Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: AI has become the new “must-have” for every business owner, but most of us are approaching it like we’re trying to build a spaceship when all we really need is a good bicycle.
I’ve watched countless entrepreneurs burn time and Money trying to create complex AI workflows, automated agents, and sophisticated systems. Meanwhile, they’re missing out on the simple power of having a really good conversation with AI – one that actually solves their burning business problems today, not six months from now after they’ve figured out how to wire together seventeen different tools.
Here’s the truth: You don’t need to be a tech wizard to get game-changing insights from AI. You just need to know how to ask better questions.
Think about this: If you walked up to the smartest business consultant in the world and said, “Give me marketing ideas,” what would you get? Probably a blank stare and a request for more information. Yet that’s exactly how most people approach AI.
The difference between getting generic fluff and getting genuinely useful insights isn’t in the AI – it’s in how you set up the conversation. It’s like the difference between asking a chef to “make something good” versus handing them your grandmother’s recipe card and asking them to put their own spin on it.
Here’s a simple framework that transforms AI from a magic 8-ball into your strategic thinking partner. Instead of starting with what you want, start with what you have.
Step 1: Create Your Business Snapshot
Before you ask AI anything, write a one-page executive summary of your business. Include:
This becomes your “context document” – the foundation that turns every AI conversation from generic to specific.
Step 2: The Power of Examples
Here’s where most people go wrong. They ask AI to create something from scratch when they should be showing it what excellence looks like. Have a competitor’s brochure you admire? A sales email that actually worked? A product description that made you want to buy? Feed those in as examples.
It’s like teaching someone to cook by showing them what a perfectly plated dish looks like, not just telling them to “make it taste good.”
Let me show you the difference between weak prompts and powerful ones:
Weak Prompt: “Help me write a marketing email for my Coaching business.”
Powerful Prompt: “I run an executive coaching business for SMB owners dealing with remote team management challenges. Here’s my one-page business summary [insert]. I’ve attached a marketing email from another coach that generated a 32% open rate – I like their conversational tone but need to emphasize my expertise in military leadership principles. Create an email for my list of 500 burned-out founders that addresses the ‘always-on’ trap while positioning my ‘Leadership Without Borders’ program as the solution. Keep it under 200 words and include a specific example they can relate to.”
See the difference? One prompt gets you fortune cookie Wisdom. The other gets you something you can actually send.
Every business owner has that 3 AM question that keeps them awake. Maybe it’s “How do I price this new service?” or “Should I fire this underperforming employee?” or “How do I compete with companies ten times my size?”
Here’s how to get AI to actually help:
Don’t just ask the question. Paint the entire scenario:
Share examples of similar situations you’ve seen work (or fail). This could be:
Tell AI what matters most: Is it speed? Cost? Employee morale? Customer satisfaction? This prevents you from getting technically correct but practically useless advice.
Let’s say you need product descriptions that actually sell. Here’s the wrong way and the right way:
Wrong Way: “Write product descriptions for my handmade candles.”
Right Way: “I make premium soy candles for busy professionals who use scent to transition from work-mode to home-mode. Here’s a product description from Anthropologie that perfectly captures the aspirational Lifestyle angle I want [insert example]. Here’s another from a small competitor that nails the artisan story [insert example]. Using these as inspiration, write descriptions for my ‘Executive Unwind Collection’ that blend the sophistication of the first example with the authenticity of the second. Each description should be 75-100 words and include a specific scenario where the customer would use this candle.”
Smart business owners aren’t starting from scratch every time. They’re building a library of proven prompts that work for their specific business needs:
“Acting as a strategic advisor with deep experience in [industry], review this business challenge [insert detailed description]. Consider these constraints [list them]. Reference these comparable situations [provide examples]. Provide three strategic options with pros, cons, and implementation steps for each.”
“Analyze these 5 customer testimonials [insert]. Extract the exact language they use to describe their problems and our solutions. Create a ‘voice of customer’ guide showing: common phrases, emotional triggers, and specific words they use that we should mirror in our marketing.”
“Here’s how my top 3 competitors position themselves [insert screenshots/descriptions]. Here’s my current positioning [insert]. Identify the gaps in the market they’re not addressing and suggest how I could position myself to own that space without directly competing on their strengths.”
Build a folder of context documents you can quickly paste into any AI conversation:
Here’s how Michelle, a leadership coach, used this approach to solve her “I sound like everyone else” problem:
Instead of asking AI to “write unique coaching content,” she:
The result? Content that sounded like her, spoke to her specific audience, and differentiated her from the sea of “empowerment coaches.”
You don’t need AI agents, complex workflows, or a degree in prompt engineering. You need to approach AI like you’d approach a brilliant colleague: Give them context, show them examples, and be specific about what you need.
Start with one burning question in your business. Document it thoroughly. Find examples of what good looks like. Then have a real conversation with AI about it. You’ll be amazed at what happens when you stop treating AI like a vending machine and start treating it like a thinking partner.
Remember: The goal isn’t to build the fanciest AI system. It’s to get answers that actually move your business forward. And that starts with asking better questions, providing rich context, and showing AI what excellence looks like in your world.
Your next step? Take that question that’s been bugging you for weeks. Write it down. Add context. Find examples. Then have a real conversation about it.
Because at the end of the day, the best AI strategy isn’t about the Technology – it’s about Clarity of thought and communication. And that’s something every business owner can master.
The post Stop Building AI Robots When You Just Need a Smart Conversation Partner appeared first on Business Advisor and Executive Coach | Doug Thorpe.
