'Executive summary can make or break your business plan'

MANY aspiring entrepreneurs do not appreciate or understand the importance of executive summary, where it should be kept short and business-like, said a consultant from Singapore's Money Tree Asia Pacific Limited.

Often, potential investors will continue reading the rest of the business plan only when they like the summary, said Michael Reyes, who trains young entrepreneurs.

He conducted a workshop on 'How to write an executive summary', as part of iCentre's THiNK BIG Business Plan competition yesterday.

The objective of the workshop was to teach participants on how to write a proper and effective business executive summary, as well as assist participants to prepare for iCentre's Business Plan competition, with the first phase ending on October 20.

Reyes is the director of the Money Tree Asia Pacific Limited, which offers and conducts programmes on improving financial, investment and entrepreneur skills among the young. He is also involved in training the trainers, and conducts sessions on issues relating to personal financial management.

The workshop was held at both iCentre and at Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) in the morning and afternoon sessions respectively.

Participants were required to submit a three-page executive summary before the competition's closing date, with the top business plans shortlisted to the next round. The next round involves two intensive workshops, and a technology forum to assist in formulating the best business plan for final judging.

The one-day workshop was attended by various participants interested in joining the competition, including employees from the private and government sectors.

The THiNK BIG Business Plan competition is the first ICT focused business plan competition in Brunei, and is co-organised by AsiaInc Forum and supported by the Brunei Economic Development Board.

The competition will award a prize money of $45,000 spread across all of the top three ICT business plan winners and a special prize for the Islamic Business Plan participants. The last phase of the competition will conclude at the end of this year, with the final prize presentation held next February. (SHS1)

The Brunei Times