Your executive summary does not need to be very lengthy. A lengthy executive summary neglects the purpose of presenting the summary. You have to pitch in sales using the minimum number of words. Many experts have different opinions over the usage of words and size limit. Some say that it can be either a single or two pages maximum while others believe that it should be kept to a few paragraphs only.

No matter what you choose, the main reason for creating the executive summary should not be ignored; it should be concise and focused. Additionally, when you write about the executive summary, you just want your readers to get an overview of what has been written in the report. This is why you should keep it brief and cover all the necessary information succinctly.

Tip # 3: Follow the Guidelines of the Structure

So, there is no hard and fast rule or set structure for the executive summary other than just a few guidelines. This is why you need not worry about the format of the executive summary. You just need to follow the guidelines that are assembled by experts and ensure that you get the attention you deserve for your business. For this, you will have to first think about the core strength; ensure to use concise vocabulary and language. Additionally, you should use bullet points to present your ideas because paragraphs may become dull and boring. There are some important elements which you will have to include in the executive summary, without following any specific format.

  • You have to include your company’s description summary
  • You have to tell the problem in it
  • You have to tell the solution to the problem you have listed
  • You also have to give the reason why it is appropriate right now

The last point you explain in your executive summary, will help you in getting readers engaged. If your executive summary does not have urgency, the readers will not read it. Defining this aspect makes the summary time sensitive. After explaining all these elements, you also need to include a brief financial aspect in it. Including it will add value to the deal and the readers will know what the risks and returns are. After all, this is the main aspect investors are interested in knowing about.

Tip # 4: Do Not Exaggerate

Many business entrepreneurs use inappropriate vocabulary and tone. When it comes to writing the executive summary, you have to forget using the superlative degrees and avoid terms such as, the best, cutting-edge, ground breaking, world-class etc. Investors and business owners listen and hear these words every day and hence, for them, they eventually lose their meaning. Using these words will not make them give you a check.

The ultimate goal is to first convince them by writing a salesy executive summary and compel them to meet you. If you are called for a meeting with them, you have achieved your first step. Using superlatives may also make them believe that you exaggerated your strengths or are likely faking them. Try not to exaggerate, instead use vocabulary, terms and tone that sound convincing and persuasive.

Tip # 5: Write it in the End with a Happy Ending

As mentioned above, it is quite strange that the summary comes first and yet, is written right in the end when the business report is formed. This is because this is the doorway for your business investments. When you are done writing the entire document or report for your business, the executive summary is the last step you need to write. Writing it in the end gives you an idea of what you have written in the document and hence, it becomes easy for you to generate a summary.

You need not highlight each and everything in it, just focus on the main aspects. Also, it becomes easy and quick for you when you write it in the end. Aside from writing it in the end, it is also necessary for you to provide a happy ending to it. A happy ending does not mean that you are lying or exaggerating, it simply means that you are showing them the potential positive side that you foresee with their generous help and investment.

Sample Executive Summary

Does an Executive Summary Really Benefit a Business?

Of course, when you write a precise and clear summary and provide relevant explanations in it, it will surely benefit you in the best possible ways. After writing the summary, be sure to proofread it. Reading it again will let you know where you lack and if it really sounds effective to the investor. If you have written it as per the guidelines, you will definitely be called for the meeting. Also, there are chances that your investor may be willing to invest more in future with other projects and business ideas that you may have in the long run.

Do You Really Need to Write the Executive Summary?

Well, the answer to this question is simple; you do have to write the executive summary if you are willing to convince your investor. It helps in organizing and presenting all your thoughts in a precise manner. Additionally, your investor may be looking for something precise and concise as they likely do not have the time to read everything you have added in the report. This is why it becomes important for you to write the executive summary of any business plan you wish to get investments for.

Get Templates for Your Executive Summary Now!

Now that many businesses need to create an executive summary, they can take help from online summary templates. You can find executive summary templates on Word too but our site offers several business plan executive summary templates for you. Take advantage of your business plans and then use these templates to add an impact to your report.

It can also help you as a guide, in getting through the process, not letting you forget a single step. If you are also willing to summarize your business plan in a concise manner, download the executive summary templates now from our main website and enable your investors to read the summarized version. Good luck!

 

 

 

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Tagged:BusinessExecutive Summary
TemplateLab August 22nd, 2022