Summary Flashcards
What is the most closely scrutinized part of your proposal?
The executive summary
Why is the executive summary the most important part of your proposal?
It is the first thing the customer reads, and is the most closely scrutenized.
What are key benefits of investing in an executive summary?
It lets you communicate with the customer in a concentrated, persuasive way. When you write a compelling executive summary, you make it easier for evaluators to digest the key messages in your proposal. You improve your chances of winning. It is read by many different people (including the evaluation team).
These three items can make an executive summary stronger.
Strong key messages, engaging graphics, punchy text.
What is an effective structure for building a truly compelling executive summary?
A simple five-box structure.
What is the main aim of the executive summary?
To convince a reader to pick you, your team, and your solution. The executive summary must answer the question “why us?”
Who reads the executive summary?
Everyone but executives. The evaluation team reads executive summaries.
Why would internal employees read the executive summary?
It’s an excellent briefing tool. It informs the proposal team and leadership about the proposal’s most important key points.
What three adjectives describe how the executive summary should be written?
Short, clear, to the point.
What three adjectives describe how the executive summary should be written?
Short, clear, to the point.
How should the executive summary be planned and tied into the rest of the proposal?
Use summary-style content - plan the executive summary and section summaries (theme statements) first to help create a consistent storyline throughout your proposal. Mirror the executive summary themes in the proposal cover, title, and cover letter.
