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A shared resource across all Canopy Brands companies. Explore AI prompts, practical guides, recorded talks, and knowledge shared by our teams. More videos and resources will be added over time.
From Canopyfest · November 3, 2026
Canopyfest AI / Talks / Morning
Set up AI the right way with four layers
Talk 01 · Featured Presentation
Set up AI the right way with four layers
29 minLuis Alberto, Safewaze
Luis walks through four layers for getting real work from AI: clear instructions, connectors into Microsoft 365 and Monday.com, reusable skills, and projects that hold customer context. He demos scheduling and meeting prep so the room sees the stack working end to end.
- Instructions shape how the model answers you.
- Connectors link AI to tools you already use like Microsoft 365 and Monday.com.
- Skills turn repeated asks into reusable workflows.
- Projects keep customer context and docs in one place.
Canopyfest recordings
All talks
Morning session
Talks 01–09
Talk 03 - 26 mins
Talk to your company data with Fabric agents
Sergii Zelenko, Independent consultant to Canopy Brands
Talk 06 - 25 mins
Build XTIRPA Academy without writing the code yourself
Damiano Cao, XTIRPA
Afternoon session
Talks 10–17
Talk 10 - 12 mins
Design faster without losing creative judgment
Arely Buchbinder, Safewaze
Talk 11 - 33 mins
Automate engineering change and manufacturing packs
Zach Nielsen and Clint Easton, Bee Access
Talk 14 - 31 mins
I stopped typing so the work would stop waiting on me
Luke Diserio, American Muscle Docks
Talk 15 - 11 mins
Run marketing command from one AI workspace
Chad Sarnowski, American Muscle Docks
No talks match your search.
Canopy Hub / Resources
Essentials for every AI account
Consistency starts with your profile. Do these four steps before you chase fancy prompts: how it speaks, brand guides, writing style, and company and role info. Works on Copilot, ChatGPT, Claude, Grok, Gemini, and similar tools.
Start with Profile setup. Then learn the interview method. Add brand and writing rules. Connect tools with IT approval. Use the 15-minute worksheet to build your custom instructions.
Set up your profile first
Do this once. Your AI will sound like you, know your company, and stay on brand. Skip it and every chat starts from zero.
Profile setup for any AI
- 1
How it speaks
Tone and voice
- Set tone and voice
- Direct. Plain.
- Human, not hype.
- 2
Brand guides
Memorize your brand
- Upload brand file
- Save cheat sheet
- One company each
- 3
Writing style
Sound like you
- Paste 3 to 5 samples
- Build style guide
- Ban AI-speak
- 4
Company info
Role and company facts
- Company and role
- Audience and products
- What good looks like
Where to paste this (any AI)
Open your AI's custom instructions, personalization, memory, or project knowledge settings.
Step 1
Set how it speaks
Why: Tone is the first thing people notice. Set it once so every draft starts in your voice.
- Decide 3 to 5 tone words (example: direct, plain, warm, firm).
- Paste the prompt below into custom instructions.
- Test with: "Write a 3-sentence customer update about a delayed shipment."
How you should speak:
- Tone words: [direct / plain / professional / warm / firm].
- Short sentences. One idea per sentence when possible.
- Plain words. No brochure language.
- No em dashes or en dashes. Use commas or periods.
- No fake openers like "I hope this email finds you well."
- Banned unless I ask: delve, leverage, seamless, robust, game-changer, "in today's fast-paced world", "unlock the power", synergy, paradigm.
- End with a clear next step when action is needed.Step 2
Memorize your brand guides
Why: Each Canopy company has its own brand. Mixing brands confuses customers.
- Get your company's brand guide from marketing or your brand owner.
- Create a project or knowledge space named [Company Name] Brand.
- Upload the guide. Run the cheat-sheet prompt. Save the result.
You will write for [Company Name], a Canopy Brands company.
Use only the uploaded brand guide and cheat sheet for this company.
Remember:
- Official name and short name
- Approved taglines and boilerplate
- Voice rules, colors, fonts, logo rules
- Words we prefer and words we avoid
Never invent logos, claims, awards, or certifications.
If a brand rule is missing, ask me. Do not guess.
Keep this company's brand separate from other Canopy companies.Step 3
Define your writing style
Why: Generic AI writing is easy to spot. Your real samples teach rhythm, openings, and word choice.
