Using Microsoft Copilot for New Client Reconnaissance

Introduction

Imagine being able to understand your new client in less than half an hour before you even meet them for the first time. Picture having a tool at your disposal that can gather and analyze relevant information about your client’s background, goals, preferences, challenges, and expectations. A tool that can identify opportunities and threats in their market and industry. A tool that can help you establish trust and rapport with your client by providing customized solutions and insights.

This tool is Microsoft Copilot. Copilot is a unique AI assistant that can bolster your client relationships. It integrates seamlessly with the Microsoft Edge browser and grasps context from active browser tabs. However, you can use Copilot standalone in other browsers (currently Edge and Chrome are supported) at https://copilot.microsoft.com/. Copilot offers timely help tailored to your current activity. It can perform real-time analysis, communicate in various languages, and generate a wide range of content.

One of the key activities that Copilot can assist with is online reconnaissance. Online reconnaissance is a process where you gather client information from various public platforms like social media, websites, blogs, and news articles. Copilot can streamline this process by conducting web searches, distilling key points, and presenting them in a clear and structured manner. It can also sift through and discard irrelevant or outdated data, emphasizing only the most crucial or intriguing facts.

Copilot is more than just an AI tool. Its unique features can revolutionize client engagement by providing deeper insights and more customized services. By using Copilot’s capabilities, you can establish strong client relationships based on understanding their specific needs and gaining their trust.

In this article, we will discuss specific recipes for Copilot that can improve your understanding of your client’s needs. In less than half an hour, you’ll gather valuable intelligence about your new client. This may help you establish a trusted advisor relationship with your client.

Why Microsoft Copilot?

Microsoft Copilot is a unique tool for performing business analyses due to several reasons:

1. Data-Driven Insights: Microsoft Copilot leverages a vast amount of data to provide insights. It can analyze and interpret data from various sources, providing a comprehensive view of the situation.
2. Real-Time Analysis: Microsoft Copilot can perform real-time analysis, providing up-to-date information. This is particularly useful in dynamic industries where trends and challenges can rapidly change.
3. Multilingual Support: Microsoft Copilot can understand and communicate fluently in the user’s language of choice. This makes it a versatile tool for global businesses operating in multiple markets.
4. AI-Powered: Microsoft Copilot uses advanced AI algorithms to generate insights. This allows it to identify patterns and trends that might not be immediately apparent to human analysts.
5. User-Friendly: Microsoft Copilot is designed to be user-friendly. It provides information in a clear, concise manner, making it easy for users to understand and act upon the insights provided.
6. Versatility: Microsoft Copilot is not limited to just one type of analysis. It can generate a wide range of content, from business analyses to poems and stories, making it a versatile tool for various needs.

Microsoft Copilot is a strong tool, but it’s best to use it along with other ways of analyzing a business for a full picture. Doing a detailed internal analysis can give you a more precise understanding. The most important thing is to talk. Always check your findings with your client to make sure you’re providing business value.

Pain Points?Analysis

Every client has unique challenges they’re trying to overcome. These challenges, often referred to as “pain points,” can vary significantly depending on the industry, the size of the company, and its specific circumstances. Understanding these pain points is crucial for providing effective solutions and delivering value to the client.

1. Identifying Pain Points: The first step in a pain points analysis is to identify the specific problems the client is facing. This could involve conducting interviews with key stakeholders, surveying employees, or analyzing business data.
2. Categorizing Pain Points: Once the pain points have been identified, they can be categorized into different types. For example, some pain points might be operational (related to the company’s processes or systems), while others might be financial (related to costs or revenue).
3. Analyzing Pain Points: After categorizing the pain points, each one should be analyzed in detail. This involves understanding the root cause of the problem, its impact on the business, and potential solutions.
4. Prioritizing Pain Points: Not all pain points are equally important. Some might have a significant impact on the business, while others might be minor inconveniences. Prioritizing pain points helps the client focus on solving the most critical problems first.
5. Addressing Pain Points: Finally, a plan should be developed to address each pain point. This could involve implementing new processes, investing in new technology, or changing the company’s strategy.

By conducting a thorough pain points analysis, you can gain a deep understanding of the client’s challenges and provide targeted, effective solutions.

