Avoid The AI and Automation Trap

Avoid the AI and Automation Trap: Why Your Business Needs a Pre-AI Assessment

It’s hard to scroll through LinkedIn or open your inbox without being hit by the latest AI tool promising to transform your business. From chatbots to workflow automation, voice assistants to data dashboards, it’s a shiny-object paradise.

But simply adding new tech to a broken or inefficient process doesn’t fix the problem. It just adds complexity.

As an AI Business Consultant, I’ve seen this time and time again, small businesses investing in software that’s either not fit for purpose, poorly implemented, or simply unnecessary. The result? Wasted time, wasted money, and a whole lot of frustration. I bet, at some point, you have thought "this is rubbish and too robotic" or "this is taking me longer than if I did it myself".

So let’s rewind. Before you jump into the world of AI and automation, you need one crucial thing: a proper assessment. (In much the same way as you wouldn't jump on the operating table because of a chest pain, you'd get a proper diagnosis first).

What Is a Business Automation & AI Assessment?

Well, imagine it like a health check for how your business runs behind the scenes. Not just what you think is happening, but what’s really going on, day to day.

It’s about getting clear on where time is being lost, what systems (if any) you’ve already got in place, and how things like leads, enquiries, or customer requests are being handled. You’d be surprised how many businesses have clever tools sitting there… not actually doing anything useful.

We also take a look at where things are getting stuck. Are team members doubling up on tasks? Are customers falling through the cracks because the follow-up process isn’t nailed down? What does the whole journey look like from first contact to repeat customer?

This isn’t about creating a big wish list of software. It’s about figuring out what actually needs fixing, and what tech (if any) is right for you.

Why 'Shiny Object Syndrome' Is a Real Risk

It’s easy to be seduced by a well-marketed app or a peer raving about their new AI assistant. But without context, these tools can end up:

• Creating silos instead of solving them

• Duplicating tasks rather than eliminating them

• Costing more than they save

An example of this a small business owner who signed up for five separate systems to handle CRM, marketing, scheduling, payments and email. They were juggling logins, syncing issues, and paying five monthly subscriptions. After a simple assessment, we consolidated everything into one smart platform that worked in harmony and saved them £400/month.

The Real Questions You Need to Ask

Before you touch a single automation, ask:

• What repetitive tasks are draining time?

• What do my team/customers find clunky or frustrating?

• Am I capturing leads efficiently and following up fast enough?

• Where is information getting lost or delayed?

This isn’t about fancy features. It’s about practical, meaningful improvements.

What a Proper Assessment Delivers

When we do a strategic assessment at My Biz Solution, we don’t just look at tech. We look at workflow, customer journey, data quality, company or project goals and importantly, people. The aim is to:

• Simplify (before automating)

• Identify where automation will save time/money

• Ensure tools integrate well with existing systems

• Recommend AI use where it adds value, not just novelty

Sometimes the answer is simpler than expected. A better process or smarter form might do the job without any AI at all.

It’s Not About More Tools. It’s About the Right Tools.

You wouldn’t renovate a house without inspecting the foundations. So don’t rebuild your business operations on the assumption that “more tools = more efficiency.”

A strategic assessment could be the smartest investment you make this year. It stops you guessing, and helps you take action that’s actually aligned to how your business works.

If you're unsure where to start, My Biz Solution offers comprehensive AI Ready Assessments tailored to SMEs, no fluff, just clear insight and practical next steps. Implement in house, or get support from our implementation teams - that's up to you. It’s not about pushing tech; it’s about finding what works for you.

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