Which of the following pieces of information is most appropriate in a customer-focused executive summary?

The most appropriate piece of information to include in a customer-focused executive summary is customer issues. This choice emphasizes the importance of understanding and addressing the specific needs and challenges faced by the customer. An executive summary is meant to succinctly communicate how your solution relates to the customer's requirements and pain points. By highlighting customer issues, you demonstrate that your proposal is tailored to solve real problems, making it more relevant and appealing to the customer.

Focusing on customer issues allows you to build a connection with the client by showing empathy and insight into their situation. It sets the stage for framing your offerings as direct responses to these challenges, enhancing the perceived value of your proposal and improving the likelihood of a positive outcome.

In contrast, discussing competitor names, profit margins, or pricing schedules, while important in their own right, may not align with the primary goal of an executive summary, which is to resonate with the customer. Competitor names might detract from the focus on the customer’s needs, and profit margins and pricing are more relevant for internal discussions rather than for summarizing the benefits of your solution in a customer-centric manner.