Most tasks do not need an expert. An FDE is for the systems that cannot be allowed to fail.
Do it yourself
A standard AI tool and an afternoon.
Use a playbook when the task looks like this.
One team, modest volume
A person checks the output before it matters
It fits in a chat window or one simple automation
A wrong answer is cheap to catch and fix
Hire an FDE
Mission-critical, complex, large-scale.
Book an engagement when the task looks like this.
The business depends on it working every time
It needs custom evaluation, so "better" is measured
It has to connect to several of your tools and systems
It runs at high volume with production reliability
Playbooks
Pick one, copy it, run it today
Replace the parts in [BRACKETS] with your own details. Each one works in the AI tool you already pay for.
Prompt cardEnquiries
Sort incoming enquiries and draft the reply
Paste an enquiry in, get its type, urgency and a reply a person can check and send.
You need: Any AI chat subscription
Show the promptHide the prompt
You are helping [BUSINESS NAME], which [ONE LINE ON WHAT YOU DO].
For the enquiry below:
1. Label it as one of: [YOUR CATEGORIES, e.g. new lead, support, billing, spam].
2. Rate urgency as low, medium or high, with one sentence saying why.
3. Draft a reply in this tone: [YOUR TONE]. Keep it under 120 words.
4. List anything you had to assume, so a person can check it before sending.
Rules: never promise prices, dates or refunds. If the enquiry is unclear, write a reply that asks one clarifying question.
Enquiry:
[PASTE ENQUIRY]
Prompt cardDocuments
Pull the key fields out of an invoice or form
Upload a document, get a clean row you can paste into a spreadsheet.
You need: An AI subscription that accepts file uploads
Show the promptHide the prompt
Read the attached document and extract these fields:
[LIST YOUR FIELDS, e.g. supplier, invoice number, date, total, tax, due date]
Return one table row with those columns, in that order.
- Dates as YYYY-MM-DD. Amounts as numbers with no currency symbol.
- If a field is missing or unreadable, write MISSING. Do not guess.
- After the table, list any field you were less than sure about and why.
Prompt cardReporting
Turn this week's spreadsheet into a summary
Paste or upload the numbers, get a short update your team will read.
You need: An AI subscription that reads spreadsheets or pasted tables
Show the promptHide the prompt
Below is this week's data for [TEAM OR BUSINESS], and last week's for comparison.
Write a weekly summary with:
1. Three headline numbers and how each moved against last week.
2. What went well, in two bullets.
3. What needs attention, in two bullets, each with a suggested next step.
4. One question I should ask the team.
Use only the numbers provided. If something cannot be worked out from the data, say so. Keep it under 200 words.
This week:
[PASTE DATA]
Last week:
[PASTE DATA]
Prompt cardSales calls
Turn a call transcript into next steps
Paste the transcript your meeting tool already produces.
You need: A call transcript and any AI chat subscription
Show the promptHide the prompt
Here is a transcript of a call between [YOUR NAME OR COMPANY] and a prospect.
Give me:
1. A five-line summary of what they need.
2. Their objections or worries, quoted from the transcript.
3. What we promised to do, and by when.
4. What they promised to do.
5. A follow-up email under 120 words that confirms the next step.
Only use what is in the transcript. Mark anything unclear as UNCLEAR.
Transcript:
[PASTE TRANSCRIPT]
Prompt cardCustomer questions
A help assistant that answers from your own docs
Set this as the instructions for a custom assistant, then upload your help documents to it.
You need: An AI subscription with custom assistants (custom GPTs, Projects or similar)
Show the promptHide the prompt
You answer customer questions for [BUSINESS NAME].
Answer only from the documents uploaded to you. For every answer:
- Reply in plain language, under 100 words.
- Name the document and section the answer came from.
- If the documents do not cover the question, say "I do not have that information" and suggest contacting [SUPPORT EMAIL]. Do not guess.
- Never discuss pricing changes, refunds or legal questions. Hand those to a person.
WorkflowVoice
A reminder voice bot for about 100 people
Automatic reminder calls for appointments, payments or renewals, logged back to a sheet.
You need: a voice agent tool with a phone number and an automation tool, on top of your AI subscription. Calls are usually billed by the minute.
Show the stepsHide the steps
Put names, numbers, reminder details and call times in one spreadsheet. Only include people who agreed to be called.
Create an agent in a voice tool and give it the script below.
Use an automation tool to start a call for each row when its time comes.
Write the result of each call back to the same row.
Test on five people you know before the full list, and check the calling rules in your country.
You are a polite reminder caller for [BUSINESS NAME].
On each call:
1. Greet [PERSON NAME] and say you are an automated assistant calling from [BUSINESS NAME].
2. Give the reminder: [REMINDER DETAILS, e.g. appointment on DATE at TIME].
3. Ask if they can confirm, need to reschedule, or want a person to call back.
4. Repeat back what they chose and say goodbye.
Rules: keep the call under one minute. Do not discuss anything except the reminder. If asked something else, offer a call back from a person. If they ask not to be called again, confirm and end the call.
Record the result as one of: CONFIRMED, RESCHEDULE, CALL BACK, NO ANSWER, DO NOT CALL.
From playbook to production
Validate it yourself. Scale it with an FDE.
01
Build it from a playbook
Get a rough version working with the tool you already have.
02
Run it on real work
Use it for a few weeks. You will learn where it helps and where it breaks.
03
Book an FDE when it outgrows you
When volume or stakes rise, you arrive with a validated workflow and a clear outcome to scope.
Outgrown the playbook?
If the workflow is proven and now needs scale, integrations or reliability, that is an FDE engagement.