The executive summary section of a business plan is a summary of the highlights of your business plan. Even though the topic appears first in the printed document, most business plan developers leave the writing of the executive summary until the end. This summary is the doorway to the rest of the plan. Get it right or your target readers will not go further than the executive summary.
What should an executive summary include?
For a standard business plan, the first paragraph of the executive summary should generally include:
- Business name
- Business location
- What product or service you sell
- Purpose of the plan
Another paragraph should highlight important points, such as projected sales and profits, unit sales, profitability and keys to success. Include the news you don’t want anyone to miss. This is a good place to put a highlights chart, a bar chart that shows sales, gross margin, and profits before interest and taxes for the next three years. You should also cite and explain those numbers in the text.
Different plans require different summaries
An internal plan, such as an operations plan, annual plan, or strategic plan, doesn’t have to be as formal with its executive summary. Make the purpose of the plan clear, and make sure the highlights are covered, but you don’t necessarily need to repeat the location, product/service description, or other details.
Never waste words in a summary.
If you’re looking for investment, say so in your executive summary, and specify the investment amount required and the percent of equity ownership offered in return. You should probably also add some highlights of your management team and your competitive edge.
If you’re looking for a loan, say so in the executive summary, and specify the amount required. Leave loan details out of the summary.
How long should an executive summary be?
Experts differ on how long an executive summary should be. Some insist that it takes just a page or two, others recommend a more detailed summary, taking as much as ten pages, covering enough information to substitute for the plan itself. Although 50+ page business plans used to be common, investors and lenders these days expect a concise, focused plan.
The best length for an executive summary is a single page. Emphasize the main points of your plan and keep it brief. You are luring them in to read more of the plan, not explaining every detail.
Don’t confuse an executive summary with the summary memo. The executive summary is the first chapter in a business plan. A summary memo is a separate document, normally only 5-10 pages at most, which is used to substitute for the plan with people who aren’t ready to see the whole plan.
For more information on executive summaries, see our sample executive summaries below or use Business Plan Pro, which helps you write an executive summary as well as containing over 500 executive summary examples.
Business Plan Software
 Business Plan Pro If you’re looking for help with the executive summary or other parts of your business plan, Business Plan Pro can save you lots of time and headaches. It contains over 500 sample business plans which can be used to help create your own plan. |
Sample Executive Summaries
The links below take you to the executive summary of some of our sample business plans that were created with Business Plan Pro.
Studio 67 Executive Summary
Studio67 is a medium-sized restaurant focusing on organic foods and an intriguing atmosphere, in a prime neighborhood of Portland.
AMT Computers Executive Summary
AMT is an ongoing business computer reseller which also provides service and support.
Javanet Internet Cafe Executive Summary
JavaNet is a start-up business that will provide a unique forum for communication and entertainment through the medium of the Internet.
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nice~~~
God! thank you so much…this is really helpful!
Thank you very much. This is very helpful and just what I needed
Hi Tanya – You can find some free executive summaries right here on bplans.com. All of the over 100 free sample business plans we have here on bplans.com have executive summaries that you can take a look at.
Good luck!
Noah Parsons
Palo Alto Software
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Does anyone know of or in contact with private investors that lend to start up real estate investment businesses? If so, please, contact me at brendajmorgan@cs.com
I am looking for start up capital for a cafe/bar/lounge that I am opening in Bridgeport, CT. The downtown area is in major revitalization and now is the time to get in. If anyone can help or know where I can get some financial assistance, please email me at vendryes1975@yahoo.com Thank you.
Have this idea that could generate up to a thousand dolars independently that is the minimum after over head cost is anybody interested..can be discussed off site..
expecting
kenny
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I have a wonderful business idea, but I do not know where and how to find the money
I a wonderful transportation business,but don’t have enough money to acquire the truck
Can i have some money to????????
I am looking for loan or refinancing of a funeral home that has been in business 14 years.Only serious inquiries.You may contact me at echatch@bellsouth.net
Joel find a cheap truck $15,000 to $18,000 fin. for a year you will build corp. credit and within that time have assets to put up as corladeral. I have a small trucking company and that is how i started any questions please call or email me i will help as much as i can
James A. Wiessner
WB Enterprises
Thank you so much! This is my first time writing an executive summary, and I did not have a clue. Very helpful information.
Thank you
does anyone know/have a business plan for a dredging business. chinedumokoli @ aol.com
Helo,
I have a wonderful plan to start a marketing magazine on schools in Botswana (Southern Africa and i nedd some finances to start the magazine. Anyone with help!!!
I have some problems with my bplan, who can help me?
