# The Executive Summary ## theexecutivesummary.com > The Executive Summary is a CEO newsletter delivering ideas, AI tools and growth frameworks three times a week. Written by Dan Ilett. ## Topics - AI strategy and accountability for boards - Growth frameworks and sales positioning - Leadership, board dynamics and decision-making - Wellbeing and the personal cost of leadership - Geopolitics, regulation and trade - Downtime: what CEOs care about outside the boardroom ## Key Frameworks - AI Accountability Matrix: diagnostic tool mapping AI spend vs AI impact - The Safety Advantage: 10-barrier framework for reducing decision risk in enterprise sales - Growth Profile Compass: 5 growth archetypes requiring different strategic approaches - The Board Action Gap: measuring the distance between what boards acknowledge and what they act on ## Author Dan Ilett is the founder and editor of The Executive Summary and managing director of The Proposition, a board audit and intervention consultancy. 15 years working with CEOs worldwide on growth, AI strategy and board effectiveness. ## Contact dan@theexecutivesummary.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/danilett/ ## Key Articles - The CEO's AI toolkit: the essential guide to Claude - practical guide to using Claude for board-level work: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/the-ceos-ai-toolkit-the-essential-guide-to-claude/ - How to write an executive summary - the executive summary framework, structure and worked examples: https://theexecutivesummary.com/frameworks/how-to-write-an-executive-summary/ - The Safety Advantage - how to reduce decision risk and accelerate enterprise sales: https://theexecutivesummary.com/frameworks/the-safety-advantage-how-to-reduce-decision-risk-and-accelerate-sales/ - The 4 things you need to get right when selling to the C-suite: https://theexecutivesummary.com/frameworks/the-4-things-you-need-to-get-right-when-selling-to-the-c-suite/ - The 8 skills to nuke your competitors - competitive positioning for growth: https://theexecutivesummary.com/frameworks/the-8-skills-to-nuke-your-competitors/ - AI stress test - a self-assessment for boards on AI readiness: https://theexecutivesummary.com/ai-stress-test/ ## All articles by topic Complete index of every published article, 180 in total, newest first within each topic. ### AI (47) - Carnage en Bretagne - Bunfights in the back and my AI holiday hack: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/carnage-en-bretagne/ (2026-09-02) - How do you make AI productive? - Start small and start with you: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/prstart-with-you/ (2026-08-11) - The AI risk register - Your framework to highlight invisible nasties for the board: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/the-ai-risk-register/ (2026-08-05) - Building an AI strategy - And moving from unsure mode to defined and happy: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/building-an-ai-strategy/ (2026-07-24) - Chinese AI that's not from Temu - Tsinghua AI spinout matches US models for 10% of price: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/ch/ (2026-07-01) - Botsitting: the hidden cost of AI fumbling - Farting around with Claude costs you work bucks: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/botsitting-the-hidden-cost-of-ai-fumbling/ (2026-06-12) - AI, data sovereignty and the talent reset - The City CIO Club is growing: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/ai-data-sovereignty-and-the-talent-reset/ (2026-06-04) - How do you stay relevant today? - Change or adapt. Either stay and get wet or move to shelter.: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/how-do-you-stay-relevant-today/ (2026-06-02) - Outcome economics: the future of consulting - How consultancies will begin to change and what to do about it: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/outcome-economics-the-future-of-consulting/ (2026-05-26) - Google changes front door of the interweb - Bye bye, searchy, searchy: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/google-changes-front-door-of-the-interweb/ (2026-05-20) - The CEO's AI toolkit: The essential guide to Claude. - The accelerator for executive AI leadership: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/the-ceos-ai-toolkit-the-essential-guide-to-claude/ (2026-05-13) - Anthropic has its VHS moment - Joint Venture Kitty raised to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner of Big 7 consultancies: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/anthropic-has-its-vhs-moment/ (2026-05-06) - The cost of a mile - Hedging your overhead certainty according to oil price: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/the-cost-of-a-mile/ (2026-04-13) - Quantum for CEOs - Just as you have your head around AI, quantum computing wants to have a pop at you as well. Our resident expert in quantum computing, Jonathan…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/quantum-for-ceos/ (2026-03-25) - How are you using AI? - Where is AI already making you money and where is it just making you feel modern? I gave a talk on this in Edinburgh the other day to a brilliant…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/how-a/ (2026-02-28) - The Software Tax - Would you rather have more hospital beds for people or the latest version of Windows? Ooh, tough one. As patients lie on trolleys in hospital…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/the-software-tax/ (2026-02-27) - Apocalypse Selling: Is it Irresponsible to Fearmonger? - Microsoft’s AI chief Mustafa Suleyman recently told the Financial Times that artificial intelligence will automate most white-collar work within 12…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/selling-the-apocalypse-be-wary-of-ai-predictions/ (2026-02-25) - Unmeasured Productivity: AI Investments are Flying Blind - Your People Are Already Using AI Microsoft research shows 52% of knowledge workers hide their use or AI from their managers. Data is flowing to…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/unmeasured-productivity-ai-investments-are-flying-blind/ (2026-02-17) - The Agents Working Against You - We have entered what the industry is calling the "Agentic Wars." In December 2025, Meta paid over $2 billion to acquire Manus, a nine-month-old…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/the-agents-working-against-you/ (2026-01-21) - That's a Wrap for '25 - I can't face another bar, restaurant or event. I don't know what it's like in your industry, but in mine, it's all about network. For the last