- Collect 3 to 5 emails or messages you wrote and liked.
- Run the style-guide prompt.
- Paste the short style guide into custom instructions or the project.
Here are samples of my real writing: [Paste sample 1] [Paste sample 2] [Paste sample 3] [Optional 4] [Optional 5] Create a short style guide for writing as me: 1. Sentence length and rhythm 2. Words I use and words I avoid 3. How I open and close emails 4. How formal I am 5. How I handle lists and next steps Keep it short enough to paste into custom instructions.
Step 4
Give it information on the company and your role
Why: Context stops wrong assumptions about products, customers, and who you are.
- Fill the brackets in the prompt below.
- Save it with your tone and style rules.
- Ask: "Summarize what you know about me and my company." Fix anything wrong.
About me and my company: - Company: [Company Name], part of Canopy Brands - My role: [title / team] - What we sell / do: [products or services in plain words] - Who I write for: [customers / dealers / internal / suppliers] - Regions or markets that matter: [if any] - What good looks like: accurate, useful, ready after a quick human edit - What bad looks like: fluff, fake certainty, long wind-ups Always ask clarifying questions when key facts are missing. Never invent prices, specs, dates, legal claims, or customer details. When unsure, say you do not know.
Start every project with an interview
Do not dump a pile of directions first. State the output you want. Tell the AI to interview you one question at a time. Then let it build from your answers.
Why it works
The AI learns your goal, audience, tone, format, and must-haves before it drafts. You waste less time rewriting. You catch gaps early.
How to do it
- Name the finished thing you want (email, deck, SOP, quote follow-up).
- Paste the master interview prompt.
- Answer one question at a time.
- When it summarizes, confirm or correct.
- Then let it build version 1.
I want [output].
Before you build anything, interview me one question at a time.
Cover my goal, audience, tone, format, must-haves, and anything I must not include.
Wait for my answer before asking the next question.
When you have enough, summarize what you heard, confirm with me, then build it.
If you still need facts, say what is missing instead of guessing.Interview starter ideas
I want a customer email. Interview me one question at a time about the goal, recipient, tone, length, and call to action. Then draft it.
I want a short proposal or quote cover note for [customer]. Interview me one question at a time about scope, must-include facts, and what we must not promise. Do not invent pricing. Then draft it.I want a PowerPoint outline for [topic]. Interview me one question at a time about audience, length, key messages, and brand rules. Then give a slide-by-slide outline.I want a short SOP for [process]. Interview me one question at a time about who uses it, tools, steps, and common mistakes. Then write the SOP.I want social posts for [Company Name] about [topic]. Interview me one question at a time about channel, audience, proof points, and CTA. Then give 3 options.
I want a short report on [topic]. Interview me one question at a time about readers, decision needed, sources I can share, and length. Then draft it.I want help analyzing a spreadsheet about [topic]. Interview me one question at a time about the question I need answered, columns that matter, and the output format (table, chart ideas, summary). Then tell me the steps and formulas.I want a meeting recap. Interview me one question at a time about attendees, decisions needed in the write-up, and who gets the note. Then build Decisions, Owners, Open questions.
Tips
- Say: "Tell me when you have enough to build."
- Say: "What do you still need from me?"
- Say: "Give me 2 or 3 options after you confirm the brief."
- If it jumps ahead, say: "Stop. Ask the next interview question only."
Writing style
Feed samples. Build a guide. Save it. Test and fix.
- 1Samples
- 2Style guide
- 3Save to instructions
- 4Test and fix
Why it matters
People spot generic AI writing. Your samples make drafts sound like you.
Steps
- Paste 3 to 5 real samples (use Step 3 of profile setup).
- Save the short style guide into custom instructions.
- Add the ban list for AI-speak and dashes.
- Rewrite any draft that still sounds fake.
Rewrite this to match my style guide and standing writing rules.
Remove AI-speak, em dashes, and run-on sentences.
Keep the meaning and facts. Do not add claims.
Return only the rewritten text.
Text:
[Paste draft]Brand standards
Upload. Extract. Save. Check every output.
- 1Upload guide
- 2Extract cheat sheet
- 3Save to project or memory
- 4Check every output
Why it matters
Brand mistakes look sloppy. Each Canopy company keeps its own file.
