Introduction
Most of the time, we use ChatGPT and similar AI chatbots, to get work done - craft blogs, or emails, work out a quiz - things which we know about at work.
Often, we may use it to extend the things we already know. Say, teach social media, or create a course, etc. Work again.
We rarely use it beyond work - for our mind does not wrap easily around this new tool and the rich possibilities that it affords us.
As a result, for most of our thinking and problem solving, we are happy to stick to tried and true ways of an earlier era.
The only problem with that is that your thinking will be stymied, without a shadow of doubt, without AI.
It will be ponderous and laboured, at best. That is the convention, isn't it?
Now what if I told you that AI Chatbots can 10X your thinking, regardless of how good a thinker you already are.
In order to cultivate the myelin [that sheath which makes our memories], we need to just play and have fun with the chatbot.
Somewhere on that journey, you'll suddenly realize, as I did, that there is a whole new world waiting to be discovered.
For example, learning new things if you're curious, gets easy with AI chatbots.
So does understanding difficult concepts, or making it easy for others to learn from you, or teach others, or pattern-sense from multiple concepts, or combine two different stream of thought/ arguments, the list is endless...
After a while of pottering around, I finally put together a document for my colleagues, on how to do this systematically, rather than serendipitously. That I took a generous dose of help from AI, would be an understatement.
I'm sharing 15 techniques with you that will help you accelerate your learning and trigger new ideas for solving your marketing, business, and creative problems.
The goal here is to get you to wrap your mind around different possibilities that the AI tool is capable of, but which you don't know yet, or haven't tried out yet.
I'd recommend spending an hour playing with each set of techniques below. Get it to be part of your muscle memory and then move on to the next set.
You will be an chatbot expert in two weeks. You will be able to waltz and whisk problems and generate solutions on demand. Your head will be brimming and bristling with possibilities.
Guaranteed.
Have fun!
Index of content
#9. Personalized Learning
Different folks learn differently. Some of us are happy reading abstract concepts, rolling it in our heads, and then triggering ideas.
Yet others are visual learners. They need pictures, or videos, to help them learn better.
So how do we accommodate these differences in learning using prompts that will tailor the answers to our learning style?
Well, here are some prompts to help you leverage personalized learning strategies in marketing, business, and creative fields using AI chatbots.
You can of course, extend these techniques to any subject, or any field.
Marketing
Prompt 1: I'm a visual learner looking to improve my digital marketing skills. Recommend 10 infographics, visual case studies, or video tutorials that cover the latest trends and best practices?
Prompt 2: As an auditory learner, I find podcasts an effective way to learn. Suggest 10 top marketing podcasts that I should listen to regularly to stay updated on industry insights and expert advice.
Prompt 3: I prefer hands-on learning. Suggest 10 interactive online marketing simulations or virtual workshops where I can practice applying concepts like SEO, social media campaigns, or email marketing. Provide me with the URLs.
Prompt 4: I learn best through discussion and debate. Suggest 5 marketing forums or communities you recommend where I can engage in conversations, ask questions, and learn from experienced professionals. Provide me with the URLs.
Business
Prompt 1: I want to improve my business acumen at my own pace. Name 5 adaptive learning platforms or personalized e-learning courses , with URLs, that you'd recommend for developing core business skills like financial analysis, strategic planning, and leadership.
Prompt 2: I prefer bite-sized learning. Can you curate a personalized learning path for me with short articles, videos, and quizzes covering essential business concepts that I can complete in 10-15 minute increments?
Prompt 3: I learn by solving real problems. Can you generate some case studies or scenario-based exercises for me to practice applying business principles to real-world challenges?
Prompt 4: I find storytelling a powerful way to learn. What are some engaging business books, biographies, or documentaries you'd suggest to learn key lessons through the experiences of successful leaders and companies?
Creatives
Prompt 1: I'm a hands-on creative learner. What are some good personal project ideas to practice and develop my skills in areas like graphic design, creative writing, or video editing?
Prompt 2: I learn well through collaboration. Can you suggest some online creative communities or group projects where I can connect with other creatives, get feedback on my work, and learn new techniques?
