#1 Rule: Simplify then Automate

Most leaders want automation… until they realize their own process is the biggest thing standing in the way. In this episode, Alane and Micah break down one of the most common patterns they see inside companies: trying to force new software to fit an old, overly customized process.

They talk about why leaders get attached to “the way we’ve always done it,” how human teams naturally smooth out messy workflows, and why those same messy parts become major blockers the moment you try to automate. Alane shares real examples from clients who built processes out of necessity—stringing together spreadsheets, hacks, and workarounds—and now struggle to let go of them, even when a better solution exists.

Micah walks through the shift every business needs to make: instead of hunting for the “perfect tool” that matches every nuance of your current process, rethink the process itself. Start with the desired outcome, simplify the path to get there, and use the software tools that already exist (instead of building custom systems that take months and drain budgets).

If you’ve ever found yourself saying “our process is too unique to automate”—this one’s for you. You’ll learn how to simplify workflows, choose the right tools faster, reduce complexity, and finally unlock the automation potential sitting inside your business.