Copilot Pain Points Analysis Prompt (select "More Precise" conversation style):

Please use the following parameters for this prompt:
[business_name] = (list the business name)
[business_url] = (provide the business web address)
[industry] = (identify the business's industry)

Given a business named [business_name] with a website at [business_url] operating in the [industry] industry, please conduct a web search to provide an analysis of potential pain points they might be experiencing. This should include but not be limited to:
1. Industry Challenges: Conduct a web search to identify some common challenges businesses in the [industry] industry face.
2. Market Trends: Search for current market trends in the [industry] industry and analyze how they might be affecting [business_name].
3. Branding: Visit [business_url] and analyze if there are any apparent issues with [business_name]'s branding that could be causing problems.
4. Competition: Identify [business_name]'s main competitors and their advantages by searching for '[industry] industry competitors'.
5. Customer Feedback: Search for '[business_name] reviews' to gather online reviews and feedback, and identify areas where [business_name] could improve.

For each pain point identified, please provide output in this format:
Pain Point: (description of the pain point)
Category: (category of the pain point - operational, financial, etc.)
Analysis: (identify the root cause of the problem, its impact on the business, and potential solutions)
Business Criticality: (determine business criticality as high, medium, or low, of fixing the pain point)
Resolution Strategy: (actionable plan to address)

Please provide reasonable, educated guesses based on standard business analysis techniques and the information gathered from the web.        

Remember, these outcomes are "educated guesses" based on standard business analysis techniques and the information gathered from public sources. For a more accurate understanding, a thorough internal analysis of the business would be necessary.

Competitive Industry Analysis

A Competitive Industry Analysis is like a map for a business. It helps you understand the landscape of your industry, just like a map helps you navigate a city.

Imagine you’re playing a game of chess. You need to know the rules, the pieces, and how they move. But to win, you need to understand your opponent’s strategy. That’s what a Competitive Industry Analysis does for your business.

Here’s how it works:

1. Identify Competitors: First, you need to know who you’re playing against. These are the other businesses in your industry.
2. Analyze Strengths and Weaknesses: Next, you look at what these businesses do well and where they struggle. This gives you a clear picture of their game plan.
3. Understand Opportunities and Threats: Then, you identify opportunities for your business to excel and threats that could harm your success.
4. Develop Strategies: Finally, you use this information to create your own game plan. You can leverage your strengths, improve your weaknesses, take advantage of opportunities, and mitigate threats.

When you get a new client, a Competitive Industry Analysis helps you understand the industry they’re in. This way, you can provide the best service and help them succeed in their market. It’s like being a chess master, always staying one step ahead of the game.

Copilot Competitive Industry Analysis Prompt (select "More Precise" conversation style):

Please use the following parameters for this prompt:

[business_name] = (list the business name)

[business_url] = (provide the business web address)

[industry] = (identify the business's industry)

Please act as a professional industry analyst. Given a business named [business_name] with a website at [business_url] operating in the [industry] industry, please conduct a web search to provide a comprehensive competitive industry analysis of the business. This should include but not be limited to:

1. Porter's 5 Forces: Perform a Competitive Forces Model analysis of the [industry] industry.
2. Perform a Broad Factors Analysis (PEST Analysis) of the [industry] industry.
3. SWOT Analysis: Perform a SWOT Analysis of the [industry] industry.
4. Outlook: Provide a 12-, 18-, and 24-month outlook for the [industry] industry.
5. Action Plan: Build a summary for an actionable, strategic plan to address the outcomes. Include how AI might help with that strategic plan.

Please provide reasonable, educated guesses based on standard business analysis techniques and the information gathered from the web.        

This analysis gives a bigger picture of the industry, helping your client plan more effectively. But it’s key to remember that things can change fast because of different factors, so it’s a good idea to regularly check and update.

Unique Selling Proposition Discovery

A Unique Selling Proposition (USP) is a critical component when learning about a new client. It’s like a fingerprint for a business - no two are exactly the same.

The USP is what makes a business stand out from the crowd. It’s the special sauce, the secret ingredient that makes a business unique. It could be anything from an innovative product feature, exceptional customer service, to a powerful brand story.

Understanding a client’s USP helps us tailor our strategies and services to their specific needs and strengths. For example, if a client’s USP is their award-winning design, we might focus on showcasing their products in visual media. If their USP is stellar customer service, we might highlight this in customer testimonials and reviews.

In essence, a USP is not just what a business does, but how it does it differently and better than anyone else. And understanding this is key to unlocking their potential.