three…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/thats-a-wrap-for-25/ (2025-12-19) - I Am Scared of This And Need Your Help - Before we get into this, these are the pieces I am working on over the next few weeks. * A breakdown of the UK budget (Thursday/Friday) * The…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/i-am-scared-of-this-and-need-your-help/ (2025-11-25) - Executive Summary: The Ultimate Guide (Examples + Template) - The executive summary is the most important and valuable paragraph or one-pager you'll ever write in business. It's also the one most people…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/frameworks/how-to-write-an-executive-summary/ (2025-11-12) - School Fees, Flatlining and Farcical PR Events - My Executive Summary for this week: stop relying on someone else's platform, someone else's recruiters or someone else's sales process. Build what…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/school-fees-flatlining-and-farcical-pr-events/ (2025-11-07) - Can You Just Ask AI to Do It? - Cognizant’s VP of Insurance, David Sexton, has forced a hard question into the boardroom. When a hiring request lands, directors now ask not only if…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/can-you-just-ask-ai-to-do-it/ (2025-10-22) - Bubbles, Kitkats and Broadcom - “We are seeing more pilots than Lufthansa,” - Klemens Hjartar, Senior Partner at McKinsey, talking today on stage at Nordic Fintech Week about…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/bubbles-kitkats-and-broadcom/ (2025-10-17) - Cheating, Doorbells and AI-Made Bio Viruses - People cheat more with AI A study in Scientific American showed users were more likely to cheat on tasks when assisted by AI. The effect was…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/cheating-doorbells-and-ai-made-bio-viruses/ (2025-09-30) - Futile Resistance, Shutdown Gobsmack and Bumbled Guardrails - DeepMind has redrawn the threat map. In a new update to its Frontier Safety Framework, the UK-based lab now ranks “harmful manipulation” and…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/futile-resistance-shutdown-gobsmack-and-bumbled-guardrails/ (2025-09-23) - Copilot Failure, $35m and Zero-Day AI Attacks - Welcome to the AI Roundup The UK government’s internal trial of Microsoft 365 Copilot failed to deliver the expected productivity gains. Despite…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/copilot-failure-35m-and-zero-day-ai-attacks/ (2025-09-16) - The AI Roundup - Good morning I recently coached an exec team who wanted more updates on how companies are responding to AI challenges. Here's the latest: The White…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/the-ai-roundup/ (2025-07-23) - Speed must not damage quality - The future of software delivery depends not just on how fast you move but on how smartly and responsibly you do it. Software teams are delivering…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/speed-must-not-damage-quality/ (2025-07-15) - Tech Debt to Tsunami from AI Fallout - The Executive Summary's latest pulse survey researched 150 global enterprise CEOs on their relationship with technology. Most studies focus on CIOs,…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/tech-debt-to-tsunami-from-ai-fallout/ (2025-07-02) - From Pilot to Pause: Why GenAI is Stalling - Gartner expects that 30 percent of GenAI projects will be abandoned by the end of this year. Why? Because the fundamentals don’t hold up. Poor data…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/from-pilot-to-pause-why-genai-is-stalling/ (2025-05-13) - GPT Relationships - It’s Complicated - What makes the perfect partner? Research suggests it’s someone who listens. Active listening is one of the most important traits in a healthy,…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/overdosing-on-ai-leads-to-loneliness-2/ (2025-03-25) - Fusion Guns, French Nerds & Next-Frontier Space Rockets - Good Friday to you all This week, I've been helping my clients with sales. I have doubted the notion that storytelling is useful to companies, but…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/fusion-guns-french-nerds-next-frontier-space-rockets/ (2025-03-07) - The AI Boom: Innovation or Instability? - One economist warns exaggerated expectations could drive interest rates to 16%, slow consumer spending and concentrate wealth among AI system…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/the-ai-boom-innovation-or-instability/ (2025-02-27) - Scary: If you read one thing today, make it this... - ChatGPT: "AI is unlikely to "seize" control in a dramatic coup—it will gradually take over because it’s better, faster, and more reliable than…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/scary-if-you-read-one-thing-today-make-it-this/ (2024-12-03) - AI failure, cabaret and my back passage - Welcome to the end of the week. At last... Here's why tech is great. 💡I really want you to look at our AI Frontiers events at the bottom of this…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/ai-failure-cabaret-and-my-back-passage/ (2024-10-04) - Unlocking DeFi: Opportunities for the Buy-Side in modern finance - Why DeFi? The Opportunities of Decentralised Finance on the Buy SideJoin us at The Club House, where business leaders from finance, DeFI and…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/ai-frontiers-transforming-decentralised-finance/ (2024-10-03) - AI Frontiers: Transforming Media & Entertainment - Wednesday, 23 October Join us at AI Frontiers: Transforming Media & Entertainment to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the way we…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/ai-frontiers-transforming-media-entertainment/ (2024-10-03) - SaaS slashers, AI art tiles and gilet male fails... - Klarna is shaking the tree in its recent announcement it will kill Salesforce and Workday SaaS applications to replace them with AI-created…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/saas-slashers-tile-art-and-where-men-are-failing-most-copy/ (2024-09-13) - About that AI you just bought... - Ever had buyer's remorse? Maybe that mandolin you bought hungover at university you were convinced was a good idea until you sobered up? No? Just me…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/about-that-ai-you-just-bought/ (2024-08-30) - The Microsoft Outage - A Lesson For The City in Concentration Risk - As Crowdstrike’s share price continues to slide today, Microsoft is doing its best to distance itself from the massive outage of 8.5 million Windows…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/the-microsoft-outage-a-lesson-for-the-city-in-concentration-risk/ (2024-07-23) - Are we putting too much faith in efficiency technologies? (Yes.) - There is a belief that shifting to renewable energy and transitioning from physical to digital work methods will diminish the adverse impact of…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/are-we-putting-too-much-faith-in-efficiency-technologies-yes/ (2024-06-03) - Beyond the Red Pen: AI Efficiently Marks Essays in Minutes for Better Learning Outcomes - A group of universities in the UK – who shall remain nameless – are trialling an Artificial Intelligence tool for essay and test marking. It’s…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/beyond-red-pen-ai-marks-essays/ (2024-06-01) - When sausage rolls go offline: The hidden cost of outages - Last week, I was with AI-outage-prediction company Hortium at the Retail Technology show at Olympia. Why was that? WhatApp, Instagram and a string…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/the-hidden-cost-of-outages/ (2024-05-01) - Beating the big firms: Part 2 - The holes in AI messaging Hi guys Sorry it’s late this week. Half term and kids running around. (Quite nice really, but they’ve been banned from…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/beating-the-big-firms-part-2/ (2024-04-09) - Accenture: Execs say edge computing key to growth - Foundational to useful AI strategies Edge computing is the use of any type of computer program that delivers low latency nearer to the requests…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/accenture-execs-say-edge-computing-key-to-growth-2/ (2023-10-27) ### Growth (36) - What's shifted in marketing? - A nice little snapshot to help your thinking (and put your budget in the right places...): https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/whats-shifted-in-marketing/ (2026-06-19) - How to Write an Executive Summary for a Business Plan (With Examples) - The seven things every business plan executive summary needs, with worked examples. Plus length, structure and the mistakes investors see again and…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/executive-summary-for-a-business-plan/ (2026-03-26) - The 8 skills to nuke your competitors - A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a piece called "How many people can I fire?". For some reason, it upset a number of folks who don't agree there will…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/frameworks/the-8-skills-to-nuke-your-competitors/ (2026-03-24) - The 4 Things You Need to Get Right When Selling to the C-Suite - I surveyed our 66 webinar delegates on how to sell to the C-suite and asked them: What is the single biggest challenge you face when selling to the…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/frameworks/the-4-things-you-need-to-get-right-when-selling-to-the-c-suite/ (2026-03-03) - How Long Should an Executive Summary Be? (250 to 500 Words, and Why) - The right length for an executive summary is 250 to 500 words. Here's why, with specific guidance for business plans, board papers, proposals and…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/how-long-should-an-executive-summary-be/ (2026-02-20) - Selling to the C-Suite: Listen. Create. Engage. - Good morning On Thursday 26th February at 10am, I'm running a free webinar on selling to the C-suite. It's the course I have given to a number of…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/selling-to-the-c-suite-listen-create-engage/ (2026-02-05) - The Work Myth: The 127 Days to Make Sales Happen - In the UK, things are winding down for Christmas. If you're in retail or hospitality, t'is the season to be jolly. But for business owners in other…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/the-work-myth-the-127-days-to-make-sales-happen/ (2025-12-10) - The Safety Advantage: How to Reduce Decision Risk and Accelerate Sales - The Problem The buyer has begged you to send your proposal to them as fast as possible, hinting they can make the decision and walk you through all…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/frameworks/the-safety-advantage-how-to-reduce-decision-risk-and-accelerate-sales/ (2025-12-05) - Christmas Drinks: You're Invited - To say a massive thank you for your readership and support this year... We've held events at some of the best venues in London this year: The…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/christmas-drinks-youre-invited/ (2025-11-14) - When Life Gives You Tangles, Play Them - In my opinion, this is fishing. Spey casting for salmon on the River Tweed. You can barely see me in this photo because I have succeeded in my…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/when-life-gives-you-tangles-play-them/ (2025-10-26) - Confidence: What's Killing the Economy - We talk a lot about mental health, but not enough about confidence. They're two sides of the same coin - and one is being hoarded. Last night, Sir…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/confidence-whats-killing-the-economy/ (2025-10-23) - The Dog Update - There’s a lot going on at the moment. I was supposed to write the AI update this morning, but my dog is on her last legs. At three years old, she…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/the-dog-update/ (2025-10-07) - Europe Lacks a Growth Mindset - Europe is falling behind. The US thrives on bold ambition. China scales with relentless momentum. But Europe's many committees and caution culture…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/europe-lacks-a-growth-mindset/ (2025-09-03) - Lloyds Offers Cautious Optimism for UK - In the FT today, Charlie Nunn, CEO of Lloyds Banking Group, argues that despite recent UK GDP contractions and warnings from the OBR about…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/lloyds-offers-cautious-optimism-for-uk/ (2025-07-15) - Not Love Island. Not Fintech. Just £650 Billion of GDP - For those of you who never make it to page 19 of the newspaper, the Labour government launched its industrial strategy this week. This represents a…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/not-love-island-not-fintech-just-650-billion-of-gdp/ (2025-06-25) - Did Asset Management Die? Why Gen Z Has Disconnected - Asset managers aren’t just being out-innovated, they’re being out-narrated. You only have to look at the volume of news stories on alternatives vs…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/did-asset-management-die-why-gen-z-has-disconnected/ (2025-03-26) - The UK Growth Crisis: When Builders Leave and the Middle Breaks - The UK's economic narrative is being