Mastering AI Prompting: A practical guide for business owners
Imagine having a digital assistant that can write your emails, analyse your sales data, create presentations, and even help you plan your next campaign, all in seconds. That’s the power of AI tools like Microsoft Copilot. But here’s the twist: they’re only as smart as the instructions you give them.
Just like briefing a new team member, the clearer your instructions, the better the results. For business owners, learning how to prompt AI effectively isn’t just a tech skill, it’s a strategic advantage. It’s also essential to understand secure AI means before fully embedding it into your business operations.
Why Prompting Matters
Prompting is the art of giving AI clear, structured instructions so it understands exactly what you want. Whether you’re writing a customer email, summarising a report, or brainstorming ideas for your next campaign, the way you phrase your request determines the quality of the AI’s response.
A vague prompt like “Tell me about marketing” might give you a generic answer. A well-crafted prompt such as “Write a 200-word email announcing our new xyz service for small businesses in Scotland” will deliver something far more useful.
The Anatomy of a Great Prompt
Microsoft’s Learn How to Master AI Prompting and Fine-Tuning Your Copilot Prompts offer practical advice for writing better prompts. Here are the key ingredients:
Goal
Start with a clear objective.
“Summarise customer feedback from Q3 to identify recurring complaints.”
Context
Provide background information.
“We launched a new product in July aimed at SMEs in the finance sector.”
Format
Specify how you want the output.
“Use bullet points and keep the tone professional.”
Audience
Mention who the content is for.
“This is for a LinkedIn post targeting business owners in Edinburgh.”
Constraints
Include any limits or preferences.
“Keep it under 150 words and avoid jargon.”
Examples of Effective Prompts
Here are real-world examples tailored for business owners across different functions:
Finance & Planning
“Explain the impact of rising interest rates on our cash flow in plain English.”
“Summarise our monthly expenses and highlight any unusual spikes.”
“Create a budget forecast for Q4 based on last year’s performance.”
Operations & HR
“Create a checklist for onboarding new employees in our new office.”
“Write a policy summary for our new flexible working arrangements.”
“Draft a job description for a part-time marketing assistant.”
Tips for Fine-Tuning Your Prompts
Add more detail: Specifics help AI tailor its response.
Use lists: Include examples, ingredients, or constraints.
Keep the conversation going: Don’t be afraid to ask follow-up questions or refine your prompt based on the AI’s initial response.
Lugo’s Microsoft Copilot User Group
To help you get the most out of AI, Lugo has launched a dedicated Microsoft 365 Copilot User Group. This initiative is designed to foster collaboration, experimentation, and shared learning around AI prompting.
What to Expect:
Promptathons: Fun, fast-paced sessions where participants compete to craft the most effective prompts for real-world business scenarios.
Training Days for Microsoft Copilot Users: These sessions will offer deep dives into advanced prompting techniques, real-world applications, and hands-on support for business owners and team leads looking to scale their AI usage.
Best Practice Sharing: Learn from professionals in your industry about what works and what doesn’t, when prompting Copilot.
Live Demos & Clinics: See Copilot in action and get hands-on help refining your own prompts.
Use Case Spotlights: Discover how different organisations are using AI to streamline workflows, improve communication, and drive growth.
Whether you’re just starting out or already using Copilot daily, the user group is a great way to sharpen your skills and stay ahead of the curve. Interested in joining the user group? Don’t hesitate to get in touch with Shannon to get involved or to learn more.
→ Sign up now
Building Skills for the AI Economy
As AI becomes more embedded in day-to-day business operations, the need for structured skills development is growing rapidly. Two key resources offer valuable guidance for business owners and teams looking to upskill:
The Data Lab’s AI Skills Framework
Scotland’s Data & AI Skills Framework provides a practical roadmap for individuals and organisations to build AI capabilities. It outlines four key personas; AI Citizen, AI Worker, AI Professional, and AI Leader; and maps out the competencies needed at each level, from foundational literacy to strategic leadership.
Whether you’re just starting out or leading digital transformation, this framework helps you:
- Identify skill gaps
- Plan targeted training
- Align AI adoption with business goals
It’s especially useful for SMEs and regional teams looking to future-proof their workforce in a fast-evolving digital economy.
PwC UK’s AI Economic Impact Report
According to PwC’s AI UK Report, AI could boost UK GDP by up to 10.3% by 2030, equating to an additional £232 billion. The report highlights:
Productivity gains across all UK regions
- Wage premiums for roles requiring AI skills (up to 27% for lawyers and 58% for database administrators)
- The importance of augmented intelligence, AI that helps humans make better decisions, not just automate tasks
This reinforces the case for investing in AI literacy and prompting skills, not just for tech teams but across all business functions.
Takeaway
Mastering AI prompting is more than a technical skill; it’s a strategic advantage that empowers business owners and teams to unlock productivity, creativity, and growth across every function, from marketing and sales to operations and finance. By crafting clear, structured prompts and leveraging practical frameworks like Microsoft’s Copilot guidance and Scotland’s Data & AI Skills Framework, you can ensure your instructions deliver valuable, tailored results. Real-world examples and initiatives such as Lugo’s Microsoft Copilot User Group demonstrate how collaborative learning, promptathons, and hands-on training help teams experiment and refine their skills, while economic research shows that investing in AI literacy leads to measurable business impact. Continuous improvement and sharing best practices are key to staying ahead in the fast-evolving AI economy. Ready to take your AI skills further? Join the Lugo Microsoft Copilot User Group for training, support, and community.
