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The Executive Summary

A Short Version of Everything

“Begin at the beginning,” the King said, gravely, “and go till you come to the end; then stop.”

—LEWIS CARROLLAlice’s Adventures in Wonderland

Read This Chapter Last!

This admonition is like saying, “Don’t open this package until Christmas!” You are, right this minute, ignoring me and reading this chapter anyway. Fine; but write the Executive Summary last in your business plan. Typically, investors will read those first two pages and then go directly to the financials. It is the hook that pulls readers into your net, and it must represent your future plans precisely.

The Executive Summary is the place where you tell readers what you’re about to tell them. Am I confusing you? Remember that ...

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