Prompt 3: I'm inspired by examples. Can you share some award-winning creative portfolios, case studies, or behind-the-scenes breakdowns of great creative work in my field to learn from?
Prompt 4: I absorb information best through teaching others. What opportunities are there for me to mentor or tutor other creatives to reinforce my own knowledge and skills?
Make sure to reflect on your personal learning style and preferences, and then prompt the AI to suggest resources and strategies aligned with those.
Whether you prefer visual, auditory, interactive, or social learning, AI chatbots can point you to a wealth of personalized learning opportunities to develop your skills in marketing, business, and creative domains.
You can experiment with different prompts to curate a learning path tailored to your individual needs and goals.
#10. Encourage Lateral Thinking
A few years ago, I was working on a digital marketing campaign for a tech startup.
They had a solid product, but the traditional advertising strategies were barely moving the needle.
Frustrated, I decided to try something unconventional. I started reading about how major brands outside the Tech industry were approaching their marketing challenges.
One night, I stumbled upon an article about how a fashion brand used narrative storytelling to engage their audience.
Inspired, I decided to draw parallels between fashion marketing and our tech product.
We began crafting stories around our product's development, user experiences, and even our team’s journey. This narrative approach, coupled with some creative social media campaigns, transformed our engagement metrics almost overnight.
In hindsight, that was a very laboured way to solve the problem. We didn't have AI back then, so couldn't have done any better.
Today, it's way easier and let me show you how.
You'll learn how to encourage lateral thinking by prompting AI to approach problems from unconventional angles.
Ask it to draw parallels between seemingly unrelated concepts to spark creative insights and reframe problems as opportunities. This approach can lead to innovative solutions and breakthroughs in any field.
Here are some prompts to encourage lateral thinking:
- I'm stuck on a problem related to [topic]. Can you suggest some unconventional or counterintuitive approaches I may not have considered? Challenge my assumptions and help me see this issue from new perspectives.
- I'm working on [project] and want to spark some creative insights. Can you draw parallels between this project and a seemingly unrelated concept, like [random topic]? Explore any unexpected connections or lessons that could inspire innovative ideas.
- I'm facing a challenge with [situation]. Instead of focusing on the obstacles, can you help me reframe this problem as an opportunity? Identify potential silver linings, growth areas, or new directions this challenge could reveal.
- I need to come up with a creative solution for [problem]. Can you walk me through a thought experiment where we imagine a world in which the usual constraints or assumptions don't apply? Use this hypothetical scenario to help me break free of conventional thinking patterns.
- I'm brainstorming ideas for [goal]. Can you suggest some lateral thinking techniques, like provocation or random stimuli, to help me generate unconventional ideas? Guide me through applying one of these techniques to this specific brainstorming challenge.
- I'm evaluating options for [decision]. Can you play devil's advocate and argue for an option that seems least conventional or intuitive? Help me fully explore the potential merits of an approach I might otherwise dismiss.
- I'm developing [product/service]. Can you help me look at this from the perspective of a different industry or domain? Suggest how a [random industry] might approach this product/service in a unique way to spark cross-disciplinary inspiration.
Ensure that you use these prompts to encourage the AI to help you break free of habitual thinking patterns and approach problems in unconventional ways.
Embrace the unexpected connections and insights the AI offers, and use them as springboards for further ideation and problem-solving.
Stay open to exploring tangents and uncharted territories in your conversations with the AI. The more you practice this type of lateral thinking with the AI's help, the more naturally it will come to you in your own problem-solving process.
#11. Explore Ethical Dilemmas
Many years ago, I found myself at a crossroads while pitching for the digital marketing account of a well-known alcohol brand.
We had an opportunity to run an incredibly effective ad campaign that would almost certainly drive significant traffic and sales.
However, the strategy was sneaky. Alcohol could not be openly advertised. So we had to use proxy products to do it.
Two, there was also another concern. Should we, as an agency, be promoting products that are ethically harmful to customers.
Finally, the problem resolved itself as we didn't bag the account. We swore that we wouldn't do it again.
This section explores ethical dilemmas by presenting the AI with nuanced ethical situations relevant to marketing, business, creative, or any type of work.
By analyzing the AI's responses, you can understand different moral frameworks and sharpen your ethical reasoning.