written in real time, but no one seems to agree on the plot. In a must-listen episode of The Diary of a CEO,…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/the-uk-growth-crisis-when-builders-leave-and-the-middle-breaks/ (2025-03-24) - The Rise of the Superfan - Superfans spend 80% more than the average customer and Goldman Sachs values their market at $4.5 billion. They don’t just buy - they pay for access,…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/the-rise-of-the-superfan/ (2025-03-14) - Thank you. - Hi guys, I just want to take a moment to say a massive thank you for reading The Executive Summary. Whether you’ve been here since the start or…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/thank-you-2/ (2024-12-18) - 8 Marketing Changes You Need to Master - Marketing gets harder every year. More noise. Fewer eyeballs. Here are my thoughts on how you stay relevant, stand out and get ahead. Breakdown…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/8-marketing-changes-you-need-to-master/ (2024-12-06) - Crypto's marketing sucks... - Crypto’s Wild West... If the crypto world were a western, we’d be watching a country of outlaws with no sheriff in sight. Sure, people are finding…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/cryptos-marketing-sucks/ (2024-11-26) - Fortune favours the bold - There is one outstanding reason Trump beat traditional politicians again - and the opposition has still not learned its lesson. It's the same reason…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/fortune-favours-the-bold/ (2024-11-08) - The $125Bn Company You've Never Heard Of - Hello working and non-working people How are you experiencing your new social British category? Let me tell you about a tech company you've probably…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/the-125bn-company-youve-never-heard-of/ (2024-10-28) - 3 events for your diary... - For keen-eyed readers, you'll have noticed some changes in our events and dates etc. That's because we realised we need to buy you a drink and ask…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/3-events-for-your-diary/ (2024-10-16) - Growth Blockers H1 24 - Why has sales performance dropped and what to do about it...: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/growth-blockers-h1-24/ (2024-09-24) - There’s no time to waste - Will it be calmer under Starmer? “There’s no time to waste.” Several members of the Cabinet have used this phrase since Friday including the PM…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/theres-no-time-to-waste-2/ (2024-07-07) - Downturn in VCs, Upturn in M&A - While stagnant VCs have been stalled on investments for the last 18 months, M&A conversations have been ramping up. Small to medium-sized US tech…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/downturn-in-vcs-upturn-in-ma/ (2024-07-02) - Growth Blockers Q2 - We decided to hold off on launching the Growth Blockers Survey until after the election this week. A lot of business decisions have been delayed…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/growth-blockers-q2-2/ (2024-07-02) - Growth strategy: the UK needs one. - A report from the London School of Economics’ Centre for Economic Performance highlights one of the biggest macroeconomic issues few are talking…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/growth-strategy-the-uk-needs-one/ (2024-06-19) - Growth Blockers Q2 - Morning everyone I hope you had a great Father’s Day. I’ll tell you about mine in another post… This week, we’re building the Growth Blockers survey…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/growth-blockers-q2/ (2024-06-19) - 72% of UK tech and services firms struggled to hit Q1 sales targets - Hi guys As promised, today we’re launching Growth Blockers UK: Q1 – What is stopping top-line growth in tech & professional services? So the…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/uk-tech-and-services-firms-struggled-to-hit-q1-sales-targets/ (2024-04-23) - Darth Vader & the Contribution Chain - Vision, Mission & Purpose are Outdated How do you drive internal engagement? Ernest Hemingway said: “When people talk listen completely. Don’t be…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/darth-vader-the-contribution-chain/ (2024-04-09) - Beating the Big Four - And other major consultancies… Hi guys, Taking out the incumbent can seem overwhelming, but if you don’t try, you’ll never know. I’ve led a number…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/beating-the-big-four/ (2024-02-04) - Biting the hand that feeds you - Paws for Thought: Insights on Pet Care Pricing A month ago, I had to take my dog to the vet. She had an infection of the womb called Pyometra. The…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/pet-care-pricing-ceo-insights/ (2024-01-29) - Is private equity about to change course? - Investors look for greater revenue potential A shift in value creation priorities is changing investment decisions… Private equity investing is…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/is-private-equity-about-to-change-course-2/ (2023-11-26) - What mining means to your business - Supply chain stories Morning there While renewable energy investment hit $358 in H1 this year, manufacturers require higher amounts of the metals…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/what-mining-means-to-your-business/ (2023-11-01) ### Leadership (30) - Five minutes of kindness from a childhood hero - Frank Miller holds the stage...: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/five-minutes-of-kindness-from-a-childhood-hero/ (2026-07-31) - The most common question I get asked... - And it's not an insult...: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/the-most-common-question-i-get-asked/ (2026-07-21) - Bring Out Your Jobs - The Executive Summary is building a jobs section into the newsletter. Board roles, C-suite appointments, senior leadership positions, NEDs and…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/bring-out-your-jobs/ (2026-03-02) - Update: Bust IT - Can't sleep? Watch this. Better than knockout drops. Hi guys I hope you're enjoying your week. I'm having one of those days where none of my…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/update-bust-it/ (2026-02-04) - How to Fire Someone - Over Christmas, I read The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz. My friend Todd Wade, an excellent Chief Information Security Officer, gave…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/how-to-fire-someone/ (2026-01-26) - Overwoke and underpaid: Can the BBC recover (again)? - Hello