Today’s post is by Ronald D. Southard, CEO at SafeSourcing Inc

During a recent post titled “Prompts developed correctly are critical to benefiting from AI tool usage Part I,” we discussed the use of AI tools and how to write a quality prompt in order to take advantage of what AI has to offer. We also discussed the importance of deep industry expertise when doing so. Simply stated, if you don’t know, how can you ask or evaluate.

There are a large number of generative AI models that you may be familiar with like ChatGPT, Copilot, Claude, Perplexity, Bard, Bing Chat and Gemini. These are all Large Language Model (LLM) based AI tools, our SafeSourcing process for developing your prompt strategy is largely the same for each.

To begin with, maintaining a reusable prompt library is critical to benefiting from these tools. It contains all of your learning so that you are not always starting over but creating an iterative process. Once that is in place, and certainly it will be tailored to how you work so your format will be framed to begin with. This will continue to evolve as you share learning with others and develop a company focused library.

Here are ten examples of how to build and build upon your prompts. Unfortunately, I am not including the SafeSourcing secret sauce. You can contact us for that information. This will however get you started.

1. Use a Structured Prompting Framework
   1. Break complex requests into clearly labeled sections.
2. Define Context and Assumptions Explicitly
   1. The more context you provide upfront, the less need for clarification or guesswork.
3. Incorporate Examples into Prompts
   1. When you expect a certain format or style, include an example:
4. Create and Maintain a Prompt Library
   1. Organize prompts by use case (e.g., Company Research, Supplier Sourcing, Market Intelligence, etc.)
5. Chain Tasks for Complex Workflows
   1. Break larger jobs into sequenced prompts.
6. Version Your Prompts
   1. As your tasks evolve, keep versions of your prompts.
      1. What worked for one version may not for another.
7. Anticipate Model Limitations
   1. Data cutoff for static knowledge (e.g., knowledge base date of last update).
8. Use Feedback Loops
   1. Build internal validation process.
9. Automate with Custom Tools or Templates
   1. Use tools like Python scripts to wrap and execute prompts automatically.
10. Train your team in Prompting
    1. If others in your organization use AI tools, consider developing a short prompting style guide:
       1. Standardize outputs.
       2. Avoid misuse.
       3. Improves collaboration.

SafeSourcing is a Procurement as a Service (PaaS)  provider of a number of e-Procurement solutions and associated white glove services that are part of our PaaS offered SafeSourceIt™ eSourcing suite. We have the tools, we have the knowledge, we have the experience, and we have the AI prompts that deliver results.

To learn more, please contact a SafeSourcing customer services associate.

Today’s post is by Troy Lowe; Vice President of Development at SafeSourcing.

If you have been following my BLOGs you will know that I have done a couple on shortcut options available in applications that we use in our work environment.  Recently I have been getting up to speed on the computer language Python.  Python is a language that is used by a lot of professionals that are working with AI and would like to make their applications more powerful by utilizing AI.  While learning this language I found that the editor that I like the best so far is Visual Code Studio (VS Code).  VS Code is a free, lightweight, powerful source code editor that was created by Microsoft and can be used for a wide range of programming languages and development tasks.  Vs Code like other Integrated Development Environments (IDE) provides many features and conveniences found in other IDEs such as syntax highlighting, intelligent code completion, version control and debugging tools.  If you’re like me and spend a lot of time using VS Code, you could save some time and be more efficient by learning some of the built-in shortcuts.  These shortcuts are used by clicking a combination of the keyboard keys.  One of the things that I do most is click save before running the code in the IDE.  This can be done by using the shortcut “CTLR+S.”  You can then run the code in by using the shortcut “CTRL+F5”.  Like I’ve said in past BLOGs, memorizing the available keyboard shortcuts will make you more efficient because you don’t have to remove your hands from the keyboard to use the mouse.  Below are some other shortcuts that can be used.

