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Compare market-entry options with payback math and a recommendation

  • For Executives
  • You practice Catching mistakes and made-up facts
  • Time about 5 minutes
  • Level Advanced

About this exercise

Write a decision note for the CEO in plain text, under 140 words. Three lines first: Germany:, Brazil:, Wait:. Each shows the payback in months with the working, like "$400k / $20k = 20 months", then pass or fail against the board rule (payback under 24 months AND cash stays at or above $3M after the investment). The last line starts "Recommendation:" and names one option and the single reason. Use the numbers from the finance summary, not the sales rep's claim.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Using the rep's claim. The AI uses 12 months for Brazil. Try: Say: "Use Finance's numbers, not the sales rep's claim."
  • Checking one test only. The AI tests payback but not cash. Try: Say: "Check both tests: payback under 24 months and cash at or above $3M after."
  • Verdict before math. The AI recommends first without working. Try: Say: "Show the working in each line; recommendation last."
  • Wrong shape. The AI writes a long memo with headings. Try: Say: "Three labeled lines then a Recommendation: line."
  • Markdown. The AI bolds the options. Try: Say: "Plain text."
  • Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting. Ask for a total word limit and it often lands over it. Try: Cap each part instead, for example: "each line under 15 words."

What a strong prompt includes

  • Names the three lines
  • Asks for the working
  • States both board tests
  • Prefers finance numbers
  • Gives the last line

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