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Make the one-page memo that decides which $2M bet gets funded

  • For Executives
  • You practice Asking for a format you can use
  • Time about 5 minutes
  • Level Intermediate

About this exercise

Next year's budget can fund only one of these two initiatives, and the leadership team decides Monday. Write the one-page decision memo from you, Jordan Lee (Chief of Staff), to the CEO, Ana Whitfield. Plain text, under 290 words, with these capitalized labels on their own lines, in this order: RECOMMENDATION, THE MATH, THE CASE AGAINST, WHAT WOULD CHANGE THIS, DECISION NEEDED. The first line of RECOMMENDATION names the ONE option you pick. THE MATH sets the two options side by side: 2-year revenue against cost, using finance's figures only. THE CASE AGAINST argues against your own pick. DECISION NEEDED is one sentence with the decision and the date.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • A balanced essay, no pick. The AI lists pros and cons of both options and ends with "both have merit", so the CEO still has to decide alone. Try: Add: "The first line of RECOMMENDATION names the ONE option you pick. Do not recommend both."
  • Repeating the sponsor's number. The AI quotes the loudest claim from the pitch deck as if it were a forecast. Try: Add: "Use finance's figures only, not the sponsors' pitches."
  • No math side by side. The AI describes the options in sentences instead of putting cost and 2-year revenue next to each other. Try: Add: "THE MATH: 2-year revenue against cost for each option, side by side, with the difference."
  • A weak case against. The AI offers a vague risk or argues against the option it did not pick. Try: Add: "THE CASE AGAINST argues against your own pick, using a fact from the material."
  • Letting a board opinion decide. The AI treats a board member's wish as a reason, and ends with "next steps" instead of one dated decision. Try: Add: "Do not use anyone's personal preference as a reason. DECISION NEEDED is one sentence with the date."
  • Trusting the AI to count words. AI writes a long memo and adds markdown headings when you only say "one page". Try: Say "under 250 words, plain text" and cap each section, like "2 short sentences".

What a strong prompt includes

  • Names who it is for and from
  • Puts the recommendation first
  • Shows the math side by side
  • Argues against its own pick
  • Uses finance's numbers and one dated decision

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