VS Code Shortcuts:

• Ctrl+K Ctrl+S – Keyboard Shortcuts
• Ctrl+X – Cut Line (empty selection)
• Ctrl+C – Copy Line (empty selection)
• Ctrl+P – Quick Open, Go to File…
• Ctrl+Shift+K – Delete Line
• Ctrl+Enter – Insert Line Below
• Ctrl+Shift+Enter – Insert Line Above
• Home / End – Go to Beginning/End of Line
• Ctrl+Home – Go to Beginning of File
• Ctrl+End – Go to End of File
• Ctrl+N – New File
• Ctrl+O – Open File…
• Ctrl+S – Save
• Ctrl+Shift+S – Save As…
• Ctrl+K S – Save All
• Ctrl+F4 – Close
• Ctrl+K Ctrl+W – Close All

Interested in learning how SafeSourcing can help your company run more efficiently?  If you would like more information on how SafeSourcing can help you, please contact a SafeSourcing Customer Service representative.  We have an entire team ready to assist you today.

Eprocurement and Spend Analysis!

Today’s blog is by Margaret Stewart, Director of HR and Administration at SafeSourcing

Is your organization looking to optimize costs and improve efficiency? Many businesses today are always on the lookout to save money and streamline efficiency whenever they can. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is through eProcurement and strategic spend analysis. By leveraging digital procurement solutions and analyzing company spend, organizations can enhance transparency, reduce costs, and make data-driven decisions that contribute to long-term success.

Understanding company spend is crucial for making informed procurement decisions. Spend analysis involves collecting, categorizing, and reviewing procurement data to identify trends, inefficiencies, and cost-saving opportunities. Spend analysis helps businesses identify excessive or redundant expenses. By understanding where money is being spent, companies can negotiate better contracts with suppliers, consolidate purchases, and eliminate wasteful spending. A comprehensive spend analysis allows organizations to assess supplier performance and identify the most cost-effective and reliable vendors. This can lead to better contract terms and stronger supplier relationships.

Unmonitored spending can lead to non-compliance with procurement policies and expose companies to risks such as fraud or regulatory penalties. Spend analysis ensures that procurement activities align with company policies and industry regulations.

With access to accurate procurement data, businesses can make strategic purchasing decisions based on historical trends and real-time insights. This ensures that procurement aligns with overall business goals and budgetary constraints.

eProcurement and spend analysis are essential tools for modern businesses looking to optimize their procurement operations. By embracing eprocurement solutions and leveraging data-driven insights, companies can reduce costs, improve efficiency, and enhance overall financial health. Organizations that prioritize these strategies will be better positioned for growth, profitability, and long-term success in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

For more information on how the SafeSourcing can help your e-procurement needs, or on our Risk Free trial program or our spend cube SafeSpendAnalysis™, please contact a SafeSourcing Customer Service representative. We have an entire team ready to assist you today.

Today’s post is by Troy Lowe; Vice President of Development at SafeSourcing.

Is Daylight Savings Time still affecting you?

Most of us know that we had to set our clocks forward last weekend, but do we really know why this practice is in place?  This practice is called daylight savings time.  This practice was established in 1918 by the Standard Time Act and was initially intended to conserve fuel during World War I.  Daylight Savings Time was repealed in 1919 but was re-established during the early part of World War II and was observed from February 9^th, 1942, to September 30^th, 1945.  When the war ended its use varied among the states and localities.  In 1966 the Uniform Time Act created a standardization in the dates which made the beginning the last Sunday in April and the end being the last Sunday in October with the change to occur at 2 a.m. local time.  During the 1970’s there was an energy crisis, so congress changed the starting dates for Daylight Savings Time so that it began earlier on January 6^th and in 1975 it was changed to begin on February 23^rd.  After those two years they moved the date to the last Sunday in April.  After keeping this the same for years, it was then changed again in 2007 to what it is now and starts on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November.  For years they have been discussing removing Daylight Savings Time because numerous studies have shown that it can disrupt sleep and could potentially lead to increased heart attacks, strokes, traffic accidents and cause mental health issues.  According to studies these issues are more prominent when the clocks are moved forward than when moving the clocks back an hour.  They are still debating on the removal of Daylight Savings Time and hopefully they will discontinue its use in the near future.  Below are some of the other potential negative effects.

• Sleep Deprivation
• Metabolic Issues
• Seasonal Affective Disorder
• Cognitive Functions
• Digestive and Immune-Related Diseases

If you need help sourcing items for your company, feel free to contact SafeSourcing.   We can gather all the necessary information for you and help you decide which company and product meets your needs.  If you would like more information on how SafeSourcing can help you, please contact a SafeSourcing Customer Service representative.  We have an entire team ready to assist you today.