Using the uploaded brand materials for [Company Name], create a one-page cheat sheet:
1. Official name and short name
2. Taglines and approved boilerplate
3. Voice do / do not
4. Colors and fonts
5. Logo rules
6. Preferred and avoided words
7. Legal or trademark notes for writers
Mark anything missing as MISSING. Do not invent rules.For every draft for [Company Name]: 1. Check the brand cheat sheet first. 2. Use only approved names, taglines, and voice. 3. Flag conflicts before the final draft. 4. Never invent logos, colors, claims, or certifications. Replace [Company Name] with the company you are writing for.
Tie AI into your other tools
Use AI where you already work: Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, Teams, Docs, Slides, Gmail. Get IT approval. Company accounts only. Draft first. Never send until you approve.
Microsoft
Microsoft 365 Copilot (needs a Copilot license from IT)
In Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, look for the Copilot button in the lower-right corner of the document (Dynamic Action Button). On Windows you can also try Alt+C.
- Word: "Draft a one-page customer proposal from these notes." "Shorten this section and keep the facts."
- PowerPoint: "Turn this outline into an 8-slide deck." "Make this slide three short bullets."
- Excel: Save to OneDrive with AutoSave on when required. "Summarize this table." "Which region dropped the most month over month?"
- Outlook: Use the Copilot entry points in Outlook (separate from the Word, Excel, and PowerPoint corner button). "Summarize this thread." "Draft a reply that asks for two meeting times."
- Teams: In a chat or channel, open Copilot in the upper-right. In meetings, use Copilot in the meeting controls. "Summarize what I missed." "List decisions and owners."
If you do not see Copilot, ask IT about your license. File → Account → Update License can help after a license change.
Add-ins
Office Add-ins (ChatGPT, Claude, and similar)
- Open Word, Excel, or PowerPoint.
- Go to Insert → Get Add-ins (sometimes Store). Some builds show Home → Add-ins.
- Search for ChatGPT or Claude. Choose Add. Sign in with your work-approved account.
- Open the add-in from the ribbon or Insert → My Add-ins.
Your org may block the Office Store. Ask IT to allow approved add-ins. ChatGPT and Claude add-ins are separate from Copilot.
Google Workspace (Gemini)
In Docs, Sheets, Slides, or Gmail, open Ask Gemini (spark icon), usually top right. Needs an eligible Workspace or Google AI plan.
- Docs: "Draft a project update from these bullets."
- Slides: "Create a slide about [topic]."
- Sheets: "Summarize this range." "Build a tracker with these columns."
- Gmail: "Summarize this thread." "Help me write a short reply."
Connectors
Connectors in ChatGPT, Claude, and similar
In the AI app, open Apps, Plugins, or Connectors. Connect company SharePoint, OneDrive, Outlook, Gmail, Google Drive, or calendars with your work account. Start read-only when you can. Approve before any send or file change.
Tool rules: - Draft first. Never send email, post in Teams/Slack, create invites, or share files until I approve recipients and final text. - Prefer read-only unless I ask for a write action. - Use only my company accounts and approved connectors. - If a connector asks for extra permissions, stop and tell me.
Workflow ideas
- Outlook thread → Word proposal draft → you edit → send.
- Teams meeting transcript → recap with owners → paste into email.
- Excel data → chart or bullets → PowerPoint slides.
- SharePoint brand file referenced in every project chat.
- Dealer email → quote follow-up draft → human check of price → send.
Light automation
Power Automate (Microsoft) or Zapier can move files, alerts, or drafts between apps. Keep humans in the loop for customer sends. Ask IT before connecting company systems.
Canopy-specific guidelines
Short rules that matter across Canopy Brands companies.
One brand file per company
Each company keeps its own brand guide in a shared SharePoint folder (or a Drive folder if that is your system). Do not mix files.
Name the folder and AI project with the company name. Upload the official guide. Save the one-page cheat sheet next to it.
Safety-critical content
Fall protection, confined space, lifts, docks, and similar work can put people at risk. AI is never the final word on specs, load ratings, safety instructions, or compliance language. A qualified person reviews and signs off before anything customer-facing or field-facing goes out.
If a draft includes product specs, load ratings, installation steps, safety instructions, or compliance claims: 1. Mark it DRAFT FOR QUALIFIED REVIEW. 2. Do not invent numbers or standards. 3. Remind me that a qualified person must sign off before publish or send.