This practice not only helps in making better decisions but also ensures that your actions align with both personal and professional integrity.
Here are some prompts to explore ethical dilemmas.
Marketing
You work for a pharmaceutical company that has developed a new drug to treat a rare but serious disease. The drug is expensive to produce, and the company wants to set a high price to recoup its investment. However, this would make the drug unaffordable for many patients who need it. What is the most ethical way to price the drug?
Business
Your company has an opportunity to expand into a developing country with lax environmental regulations. Moving production there would significantly reduce costs, but it would also contribute to pollution and potentially harm local communities. As a business leader, how would you approach this decision?
Creative Dilemma
You are a graphic designer working on an ad campaign for a client. The client insists on using manipulated images that greatly exaggerate the product's benefits. You feel this is misleading to consumers. How do you balance your ethical obligations with the client's demands?
After the AI provides its response, analyze it through different types of ethical lenses. Use the AI chatbot itself to answer these questions:
- What moral principles or values have you prioritized in your response?
- Have you considered the rights and well-being of all stakeholders?
- Is your approach more aligned with utilitarianism (greatest good for greatest number), deontology (duty and rules), or virtue ethics (moral character)?
- What are the strengths and limitations of your proposed solution?
- How would you modify or improve your approach based on a different ethical reasoning?
By engaging in this type of ethical analysis with AI chatbots, you can gain insights into different moral frameworks, identify your own ethical priorities, and sharpen your skills in navigating complex dilemmas.
The key is to think critically about the AI's responses and use them as a starting point for deeper reflection on what it means to make ethical decisions in professional contexts.
#12. Conduct Thought Experiments
Pose hypothetical "what if" scenarios to the AI chatbot to envision future possibilities and challenges. Have the AI walk through the imagined implications and ripple effects of key decisions.
Here are some prompts you can use to conduct thought experiments and explore the potential implications and ripple effects of key decisions.
Marketing
Prompt 1: Imagine our company decides to drastically change our target market from [current target] to [new target]. Walk through the potential implications of this shift on our product offerings, messaging, distribution channels, and competitive landscape. What challenges and opportunities might arise?
Prompt 2: What if we decide to eliminate our least profitable product line to focus on our bestsellers? Consider the ripple effects on our brand perception, customer loyalty, revenue streams, and organizational resources. How might this decision impact us in the short-term and long-term?
Business
Prompt 1: Suppose we decide to expand into a new international market. Walk through the potential implications on our supply chain, human resources, legal considerations, and financial investments. What risks and rewards should we consider?
Prompt 2: What if we adopt a fully remote work model permanently? Imagine the ripple effects on our company culture, talent acquisition, technology infrastructure, and office space needs. How might this decision shape our future growth and competitiveness?
Creative Work
Prompt 1: Imagine we decide to pivot our creative direction from [current style] to [new style]. Explore the potential implications on our brand identity, target audience, creative team skills, and industry positioning. What creative opportunities and challenges might emerge?
Prompt 2: What if we choose to collaborate with [controversial figure/brand] on our next major project? Consider the ripple effects on our reputation, customer perceptions, media attention, and internal team dynamics. How might this decision impact our creative integrity and future opportunities?
Ensure that you use these prompts to encourage the AI to think through the cascading effects of a decision, considering multiple perspectives and timeframes.
Engage in back-and-forth discussion to probe deeper into the AI's insights and reasoning. These thought experiments can help you anticipate potential consequences, identify blindspots, and make more informed decisions.
Have fun exploring the "what ifs" with your AI chatbot!
#13. Practice Empathy
When I first started exploring how to use AI chatbots to enhance my work as a consultant, I was struck by its potential to help practice empathy.
A few months ago, I ran into a problem on one project. I used this empathy technique to solve the issue. Here's how.
In one of our client projects, we had tensions running high between stakeholders with competing needs.
Frustrated and on a whim, I asked my AI assistant to analyze the situation from each stakeholder's perspective.
The chatbot's nuanced insights into each party's motivations and challenges gave me a whole new appreciation for their viewpoints.
That experience opened my eyes to how AI can be a powerful tool for building empathy - both in consulting and in life.
