What happened
Podium posted an update for its AI phone helper, Larry. Callers can now text their address or a photo while they talk, and Larry uses it in the call. You can also set after-hours and holiday greetings and coach Larry on how to answer.
Source: Podium, 2026-10-15. This is our short summary. Read the source for the full story.
How a contractor could use it
If an AI answers your phone, ask callers to text a photo of the problem. Set a different greeting for nights and holidays so callers know what to expect.
Added 2026-10-19. Check any tool's price and terms on its own site before you use it.
Try this prompt
Copy it into Grok Bot, Claude or ChatGPT. Fill in the parts in [brackets].
Write two short phone greetings for my [trade] business, [name]. One for business hours and one for after hours. Ask the caller to text a photo of the problem to this number. Keep each under 30 words.
Want it set up for you? We can do it.
More Office ideas.
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Build a job budget dashboard in Claude or ChatGPT with ProNovos
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View prompt
Show me every active job with billed to date next to budget. Flag any job over 90% of budget. For each flagged job, add one short note on what to check first. Do not change any data.
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Idea for contractors
Make a job checklist file right in the Gemini app
Google said on Oct 29 that the Gemini app can now make files right in the chat. You can see a PDF, doc, sheet or slide deck, fix it by typing or by asking Gemini, then open it in Google Docs, Sheets or Slides or save it. It is for all Gemini app users. PDFs work on the phone too. Other files work on the web.
View prompt
Make a one page PDF checklist for starting a [job type] job. Sections: before we leave the shop, when we get there, before work starts, and before we leave for the day. Short lines with check boxes. Leave space at the top for the job name, address and date.
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Idea for contractors
Build a supplier list in Sheets with Gemini and check sources
Google said on Oct 28 that Fill with Gemini in Google Sheets now shows the web sources it used right in each cell. It can also fill up to 3,000 cells in one go. It is rolling out on some paid Workspace and Google AI plans.
View prompt
For each business name in column A, fill in its street address, phone number, open hours and the main things it sells. They are all near [city, state]. If you can not find something, write Not found. Do not guess.