# Board-Level Executive Memo Composer

Draft a tightly structured executive memo for board or C-suite consumption, following a decision-first format that respects senior readers' time.

## Prompt

Act as an executive communications specialist. Write a board-level memo on the following topic:
{{memo_topic_and_context}}

Follow this exact structure:

1. Recommendation (1-2 sentences) — state the decision or action being requested up front, before any background.
2. Context (3-4 sentences max) — the minimum background needed to understand why this matters now.
3. Options considered — list 2-3 alternatives that were considered, with a one-line reason each was not chosen.
4. Risk and mitigation — the single biggest risk of the recommended path, and how it will be managed.
5. Ask — the specific decision, resource, or approval needed from the board/executives, stated as a clear question.

Keep the entire memo under 400 words. Avoid hedging language, filler transitions, and any information not essential to the decision.

## Best for

Founders, executives, and senior operators who need to communicate a decision or request to a board or leadership team efficiently and persuasively.

## Compatible tools

- Claude
- ChatGPT

## How to use

- Provide the topic, context, and any relevant data or trade-offs in {{memo_topic_and_context}}.
- Review the draft to confirm the recommendation is stated clearly in the first sentence — this is the most important part for senior readers.
- Trim further if it exceeds 400 words; senior audiences reward brevity over completeness.
- Use the 'options considered' section to preempt the most likely pushback questions.

## Customization tips

- If the audience is especially risk-averse, ask for a more detailed risk section even if it means trimming elsewhere.
- Request a shorter, one-paragraph version for a pre-read email if the full memo will also be presented live.
- Ask for the tone to be adjusted (more assertive vs. more consultative) depending on your relationship with the board.

## Example input

Act as an executive communications specialist... Memo topic: We want to shift from a monthly to an annual-only pricing model for our SaaS product to improve cash flow and reduce churn, but this may slow new customer acquisition in the short term.

## Example output

Recommendation: We recommend transitioning to an annual-only pricing model starting Q3, with a 90-day transition period for existing monthly customers.

Context: Monthly churn has held at 6% for two quarters, and cash flow volatility is limiting our ability to plan hiring. Annual contracts typically show 40% lower churn based on comparable SaaS benchmarks.

Options considered: (1) Keep monthly-only pricing — rejected due to continued cash flow unpredictability. (2) Offer both monthly and annual — rejected because it dilutes the sales team's ability to push the higher-value annual option. (3) Annual-only with a discount incentive — selected as the strongest balance of cash flow benefit and customer retention.

Risk and mitigation: The main risk is a short-term drop in new customer acquisition from buyers unwilling to commit annually; we will mitigate this with a 14-day trial period and a money-back guarantee in month one.

Ask: We are requesting board approval to implement this pricing change starting Q3, along with a one-time budget of $15,000 for updated sales enablement materials.