假设(Suppose)您将 Alexa 与您的亚马逊(Amazon)智能扬声器一起使用。在这种情况下，您可能熟悉可以使用的方便且有用的技能。我们大多数人都认为在家(skills at home)中的技能可以让我们的个人生活更轻松，但您也可以使用技能来提高您的商业生活效率。
在这里，我们将向您展示如何为您的业务创建两个Alexa技能、一个板载指南和一个业务问答。您的所有员工或同事都需要Alexa应用程序，但如果他们也有像Amazon Echo、Echo Dot或Echo Show这样的(Echo Show)Alexa设备，那就更好了！
这些技能不仅可以帮助您的员工和同事，还可以节省您自己回答所有问题的时间。
使用 Amazon Alexa 技能蓝图
创建自定义Alexa 技能(Alexa skill)的好消息是您不必从头开始。使用Alexa Blueprints，您可以从模板开始。然后，只需添加您自己的企业或公司的详细信息。
此外，您可以在 Web 或移动应用程序中创建新的Alexa技能。蓝图(Blueprints)和步骤是相同的，因此请准备好在您的计算机或移动设备上进行操作。
- 在您的计算机上，访问Alexa Blueprints 网站(Alexa Blueprints website)并使用您的Amazon帐户登录。
- 在Amazon Alexa移动应用程序中，打开更多(More)选项卡，点击查看更多(See More)，然后选择蓝图(Blueprints)。
前往浏览器或移动应用程序中的“业务(Business)”部分，您将在此处看到这两项技能。
(Create)为新(New)员工创建入职指南(Onboard Guide)
通过创建板载指南，新员工可以在一个方便的位置找到他们需要的所有详细信息。从如何通过VPN远程连接到存储办公用品的位置，包括尽可能多的信息以帮助这些新手。
选择Onboard Guide蓝图开始。您可以收听示例，查看创建技能的步骤，并了解如何使用它。如果您已准备好开始，请选择Make Your Own并按照下面的说明进行操作。
蓝图(Blueprint)包含可帮助您添加所需详细信息的部分。这些包括在哪里可以找到东西，如何做事，以及联系谁做什么。
在哪里可以找到重要资源
从在哪里可以找到重要资源(Where to find important resources)部分开始，当您询问“ Alexa，在哪里……？”时， Alexa会回答这些内容。
- 您可以保留示例资源，用您自己的资源替换它们，并在该部分下方的添加项目中包含更多资源。(Add Item)
- 输入(Enter)每个项目的位置。这可以像“一楼(First)，大楼后面”。
- 可选地包括一个注释。这应该包括他们需要了解的有关该位置的任何信息，例如“进入所需的公司 ID ”。(Company ID)
如何做事
下一部分是如何做事(How to do things)，包括当您问“我如何……？”时Alexa的回应。
- 与上述部分一样，您可以使用示例，将它们替换为您自己的示例，并使用该部分底部的添加方法添加更多示例。(Add How To)
- 输入每个项目的步骤。
- 可选地包括一个注释。
联系方式
最后一部分是联系信息(Contact info)。本部分的不同之处在于Alexa会使用您设置的语音命令(the voice command)“联系信息是什么？”来响应您的列表。
- 使用示例或输入您自己的示例并使用添加联系人添加(Add Contact)更多示例。
- 输入(Enter)每个业务区域的名称。
- 添加联系人的电话号码。注意：您必须输入区号和七位数的电话号码。
完成这些部分后，选择顶部的下一步：体验。(Next: Experience)
自定义用户体验
您可以通过输入介绍(Intro)和退出(Exit)消息使Alexa听起来更个性化。
为首次使用该技能的人输入欢迎信息。然后，包括每次您的员工打开技能时 Alexa 随机使用的消息。
输入(Enter)员工关闭技能时的退出消息。
完成后，选择顶部的下一步：名称。(Next: Name)
为技能命名
最后一步是为您的引导技能命名。再次(Again)，尝试使用Alexa识别的简单单词。
选择下一步：创建技能(Next: Create Skill)以完成创建过程。请耐心等待，该过程可能需要一些时间。完成后您会看到确认信息。
创建一个业务问答(Business Q)技能来(A Skill)回答常见问题(Answer Common Questions)
也许指南不如简单的问答技巧有效。你可能会发现人们一遍又一遍地问同样的问题。使用此技能，您可以输入这些常见问题及其答案。
选择业务问答(Business Q&A)蓝图开始。与之前的技能一样，您可以听到示例、查看步骤并了解如何使用它。准备好开始时，选择Make Your Own 。
因为不是每个人都可以用完全相同的方式提出问题，所以此蓝图(Blueprint)可让您添加不同的问题。和之前的蓝图(Blueprint)一样，您会看到几个示例来帮助您。
添加问题和答案
从第一个问题开始，使用示例或用您自己的示例替换它。然后，包括问题的一些变体。
例如，如果有人问Alexa，“IT 工作时间是几点”、“IT 什么时候开放”或“告诉(Tell)我 IT 工作时间”，他们每个人都会得到相同的答案。
如果您想添加更多问题，您可以选择添加问题变体(Add Question Variation)，或者选择右侧的减号将其删除。
接下来，添加Alexa将回答的问题及其变体的答案。
输入问题、其变体和答案后，选择添加问答(Add Q&A)以设置下一个问题。
继续相同的过程，直到您输入了所有您想要的问题和答案。然后，选择顶部的下一步：体验。(Next: Experience)
自定义用户体验