Copilot USP Discovery Prompt (select "More Precise" conversation style):

Please use the following parameters for this prompt:
[business_name] = (list the business name)
[business_url] = (provide the business web address)
[industry] = (identify the business's industry)

Act as a professional business analyst. Given a business named [business_name] with a website at [business_url] operating in the [industry] industry, please conduct a web search to provide a Unique Selling Proposition (USP) analysis of the business. This should include but not be limited to:

1. Brainstorm ideas in what might make [business_name] unique in the [industry] industry.
2. Identify [business_name]’s customer(s) in the [industry] industry. This could involve creating buyer personas based on age, location, gender, earning levels and other customer characteristics.
3. Analyze [business_name]’s competitors. Look at what these competitors are offering and how they are meeting the needs of customers.
4. Identify [business_name]’s USP. What sets them apart from their competition? It could be anything from a unique feature, superior service, or a compelling price point.
5. Build a summary on how to communicate the USP. Make references to marketing materials, website and sales pitches.

Please provide reasonable, educated guesses based on standard business analysis techniques and the information gathered from the web.        

AI Disruption Industry Analysis

An AI Disruption Industry Analysis is a crucial tool when advising a new client on adapting their business strategy for AI. It’s like a compass guiding a ship through the vast ocean of technological advancements.

AI, or Artificial Intelligence, is transforming industries across the globe. From automating routine tasks to predicting trends, AI is reshaping the way businesses operate.

Here’s why an AI Disruption Industry Analysis is important:

1. Understanding the Impact of AI: AI can have a profound impact on an industry. It can create new opportunities, but also pose challenges. An AI Disruption Industry Analysis helps us understand these impacts.
2. Identifying Opportunities and Threats: AI can be a game-changer. It can open up new avenues for growth, but also disrupt existing business models. By analyzing the potential disruptions caused by AI, we can identify opportunities for innovation and threats to be mitigated.
3. Informing Strategy: The insights gained from an AI Disruption Industry Analysis can inform the business strategy. It can guide decisions on where to invest, what skills to develop, and how to position the business in the market.
4. Staying Competitive: In today’s fast-paced world, staying ahead of the curve is key to survival. An AI Disruption Industry Analysis helps businesses stay competitive by keeping them informed about the latest trends and developments in AI.

So, when advising a new client, an AI Disruption Industry Analysis can provide valuable insights that can help shape their AI strategy. It’s like having a roadmap for navigating the AI landscape.

Copilot AI Disruption Industry Analysis Prompt (select "More Precise" conversation style):

Please consider the following parameters for this prompt:
[industry] = (identify the business's industry)

Act as a professional industry AI analyst. In the [industry] industry, please conduct a web search to provide a AI Disruption Analysis analysis of the industry. This should include but not be limited to:

1. AI Technologies: Understand and list the applicable AI Technologies that might disrupt the [industry] industry.
2. Business Processes: Analyze common, existing and potential business processes in the [industry] industry, staffing models, data assets, and markets to identify ways that AI can be used to improve quality, speed, and functionality, as well as to drive top-line revenue growth.
3. Potential Disruptions: Identify opportunities and threats where AI could potentially disrupt the [industry] industry. This could include automating certain tasks, improving decision-making with predictive analytics, or creating new products or services.
4. Impact Assessment: Assess the potential impact of these disruptions on the [industry] industry. Consider both the positive impacts and the negative impacts.
5. Strategic Response: Develop a strategic response to the potential disruptions. 
6. Monitoring and Adjustment: Summarize a method of monitoring the impact of AI on the [industry] industry and an associated process to adjust the strategy.

Please provide reasonable, educated guesses based on standard business analysis techniques and the information gathered from the web.        

Conclusion

This article shows how Copilot in Microsoft Edge can help you know your clients better and give them more value. You can use prompts to do different kinds of business analyses with Copilot, such as:

• Pain Points Analysis: Find out what problems your clients have and how to solve them.
• Competitive Industry Analysis: Learn about your clients’ industry, their competitors, and their market trends.
• Unique Selling Proposition Discovery: Discover what makes your clients special and different from others.
• AI Disruption Industry Analysis: Understand how AI can change your clients’ industry and how they can adapt to it.

Copilot stands out from other tools as it can analyze information instantly, communicate in various languages, and utilize AI to produce insights. Copilot can help you improve your client relationships by giving you more knowledge and guidance.

This reconnaissance will help you get to know your new client better. But keep in mind, this is only the beginning of your conversation with your client. They’ll help you understand their problems and how you can assist them. With Copilot, consultants can transform their client interactions and become trusted advisors. This strategy not only strengthens the relationship with the client, but also ensures that the solutions offered are customized to the client’s unique needs and circumstances.

Disclaimer:?Joe Blaty (he/him/his) is an innovation leader with a passion for driving disruptive change, a storyteller, a trusted advisor, a futurist, and a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging advocate. The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely of Mr. Blaty and are not representative or reflective of any individual employer or corporation.