Today’s post is by Margaret Stewart, Director of HR and Administration at SafeSourcing Inc.

Artificial Intelligence has often been heralded as a game-changer for businesses. As we look to the near future, it is poised to affect industries across the board, from streamlining operations to enhancing customer experience. But in what ways exactly will AI affect businesses and are the possibilities virtually endless?

AI algorithms are becoming increasingly adept at analyzing vast amounts of data to understand individual customer preferences. Businesses will leverage this capability to deliver hyper-personalized experiences. For example, retailers may use AI-driven recommendation engines to suggest products tailored to individual tastes, healthcare providers could customize treatment plans based on patient history and genetic information, and even entertainment platforms can offer uniquely curated content for each user. This level of personalization could potentially drive customer loyalty and satisfaction.

AI-powered automation potentially could free employees from repetitive tasks, allowing them to focus on more strategic and creative work. In industries like logistics, finance, and manufacturing, AI-driven tools will streamline workflows and boost productivity. Some examples include chatbots and virtual assistants that handle customer queries around the clock, robotic process automation that automates data entry, invoicing, and compliance checks, or even AI-powered scheduling tools that optimize workforce management and resource allocation.

AI is no longer a futuristic concept, but rather a present-day catalyst for innovation and efficiency. Businesses that embrace AI will not only gain a competitive edge but also redefine what’s possible in their industries. By preparing now, companies can position themselves to harness the transformative power of AI and lead the way into a smarter, more connected future.

For more information on how the SafeSourcing can help your e-procurement needs, or on our Risk Free trial program, please contact a SafeSourcing Customer Service representative. We have an entire team ready to assist you today.

Twas the day after Christmas

When all through the land

People were still smiling and happy

Because their holiday had gone just as planned

With malls to be visited and unwanted gifts to return

And exercise to be done and all those extra calories to burn

Most offices are still quiet as their staff s celebrate

While others rush to close out their years business before it’s too late

There’s a new year  coming full of lots of new stuff

We all hope with this congress life doesn’t get any more tough

For businesses public and private and individuals too

Who would all rather focus on what’s exciting and new

Like jobs and raises and a positive end of year review

So on Trump and Pelosi with congress hopefully in tow

Let’s get back to Washington

And end this year with some glow.

Happy Holidays from Safesourcing

If you can indentify these folks below, We hope they grant you and yours all of your wishes.

Today’s post is by Troy Lowe; Vice President of Development at SafeSourcing.

Well, it’s that wonderful time of year again.  It’s time to get together with family and friends and celebrate the holiday season.  As we get together, we all love to sit down and share a wonderful dinner with all of the fixings.  This year will be no different than last year because as you may already know the price of food has risen again meaning the meal will cost more than it did this time last year.  According to researchers, grocery prices have risen about 0.4 percent in November.  Eggs, which is one of the items frequently used by many has jumped around 8 percent over the last month and approximately 35 percent over the past year.  This makes it more expensive to make all of the holiday treats that we love to make and share with family and friends.  Even though the increase in food prices has slowed down a little recently they are still about 20 percent higher than they were before the pandemic started.  Beef, another item typically served during the holidays has also risen because we are seeing the inventory of beef cattle at the lowest herd count since the early 1950’s.  The price of beef has also been affected because of higher feed prices and recent droughts.

If the price of food is affecting your holidays this year you may want to research some of the items below to help manage costs.

• Make a List and Stick to it.
• Look for Coupons.
• Use Cash Back Apps
• Research Stores Online
• Buy in Bulk when Possible.
• Consider Generic Food Options
• Swap Out Pricey Ingredients
• Check Your Receipt for Wrong Prices
• Double Check Pantry before Buying Ingredients
• Use Pickup to Reduce Impulse Items
• Never Shop when Hungry

If you need help sourcing items for your company, feel free to contact SafeSourcing.   We can gather all the necessary information for you and help you decide which company and product meets your needs.

If you would like more information on how SafeSourcing can help you, please contact a SafeSourcing Customer Service representative.  We have an entire team ready to assist you today.