I finally made a pitch that had all of them agree to my point of view because each of them came out a winner in the end.
By prompting chatbots to examine issues from diverse perspectives and brainstorm win-win solutions, we can hone our ability to understand others and make more inclusive decisions.
The prompts that follow will show you how to tap into this potential of AI to cultivate empathy in your professional practice.ShareRewrite
- Ask the AI to examine issues from the perspective of various stakeholders - customers, employees, partners, communities
- Use the AI to brainstorm ways to create win-win solutions that balance competing needs
Customer Empathy
Prompt 1: Imagine you are a customer who has had a frustrating experience with our product/service. Describe that experience and how it made you feel. What could we do to turn that experience around and win back your loyalty?
Prompt 2: As a customer, what are the top 3 things you value most in your relationship with our brand? How well do you feel we deliver on those values currently? What could we do better?
Employee Empathy
Prompt 1: Put yourself in the shoes of a frontline employee dealing with angry customers. What challenges do you face in those interactions? What support or resources would help you handle those situations better?
Prompt 2: As a new employee joining our company, what would make you feel welcomed and set up for success in your role? What kind of onboarding, training or mentorship would be most valuable?
Partner/Supplier Empathy
Prompt 1: Imagine you are a long-time supplier to our business. What do you value most in our partnership? Where do you feel we could collaborate more effectively or align our goals better?
Prompt 2: As a potential partner evaluating our company, what would you look for in terms of shared values, communication, and mutual benefit? What concerns might you have about partnering with us?
Community Empathy
Prompt 1: Put yourself in the shoes of a local community member. How do you perceive our company's impact on the community - both positive and negative? What community initiatives or support would you like to see from us?
Prompt 2: As a nonprofit organization in our local community, what kind of partnership or support from our company would be most impactful for your cause? How could we use our resources to make a meaningful difference?
Win-Win Solutions
Prompt 1: We are considering a change to our return policy that would be more cost-effective for the business but less convenient for customers. Brainstorm ways to find a middle ground that balances business needs with customer satisfaction.
Prompt 2: Our company wants to implement more environmentally sustainable practices, but some of these changes could increase costs. Generate ideas for how we could offset those costs or find efficiencies to make it a win for both the planet and our bottom line.
You can use these prompts to step outside your own perspective and truly empathize with the needs, challenges and motivations of different stakeholders.
Encourage the AI to dig deep into the human element and emotional landscape, not just surface-level concerns.
The insights you gain can help guide decisions that create value for all.
#14. Practice Mindfullness
As a marketing consultant, I've seen firsthand how the fast-paced, high-pressure nature of the industry can take a toll on mental well-being.
I remember one particularly challenging project where tight deadlines and client demands had my team on the brink of burnout.
That's when I discovered the power of mindfulness practices to manage stress and maintain focus.
By integrating simple techniques into our workday, we were able to approach the project with renewed clarity and resilience.
Since then, I've made it a priority to share these tools with other professionals looking to optimize their mental performance.
You can use these prompts to explore mindfulness and mental health strategies with AI chatbots:
Marketing
Prompt 1: I'm leading a marketing campaign with a tight deadline and high stakes. What mindfulness techniques can I practice daily to manage stress and maintain peak performance during this high-pressure period?
Prompt 2: My marketing team is feeling overwhelmed and unfocused. Suggest some simple mindfulness exercises we can incorporate into our workday to promote relaxation and improve concentration.
Business
Prompt 1: I have an important business decision to make, but my mind feels clouded by stress and competing priorities. What mindfulness practice could help me gain greater clarity and approach this decision with a calm, focused mindset?
Prompt 2: As a business leader, I want to cultivate a more mindful decision-making process. Describe a step-by-step approach for integrating mindfulness into my daily routine to enhance my ability to make thoughtful, intentional choices.
Creatives
Prompt 1: I'm working on a creative project but struggling with mental blocks and distractions. What focus exercises can I use to quiet my mind, tap into my creativity, and boost my productive output?
Prompt 2: I want to establish a regular mindfulness practice to support my creative work. Recommend a simple daily routine combining meditation, breathwork, and other techniques to sharpen my focus and manage stress.
