Building Block: Executive Summary
This Bridge should take you 4-5 blocks to complete, plus 2 blocks of Design
Goals of Task:
- To distil and synthesize the work you have done thus far on the WMMTTW project
- To construct a solid and compelling introduction to your Business Plan
- To persuade the bank to read and financially back you Business Plan
Building Block Overview:
This building block asks you to create two quality products:
1) A written summary of the most persuasive and important components of your Business Plan, and
2) A handmade, artistic flowchart that visually illustrates key components of your Business Plan.
These two parts should complement (not duplicate) one another. They should be worked on and completed simultaneously, and by different group members at different times. Be sure to effectively delegate tasks to each group member before beginning the work.
This building block asks you to create two quality products:
1) A written summary of the most persuasive and important components of your Business Plan, and
2) A handmade, artistic flowchart that visually illustrates key components of your Business Plan.
These two parts should complement (not duplicate) one another. They should be worked on and completed simultaneously, and by different group members at different times. Be sure to effectively delegate tasks to each group member before beginning the work.
1. Review Business Plan Video:
Re-watch the SBA’s video on business plans from the B2 Overview document:
Re-watch the SBA’s video on business plans from the B2 Overview document:
- Now that you are very close to completing your own Business Plan the video should serve to help you recall the intended scope and purpose of your plan. This final component, the Executive Summary, should be getting more clear. Write one concise sentence that explains a Business Plan to an outside reader. Include the purpose of the plan.
- Sign off by one IT Teacher
- Sign off by one IT Teacher
2. Read Product Descriptions:
- Read the following two descriptions below and jot down questions you have about each. Be sure to write the questions in clear, articulate language so your audience will be less likely to misunderstand you. (A minimum of three questions are required for each topic.) With a group member as an appointed note-taker, seek answers to your questions using teachers or the internet as your resources. Do not move to the next step until you have gained a solid understanding of each product.
- Read the following two descriptions below and jot down questions you have about each. Be sure to write the questions in clear, articulate language so your audience will be less likely to misunderstand you. (A minimum of three questions are required for each topic.) With a group member as an appointed note-taker, seek answers to your questions using teachers or the internet as your resources. Do not move to the next step until you have gained a solid understanding of each product.
- What is an Executive Summary?
- An Executive Summary is essentially a pitch. It is often less than a page long, is written in short, clear sentences, and serves as an introduction to a multi-faceted plan or report. The main job of the summary is to quickly give readers an understanding of what you’re about, what you’re trying to accomplish, and whether you have what it takes to succeed.
Click here to see the template for writing your Executive Summary
- An Executive Summary is essentially a pitch. It is often less than a page long, is written in short, clear sentences, and serves as an introduction to a multi-faceted plan or report. The main job of the summary is to quickly give readers an understanding of what you’re about, what you’re trying to accomplish, and whether you have what it takes to succeed.
Click here to see the template for writing your Executive Summary
- What is a Flowchart?
- Think of the flowchart as a map of ideas, data, and information that uses symbolic imagery and spatial arrangement to get meaning across. The various elements of your chart should be tied together by a relevant visual theme. What exactly are you mapping the flow of in this flowchart? In this case you're mapping the flow of your plan. You are walking the audience through your string of ideas about how you will get your business up and running. You're illustrating for the loan officer, and for the audience at the Exhibition, your best argument for how and why your business will succeed. |
- Sign off by one IT Teacher
3. Create a Plan:
- You need a plan for each of your two products. While the products draw from the B2 same material, and have the same goal, they should not be exactly identical in content. Some elements will lend themselves to visual presentation, and others will lend themselves to text based presentation. Some elements will be included in both products, but this should be a conscious decision on your part; you should be able to explain your reasoning clearly.
- You need a plan for each of your two products. While the products draw from the B2 same material, and have the same goal, they should not be exactly identical in content. Some elements will lend themselves to visual presentation, and others will lend themselves to text based presentation. Some elements will be included in both products, but this should be a conscious decision on your part; you should be able to explain your reasoning clearly.
Executive Summary:
- For the written document use the template provided to construct a “pre-write” for your summary. Review the various parts of your Business Plan and let the template help you identify and organize the parts you will include. Your pre-write should note each component you plan to discuss in your summary. Avoid complete sentences; go for bulleted words and phrases instead.
- For the written document use the template provided to construct a “pre-write” for your summary. Review the various parts of your Business Plan and let the template help you identify and organize the parts you will include. Your pre-write should note each component you plan to discuss in your summary. Avoid complete sentences; go for bulleted words and phrases instead.
Flowchart:
- For this visual representation you will need to go through a similar process of reviewing your work and pulling out the most persuasive and most important elements. Make a list of what elements you plan to include. Then begin a detailed blueprint of your plan. Organize the elements in a way that roughly follows the same path as the written document (remember, these products should work together to help you present your pitch to the bank; one is like your script, the other your visual aid.)
- Criteria for Flowchart
* Original
* Clear to viewer (viewer should have no questions)
* Unified by visual theme
- For this visual representation you will need to go through a similar process of reviewing your work and pulling out the most persuasive and most important elements. Make a list of what elements you plan to include. Then begin a detailed blueprint of your plan. Organize the elements in a way that roughly follows the same path as the written document (remember, these products should work together to help you present your pitch to the bank; one is like your script, the other your visual aid.)
- Criteria for Flowchart
* Original
* Clear to viewer (viewer should have no questions)
* Unified by visual theme
- Sign off by two IT teachers for each product plan
4. Create your Products:
- Solicit and incorporate feedback from group members and teachers as you move through this step. These products should be examples of your best work.
- Solicit and incorporate feedback from group members and teachers as you move through this step. These products should be examples of your best work.
Sign off by three IT teachers for Executive Summary
Sign off by Harris, Dijoux, and Deichler for Flowchart
Sign off by Harris, Dijoux, and Deichler for Flowchart
5. Prepare to Present:
- Once your two products are complete it is time to prepare for your presentation. You should:
- Once your two products are complete it is time to prepare for your presentation. You should:
- Assign roles and practice them solo and in your group
- Make a list of questions the loan officer might ask, and practice answering them on the fly
- Give your completed Business Plan a “once over” and make last minute refinements
- Present to two IT teachers (be ready for questions!)
- Sign off by two IT teachers