Executive Communication

When This Skill Activates

Claude uses this skill when:

• Writing executive memos
• Creating board updates
• Drafting stakeholder emails
• Structuring strategic docs

Core Frameworks

1. Amazon 6-Pager Structure

Format:

# [Title]

## Executive Summary (BLUF - Bottom Line Up Front)
[Key decision/recommendation in 2-3 sentences]

## Context
[Background needed to understand]

## Analysis
[Data, options considered, tradeoffs]

## Recommendation
[What you propose and why]

## Next Steps
[Specific actions, owners, timeline]

## Appendix
[Supporting data, details]

2. SCQA Framework

Structure:

• Situation: Current state
• Complication: Problem/challenge
• Question: What should we do?
• Answer: Your recommendation

Action Templates

Template: Executive Memo

# [Title]: [One-line summary]

## Executive Summary
[Bottom line up front - decision needed or announcement]

## Situation
[Current state, context]

## Complication
[Problem or opportunity]

## Question
[What needs to be decided or understood]

## Recommendation
[Your proposal]

## Rationale
[Why this is the right approach]
- Reason 1
- Reason 2
- Reason 3

## Alternatives Considered
| Option | Pros | Cons | Decision |
|--------|------|------|----------|
| A      | ...  | ...  | Not chosen |
| B      | ...  | ...  | **Recommended** |

## Next Steps
1. [Action] - [Owner] - [Date]
2. [Action] - [Owner] - [Date]

## Success Metrics
- [How we'll measure success]

## Risks & Mitigation
- **Risk:** [describe] → **Mitigation:** [how we'll handle]

Quick Reference

📝 Executive Comms Checklist

Structure:

• BLUF (bottom line first)
• Context clear
• Decision/recommendation obvious
• Next steps specific

Style:

• Concise (no fluff)
• Scannable (bullets, headers)
• Data-backed
• Action-oriented

Key Quotes

Amazon:

"Start with the press release. Work backwards."

On Executive Writing:

"If you can't summarize it in 2 sentences, you don't understand it well enough."