TutorialstutorialPromptsArtificial intelligenceLonglist

Writing precise prompts

How the right short description determines the quality of your longlist.

Salome Fischer·Updated 26 June 2026·1 min read

The prompt is the central element of every buy-side, sell-side or succession search. Precise wording is essential, because the matching algorithms score potential companies by how closely their profile matches your search input. Focus on relevant products, services, industries and USPs, and make sure you use the correct industry terminology.

Every change to the prompt generates a new longlist, so adding or leaving out particular terms can have a significant impact on the results. Experimenting with different phrasings helps you continuously improve the quality of the matches.

It can also help to base your description on a real or fictitious company, so that it is as precise and informative as possible.

What you describe in the prompt depends on the search mode:

Investment targets (buy-side) and succession targets: describe the ideal target company (industry, products, services). You can also add up to three example companies as a reference.
Acquirers (sell-side): enter your client’s website and generate the description automatically with ‘Autofill’. Optionally, you can also describe the company being sold (industry, products, services) manually.

Example search inputs for inspiration

Sell-side	Buy-side and mandate origination
The company develops and manufactures specialist seals and elastomer components for the chemical and plant engineering industries. It has in-house tool design capabilities.	Customised filter and membrane technologies for reducing pollutants
The company offers smart building solutions focusing on building automation, access control systems and energy management for commercial properties.	Highly automated robotic systems for logistics and manufacturing
The company is a contract manufacturer specialising in sheet metal fabrication and welded assemblies. It has modern machinery and supplies customers in the mechanical engineering and commercial vehicle industries.	Recyclable packaging solutions for the food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries

Sell-side

Buy-side and mandate origination

The company develops and manufactures specialist seals and elastomer components for the chemical and plant engineering industries. It has in-house tool design capabilities.

Customised filter and membrane technologies for reducing pollutants

The company offers smart building solutions focusing on building automation, access control systems and energy management for commercial properties.

Highly automated robotic systems for logistics and manufacturing

The company is a contract manufacturer specialising in sheet metal fabrication and welded assemblies. It has modern machinery and supplies customers in the mechanical engineering and commercial vehicle industries.