Episode #75

Is Your Business Ready for Software Automation?

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Is Your Business Ready for Software Automation

In this episode of Tales from the Pros, Michael Georgiou and Eric Lawrence break down what software automation really means for growing businesses and how to know when an organization is actually ready for it. Moving beyond buzzwords, they share real-world examples of companies that automated successfully and others that wasted time and budget by doing it too early or without a plan.

Drawing from years of hands-on experience, they discuss the warning signs that manual processes are slowing teams down, why disconnected systems create operational chaos, and how automation should support people rather than replace them. The episode also introduces a practical automation readiness playbook to help leaders audit operations, define ROI, and start small with high-impact pilots.

If you are scaling a business or struggling with inefficiencies, this conversation will help you determine where automation fits, how to avoid common mistakes, and how to approach it strategically with clarity and confidence.

🎯 Highlights You Won’t Want to Miss

How to tell if your business is truly ready for automation
The difference between automation and AI and why it matters
Common operational red flags that signal inefficiency
Why disconnected tools slow growth and increase costs
How to audit workflows and identify high-impact automation opportunities
The importance of starting small with pilot automation projects
How automation improves compliance, scalability, and competitiveness
Why automation should empower teams, not replace them

🎧 Listen and Subscribe

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6QkUtrcNllUkqtq1fjlwnZ
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tales-from-the-pros/id1371067192
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Imaginovation/podcasts
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/talesfromthepros

🗂 Topics We Cover

What smart, practical automation looks like in real businesses
Signs manual processes are costing time and money
How operational growth can outpace systems and teams
Why auditing workflows is the first step to automation readiness
How to define ROI before investing in automation
Common automation roadblocks and how to overcome them
The role of leadership and team input in automation decisions
Why automation is essential to remain competitive

💡 Key Takeaways

Manual, repetitive work is a strong signal that automation may be needed
Automation must align with business goals, not trends or hype
Disconnected systems create inefficiency, errors, and frustration
Starting small with high-impact pilots reduces risk and improves ROI
Automation frees teams from low-value busywork
AI and automation are related but not the same
A clear audit and roadmap prevent wasted investment
Strategic automation strengthens long-term scalability and resilience

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Practical Automation
02:22 Signs Your Business Is Ready for Automation
05:22 When Growth Outpaces Operations
07:53 Disconnected Systems and Tool Overload
10:36 Losing Competitive Advantage
12:30 The Automation Readiness Playbook
15:41 Involving Teams in Automation Decisions
18:12 Starting Small With High-Impact Pilots
20:35 Real-World Automation Case Studies
23:06 Common Automation Roadblocks
26:48 Automation vs AI Explained
30:25 Final Takeaways and Closing Thoughts

Meet The Host

Michael Georgiou is the Co-founder at Imaginovation and the podcast host of Tales from the PROS. As an entrepreneur and business leader, he is passionate about sharing stories that inspire innovation and growth.

Eric Lawrence is the Director of Growth at Imaginovation. As co-host of Tales from the PROS, he brings years of experience working directly with clients seeking software and application development solutions. His insights help businesses understand what to look for in a development partner and how to set projects up for success.

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