Children Today, the squirrels are in the boardroom doing their: Libel Badge. "Everyone," winks Baldrick. "I've got a cunning plan. We'll…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/overwoke-and-underpaid-can-the-bbc-recover-again/ (2025-11-11) - What You're Missing: Attention Flywheels & Trust Engines - Facebook company pages now reach just 1.37% of their followers organically. That is not a typo. It is however - awful. That means if you build a…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/what-youre-missing-attention-flywheels-trust-engines/ (2025-11-04) - Change Bullies: Using AI to Extract Gatekeepers to Progress - Let's say one exec stakes their career on building the company's future on one tech vendor. Massive budgets are spent. Three years later, it's…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/change-bullies-using-ai-to-extract-gatekeepers-to-progress/ (2025-10-30) - A Quick Check-In - Good morning Thank you to those who came to the Moses Itauma interview on Tuesday. The room was stacked with brilliant people. Moses – a 20-year-old…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/a-quick-check-in/ (2025-10-16) - Obama: Still Hopeful. More Careful - Last night I went see Barack Obama at the O2. My takeaways: Obama admitted politics has failed people and there were many mistakes. The West and the…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/obama-still-hopeful-more-careful/ (2025-09-25) - Has your leadership team checked out? - I once showed a board they had a client trying to spend another $30 million with them, and no one in sales, customer, delivery or leadership had…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/has-your-leadership-team-checked-out/ (2025-09-24) - Are you a Geek? - I am a framework nerd. This week, I'm sharing one of mine - The Trust Model. This little beauty has helped some of the Fortune tech world to change…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/are-you-a-geek/ (2025-09-10) - Integrated Defence: A Lesson for CEOs - I was at an event last night led by some of the people behind the UK government's Strategic Defence Review. If you haven't read it yet, I urge you…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/integrated-defence-a-lesson-for-ceos/ (2025-07-09) - Recommend a Friend - Morning Folks, I hope you're in a good place this morning. I have a favour to ask. Two in fact - so I won't beat about the bush. Firstly, I'm…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/recommend-and-frie/ (2025-07-08) - What CEOs Want: The 2025 Guide to the Great Unknown - You’ve already seen the signs: * A record wave of CEO resignations in 2024 as leaders walk away from roles that no longer come with a playbook. *…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/what-ceos-want-the-2025-guide-to-the-great-unknown/ (2025-05-06) - The Gen X Question for Gen Z - I posed a question on TikTok last week: If you were 18 today, with your current knowledge, what would you do? University? Travel? Something else? It…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/the-gen-x-question-for-gen-z/ (2025-04-02) - The Diversity Shift: Where do CEOs Stand? - You've probably seen that corporate diversity programmes have been rolled back in a number of US companies. Whether this has truly been driven by…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/the-diversity-changes-where-do-ceos-stand-2/ (2025-03-20) - If you need introductions, just ask... - Many people are currently out of work and in need of support. It's brutal out there. As you know, I've run the Growth Blockers research on…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/if-you-need-introductions-just-ask/ (2024-12-03) - Hospitals 1: Entrepreneurs 0 - If you go to an Indian restaurant, you shouldn't expect fish and chips. Equally, if you order a Labour government, entrepreneurs can't expect…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/hospitals-1-entrepreneurs-0-2/ (2024-11-01) - Is anyone looking out for entrepreneurs? - By Nick Parminter, Chief Exec of Class 35 Rachel Reeves considers raising Capital Gains to 39% as well as scrapping or at least heavily reducing…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/is-anyone-looking-out-for-entrepreneurs/ (2024-10-14) - Has talent moved to TikTok? - Last Friday evening at 10pm, I was invited to join a TikTok live. My Susan Boyle moment had finally arrived. No, it was not the tortilla challenge.…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/has-talent-moved-to-tiktok/ (2024-10-11) - Update on The Executive Summary - City of London CEOs and CIOs The Executive Summary increases its focus on business and technology leaders, but from hereon will only focus on CEOs…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/update-on-the-executive-summary/ (2024-07-02) - July in the City: Top 20 Events for CXO's - If you are a CXO that want’s to network with professionals or learn from industry leaders in the Tech or Finance field, here are the top 20 events…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/july-in-the-city-top-20-events-for-cxos/ (2024-06-30) - Easter treats - Hi guys – Have a great Easter. I want to say thanks for letting The Executive Summary into your inbox and for all the brilliant discussion over the…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/have-a-great-easter/ (2024-04-09) - Confidence - Hi guys How confident are you at the moment? Just look at business founders this year. Some 49 percent say they are ready to quit… We spend so much…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/confidence/ (2024-04-09) - Empty airports and naming the enemy - The upside of this recession? Hi from sunny (ish) Dublin Recessions: The Executive Summary: * The sooner you’re in a recession, the sooner you’re…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/empty-airports-and-naming-the-enemy/ (2024-04-09) - Welcome to the Executive Summary. - The Swiss Army Knife of Leadership Tools Welcome to The Executive Summary. This is my email to the CEOs I know. It covers strategy, leadership and…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/welcome-to-the-executive-summary-2/ (2024-04-09) - The Executive Summary: Episode 1 - Welcome to the Executive Summary… This is my email to the CEOs I know. It covers strategy, communication and leadership. You’ll find hacks, trends,…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/the-executive-summary-episode-1/ (2024-04-09) - The trouble with tenure - Succession vs success… There are many new faces at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 