The purpose of an executive summary is to provide a concise and informative overview of a longer report, allowing busy stakeholders to quickly understand the key points and findings without reading the entire document. This summary should highlight the most important data, conclusions, and recommendations, and is typically placed at the beginning of the report for easy access12.
In the context of a detailed sales report for senior management, including a summary section with observations and insights would allow the team to quickly grasp the performance across various offices and identify any significant trends or issues that require attention. This approach aligns with best practices for executive reporting, which emphasize the importance of clear and concise summaries that focus on essential KPIs and actionable insights12.
References: 1: Databox - How to Write an Executive Summary for a Report: Step By Step Guide with Examples 2: LinkedIn - Best Practices for Writing Executive Summaries