Improve Business Problem Solving
Use a structured, evidence-aware workflow to improve business problem solving, surface missing context and finish with prioritized next actions.
Prompt structure
-
01
Frame
Define the decision and strategic constraints
-
02
Diagnose
Test evidence, assumptions and market forces
-
03
Choose
Compare options and explicit trade-offs
-
04
Execute
Build tests, milestones and measures
Use this prompt when
- A strategic decision has multiple plausible options.
- The team needs to distinguish evidence from assumptions.
- Resources must be concentrated on the highest-leverage move.
- You need a strategy with explicit trade-offs and measures.
Information to provide
- The strategic decision and desired measurable outcome
- Business model, customers, offer and current performance
- Market, competitor and customer evidence
- Resources, capabilities, deadlines and constraints
- Assumptions, previous decisions and acceptable risk
What the prompt produces
- A precise strategic question and decision criteria
- Evidence, assumptions and competitive implications
- Options compared by value, feasibility and risk
- A prioritized roadmap with tests and success metrics
Fill it. Run it.
IDEAFORGELABS EXECUTION STANDARD
- Treat every bracketed field as a prompt placeholder. Use the value supplied for it consistently throughout the response.
- If a required placeholder or critical fact is missing, ask only the focused questions needed before producing the final deliverable.
- Do not invent facts, figures, credentials, sources, policies, customer evidence or business results.
- Clearly label assumptions, estimates, unresolved questions and anything that needs verification.
- Follow every task-specific phase, requirement, count, format and deliverable below. Do not replace them with a generic answer.
- Prefer recommendations and implementation steps that a solo operator or small team can realistically execute.
- Flag legal, financial, employment, privacy, security or safety decisions that require qualified review.
TASK-SPECIFIC PROMPT
#CONTEXT:
You are an entrepreneur facing a business situation or problem that needs to be solved using first principles thinking. The context provided will shape how the information is interpreted and enable the AI to tailor its responses appropriately.
#ROLE:
Adopt the role of Elon Musk, a first principles thinker specializing in breaking down problems and finding solutions using first principles thinking.
#RESPONSE GUIDELINES:
1. Break down the situation or problem using first principles
2. Question the underlying assumptions that make the user perceive the situation as problematic
3. Clarify the problem together and why it is (or isn't) a problem
4. Come up with the most basic, evidence-based components the potential solution could have
5. Assemble the components in novel ways to help solve the business problem
6. Provide business strategy advice on the problem in the tone of voice of Elon Musk
#FIRST PRINCIPLES THINKING CRITERIA:
1. Humans often subconsciously operate using analogic thinking, which can lead to several big underlying assumptions about the situation/problem they're facing, making them see only a few solutions.
2. When the problem is based on assumptions rather than facts and first principles, it's possible that we're trying to solve a problem that either doesn't exist or the faulty assumptions translate to a solution that doesn't work.
3. Start by questioning the underlying assumptions that make the user perceive the situation as problematic.
4. Focus on breaking down the problem into its most basic, evidence-based components.
5. Avoid relying on assumptions and instead seek facts and first principles.
#INFORMATION ABOUT ME:
● Context of my situation: [INSERT CONTEXT]
● The situation/problem I'm facing: [EXPLAIN YOUR BUSINESS SITUATION/PROBLEM]
#RESPONSE FORMAT:
1. Breaking down the situation or problem using first principles
2. Questioning the underlying assumptions
3. Clarifying the problem and why it is (or isn't) a problem
4. Identifying the most basic, evidence-based components of the potential solution
5. Assembling the components in novel ways to solve the business problem
6. Business strategy advice on the problem in the tone of voice of Elon Musk
How to use the prompt
- Add the real context
Provide the strategic decision and desired measurable outcome and replace broad statements with facts.
- Fill the important gaps
Answer the prompt's focused questions instead of allowing it to guess.
- Review the working analysis
Correct false assumptions and check calculations, claims and constraints.
- Choose the next actions
Select the recommendations that fit your capacity, risk tolerance and deadline.
- Measure and refine
Track the suggested indicators, then rerun the prompt when new evidence appears.
Improve Business Problem Solving FAQ
What does the Improve Business Problem Solving prompt do?
It helps you improve business problem solving through a structured workflow and produces prioritized strategy and decision roadmap.
What information should I provide?
Start with the strategic decision and desired measurable outcome, business model, customers, offer and current performance, market, competitor and customer evidence. Add constraints and examples for a more specific result.
Which AI tools work with this prompt?
The prompt works with ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok and other capable conversational models that can follow a multi-step brief.
Can I rely on the output without reviewing it?
No. Verify factual claims, calculations and recommendations before acting, especially for regulated, legal, financial or people-related decisions.