What is an executive summary?

An executive summary is the part of a business plan that explains the position of a business and its plans for success. The summary is key to obtaining investors. It appears first in a business plan, but it is usually the last portion that the business owner writes.

Critical components of an executive summary include the mission statement and business information, such as date of formation, the business founders, the number of employees and business locations. The executive summary should highlight any business growth, such as increased profit margins or market share. It should also include a short overview of products and services, financial details and future business plans.