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Prompting guide 101

A quick-start handbook for effective prompts

Executives

As an executive, your time is incredibly constrained. Every decision you make can impact growth, innovation, and the trajectory of your business. Understanding your market and making informed, strategic decisions is paramount, and so is getting urgent tasks done while you’re on the go.

This section provides you with simple ways to integrate prompts in your daily tasks.

Getting started

First, review the general prompt-writing tips in the “How to write effective prompts” section.

Each prompt below is presented with an accompanying scenario to serve as inspiration for how you can collaborate with Gemini for Google Workspace. The prompt iteration example shows how you could write follow-up prompts to build on the initial generated response.

Prompt iteration example
Use case:
Communicate on the go

You are an executive about to board a long flight, and you just received an invitation for the next board meeting with an agenda. You have a couple of comments, and you want to propose adding a few topics to the agenda. You open Gmail, and you prompt Gemini in Gmail. You type:

  • Legend
  • Task
  • Context
Draft an email
confirming that I will be at the board meeting.
Ask if we can adjust the agenda to give 15 minutes to [urgent topics].
Draft an email
confirming that I will be at the board meeting.
Ask if we can adjust the agenda to give 15 minutes to [urgent topics].
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Gemini in Gmail
Gemini in Gmail drafts an email for an executive.

The email looks good, but you want to make sure the tone is as formal as possible. You select Refine and Formalize.

The executive prompts Gemini in Gmail to refine and formalize the tone of the email.
Gemini in Gmail refines and formalizes the tone of the email.

You read the email and select Insert. Before sending it, you make a light edit to thank the team for keeping you on track while traveling.

Example use cases

Chief executive officer
Use case:
Enhance personal productivity and time management

You have important email threads that have numerous responses. You need to quickly catch up. You open the message in Gmail and read the automatically generated summary from Gemini in the Gmail side panel. To respond, you prompt Gemini in the Gmail side panel and tag relevant files by typing @file name. You type:

Generate a response to [person] about [topic]. Include details on [deliverable] and [timeline] using @[Project A Status Report].
Generate a response to [person] about [topic]. Include details on [deliverable] and [timeline] using @[Project A Status Report].
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Gemini in Gmail
Use case:
Create outlines of presentations in seconds

Your team will pull together a presentation for you, and you want to provide an outline to get them started. You want to generate an outline using the Gemini app. You select the microphone icon and use your voice to prompt. You say:

I’m the CEO giving a presentation to [audience] at [event], and I want to create a detailed outline for my team to get started. I want to include a few important topics, including [areas of focus] and how our company is innovating with [company initiatives]. I’m envisioning time for a customer Q&A to end the presentation. Include suggested questions we could ask of a customer from the [industry] industry about how they are using our [product] to achieve [business outcome].
I’m the CEO giving a presentation to [audience] at [event], and I want to create a detailed outline for my team to get started. I want to include a few important topics, including [areas of focus] and how our company is innovating with [company initiatives]. I’m envisioning time for a customer Q&A to end the presentation. Include suggested questions we could ask of a customer from the [industry] industry about how they are using our [product] to achieve [business outcome].
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Gemini app
Chief operating officer
Use case:
Prepare challenging employee communications

You’re hosting a quarterly town hall meeting with the entire company. You want to write uplifting remarks to open the meeting. You open a new Doc and prompt Gemini in the Docs side panel. You type:

Write two uplifting paragraphs for employees who have just finished a challenging quarter. Acknowledge [difficulties] and emphasize [positives] for the upcoming quarter. Use a tone that is motivating, optimistic, and fosters a sense of unity and collaboration.
Write two uplifting paragraphs for employees who have just finished a challenging quarter. Acknowledge [difficulties] and emphasize [positives] for the upcoming quarter. Use a tone that is motivating, optimistic, and fosters a sense of unity and collaboration.
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Gemini in Docs

