Hi Reader,

Here's a brief story I want to share with you.

“We need a double-digit cost-cutting plan. For the next board meeting.”
​That was the COO’s first ask - day one on the job.

No context. No playbook. Just pressure.
And guess who had to figure it all out? Me.

I was closing the books, chasing variances, and now… reverse-engineering a savings plan from scratch.
No consultants. No help. Just spreadsheets and stress.

Today, with GenAI?
That same plan would take 10 minutes and one smart prompt.

In this issue:

• The exact prompt I’d use
• The results it gives
• And why GenAI is your new unfair advantage in Finance
  ​

Because next time your boss calls?

You won’t just be ready — you’ll be ahead.

Just before we go through how to you can do it in 10 minutes, there's something you can't afford to miss.

How good are you at managing your cash flow?

I am excited to invite you in an event where we cover two important topics: cash flow and cost cutting.

I’m joining forces with Adam Riches, CPA and CEO of Netgain, for a live online event on May 19, 2025, and you’re invited.

This event is designed for CFOs, controllers, and finance pros who want to move beyond the close and start leading with confidence even in uncertain times.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• How to turn direct cash flow reporting into your new strategic advantage
• How AI can instantly surface inefficiencies (exactly like what I am showing you in this newsletter)
• Tactics to cut costs, boost collections, and deliver CEO-ready insights fast
• What top finance leaders wish they had during a downturn—and how to prepare now

This session is packed with actionable strategies to help you with your cash flow and cost cutting.

​👉 Save Your Spot Now​

Here's How You Can Use GenerativeAI to Cut Costs

Back to my story on cost cutting and how I would use AI for this.

1. The Prompt I Would Use Today

Here is the prompt I have crafted for you and which will deliver incredible result if you use it with reasoning models like o3 in ChatGPT.

That 86‑word prompt, dropped into an LLM chatbot, produced a 12‑month, consultant‑grade programme complete with:

• Top Low‑Hanging‑Fruit Initiatives ranked by impact‑vs‑effort
• Savings ranges benchmarked to EU manufacturing peers
• Named roles, KPIs, timelines and risk mitigations
• Tool recommendations (Power BI, e‑sourcing, low‑code apps, SaaS AI)
• Governance cadence and kick‑off checklist ready to paste into your deck

Total turnaround time: < 30 seconds.

Example of a result obtained from ChatGPT o3:

2. The Results at a Glance

Keywords I use: “Table first”
​Results: Impact/Effort dashboard of the ten easiest wins

Keywords I use: “Exact plan”
​Results: Step-by-step playbooks (owners, milestones, cost, KPIs)

Keywords I use: “Practical & pragmatic”
​Results: Behaviour-first, low-CAPEX fixes (e.g., compressor leak blitz)

Keywords I use: “Innovative ideas”
​Results: Ideas I would never have thought about but are super smart

See below an example of a pragmatic mini action plan:

3. Why this is so powerful for you

Instant Knowledge Synthesis​
Combines thousands of best-practice playbooks into one coherent plan—no week-long benchmarking study required

Iterative Co-Creation​
Ask follow-ups (“Show me the Gantt”, “Model the cash impact”) and get new deliverables in minutes

Cost-Free First Draft (This is my favorite)​
Generates consultant-level deliverables without the day-rate. Human teams can then validate and refine

Scalable Expertise​
The same engine can pivot to capex modelling, working-capital audits, or board-ready slide scripts—24/7

4. Tips from me to get the best from LLM Chatbots

#1: Be specific in the ask – Name format, depth, and tone (e.g., “table first, then plan”).

#2: Provide context – Industry, size, constraints. The richer the context, the sharper the output.

#3: Challenge & Iterate – Treat the bot as a sparring partner: “Stress‑test initiative #5” or “Translate for the shop‑floor newsletter.”

#4: Validate with data – Plug the recommendations into a financial model spreadsheet for a sanity check before executing.

#5: Blend human + AI – Let AI draft; human experts judge feasibility, manage change, and drive the culture shift.

5. Your turn

If a single prompt can surface 2-3% of EBITDA uplift in under a minute, imagine what structured, ongoing use of generative AI could do across procurement, cash forecasting, and scenario planning.

Next Step: Run an “AI Finance Copilot” session with your team this month—start with a real cost line item and see how quickly you generate actionable options.

​

Best,
Your AI Finance Coach, Nicolas
​
​P.S. Want to turn your cash flow into a strategic advantage? Join me live on May 19 to learn how top finance leaders are using AI to lead with clarity.
​ 👉 Register now, it’s free​