Setting up an account— instead of using the tool as a guest— allows you to save preferences and build on previous requests and conversations.
Getting started We’ ve all seen an email or document that practically waves a flag and says, Hello, I was written by ChatGPT. While there’ s no shame in using AI tools to create content, the goal is to keep your voice and style intact. Think of AI as your assistant, not your impersonator.
One of the best early steps is to take a few minutes to customize your settings. Whether you’ re using ChatGPT, Copilot or another tool, personalization helps it learn how you like to communicate so you spend less time rewriting the rewrite. It’ s the difference between“ helpful draft” and Why do I sound like a corporate brochure?
Want another glimpse of AI at work? Turn to End Notes( page 96) and look behind Lynne McNees. The yacht, the serene ocean and the vast sky were all generated by photo-enhancement AI.
Set your ChatGPT style Take the time to set up an account instead of using the tool as a guest. This allows you to save preferences and build on previous requests and conversations. l Go to Settings, then select Personalization. l Choose characteristics that fit your tone and working style. l Add custom instructions that outline your preferences. Here’ s an example for inspiration: l I prefer writing in a professional tone with a bit of optimism and humor. l Respond in a clear and concise manner that doesn’ t include any em dashes or bolded text.( Immediate visual triggers that something was written by AI when used frequently.) l Use a friendly intro for email drafts. Some of my preferences are Happy Monday, Good morning, etc.
Prompts to get your creative energy flowing In future issues, we’ ll dive into specific topics and workflows. For now, here are a few prompts that may spark new ways to use AI in your business and save you a surprising amount of time. l Menu refresh: Upload a copy of your spa menu and ask: Please share recommendations on how to refresh my spa treatment titles and descriptions.( And yes, I tend to start prompts with“ please” because my southern manners are always present.) l HR guide: I’ m preparing to interview candidates for our open sales manager position. Please share a list of interview questions that will help me assess sales skills and coachability. l Sales insights: Upload your monthly retail sales report and ask: Please analyze trends, top performers, underperformers and three practical actions to improve next month’ s results. l Employee coaching: Please craft an email to an employee who has been late three times in the past two weeks to document the issue, expectations moving forward and next steps if it continues. l Meeting summaries: Here are my meeting notes. Please turn them into a concise summary with decisions made, action items and deadlines. l Onboarding assistance: I’ m building a training plan for a new front desk associate. Please create a twoweek onboarding checklist with daily goals and quick knowledge checks. l Meeting engagement: I have a staff meeting agenda. Please suggest ways to make it more engaging, plus two quick discussion questions that will get people talking without making them panic.
AI IS MOVING FAST, and our spa community is even faster at figuring out what works. If you’ ve got a favorite prompt, an unexpected use case or a Why didn’ t I do this sooner? tip, share it for a future column. Email your ideas to crystal. ducker @ ispastaff. com. n
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