Best Practices for Writing Short Executive Summaries

If you're an AE, here are 10 ways to punch up any executive summary. To make sure it's one your buyers will actually read, love and share: 1/ Lead with internal language referencing an exec priority. 2/ Use a two-sentence TL;DR at the top with the ask + timeline. 3/ Add a short anecdote, to create a visual that supports the data. 4/ Make sure your data points come from inside the customer's org. 5/ Whenever you add data, it's a chance to cut word count. 6/ Count the # of rewrites to your problem statement. If < 3, you've got work. 7/ Include alternative approaches that were ruled out. Always think, "Could this customer solve this problem with another category entirely?" 8/ People read headers, bold, tables, bullets and underlines. Usually in that order. If they like all that, then they'll read again from the top. 9/ Execs think in "ranges" of possibility. Use scenarios and sensitivities, not a single ROI number. 10/ Show how that range depends on what you need from them. Time, people resources, change management. Not just $ in a contract.

When communicating with executives, it's important to use small words... Okay, that's not true, but executives don’t need fancy vocabulary. They need the information. Here is how I write executive summaries (as an executive!): Over the years, I've learned that writing an effective executive summary is both an art and a science. It takes time and practice to refine your communication so that it’s both concise and compelling. Here are some of the strategies that have helped me along the way: What Matters? Executives are inundated with information daily. They don't have the luxury of wading through multiple paragraphs to extract the key points. An executive summary must cut through the noise and present the core message in a few short, impactful sentences. 2. Simplicity is Your Friend Avoid jargon and unnecessary details. Focus on “what,” “why,” and “what’s next.” This ensures that your update can be read and acted upon. 3. Details Attached A good trick is to include a line that offers additional detail for those who want it. For example, you might end your summary with “Attached is additional detail” or “More details are provided below.” This signals to the executive that the main points have been covered, but there’s a deeper dive available if they want more information. 4. Mentorship Early in my career, I was fortunate to have a manager who pushed me to perfect my executive summaries. Every update I wrote was reviewed and refined until it truly communicated the essential information. That hands-on mentorship was invaluable. It taught me that the process of drafting and revising is crucial to developing a clear, effective communication style. If you don’t have a boss who’s willing to invest that time, look for a senior stakeholder, mentor, or coach who can provide honest feedback on your communication. The right guidance will help you communicate more quickly. 5. AI We’re living in an age of technological breakthroughs. That includes the way we communicate. I frequently use AI to help summarize and distill complex information into clear insights. It can also be useful for drafting the first version of your executive summary or double-checking that you've captured all the critical points. A strong executive summary requires clarity, brevity, and practice. It’s about cutting through the clutter and presenting a concise snapshot of the most important information. Focus on what truly matters, seek constructive feedback, and don’t use too much jargon, and your updates will surely stand out and drive action. Leaders, how do you like to receive executive summaries?

Capturing the attention of senior-executives is no walk-in-the-park… but, it’s achievable with an executive summary! Today’s fast-paced business culture has senior executives SWAMPED. Being a CEO, I know how busy things get & like other senior leaders… …I need to be able to grasp proposals, reports, and projects *quickly.* Early in my career, I found the value in crafting effective executive summaries. It’s been the key to navigating up the corporate ladder— and connecting seamlessly with leadership. However, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to capturing attention. It’s all contingent on how you tailor your summary to the leader… Here are 3 proven formats that are bound to 100% grab their attention: 1️⃣ SCR (Situation-Complication-Resolution) -> Situation: Start with the current scenario. -> Complication: Introduce the challenges. -> Resolution: Present the solution and its benefits. Ex: “Our marketing campaign is underperforming (Situation). The primary issue is poor targeting (Complication). Adopting a data-driven approach will increase engagement and ROI (Resolution). 2️⃣ RSC (Resolution-Situation-Complication) -> Resolution: Begin with the outcome. -> Situation: Describe the initial problem. -> Complication: Highlight the challenges faced. Ex: “Our solution increased user engagement by 40% (Resolution). At first, interactions were declining (Situation). We overcame resistance to change and used user research (Complication).” 3️⃣ CSR (Complication-Situation-Resolution) -> Complication: Start with the challenges. -> Situation: Describe the context. -> Resolution: Highlight the solution. Ex: “Revenue was declining due to competition (Complication). Traditional marketing strategies were ineffective (Situation). A digital-first approach increased sales by 20% (Resolution).” Master these formats, and craft executive summaries that captivate senior leadership in a way THEY want (and have time) to hear.