You want to brainstorm and practice how you will respond empathetically to potentially tough questions. You go to the Gemini app and type:

I’m the COO of a mid-sized company. I am hosting a quarterly town hall meeting with the entire company. I want to brainstorm and practice how I will respond to potentially tough questions. Help me write challenging questions that employees may ask at the upcoming town hall about [URL of company announcement]. Generate potential answers for each question that use a confident but firm tone. The responses should acknowledge the concern and let the employees know that we are striving to do our best for the entire company.
I’m the COO of a mid-sized company. I am hosting a quarterly town hall meeting with the entire company. I want to brainstorm and practice how I will respond to potentially tough questions. Help me write challenging questions that employees may ask at the upcoming town hall about [URL of company announcement]. Generate potential answers for each question that use a confident but firm tone. The responses should acknowledge the concern and let the employees know that we are striving to do our best for the entire company.
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Gemini app
Use case:
Streamline responses on the go

Your plans have changed, and you can’t attend a meeting. You need to provide the team with answers on a few key items. You open Gmail and use a voice command to prompt Gemini in Gmail. You say:

Draft an email to [project lead] letting them know I will not be in the meeting due to an urgent matter. Ask them to take detailed notes and to ensure the team arrives at a decision on [key topic] in addition to assigning ownership of the postmortem report to [colleague].
Draft an email to [project lead] letting them know I will not be in the meeting due to an urgent matter. Ask them to take detailed notes and to ensure the team arrives at a decision on [key topic] in addition to assigning ownership of the postmortem report to [colleague].
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Gemini in Gmail
Chief marketing officer
Use case:
Perform market research and campaign planning

You’re starting annual planning. You want to conduct research on your target audience. You chat with the Gemini app. You type:

I’m a marketing leader conducting analysis in preparation for next year’s [launch]. Define my target audiences [audiences], for my new line of [product]. Include interests, relevant marketing channels, and top trends that drive their consideration and purchase behavior.
I’m a marketing leader conducting analysis in preparation for next year’s [launch]. Define my target audiences [audiences], for my new line of [product]. Include interests, relevant marketing channels, and top trends that drive their consideration and purchase behavior.
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Gemini app

Next, you export your findings to a Doc by selecting Share & export and Export to Docs. Now, you want to pull in relevant data from your own files by typing @file name. You prompt Gemini in the Docs side panel. You type:

Brainstorm value props for my [target audiences] based on features from @[Product Requirements Document]. Include a section on campaign learnings from @[Campaign Performance].
Brainstorm value props for my [target audiences] based on features from @[Product Requirements Document]. Include a section on campaign learnings from @[Campaign Performance].
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Gemini in Docs
Use case:
Brainstorm content and thought leadership

You finished a meeting with your social media team leads. You took notes in a Doc about what resonates with your audience, trending topics, target audience data, and keywords that are effective in driving engagement with your brand. You want to brainstorm potential thought leadership pieces using these insights. You prompt Gemini in the Docs side panel. You type:

Generate a list of four relevant and engaging thought leadership blog post ideas for [company] based on trending topics, target audience analysis, and brand keywords.
Generate a list of four relevant and engaging thought leadership blog post ideas for [company] based on trending topics, target audience analysis, and brand keywords.
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Gemini in Docs

During the same conversation, the team discussed launching a new brand campaign. You know that your customers value your reliable and unique services, and your company has a long history of delivering for customers. You need help getting started with ideas on a new campaign tagline. You open a new Google Doc and select Help me write. You type:

Generate three options for a new slogan emphasizing reliability, innovation, and a long history of popularity for [company].
Generate three options for a new slogan emphasizing reliability, innovation, and a long history of popularity for [company].
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Gemini in Docs

The slogans help you get started with the creative process. You have upcoming events that could be the perfect place to test elements of a new campaign. You want to mock up ideas for booth graphics for your events team. You open a new presentation in Google Slides and select Create image with Gemini. You type:

Create an image of a trade show booth using orange and blue colors. The booth should be modern and showcase interactive computer stations.
Create an image of a trade show booth using orange and blue colors. The booth should be modern and showcase interactive computer stations.
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Gemini in Slides
Use case:
Conduct competitive analysis

Your team is considering expanding into a new line of business. To research, you go to the Gemini app, and you type:

I am a CMO conducting a competitive analysis. My company is considering expanding into [a new line of business]. Generate a list of the top five competitors in the [industry] industry and include their pricing, strengths, weaknesses, and target audience.
I am a CMO conducting a competitive analysis. My company is considering expanding into [a new line of business]. Generate a list of the top five competitors in the [industry] industry and include their pricing, strengths, weaknesses, and target audience.
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Gemini app

After going deeper in your research, you decide to create a five-year strategy to see what this could look like for the company. You type:

Okay, I am going to try to convince my CEO that we should expand into [line of business]. Draft a concise, competitive strategy outline for the next five years for the [industry] industry across North America markets with potential goals, strategies, and tactics.
Okay, I am going to try to convince my CEO that we should expand into [line of business]. Draft a concise, competitive strategy outline for the next five years for the [industry] industry across North America markets with potential goals, strategies, and tactics.
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Gemini app

After iterating to generate an appropriate outline, you fill in additional details and thoughts to make the document your own.

Chief technology officer
Use case:
Summarize emerging technology trends

You need to catch up on emerging technology trends as the landscape is shifting quickly. You open the Gemini app, and you type:

I am the CTO of [company] in [industry]. I want to understand emerging technology trends. Summarize the top five emerging technologies with the most significant potential impact on [industry]. For each technology, list its potential benefits and challenges, and suggest how it could impact [company] in the next two to three years.
I am the CTO of [company] in [industry]. I want to understand emerging technology trends. Summarize the top five emerging technologies with the most significant potential impact on [industry]. For each technology, list its potential benefits and challenges, and suggest how it could impact [company] in the next two to three years.
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Gemini app

You want to dig deeper on specific topics, so you continue the conversation by typing:

Recommend three areas where [my company] can take proactive steps to stay ahead of the curve on [specific areas].
Recommend three areas where [my company] can take proactive steps to stay ahead of the curve on [specific areas].
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Gemini app
Chief information officer
Use case:
Communicate technical topics to non-technical audiences

You’re making the case to digitally transform your company by adopting generative AI solutions. You need to present to the CEO and other leadership. You want help in communicating technical topics to non-technical audiences. You chat with the Gemini app. You type:

I am the CIO at [company], and I am trying to build the case to [adopt generative AI solutions]. I need to explain the technical concept of generative AI to a non-technical audience (the CEO and board). Help me write talking points that will help me convey what generative AI is, ways it could help us digitally transform, and why it’s important to our growth as a company. Include details about how it could potentially re-focus our technical talent on more strategic work, help enhance our workforce’s productivity, and help us better serve our global workforce and customers.
I am the CIO at [company], and I am trying to build the case to [adopt generative AI solutions]. I need to explain the technical concept of generative AI to a non-technical audience (the CEO and board). Help me write talking points that will help me convey what generative AI is, ways it could help us digitally transform, and why it’s important to our growth as a company. Include details about how it could potentially re-focus our technical talent on more strategic work, help enhance our workforce’s productivity, and help us better serve our global workforce and customers.
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Gemini app

Gemini provides suggested ways to discuss the topic. You continue your brainstorm and then export your conversation by clicking Share & export and Export to Docs. Then, to build a presentation, you open a new Google Slide and prompt Gemini in the Slides side panel and tag relevant files by typing @file name. You type:

I need to build a presentation to explain a technical topic to a non-technical audience. Generate an [introduction slide] that [describes what generative AI is] using @[Gen AI Explanation Notes].
I need to build a presentation to explain a technical topic to a non-technical audience. Generate an [introduction slide] that [describes what generative AI is] using @[Gen AI Explanation Notes].
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Gemini in Slides

You continue to use the same prompt, adjusting the topic to generate more slides for your presentation based on your notes.

