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Compare training proposals on cost per person

Practice: Catching mistakes and made-up facts. About 5 minutes.

About this exercise

You need to train 18 new team leads and got 3 proposals. You want exactly 3 numbered lines, one per vendor, each showing the math to a cost per person (like "$7,200 / 18 = $400 per person"), then one final line starting "Cheapest per person:". Use only the figures in the proposals, including any add-on fees, in plain text with nothing else.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Skipping the add-ons. The AI compares headline prices and misses the travel fee and the per-person charge above 12. Try: Say: "Include every fee in the proposal and show the math."
  • Counting a phone promise. The loyalty discount is in your notes, so the AI may subtract it. Try: Add: "Use only figures written in the proposals."
  • Getting a recommendation essay. The AI weighs format and the VP's preference instead of just showing cost. Try: Say: "Output only the 3 lines and the final line."
  • Not saying how many. The AI decides the length itself and usually returns more lines, one per vendor than you can use. Try: Be exact: "exactly 3 numbered lines, one per vendor."
  • Getting markdown back. AI defaults to bold labels and headings, which show up as stray symbols in a message to your VP. Try: Ask for "plain text, no bold, no headings."

What a strong prompt includes

  • Asks for the same basis
  • Asks to show the math
  • Uses written figures only
  • Says exactly how many
  • Asks for plain text

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