28) this year – and herein lies an underlying problem in…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/the-trouble-with-tenure-2/ (2023-12-03) - Your Biggest Time Suck: The People Pleaser - Be Direct How many times have you heard: “Oh, I love this. We’ll do something.” Too many. Then you spend the next few weeks chasing for the next…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/your-biggest-time-suck-the-people-pleaser/ (2023-10-30) ### Geopolitics (25) - Carry on Governing - The British have a new hobby, which in cultural terms is right up there with conkers, bunting and Bake Off. Scalping prime ministers has become such…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/carry-on-governing/ (2026-02-08) - SPADness: Are advisors to blame for government cockups? - You have to ask, how can UK governments keep getting it so successfully wrong? With 13 major U-turns under its belt and counting, this government…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/spadness-are-advisors-to-blame-for-government-cockups/ (2026-01-30) - Greenland, Jobs and Labour Chaos - The World Economic Forum in Davos dominated international attention with a tense backdrop of US-Europe friction. President Trump launched a new…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/greenland-jobs-and-labour-chaos/ (2026-01-23) - Can Business Grow in a Budget That Doesn’t Like Business? - After all the rumours and leaks, the business community listened with its head in hands yesterday braced for what was due to be another pickaxe to…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/can-business-grow-in-a-budget-that-doesnt-like-business/ (2025-11-27) - The Prophet of the Stateless Age: What Ian Angell Saw Coming - A friend of mine runs a boutique consultancy. Recently he told me he's moving to Dubai from the UK. Not for the zero income tax, he said, but he's…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/the-prophet-of-the-stateless-age-what-ian-angell-saw-coming/ (2025-10-28) - From the Great Moderation to the Great Fragmentation - The Executive Summary dinner at the Goring last week was a brilliant mix of debate and divergence. Who doesn't like a showdown of geopolitics with a…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/from-the-great-moderation-to-the-great-fragmentation/ (2025-10-14) - Mindset Audits and Geopolitics - I'm hosting an Executive Summary dinner at the Goring Hotel in London tonight on Geopolitics and the impact it's having on operational resilience…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/mindset-audits-and-geopolitics/ (2025-10-09) - $120k Bitcoin and Crypto Rally as US Regulators Shut - Prices are rising on macro shock, but the real shift is structural. Stablecoins, token rails and regulatory frameworks are all hardening. The firms…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/120k-bitcoin-and-crypto-rally-as-us-regulators-shut/ (2025-10-03) - Crypto millionaires, Eurocoins and Tether’s Punchy Landgrab - The number of crypto millionaires has jumped by around 40% year‑on‑year, reaching 241,700 globally. Nine major European banks - including ING and…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/crypto-millionaires-eurocoins-and-tethers-punchy-landgrab/ (2025-09-26) - Crypto’s Regulatory Turn: London Makes its Move - This week, UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent met in London to align crypto regulation, starting with stablecoins.…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/cryptos-regulatory-turn-london-makes-its-move/ (2025-09-18) - Labour: Where's the Growth? - With two weeks to go until Labour’s annual conference, the fiscal cracks on show are looking more like subsidence. The party wants to talk growth:…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/labour-is-punishing-growth/ (2025-09-17) - Is 16 Too Young to Vote? - “Please miss, can we leave school early today? It’s election day.” “I beg your pardon, Jimmy? Oh, yes voting, of course. Off you go, but don’t…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/is-16-too-young-to-vote/ (2025-07-18) - Sustainability's Fickle Switch - Every time financial pressure rises, ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) is binned. It is the twitchiest of government policies and company…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/sustainabilitys-fickle-switch/ (2025-07-16) - Supply Chains Are Breaking. Just-In-Time is Paused. - Ford has been forced to shut down production at its Louisville factory, with CEO Jim Farley calling it a “day-to-day struggle” to get hold of the…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/supply-chains-are-breaking-just-in-time-is-paused/ (2025-06-18) - The Carbon Sink Industry - America is facing a hard truth - it no longer leads in mining. China controls more than 70 percent of the world’s rare earth mineral production and…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/the-carbon-sink-industry/ (2025-04-30) - The Squid Games of Global Trade - The global trade stage is now Global Squid Games. 'Red light to green light' as to who is friend or foe to the US - or how to grow a business - is…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/the-squid-games-of-global-trade/ (2025-04-03) - India's genius narrative flip - If you want a masterclass in the power of narrative, look to India. The country's rebrand of 'outsourcing' to 'capability centres' is winning jobs…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/indias-genius-narrative-flip/ (2025-04-01) - The No-Grow-Zone Budget - Entrepreneurs and CEOs are wincing at the critical hacks the bludgeoner budget slasher took to the economy yesterday. Rather than show any adherence…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/the-no-grow-zone/ (2025-03-27) - The Aid Cuts Shockwave: What it Means for Business - The UK’s decision to cut aid spending is diverting £6 billion annually to defence, while the US has frozen all foreign development aid for 90 days,…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/the-aid-cuts-shockwave-what-it-means-for-business/ (2025-03-19) - 73% of CXOs would vote remain - The H1 Growth Blockers report launches next week - and yes, it's tough out there. But some companies are adapting better than others. After…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/73-of-cxos-would-vote-remain/ (2024-09-20) - The adventures of Keir Poppins - First of all, I would like to make one thing clear: I never explain anything. After extending their time on the naughty step for those throwing…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/the-adventures-of-keir-poppins/ (2024-09-06) - A few updates for you - What have I been hearing? The election dominates conversations but with malaise. Whichever MP flavour you favour, no politician is going into the…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/a-few-updates-for-you/ (2024-07-02) - Views from the City: CXOs on the election - I’ve been collecting opinions from readers of The Executive Summary on the election. It appears confidence from city folk in political leadership…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/views-from-the-city-cxos-on-the-election/ (2024-06-27) - Taxis to be allowed back to Bank... maybe - The City of London Corporation has voted to allow taxis to access Bank junction for a trial period starting in Spring 2025, pending approval from…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/black-cabs-to-be-allowed-back-to-bank-maybe/ (2024-06-21) - War, hidden gems and chip-heated pools - And how to cut costs from useless tech apps Hi guys I’m late with the Executive Summary because I’ve been out meeting people at events. So here’s…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/war-hidden-gems-and-chip-heated-pools/ (2024-04-09) ### Wellbeing (9) - Get screened - Home testing kits make it easy: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/get-screened/ (2026-06-26) - The long weekend you need - Well hello there. I'm just back from Newquay having shown the world that even fat labradors like me can mount a surfboard - in the water too. I love…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/the-long-weekend-you-need/ (2026-04-02) - The longest minute of my life - Ten years ago today, I had just returned from China on an assignment for the UK government, attracting investors to British technology companies. It…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/the-longest-minute-of-my-life/ (2026-03-19) - The Quality of Your Thoughts - Being a CEO is highly stressful and sometimes you have to wonder why you took it all on. Hiring the wrong people, not hitting the number, deploying…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/the-quality-of-your-thoughts/ (2026-01-16) - Winter Mindset: Why The Season Tests Us - Not everyone is okay this time of year. The pressure is intense: family, money and reviewing success or failure can be very hard. And if you’ve lost…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/the-winter-mind-why-this-season-tests-us/ (2025-12-19) - Death of a friend - Two weeks ago, a good friend passed away. He was my age, single and led a life many men would desire - yet never held it over anyone. He suffered…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/death-of-a-friend/ (2024-09-29) - The opportunities from uncertainty - I used to media train the folks at Pimco and was always impressed by their research and strong point of view. Pimco is one of the largest investment…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/the-opportunities-from-uncertainty/ (2024-06-20) - Pessimist or optimist? - Glass half full or empty? What are CEOs thinking today? It’s not pretty, according to Deloitte and Fortune in their 2023 winter CEO survey (104…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/pessimist-or-optimist-2/ (2023-11-07) - Breathing Space - Breathing Space The operating environment 1 – The interest rate shows no sign of coming down, putting pressure on sources of funding and customers’…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/breathing-space/ (2023-11-03) ### Downtime (14) - Cringe dad attends school show - The son becomes the father and the father becomes the son: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/cringe-dad-attends-school-show/ (2026-07-16) - The Third Half... - A substack you can lose yourself in...: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/the-third-half/ (2026-04-14) - Moses Itauma: The Heavyweight's Executive Summary on Life - Moses Itauma is undefeated at 20 and already thinking like a CEO. He's deleted Instagram, reads business books and lets his brothers handle the…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/moses-itauma-the-heavyweights-executive-summary-on-life/ (2025-11-30) - Is this Britain's Most Famous Cat? - This is Stella. She might look like an ordinary cat, but don't be fooled. She is living proof that reincarnation works. Stella lives in Beckenham, a…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/is-this-britains-most-famous-cat/ (2025-11-20) - The Moses Itauma Interview - Later this month, I'm interviewing the heavyweight boxing challenger Moses Itauma in front of a live audience in London. At just 20 years old, Moses…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/the-moses-itauma-interview/ (2025-10-02) - Whatsapp Groups: Pub Chat Lives On - What's your favourite Whatsapp group? Over Covid and lockdown, many people found comfort in Whatsapp groups. It was a way to deal with isolation or…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/whatsapp-groups-pub-chat-lives-on/ (2025-07-11) - Your biggest writing challenge? - I have a colossal writing challenge in front of me like none I have seen. (Welcome back to the summer semester.) In 2014, I asked myself the…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/your-biggest-writing-challenge/ (2025-04-28) - Coming to London as a graduate - Eeeh, in my day, we were sent down to London on the back of a coal truck and told to run for 14 miles to find somewhere to sleep while being chased…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/coming-to-london/ (2024-08-29) - Sad Ads Friday - This week’s weak political leadership debates have dominated headlines with party messaging that is so bad, it makes business advertising look good.