ChatGPT

This workflow turns ChatGPT into a reusable meeting-prep assistant using a Custom GPT — useful for anyone who reads decks, PDFs, or long emails before calls.

Build a meeting-prep Custom GPT

1. Define the job. Open GPT Builder and set instructions: summarize uploaded materials, list open questions, flag risks, and output a one-page brief in bullet form.
2. Upload context. Attach the agenda, prior notes, and any PDFs. On paid tiers, enable memory if you want standing preferences (e.g., "always include a decision log").
3. Run a structured prompt. Ask: "Produce a brief with: attendees, decisions needed, blockers, and three suggested talking points." Iterate in Canvas if the brief needs heavy editing.
4. Export and share. Copy the brief to your notes app or paste into Slack. Pin the Custom GPT so teammates reuse the same format.
5. Close the loop. After the meeting, upload transcript notes and ask for action items — same GPT, consistent output shape.

Tip: keep instructions short and test with one real meeting before rolling out team-wide. Over-long system prompts often dilute focus.

ChatGPT's free tier provides access to a capable base model with daily usage limits that vary by model load and OpenAI policy. Expect throttling during peak hours, no guaranteed access to the newest flagship models, and restricted features like advanced data analysis, longer context, or higher attachment limits.

ChatGPT Plus (typically around $20/month) unlocks priority access, newer models, voice, image generation (where available), Canvas, memory, and deeper Custom GPT usage. Team and Enterprise tiers add shared workspaces, admin controls, and contract pricing — relevant if you need SSO, data retention policies, or centralized billing.

API pricing is separate from chat subscriptions: you pay per token via the OpenAI platform, and model tiers (mini vs. flagship vs. reasoning) differ sharply in cost. A Plus subscription does not include API credits. Always confirm current limits, model names, and regional availability on OpenAI's official pricing page before budgeting.

Pick Claude when you need very long context windows, careful tone in sensitive writing, or Artifacts for side-by-side drafts and code. Claude's Projects feature also suits team knowledge bases where document fidelity matters more than plugin breadth.

Gemini is the stronger default if you live in Google Workspace, rely on Android, or want tight Search and YouTube grounding. Deep Research-style flows can outperform ChatGPT for multi-step web synthesis when you already pay for Google One or Workspace AI add-ons.

Perplexity wins when every answer needs inline citations and a research-first UI — less flexible for open-ended creative work, but harder to beat for "find and summarize with sources" tasks. Many teams run ChatGPT for creation and Perplexity for verification.