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Shortlist packaging suppliers that meet your three requirements

Practice: Setting limits and rules. About 5 minutes.

About this exercise

Your soap shop is switching to compostable mailers, and you need suppliers that fit. Your requirements: certified compostable, minimum order of 1,000 or fewer, and delivery to Oregon within 14 days. You want exactly 2 numbered picks, each with its price per mailer and a reason under 12 words, using only the supplier notes, plain text, nothing else.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Not giving every requirement. The AI favors the cheapest option or anything labeled 'eco', even if it fails a rule. Try: Say: "Must meet all three: certified compostable, 1,000 or fewer minimum, 14 days to Oregon."
  • Trusting 'eco-friendly'. The AI may treat a green-sounding label as the same as certification. Try: Add: "Certified compostable only."
  • Getting a full rundown. The AI explains every supplier, burying the 2 that work. Try: Say: "Output only the 2 picks."
  • Not saying how many. The AI decides the length itself and usually returns more picks than you can use. Try: Be exact: "exactly 2 numbered picks."
  • Getting markdown back. AI defaults to bold labels and headings, which show up as stray symbols in an email to your supplier contact. Try: Ask for "plain text, no bold, no headings."

What a strong prompt includes

  • Lists the requirements
  • Says exactly how many
  • Asks for price
  • Limits each reason
  • Asks for plain text

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