Use case:
Research vendor products, services, and features

You’re working on a report to make a vendor recommendation. You visit the Gemini app and type:

I am the CIO at [company]. We are currently evaluating vendor options to [replatform our intranet]. Right now, we use [vendor], but we are looking to switch because [we are unhappy with limited functionality and account support]. Suggest additional vendor options to consider and include descriptions of their product and services and key features.
I am the CIO at [company]. We are currently evaluating vendor options to [replatform our intranet]. Right now, we use [vendor], but we are looking to switch because [we are unhappy with limited functionality and account support]. Suggest additional vendor options to consider and include descriptions of their product and services and key features.
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Gemini app
Use case:
Develop technical summaries

Your team just provided a lengthy technical report. You need to summarize it for your CEO. You open the Google Doc with the full report, and you prompt Gemini in the Docs side panel. You type:

Summarize the key findings and implications of this report for [audience]. Focus on the main [vulnerabilities] identified and the recommended actions to address them. Use a formal tone.
Summarize the key findings and implications of this report for [audience]. Focus on the main [vulnerabilities] identified and the recommended actions to address them. Use a formal tone.
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Gemini in Docs

You make light edits to the summary and include it as an executive summary.

Use case:
Track IT assets

Your company needs a quick way to track software access for new hires. You open a new Google Sheet and prompt Gemini in the Sheets side panel. You type:

Create a tracker of software licenses for employees and include columns for license types, usage rights, and renewal dates.
Create a tracker of software licenses for employees and include columns for license types, usage rights, and renewal dates.
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Gemini in Sheets
Chief human resources officer
Use case:
Demonstrate employee appreciation

You want to set up a new program to help everyone feel included, appreciated, and acknowledged across the organization. To brainstorm, you open a new Google Doc and prompt Gemini in the Docs side panel. You type:

Brainstorm 10 employee appreciation ideas based on diverse employee interests such as cooking, gardening, sports, reading, and traveling.
Brainstorm 10 employee appreciation ideas based on diverse employee interests such as cooking, gardening, sports, reading, and traveling.
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Gemini in Docs

Gemini in Docs kick-starts your creativity, and now you have ideas for employee interest clubs and events. You also want to ensure your leadership team is regularly encouraging managers to recognize talent on their teams, so you create email templates they can use as inspiration. You prompt Gemini in Docs by selecting Help me write, and you type:

Draft an email template that thanks [employee] for their hard work and [recent accomplishments]. Offer them an extra perk for their dedication, such as [a coffee gift card]. Use an upbeat and professional tone.
Draft an email template that thanks [employee] for their hard work and [recent accomplishments]. Offer them an extra perk for their dedication, such as [a coffee gift card]. Use an upbeat and professional tone.
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Gemini in Docs
Use case:
Assess employee satisfaction

You want to draft an anonymous survey that allows people to openly and honestly assess how they are feeling. To draft questions, you open a new Google Doc and prompt Gemini in the Docs side panel. You type: 

Draft an anonymous employee satisfaction survey with questions and answer options that touch upon key areas like workload, work-life balance, compensation, and career growth opportunities. Ensure the questions are clear, concise, and avoid leading answers.
Draft an anonymous employee satisfaction survey with questions and answer options that touch upon key areas like workload, work-life balance, compensation, and career growth opportunities. Ensure the questions are clear, concise, and avoid leading answers.
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Gemini in Docs

You received feedback from 15 senior leaders, and you’ve gathered all of the anonymous results in a Doc. You want to create a summary that you can use in your next call. You prompt Gemini in the Docs side panel. You type:

Summarize the results of the employee feedback to identify key themes.
Summarize the results of the employee feedback to identify key themes.
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Gemini in Docs

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