The executive summary is one of the most important parts of any business plan.

It is in the executive summary that one finds a brief glimpse into the financial health of the business, as well as its plans for a successful future.

==Things To Address In Your Executive Summary==

There are many things that should be included in such an important summary, but one of the most important things is to carefully document the challenges facing the business as it goes forward.

The business person who sees no challenges in his or her industry simply is not paying attention.

No matters how small or well secure your niche, there is always plenty of competition, and it is important that the executive summary address the competitive pressures that are specific to the industry.

==Laying Out The Companies Challenges==

It is also important for the executive summary to carefully lay out how the company has addressed challenges in the past year.

This executive summary is the first place many people look when they read a business plan, and it is important for the executive summary to carefully detail what challenges the company has faced, and how the company has overcome those challenges, during the period covered by the financial statement.

==Using Business Training Classes Or A Mentor==

Those business owners, or potential business owners, who are not familiar with the executive summary and what it should include should make sure to attend some business training classes, or find a business mentoring program.

Every owner of a business, from the smallest to the largest, will need to become familiar with the executive summary, and most business owners will need to write one of their own on at least a few occasions.

Reading a few business plans can provide the business owner with some examples of how the statement should be laid out, but it will take some practice, and some in depth knowledge of the business, to create one of their own.