—
John,
If you’re looking for help with writing your plan, try checking out your local Small Business Development Center or SCORE office. You can also try some of our resources or if you’re further along in the process, try contacting Master Plans at masterplans.com.
If you’re looking for help with our Business Plan Pro software, please contact us at the office. http://www.paloalto.com/contact_us/” rel=”nofollow”>Contact information for Palo Alto Software
Thanks!
‘Chelle Parmele
Social Media Marketing Manager
Palo Alto Software
Excellent! Thank you so very much. This is the second time I have used your site. The first time was over 6 or years ago and YOU have truly evolved!
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I have two business idea and I need someone to finance it. One of the plan do not require large fund.
I have two business idea and I need someone to finance it. One of the plan do not require large fund. thanks
Looking for investors in business and/or real estate in the chicagoland area. Please e-mail me at gyiakos@yahoo.com if you have any clients interested.
Thank you very much. This is very helpful and just what I needed
thank you!!!!
Thank you, for the usefull information you provide!!!!!
Hello, I have a plan to start a non profit christian music radio station, to reach out the young generation.
If anyone wants to help in any way please contact me.
Great post. Very helpful and to the point. If you liked this post, you might enjoy http://sparxoo.com/?p=436.
It has more detail on exec summary brochures.
Thanks
Ethan
Greatly appreciated – Thank You!!!
Thanks for the tips! Could go into a bit more detail, but helpful for a start! ~~~ Mikothang
I would like informatiom from a lender to help me to finance a rec center to help low income families and kids who have no where to go or no one to talk to
This part of plan took me a couple months of rewriting, in fact, my plan took me months, and I am updating/changing it again today. But, once you have most of variables completed in your plan, this part comes much easier to write. it’s easy to “avoid” working on your business plan, because it is a lot of work, stressful, and has frequently changing variables. But, stop avoiding it! You are only doing a disservice to your company and employees by not following a plan. Once you get going on it, it gets much easier.Business Plan Pro Software is great, and helps you every step of the way, not to mention it is a steal of a deal!
am a young enthusiastic enterpreneur in botswana and would like some needed assistance in a very viable business plan.well my area of interest is in the freightliner delearship.having in mind that i want to convience my lenders to lend me money.but all in all your tips are worth it
My brother who is an Agronomist is running a project of breeding goats in the Northern part of Haiti. He needs some funding. anyone willing to help?
I’m a black belt in Brazilian Jiujitsu and am planning to move my already existing BJJ academy in Auckland, New Zealand, from its current location to a bigger venue due to increase on the student numbers. looking for investors. BJJ is growing all over the world this is the right time to invest!! any enquires email me at flapedronz@gmail.com cheers
I am looking for a business plan to purchase a building for worship and to serve
as a family center for the community.we want to do more in our outreach
ministry.this site has given me some valuble imformation.Thank you!
This is really great, lot of information and so helpful for the readers
You have done a great job here. Thanks for the insight.its more than enough to get started.
Correct. Executive summary should be precise and act as the mirror to your whole plan.
Thanks it is really helpfull and usefull really nice info
I am in the process of creating my business plan starting up a multi-unit salon in Maryland almost simialr to a Salon plaza, if any one has any helpful info concerning investors i can pitch to or other ways to get capital please email me at kwhitak2 @ umd.edu. thanks alot
I’m starting a shuttle service besuness catering for corporate clients in the form of staff transportation. I have a executive summary, it is half a page long, is this enouogh?
Hi – I’m setting up live entertainment projects around the UK/Ireland in 2010 as a “touring festival”. Looking for a solid investor willing to put around £40,000.00 into the project. 15 years in the industry including training in production for TV, radio and project management, worked with Girlschool, Blaze Bayley, Wolfsbane, Tygers Of Pan Tang, Waysted (ft. Pete Way of UFO), Blitzkrieg, Houe of Lords, Lee Latchford-Evans (ex-Steps), Oliver-Dawson’s “Saxon”, Power Quest, Hydrogyn, Spit Like This, Praying Mantis and many other acts. Experience promoting live events on various scales, artist management, project management, event administration, customer service, acting booking agent, etc; etc. Bags of experience and ideas with a lot of potential.
Hi,
Very helpful info. Started writing a business plan, including marketing strategies for a business I’m starting – still defining my market/product – but Business is in Training Education Industry. Looking for leads to sharpen my direction, and opportunities to exploit. If you know of anyone who is involved with RTO’s that contract out work to people with Cert IV in Train & Assess, please leave your details here. Kind regards,
Steve.
This has really been helpful. There are so many different outlines out there and sometimes, they tend to be confusing. This is what I’ve been looking for.
Thank you