…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/sad-ads-friday/ (2024-06-28) - City Munchies: Los Mochis - The Executive Summary: Location – rooftop bar overlooking the City with a great view of St Pauls. Located next to Liverpool St station. Experience –…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/city-munchies-los-mochis/ (2024-06-20) - 10 Best Michelin Star Restaurants in London - Whether you’re seeking a power lunch spot with colleagues or an evening of fine dining with clients, these best 10 Michelin-starred restaurants are…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/ceo-cio-top-michelin-london-2/ (2024-05-14) - WEF Selfies, Sweet Investing & 25 Teaser Topics - Get involved… Hi folks How has 2024 been treating you? Did you tune into the World Economic Forum with avid interest? Or did you just see your mates…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/wef-selfies-sweet-investing-25-teaser-topics-2/ (2024-01-22) - The last one... - Sushi shops, micropublishing and divine interventions This is the last post for 2023 and it’s no place for the standard annual wrap up. Instead I…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/the-last-one-2/ (2023-12-19) - Are you going into space? - The $1tn industry you shouldn’t ignore So here’s a Sunday evening curveball for you. Have you ever thought of working in space? Not as an astronaut,…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/are-you-going-into-space-2/ (2023-12-10) ### Dan Ilett (1) - What is our AI proposition? - The only question in the City today: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/what-is-our-ai-proposition/ (2026-06-17) ### Executive Summary (1) - Partner with the Executive Summary - Connect with your audience: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/partner-with-the-executive-summary/ (2026-06-29) ### Government (2) - Can you take Rachel with you? - Sir Keir Starmer moves on leaving the UK in leadership limbo again: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/can-you-take-rachel-with-you/ (2026-06-23) - Whodunnit? - A masterclass in English language and defensive communication: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/whodunnit/ (2026-04-24) ### OPENAI (1) - Hide and seek or 40 mins of screen time? - Is Starmer's social media ban for under 16s a good idea or another underscoped U-turn in waiting?: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/hide-and-seek-or-40-mins-of-screen-time/ (2026-06-16) ### agentic ai (3) - Working with fake team members - How not to get scammed by cutting-edge AI: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/working-with-fake-team-members/ (2026-08-06) - Job cuts, flakey leaders and corporate turds - It's all in the Executive Summary: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/job-cuts-flakey-leaders-and-corporate-turds/ (2026-07-14) - Six AI sales challenges you should be aware of - From your roving reporter and AI gossip queen, Dan Ilett: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/six-ai-sales-challenges-you-should-be-aware-of/ (2026-06-10) ### amazon (1) - Amazon and Anthropic's accounting bromance - Amazon just wrote Anthropic a $25 billion cheque. Anthropic promptly wrote one back for $100 billion. Here is what the deal means for you...: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/amazon-and-anthropics-accounting-bromance/ (2026-04-22) ### china (1) - Why China leads the startup ecosystem - The government tries to help rather than add friction: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/why-china-leads-the-startup-ecosystem/ (2026-05-22) ### cinema (1) - Go and see Project Hail Mary - Spoilers....A film about collaboration, hope and finding a way: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/go-and-see-project-hail-mary/ (2026-04-30) ### claude (1) - Peak swearing mode enabled - How I moved my business to Claude and a team of agents: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/what-i-did/ (2026-05-08) ### cyber (1) - Defence against the dark AI arts - Cyber safety with AI: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/defence-against-the-dark-ai-arts/ (2026-08-04) ### keir starmer (1) - You do you - A lesson from Keir Starmer's latest failcake of a speech: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/you-do-you/ (2026-05-11) ### nvidia (1) - How Nvidia flipped the board on agentic work - You can have hundreds of agents, but with no office, rules or strategy for them to work to, you're running a Wild-West game doomed for trouble: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/how-nvidia-flipped-the-board-on-agentic-work/ (2026-07-09) ### pr (1) - Ramses II: Master of the personal brand - Pictured: One of the earliest press releases: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/ramses-ii-master-of-the-personal-brand/ (2026-06-03) ### sales (2) - Hustle hard and the results will come - How the young can teach the old a lesson or two about marketing: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/hustle-hard-and-the-results-will-come/ (2026-07-07) - Would you leave £10m on the table? - Blaming AI and weak government is so yesterday: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/would-you-leave-10m-on-the-table/ (2026-07-02) ### tokens (1) - Token turns: a one-armed bandit outcome punt - The latest in the Outcome Economics Series: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/token-turns-a-one-armed-bandit-outcome-punt/ (2026-06-12) ## Key pages - About - What the Board Really Thinks: The CEO's Newsletter About Growth, Mindset, Tech and Life: https://theexecutivesummary.com/about/ - Corrections - We aim to be accurate. When we get something wrong, we correct it openly and quickly. How to report an error…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/corrections/ - Dan Ilett - The CEO's job is to shift the narrative to drive performance. I advise CEOs on how to shift that narrative,…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/about-dan/ - Editorial standards - About this publication The Executive Summary is an independent newsletter written and edited by Dan Ilett.…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/editorial-policy/ - Enquire - Start a conversation If you lead a FTSE 350 business and you want sharper thinking on growth, sales…: https://theexecutivesummary.com/enquire/ - Events - Upcoming events: 1 - DeFi in the Buy Side - DeFi Drinks. 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Engage. - The four things you need to get right when selling to the C-suite. Download the full guide.: https://theexecutivesummary.com/selling-to-the-c-suite-download/ - The Executive Summary: Live - Where A-Players Learn From Each Other: https://theexecutivesummary.com/the-executive-summary-live/ - The Legacy Lock-In Challenge - Can your team fight its way out of a £50m legacy trap?: https://theexecutivesummary.com/the-legacy-lock-in-challenge/ - The Safety Advantage: How to Reduce Decision Risk and Accelerate Sales - The Decision Safety Model, the Switcheroo and the Ten Barriers framework. Download the full guide.: https://theexecutivesummary.com/safety-advantage-download/ ## Content - RSS: https://theexecutivesummary.com/articles/rss/ - Sitemap: https://theexecutivesummary.com/sitemap.xml - News sitemap: https://theexecutivesummary.com/sitemap-news.xml - Partner with us: https://theexecutivesummary.com/partner-with-us Last updated: 2026-09-04 (regenerated daily)