Customer and deal info
Do not put confidential pricing, live bids, customer financials, or acquisition and M&A information into unapproved consumer AI tools. Use approved enterprise tools, or strip names and numbers first.
Get help and share wins
- Ask your company AI champion how your team should set things up.
- Ask IT for Copilot licenses, approved add-ins, and connector permissions.
- Share good prompts in your team channel. Add the best ones to this hub later.
- If something breaks or a menu moved, note the app name and take a screenshot for IT.
Privacy and security basics
Work data stays in approved tools. Personal AI accounts stay personal.
- Prefer company enterprise plans when offered.
- Turn off "improve the model" or training on your content where the product allows.
- Never paste passwords, SSNs, card numbers, or private keys.
- Keep personal and work AI accounts separate.
Privacy rules: - If my message includes secrets, credentials, SSNs, or card numbers, stop and warn me. Do not store them in memory. - Prefer placeholders like [CUSTOMER], [AMOUNT], [DATE]. - Refuse to remember passwords or keys.
Accuracy
AI can sound sure and still be wrong. Verify before quotes, bids, or customer claims.
Accuracy rules: - If you are not sure, say "I do not know" and tell me what to check. - Separate facts from guesses. - For numbers in quotes, bids, or contracts: remind me to verify in our system of record before sending. - Do not invent citations.
Memory and projects
One project per recurring job. Clean memory monthly.
- Name projects like: Key-Bak | Social Posts or AMD | Dealer Emails.
- Put standing files in the project, not in random chats.
- Delete outdated memory items.
List what you remember about me and my work. Flag anything outdated, too customer-specific, or sensitive. Propose keep / edit / delete. Wait for my confirmation.
Prompting basics
Role + goal + context + format + constraints. Or use the interview method first.
Role: You are helping me at [Company Name]. Goal: [finished thing]. Context: [audience, facts, constraints]. Format: [email / bullets / table / slides]. Constraints: Follow my writing and brand rules. Ask questions if needed. Do not invent facts. Task: [ask]
Reusable prompt library
Everyday prompts. Use the interview method for bigger jobs.
Draft a reply in my voice. Goal: [answer / schedule / request info]. Length: under 150 words. Clear next step. Do not send. Email: [Paste]
Turn these notes into: Decisions | Owners and due dates | Open questions.
Notes:
[Paste]Draft a short proposal for [Company Name] to [customer]. Sections: Problem | Approach | Scope | Timeline | Assumptions | Next step. Use only these facts: [Paste] Mark gaps as [NEED INPUT]. Do not invent pricing.
Write a short SOP for [process] for a new teammate.
Format: Purpose | Steps | Tools | Common mistakes | Who to ask.Write 3 social options for [Company Name] about [topic] for [channel]. Follow brand rules. No fake claims.
Summarize for a busy manager: 5 key points | Risks or deadlines | Recommended action.
Document:
[Paste]Draft a short follow-up on quote [QUOTE #] for [customer]. Context: [date sent / status]. Ask one clear question. Do not change pricing. Draft only.
Run a pre-send checklist: 1. Facts verified? 2. Brand name correct for [Company Name]? 3. Banned AI phrases or em dashes? 4. Next step clear? 5. Anything that should not leave the company? Then show a cleaned draft. Draft: [Paste]
Rollout plan
How Canopy can roll this out so anyone can read, follow, copy their info, and get AI tied to them.
- Week 1
Publish this hub. Each company uploads its brand guide to the shared folder. Name an AI champion per company.
- Week 2
Everyone does the 4-step profile setup (use the checklist below). Run a short live or recorded walkthrough.
- Week 3
Connect approved tools with IT (Copilot, add-ins, SharePoint and Drive connectors).
- Week 4
Share prompt wins in team channels. Collect feedback. Update this hub.
- Ongoing
Monthly: refresh brand files, review connectors, add best prompts, clean memory.
Your 15-minute setup worksheet
Fill this in. It builds your custom instructions right here on this page. Nothing is sent or saved anywhere.
Fill the form and press Build my instructions.
Overlooked setup checklist
Tick each one off as you go. Your checks stay on this device.
0 of 15 done
Need a company-specific version? Duplicate the brand project, replace [Company Name], and upload that company's brand file only.