与Onboard Guide技能一样，您也可以为此技能个性化 Alexa 的介绍(Intro)和退出消息。(Exit)
每次有人打开技能时输入欢迎消息，当有人关闭技能时输入退出消息。
完成后，选择顶部的下一步：名称。(Next: Name)
为技能命名
最后，为您的商务问答(Business Q)技能命名。请记住(Remember)使用Alexa可以轻松识别的简单单词。
选择下一步：创建技能(Next: Create Skill)以完成该过程，当新技能准备好使用时，您将看到确认信息。
编辑 Alexa 技能
众所周知，事情会发生变化。您可以移动到不同的位置、雇用新的联系人或更改任务的步骤。您可以随时在网络上和Alexa应用程序中编辑您的自定义技能。
在您的计算机上，返回Alexa Blueprints 网站(Alexa Blueprints website)，登录并选择顶部的Skills You've Made 。选择技能名称并选择编辑(Edit)以进行更改。
在Alexa移动应用程序中，返回蓝图(Blueprints)部分。转到您的技能(Your Skills)选项卡，选择技能名称，然后点击编辑(Edit)进行调整。
创建您自己的 Alexa 技能
要构建Alexa技能，您不必了解Alexa技能开发或成为亚马逊(Amazon)开发人员。相反，使用这样的蓝图，您可以在几分钟内制作自定义技能。
既然您知道如何为您的企业创建Alexa技能，您会吗？
有关更多信息，请查看Alexa 的一些很酷的技巧(cool tricks to try with Alexa)，一些适合儿童和青少年的有趣技能(fun skills for kids and teens)，或访问我们的智能家居部分以获取相关教程。
How to Create Alexa Skills for Your Business or Employees
Suppose you use Alexa with your Amazon smart speaker. In that case, you’re likely famіliar with the handy and helpful skills you can use. Most of us think abоut skills at home to make our personal lives easier, but you can also use skills to make your business life more productive.
Here, we’ll show you how to create two Alexa skills for your business, an onboard guide and a business Q&A. All your employees or coworkers need is the Alexa app, but if they also have an Alexa device like an Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, or Echo Show, all the better!
Not only can these skills help your employees and coworkers but they’ll also save you time from fielding all of the questions yourself.
Using Amazon Alexa Skill Blueprints
The good news about creating a custom Alexa skill is that you don’t have to start from scratch. With Alexa Blueprints, you begin with a template. Then, just add the details for your own business or company.
Additionally, you can create a new Alexa skill on the web or in the mobile app. The Blueprints and steps are the same, so get ready to follow along on your computer or mobile device.
- On your computer, visit the Alexa Blueprints website and log in with your Amazon account.
- In the Amazon Alexa mobile app, open the More tab, tap See More, and select Blueprints.
Head to the Business section in your browser or the mobile app, and you’ll see the two skills here.
Create an Onboard Guide for New Employees
By creating an onboard guide, new employees can find all the details they need in one handy spot. From how to connect remotely via VPN to where the office supplies are stored, include as much information as possible to help those newbies.
