Writing Concise Executive Summaries for Busy Executives

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.

After joining a new team I needed to remind myself: Leaders don’t need every detail; they need clarity, relevance, and impact. Here’s a quick reference guide I use with teams to craft executive updates that resonate and drive action: • ✅ Is it concise and to the point? Executives are busy—respect their time by sharing only the essential details. • ✅ Does it tie to strategic priorities? Frame your update in the context of organizational goals. • ✅ Does it focus on outcomes, not activities? Highlight the "what" and "why," not the "how." • ✅ Does it include a clear next step or ask?  End with what’s coming or what support you need to move forward. 𝗘𝘅𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 💬 Before (Too Detailed):  “We’ve been working for months on integrating systems. It was a complex process, consolidating 20 databases. Now we’ll focus on API connections for better functionality.” 🎯 After (Executive-Appropriate):  “The IT systems integration is complete, consolidating 20 databases into one. This improves unified reporting, enabling faster decision-making. Next, we’ll integrate APIs to enhance functionality.” 💡 𝗣𝗿𝗼 𝗧𝗶𝗽: Use this checklist consistently, and you’ll build trust and credibility with executives by demonstrating clarity and focus. How do you approach executive communication? Share your strategies below! ⬇️ #Leadership #ExecutiveCommunication #StrategicCommunication #ProfessionalGrowth

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.