I’m noticing that some people, especially directors of businesses that are struggling, would appreciate a little more guidance on how to draft a prompt.
If you’re a director of a company that’s looking for advice, use the following template, copy it into Word, fill in the gaps, then paste it into VAi, and start a conversation wih the bot.
‘I am the director of XYZ Ltd [Do not give the company name, anonymise it], and we are currently navigating some challenges that may require [specific action, e.g., restructuring, insolvency proceedings, etc.]. Below are detailed aspects of our situation:
- Company Overview:
- Industry: [Specify Industry]
- Size: [Specify Number of Employees, Turnover]
- Financial Health: [Brief Overview of Financial Situation, including its assets and liabilities]
- Specific Issue:
- Main Problem: [Describe the main challenge]
- Issue Onset: [Provide a timeline of events if relevant]
- Previous Actions Taken:
- Implemented Measures: [List actions taken]
- Outcomes of These Measures: [Describe the results of the actions]
- Desired Outcome:
- Expected Resolution: [Specify what you hope to achieve or resolve]
- Additional Information:
- Constraints: [Any legal, financial, or operational limitations]
Questions I want you, VAi, to answer:
- Based on the current information, what are the viable options for addressing my company’s situation?
- What are the potential risks associated with these options?
- Are there additional measures or steps you would recommend that I haven’t considered?
Request for Further Clarification from VAi:
Please ask me any specific questions that can help you understand the situation better or any information you need that could influence your advice.
Please now ask me those questions.’
Tips for Customising Your Prompt:
- Fill in each section thoroughly with specific, relevant details about your company and the issues it faces. The depth of information provided will directly impact the quality of advice VAi can offer.
- Clarify your needs by stating the problem and the desired outcome explicitly. This helps VAi generate focused and applicable advice.
- Encourage an interactive dialogue by inviting VAi to ask follow-up questions. This not only ensures that all aspects of the issue are explored but also enhances the accuracy and relevance of the advice you receive.
- Pose direct questions to guide the conversation and make sure that the responses from VAi address your immediate needs.
- Take your time. You would not walk into an insolvency prectitioner’s office and expect to receive best advice if all you said to them was ‘give me some advice on my options’ without giving any details as to your circumstances. IPs are not mind readers, nor is VAi. Attention to detail matters in insolvency, so take some time to explain those details. This leads on to the final point…
- Don’t expect much from short prompts. VAi has been instructed to be as helpful as it can be. It will try its best however good, or bad, your prompt might be. The shorter the prompt, the more it has to assume, the more likely it is that it will be wrong in those assumptions, the less tailored the advice will be to your circumstances. The longer the prompt, the more information you give it, the less it has to assume, the less it will get wrong, the more tailored the advice will be to your circumstances.
By structuring your prompt in this way and then promoting a two-way interaction, you enable VAi to serve not just as an advisor but as an active participant in resolving your business challenges, ensuring that the advice you receive is as informed and effective as possible.