The key is to approach mindfulness not as a one-time fix, but as an ongoing practice that you integrate into your professional life.
Experiment with different techniques to find what resonates with you, whether it's deep breathing, body scans, visualization, or mindful movement.
The AI can offer guidance and variety, but the real benefits come from your consistent implementation.
Even a few minutes of mindfulness each day can have a profound impact on your stress levels, cognitive performance, and overall well-being.
By prioritizing these practices, you cultivate the mental resilience and agility needed to thrive in today's fast-paced work environment.
Mindfulness is a powerful tool for optimizing both personal and professional potential.
#15. Curiousity Driven Learning
Each time I get a new project, or often a new campaign for an existing client, I end up diving down rabbit-holes. The conventional approach is to get a brief from the client for projects.
But what if the client is really busy? Could you dig up the information yourself?
On most occasions, you could. After all, there was Google and competitors with similar products and services.
I needed to understand the product. And quite often these would be some new fangled concept such Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification [CMMC]. I had to start from scratch.
There was an issue with doing this research before AI came along.
It used to take me days figuring these concepts out. You had to read, reflect, understand the pains and problems that current customer had with these concepts and piece together the persuasion for the client. It was a painful exercise.
That experience taught me the power of following my curiosity and embracing the unexpected insights it can reveal.
Since then, I've made curiosity-driven learning a core part of my professional growth strategy, and I believe it's a habit anyone can cultivate with the help of AI chatbots today.
You can use these prompts to embark on curiosity-driven learning quests with your AI chatbot:
Marketing
Prompt 1: I want to explore unconventional marketing techniques that have delivered surprising results. What are some of the most unusual or obscure marketing case studies you can share with me?
Prompt 2: I'm curious about the psychology behind viral marketing campaigns. Can you explain some of the key psychological principles at play and how they've been leveraged in successful campaigns?
Business
Prompt 1: I'm interested in learning about niche areas of business innovation that are often overlooked. What are some of the most fascinating examples of innovation happening in narrow industry verticals or specific business functions?
Prompt 2: I want to understand how businesses in traditional industries are using cutting-edge technologies to transform their operations. Can you share some case studies of companies successfully implementing AI, blockchain, or other emerging tech in unexpected ways?
Creatives
Prompt 1: I'm curious about the world of avant-garde art and how it pushes the boundaries of creative expression. Can you give me a crash course on key avant-garde movements, artists, and works across different mediums?
Prompt 2: I want to explore the intersection of design and emerging technologies. What are some of the most innovative ways designers are using AR, VR, 3D printing, or other cutting-edge tools to create groundbreaking work?
The key is to let your natural curiosity guide you and to embrace the unexpected tangents and insights that emerge. Use the AI chatbot as a knowledgeable partner in your curiosity-driven explorations, asking follow-up questions and digging deeper into the topics that pique your interest.
Remember, the goal isn't just to accumulate random trivia, but to expand your thinking, challenge your assumptions, and spark new ideas that you can apply in your work.
By cultivating a habit of curiosity-driven learning with the help of AI, you'll be better equipped to innovate, problem-solve, and stay ahead of the curve in an ever-changing business landscape.
#16. Curate Content & Resources
Before AI, I used to collect a lot of information - tools, techniques, trends, new ideas...
I used to file these into Notebooks - Obsidian, Remnote, Apple Notes, Google Docs. I still have these with me and quite often I find myself searching on all of them for something.
I needed to do this for training folks on Content and Digital Marketing which I used to do regularly. I used this technique to also keep myself updated with.
Needless to day, there was an overwhelming amount of content out there and it was always a challenge to cut through the noise and get to what you wanted.
Today, all that has changed. AI chatbots have become an indispensable tool for me. By prompting them to curate top-tier resources tailored to my needs, I can quickly access the most relevant and impactful content.
It's like having a personal research assistant to keep me at the top of my field.
You can use these prompts to access resources at will today. And why store it when you can turn them on demand.
Marketing
Prompt 1: What are the top 10 must-read content marketing books that every marketer should have on their shelf?
Provide a brief summary of why each book is essential reading.
You can do a deep dive on one of the titles next.
