Executive summary?

[JayEmm]

Hi... I am trying to put pen to paper on an idea very much in its incubacy phase, and therefore not ready for a full blown business plan.
This document would be used for soliciting advice from other mentors I know, and/or as a repository for my thoughts.
This is known as an executive summary, correct? What needs to go in it? How formal/informal should it be? (depending on who reads it I guess...)
Thanks

[Sarah Jones]

The Executive Summary is a summary of your overall Business Plan rather than an introduction so ideally it should capture the main points of the business plan in just one page.

The first part should tell the reader , the purpose of the proposed business idea in one short paragraph. This paragraph is key to selling your idea to the reader.

Next, talk about you and your experience as their is no company set-up yet and how you will impact the idea.

Then talk about your idea/product /service and the benefit to , potential customers.

The next paragraph should indicate how you are going to achieve sales.

Finally, talk about funding, cashflow - you do not need to put in actualy financial reports but a summary of what you envisage start up capital, breakeven timescales, cost of goods etc.

Obviously at the end the Conclusion to your executive summary. The Conclusion should contain the message that you want to leave with the reader.

This is a brief outline but I hope it is helpful. If you need more specific advise then log onto the LiveWire site and register for your own Advisor who can help you in more detail.

Good luck