The library · Construction firms · Enquiries and follow-up
Prepare for a first meeting
A first meeting or site visit has to establish what the client wants built, the budget, who has designed it and what permissions are in place. Commercial meetings also test capacity and insurance.
The prompt
I work in marketing at a construction firm. Help me prepare me for a first meeting with a prospect. Context: A first meeting or site visit has to establish what the client wants built, the budget, who has designed it and what permissions are in place. Commercial meetings also test capacity and insurance. Before you start, ask me for anything missing from this list: - What we know about them - What they asked for - What we usually need to find out Then: 1. Summarise who they are and what they want. 2. List the questions that decide whether we can help. 3. Suggest how to explain cost and next steps. Give me: - A one-page brief - Ten questions in order Rules: - Use only the facts I give you. Where something is missing, write [detail needed]. Never invent a number, a name, a quote or a source. - Describe building work in general terms only. Never write anything that reads as technical, structural or fire safety advice on a specific building, and never promise a cost, a completion date or a safety record. - Write in plain English, in our voice if I have given you a sample. - Do not tell me what the rules or regulations say. If something may be restricted, flag it and I will check. Finish with a list headed "Check before this goes out". Include these, plus anything else the director who approves marketing or our health, safety and quality lead should see: - Insurance levels and accreditations we will be asked to evidence - Credit and background checks on the client, where your process calls for them - That notes and photos of the property are stored where client information belongs
Paste it into Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini or Copilot. It will ask you for what it needs.
Check before this goes out
- Insurance levels and accreditations we will be asked to evidence
- Credit and background checks on the client, where your process calls for them
- That notes and photos of the property are stored where client information belongs
The prompt gives you a first draft. Someone qualified still approves anything a client will read.
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