Select the Onboard Guide Blueprint to get started. You can listen to a sample, review the steps to create the skill, and see how to use it. If you’re ready to begin, select Make Your Own and follow along below.
The Blueprint includes sections to help you add the details you need. These include where to find things, how to do things, and who to contact for what.
Where to Find Important Resources
Beginning with the Where to find important resources section, these are things Alexa will respond with when you ask, “Alexa, where is…?”.
- You can keep the sample resources, replace them with your own, and include more with Add Item below the section.
- Enter the location for each item. This can be like, “First floor, back of building.”
- Optionally include a note. This should include anything they need to know about the location, such as “Company ID required for entry.”
How To Do Things
The next section is How to do things and includes responses from Alexa when you ask, “How do I…?”.
- Like the above section, you can use the samples, replace them with your own, and add more with Add How To at the bottom of the section.
- Enter the steps for each item.
- Optionally include a note.
Contact Info
The final section is for Contact info. This section works differently in that Alexa responds with the list you set up with the voice command, “What’s the contact info?”.
- Use the samples or enter your own and include more by using Add Contact.
- Enter the name for each business area.
- Add the contacts’ phone numbers. Note: You must enter the area code and seven-digit phone number.
When you finish the sections, select Next: Experience at the top.
Customize the User Experience
You can make Alexa sound more personal by entering Intro and Exit messages.
Enter a welcome message for those using the skill for the first time. Then, include messages that Alexa uses randomly each time your employee opens the skill.
Enter an exit message for when your employee closes the skill.
When you finish, select Next: Name at the top.
Name the Skill
The final step is to give your onboard guide skill a name. Again, try to use simple words that Alexa recognizes.
Select Next: Create Skill to complete the creation process. Be patient, the process may take a few moments. You’ll see a confirmation when complete.
Create a Business Q&A Skill to Answer Common Questions
Maybe a guide isn’t as effective as a simple Q&A skill. You might find people asking the same questions over and over. With this skill, you can enter those common questions with their answers.
Select the Business Q&A Blueprint to get started. Like the previous skill, you can hear a sample, review the steps, and see how to use it. Select Make Your Own when you’re ready to begin.
Because not everyone may word the question precisely the same, this Blueprint lets you add variations of questions. And like the previous Blueprint, you’ll see a couple of samples to help you.
Add the Questions and Answers
Begin with the first question by using the sample or replacing it with your own. Then, include a few variations of the question.
For instance, if someone asks Alexa, “What are the hours for IT,” “When is IT open,” or “Tell me the hours for IT,” they will each receive the same answer.
You can select Add Question Variation if you want to add more or the minus sign to the right of one to remove it.
Next, add the answer Alexa will respond with to the question and its variations.
After you enter a question, its variations, and the answer, select Add Q&A to set up the next question.
Continue the same process until you’ve entered all of the questions and answers you want. Then, select Next: Experience at the top.
Customize the User Experience
Like the Onboard Guide skill, you can personalize Alexa’s Intro and Exit messages for this skill too.
Enter a welcome message each time someone opens the skill and an exit message when someone closes it.
When you finish, select Next: Name at the top.
Name the Skill
Finally, give your Business Q&A skill a name. Remember to use simple words that Alexa will recognize easily.
Select Next: Create Skill to complete the process and you’ll see a confirmation when the new skill is ready to use.
Edit the Alexa Skills
As we all know, things change. You may move to a different location, hire a new contact, or change the steps for a task. You can edit your custom skill anytime, both on the web and in the Alexa app.
On your computer, return to the Alexa Blueprints website, log in, and choose Skills You’ve Made at the top. Pick the skill name and select Edit to make your changes.
In the Alexa mobile app, return to the Blueprints section. Go to the Your Skills tab, select the skill name, and tap Edit to make your adjustments.
Create Your Own Alexa Skill
To build Alexa skills, you don’t have to learn about Alexa skill development or be an Amazon developer. Instead, with Blueprints like these, you can make a custom skill in just minutes.
Now that you know how to create Alexa skills for your business, will you?
For more, look at cool tricks to try with Alexa, some fun skills for kids and teens, or visit our Smart Home section for related tutorials.
