Balancing Details and Brevity in Summaries

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?

Harnessing the Power of AI to Rapidly Extract Key Insights … 🧠 I'm constantly looking for ways to quickly grasp the core insights from lengthy articles, research papers, and videos without getting bogged down in the details. 👉 Having an effective summarization technique is invaluable for accelerating knowledge acquisition. However, many existing summarization approaches fail to capture sufficient context and detail from the source material. They often just pull out short fragments or statistics without the surrounding explanatory information. Recently, I came across an intriguing new methodology called Chain of Density (CoD) prompting that enables large language models like GPT-4 to generate increasingly informative yet concise summaries. 👉 Researchers from Columbia University, MIT and Salesforce published a paper (https://lnkd.in/gRdvz9eq) explaining the CoD technique, which has two key steps: - 1. Generate a Sparse Summary Skeleton: GPT-4 creates an initial broad overview summary that covers just 1-3 key entities from the source text. This acts as a scaffold, intentionally containing minimal substantive information. - 2. Iteratively Fuse in Missing Details: The system scans the original text to identify highly informative yet concise phrases that are relevant but not in the summary. GPT-4 is prompted to rewrite the summary, fusing in the new details without increasing length. After around 5 rounds of iteration, the final CoD summary contains an extremely high density of key information from the source, approaching the quality of human written summaries. For instance, I used CoD to summarize a 50-minute industry conference presentation into just 4 sentences without losing the core insights. The technique has great potential to help me absorb more knowledge from long-form content. The main limitation is that running multiple iterations with a large language model can be computationally intensive and time-consuming compared to traditional extractive summarization methods. I've implemented a first version of CoD with GPT-3.5 in an open source project (https://lnkd.in/gWnBhGBE) to make this new technique more accessible. Check it out and let me know your thoughts! I'm excited to continue experimenting with prompt engineering to create AI tools that augment human knowledge work. What other creative applications of large language models would you like to see?

One of the biggest challenges in our line of work isn’t getting the numbers, it’s deciding what not to show. Because while stakeholders say they want "everything," what they actually need is clarity. A report overloaded with insights ceases to be insightful. It becomes background noise. So, how do we strike the balance between detail and digestibility without watering down the meaning? The secret lies not in displaying more, but in structuring it better. And no, this doesn’t mean turning your dashboard into a scrolling epic worthy of a film adaptation. A practical, effective approach is to distribute insights across multiple, purpose-driven pages. Think of it as writing a good report or crafting a documentary, not everything belongs in the opening scene. Here’s how to do it right: ✅ Segment your insights – Have separate pages for KPIs, trends, deep dives, and operational details. This keeps things structured and easy to follow. ✅ Use drill-throughs & bookmarks – Allow stakeholders to explore details only if needed, rather than cluttering the main dashboard. ✅ Prioritize storytelling – Start with a high-level summary, then guide users toward deeper insights as needed. ✅ Keep it clean & intuitive – Simplicity is key. A well organized report ensures stakeholders can find what they need without getting lost in unnecessary details. The Real Cost of Over-Engineering: I once redesigned a client’s 10-tab report into a 3-page dashboard. Their feedback? “Finally, something we can actually use.” The metrics hadn’t changed, the focus had. At the end of the day, a great Power BI report isn’t about showing everything, it’s about showing what matters most in the clearest way possible. Your Turn: How do you structure reports to balance depth and clarity? Share your approach below. P.S. For those looking to master purposeful visualization: Our May online session covers advanced storytelling and user-centric design. Details in comments 👇🏿 #powerbi #datavisualization #dataanalytics

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗚𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗵  In a fast paced world, it's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle, often at the expense of depth and meaning. But what if we could find a balance between the two? 𝗚𝗶𝘀𝘁 is about capturing the essence, the core idea, and communicating it clearly and concisely. It's the spark that grabs attention and ignites curiosity. 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗵, on the other hand, is about delving into the details, exploring the nuances, and understanding the intricacies. It's the foundation that provides substance and value. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗼𝘁𝗵. Start with the gist to engage your audience, then dive into the depth to deliver real value. This approach ensures that your message is not only heard but also understood and appreciated. 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝘄𝗼 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗳𝘂𝗹? 1. 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: When giving a presentation, start with a clear and concise summary (gist) to capture your audience's attention. Then, delve into the details (depth) to provide comprehensive insights and support your points. 2. 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗴𝗻𝘀: In marketing, a catchy tagline or headline (gist) grabs attention, while the accompanying content (depth) provides the necessary information and persuades the audience. 3.𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀: When writing an executive summary for a report, the gist gives a brief overview of the key findings and recommendations. The depth is found in the full report, where detailed analysis and data are presented. 4.𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝘀: During an interview, your initial answer to a question (gist) should be concise and to the point. If asked to elaborate, you can provide more detailed examples and explanations (depth). 5.𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴: In educational settings, an instructor might give a brief overview of a topic (gist) to set the stage, followed by a deeper dive into the subject matter with examples, case studies, and discussions (depth). Balancing gist and depth ensures that your message is both engaging and informative, catering to different levels of interest and understanding. 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗿𝗲 𝗮 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿, 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿, 𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿, 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗵 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘆. #leadership #communication #balance #value

Communication is the art of making your message resonate, not just heard. In today's fast-paced work environment, clear and efficient communication is more crucial than ever. One technique that can help deliver the message with impact is 𝗖𝗕𝗗 — 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗳, 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀. Here's how it works: 1. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻: Start with the end in mind. State your key point or conclusion upfront so your audience knows exactly what you're trying to convey. This sets the tone and saves time. 2. 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗳: After stating the conclusion, give a concise summary of the core message. This keeps your communication efficient and ensures that even if someone only absorbs the highlights, they'll get the essential information. 3. 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀: Now, provide the supporting details only if needed. This is where you can elaborate, give context, and back up your claims with data or examples. But keep it relevant—avoid overwhelming your audience with unnecessary information. 💡 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀: • It 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘣𝘴 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 right from the start. • It respects 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘢𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦’𝘴 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 by prioritizing clarity. • It encourages 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 because your message is clear and well-organized. Using the CBD technique, we can improve the impact of our emails, presentations, and even team meetings. It helps to ensure your communication is both effective and efficient. #Leadership #Productivity #EffectiveCommunication #CBDTechnique Syed Muzamil Hasan Zaidi Arshman Khalid Yousaf Bilal Mohyal

One of the most important lessons I've learned in business is the value of having the right balance of detail in the information you receive as a leader. Too much, and you're in the weeds, unable to see the bigger picture. Too little, and you're flying blind, missing opportunities to double down on what's working—or course-correct when something isn't. Every month, my COO sends me high-level performance summaries for each of our businesses: Zogics, Amenie, Bloomist, and Ardent Fitness. These reports hit the sweet spot: they are detailed enough to demonstrate that my leadership team is paying attention to the right metrics yet concise enough to keep me focused on strategy rather than tactics. December's performance report, for example, highlighted some key successes and provided actionable insights. While the specific financial details are redacted, it's clear that the team's ability to manage costs, adapt to shifting targets, and make data-driven decisions played a huge role in delivering an excellent close to 2024 and setting us up for a strong start to 2025 (January 2025 was our best ever). A big shoutout to my COO, Christopher Kautz, for putting this together each month. These summaries keep me informed and reassure me that our leadership team is aligned, proactive, and focused on what matters most. I highly recommend this practice to anyone running a business or leading a team. A clear, concise performance summary ensures you stay in the loop and have the information you need to lead effectively—without getting lost in the minutiae.