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
```markdown
# [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."