Prompt 1a: Summarize the key insights of this book [Name of the book]
Prompt 2: Curate a list of the most impactful marketing articles published in the last year. Include a mix of thought leadership pieces, case studies, and practical how-to guides.
Business
Prompt 1: Recommend the best online tutorials and courses for developing a solid foundation in business strategy. Suggest resources for various learning styles, like video series, interactive exercises, and in-depth guides.
Prompt 2: Compile a list of the most influential business thinkers and their key concepts. Provide links to their seminal works, whether books, articles, or recorded talks.
Creatives
Prompt 1: Curate a collection of the most visually stunning and innovative websites for design inspiration. Include examples from a range of industries and design styles.
Prompt 2: Suggest top tutorials and resources for learning key creative skills like graphic design, UX/UI, photography, and video editing. Prioritize hands-on, project-based learning materials.
We can leverage AI's vast knowledge base to surface the most valuable resources, so that you don't have to spend hours scouring the web yourself.
Engage in a back-and-forth dialogue to refine the recommendations based on your specific goals and interests.
With a curated stream of top-tier content at your fingertips, you can accelerate your learning, stay current with industry trends, and find inspiration for your next breakthrough idea.
So go ahead and prompt your AI chatbot to be your content concierge - your professional growth will thank you!
Foster a Growth Mindset
Over the years, I've seen firsthand how easy it is to get stuck in a fixed mindset, especially when facing tight deadlines and when you are working on high-pressure projects.
Today, you can use the AI chatbot to get a fresh perspective on proposals, and pitches.
The trick is to frame your interactions as a learning opportunity, and ask for candid feedback and suggestions for improvement from the chatbot.
The AI's insights will help you refine your approach and give better proposals.
You can use these prompts to foster a growth mindset in your interactions with AI chatbots.
Marketing
Prompt 1: I'm developing a content strategy for [target audience] and would love your feedback. Here's my initial outline: [paste outline]. What are the strengths and weaknesses of this approach? How could I make it more engaging and effective?
Prompt 2: I'm considering [marketing tactic] to reach [goal]. Based on your analysis of industry best practices and trends, what potential pitfalls should I be aware of? What could I do differently to increase my chances of success?
Business
Prompt 1: I'm working on a business plan for [venture]. Here's a summary of my key assumptions and strategies: [paste summary].
Poke holes in my thinking. Where do you see flaws or blind spots? What questions should I be asking to stress-test this plan?
Prompt 2: I'm preparing for a crucial negotiation with [stakeholder]. Role-play the other party and challenge my arguments.
Help me anticipate objections and refine my persuasion tactics.
Creative Fields
Prompt 1: I'm exploring a new [creative technique/style] in my work. Analyze my latest [project/portfolio] and provide candid feedback.
Where do you see room for growth or experimentation? What skills should I focus on developing?
Prompt 2: I'm facing creative block on [project]. Here's where I'm stuck: [describe challenge]. Help me brainstorm new approaches or reframe the problem.
What inspiration or resources would you recommend to get the creative juices flowing?
Remember, the key is to approach these interactions with openness and curiosity.
Embrace the AI's feedback, even (and especially) when it pushes you out of your comfort zone.
By framing AI as a tool for continuous learning and growth, you'll not only improve your skills but also cultivate the resilience and adaptability needed to thrive in today's fast-paced business landscape.
So go ahead, put your ego aside and let the AI help you level up. Your future self will thank you!
Final Thoughts
Use these techniques to transform your learning experience. Tailor them to fit your style and see significant improvement in your knowledge and skills. ChatGPT can be a game-changer in your professional development journey.
Ready to rock your learning? Dive in and level up.
- Leverage Multimedia
- Have the AI analyze or generate content in different formats - images, audio, video
- Explore how multimedia can be used to communicate complex ideas or evoke specific emotions
- Extend the Analogies
- Take the analogies the AI generates and build upon them, pushing the comparisons to spark further insights
- Combine multiple analogies to create richer mental models
- Reflect and Synthesize
- Prompt the AI to help you distill key takeaways and lessons from your conversations
- Ask the AI to suggest ways to apply newly gained knowledge and ideas to real-world situations