Answer a coworker's travel policy question in one Slack reply

About this exercise

A coworker on Slack asked what she can spend on meals and a hotel for a 2-night trip to Columbus next week. You want one reply under 60 words, in plain text, using only the current travel policy and the finance update that changed the meal rate. Give the meal and hotel limits, and say the policy doesn't cover her third question instead of guessing.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

• Using the old meal rate. The policy says $59, and the AI may miss that the finance email raised it. Try: Say: "Use the Oct 1 finance update where it changes the policy."
• Not doing the math. The AI quotes the per diem rule but doesn't apply the 75% first and last day rule to her trip. Try: Add: "Work out her total for Mon-Wed and give the hotel cap."
• Guessing on rideshare. The policy is silent, so the AI answers from what companies usually allow. Try: Say: "If the policy doesn't cover it, say so."
• Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting. Ask for a total word limit and it often lands 10-20% over. Try: Cap the parts: "one sentence per question, each under 15 words."
• Getting markdown back. AI defaults to bold labels and headings, which show up as stray symbols in Slack. Try: Ask for "plain text, no bold, no headings."

What a strong prompt includes

• Uses the update
• Asks for her total
• Says what to do when it's silent
• Sets a length limit
• Asks for plain text

Practice this now ↑

Related exercises

• Accept a job offer and confirm the exact terms (Writing AI · Job seekers)
• Alert sales to a competitor's price change, facts only (Research AI · Product managers)
• Answer a 'where is my order' email with the real new date (Writing AI · Customer support teams)
• Answer a big discount ask with two priced options (Writing AI · Sales and customer success)
• Answer a buyer's HOA questions from the bylaws (Research AI · Real estate agents)