Prompt Engineering

For Business and Financial Consultants (Explained Simply)

Prompt engineering is just a fancy term for “asking better questions” when using AI tools like ChatGPT. Think of it like giving clear instructions to a smart assistant. The better your instructions, the better and more useful the answer.

Why It Matters for Consultants

If you are a business or financial consultant, you use your brainpower to solve problems, explain ideas, create reports, and make decisions. AI can speed that all up. But to get great help, you need to know how to ask.

The Basics (anyone can do this)

Here is the secret: Do not just ask one-line questions. Tell the AI what you want, who you are, and what the context is.

Bad Prompt:

“Write a business plan.”

This is vague. You will get a very generic and poor result.

Better Prompt:

“Act as a business consultant. Write a one-page business plan for a financial planning firm targeting retirees. Include market analysis, key services, and revenue projections.”

See the difference? You are giving the AI a role, a goal, and specifics.

Simple Tactics to Get Better Results

Set the Scene:

Tell the AI who it is and who you are.

“You are an expert financial consultant. I help small business owners with increasing the value of their privately owned enterprise …”

Be Specific:

What do you want? What should be the format of the output? Who is the audience?

“Give me a three-bullet summary I can use in a client e-mail.”

Use Examples:

Show what you like.

“Write it like this case study but shorter and simpler.” (Upload your sample case study)

Iterate:

It is okay to ask, “Can you simplify that?” or “Make it more formal.”

AI improves when you guide it.

Ask for Variations:

“Give me three versions of this pitch: one formal, one casual, and one for LinkedIn.”

Use Prompt Frameworks

A great way to improve your AI prompts is to use a framework. The following is an example of a framework.

RTF

• • Act as a [ROLE]

Assume the role of a business development manager for a mid-sized software company specializing in AI productivity tools. You have extensive experience in market analysis, strategic partnerships, and product development.

• • Create a [TASK]

Your primary task is to develop a comprehensive strategy to enter new markets in Southeast Asia. This includes conducting market research to identify potential customer segments, analyzing local competition, understanding cultural and regulatory differences, and proposing suitable product adaptations or enhancements. Additionally, you are responsible for identifying and securing strategic local partnerships that can facilitate market entry and growth.

• • Show as [FORMAT]

Prepare a detailed report and presentation. The report should include market analysis findings, a SWOT analysis, a proposed roadmap for market entry, product adaptation recommendations, and a list of potential partners. The presentation should effectively summarize these elements, highlighting key opportunities and strategies and be designed for the executive team to aid in decision-making.

Now that is a prompt that will get you amazing results!

Final Thought

Prompt engineering is not technical, it is conversational. If you can write an e-mail, you can learn it. Think of AI like a junior consultant; it is only as good as your instructions.

Use it well, and you will save hours on reports, research, presentations, and client communications.

Want a cheat sheet? Just ask! Contact Colin Brown at https://syncnet.com or cto@syncnet.com.