The Couch Manager

Prepare for the future of work. Learn how to manage virtual and hybrid teams more effectively.

How to Use ChatGPT for Creating Internal Memos and Announcements

ChatGPT can be used to save you time in creating internal communications at your organization. For example, to announce a new employee or to explain a new policy. Those memos and announcements can be at the entire organization level or even at your team level.  Here are some examples.  If you’re new to ChatGPT and would like to learn more about how to use it in the workplace, click here. Example 1: Welcome a new employee Prompt: We just hired a new Marketing Manager, Jane ... Read More

How to Use ChatGPT to Summarize Team Meetings

ChatGPT can be used to summarize meeting discussions making it easier for meeting facilitators to review and distribute key points. For example, after a team meeting discussing the next steps for a project, ChatGPT can generate a summary outlining the main decisions, action items, and responsible team members. One thing to keep in mind is that you'll require a copy of the meeting transcript, like meeting minutes, to summarize your meeting. This can be obtained from your collaboration tool. ... Read More

Mastering Email Efficiency: The Power of Brevity

There's an emerging trend in the email world: TL;DR or "Too Long; Didn't Read." It's the snazzy new acronym that highlights our aversion to lengthy emails. The Value of Short Emails If you're seeking more engagement with your emails, consider writing shorter ones. Research has demonstrated that shorter emails are not only read more frequently but also elicit more responses. This isn't a shocking revelation, but it's reassuring to have empirical evidence supporting this claim. By ... Read More

How to Use ChatGPT to Draft Meeting Agendas

ChatGPT can help you come up with some ideas for writing clear and concise meeting agendas. Here are a few examples that show you how powerful this is and how it can save you some time. If you’re new to ChatGPT and would like to learn more about how to use it in the workplace, click here. Example 1: Create a sample agenda Prompt: Draft a short agenda to give a project status update to a team. The duration of the meeting is 30 minutes. ChatGPT response: Example 2: Create an ... Read More

How to Use ChatGPT to Improve Your Business Writing

ChatGPT can help make your writing better in general. It can help you change your writing tone, fix grammatical mistakes, and summarize lengthy emails so that they're more concise. Here are a few prompt examples that show you how. If you’re new to ChatGPT and would like to learn more about how to use it in the workplace, click here. Example 1: Modify the tone Prompt: Change the tone of this paragraph so that it sounds more friendly: "Your request for an extension on the project ... Read More

Email Etiquette 101: The Importance of a Well-Crafted Subject Line

Email subject lines are the virtual equivalent of a newspaper headline. They play a crucial role in determining whether your recipient will open your email and engage with your message. Investing time in composing a thoughtful, concise subject line can significantly improve your email communication. Understand the Importance of a Subject Line A well-crafted subject line encapsulates the essence of your email. In a mere glance, the recipient should be able to comprehend the core message ... Read More

How to Use ChatGPT at Work (and 5 Things You Should Keep in Mind About the AI Tool)

Technology is rapidly transforming how we work, and ChatGPT has emerged as a versatile AI companion that can streamline various tasks, from brainstorming and drafting content to summarizing meetings and refining emails. However, with every new technological advancement, it's essential to understand not only the 'how' but also the 'why' behind its utilization. In this post, we'll demystify ChatGPT, delve into its functionalities, demonstrate how to harness its capabilities, and offer insights ... Read More

Crafting Effective Emails: The Power of the “3Ws” Approach

The "3Ws" approach, pronounced as "three double-yous", is a simple, yet effective tactic to use when assigning tasks in an email. It revolves around the key elements of Who, What, and When. Neglecting any of these elements can lead to miscommunication, misunderstanding, or tasks falling through the cracks. Let's delve into each component of the 3Ws, complete with examples, to illustrate how they contribute to clear, concise and effective task assignment in emails. The Who: Specify the ... Read More

Crafting Compelling Subject Lines for Virtual Teams

In today's remote work environment, effective email communication is crucial for managing virtual teams. With the average worker spending over 28% of their workweek on emails, it's essential to make your messages stand out and get addressed promptly. In this blog post, we'll explore three key elements to include in your email subject lines to ensure a higher response rate. The Art of Subject Line Optimization To capture the attention of your virtual team members, you need to think like ... Read More

“ChatGPT for Better Business Communication” book is out!

I'm excited to announce the release of my latest book, "ChatGPT for Better Business Communication!" If you’re a professional who wants to learn how to write and communicate better, faster, and more effectively, this book is for you. The book shows you how to use ChatGPT (the new AI chatbot) to take your job to the next level. This game-changing tool can assist you with everything from drafting agendas and summarizing meetings to writing follow-up emails and generating business ... Read More

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