Running a small business is a juggling act — managing sales, marketing, stock, suppliers, finances, and everything in between. For many SMEs, especially in the food and drink world, time is your most valuable resource.
That’s where automation comes in.
Automation isn’t about replacing people — it’s about removing repetitive tasks so you can focus on creativity, growth, and customer experience. Whether it’s a simple email workflow or an integrated stock management system, automation can be the difference between working in your business and working on your business.
It Saves You Precious Time
For most SMEs, admin eats up hours every week. Automating everyday tasks like order confirmations, invoice reminders, social media posts, or stock updates frees you up to focus on the things that drive growth — developing products, connecting with customers, and building relationships.
Example: Instead of manually following up with every wholesale enquiry, an automated email sequence can send a thank you, share your brochure, and prompt a follow-up meeting automatically.
It Reduces Costs and Errors
Manual tasks are not only time-consuming — they’re prone to mistakes. Missed invoices, duplicate orders, and forgotten emails can all add up.
With automation tools, you can streamline your operations, reduce human error, and save money in the long run. Even small efficiencies — like automating payments or stock alerts — can have a big impact on cash flow and profit margins.
It Helps You Scale
As your business grows, manual systems that once worked start to break down. Automation helps you scale without losing control.
By setting up smart workflows and connected systems early on, you’ll be ready to grow without doubling your workload. Whether it’s managing more customers, products, or partners — automation keeps things running smoothly behind the scenes.
It Improves Communication
Automation can help you stay connected — both internally and externally.
From customer updates and newsletter scheduling to internal notifications when a new order comes in, automation keeps your team and your customers informed and engaged.
For membership-based organisations (like Tastebuds Collective!), automation also ensures members receive regular updates, event invitations, and key opportunities — without missing a beat.
It Lets You Focus on What You Do Best
The truth is, most small business owners didn’t start their business to spend hours updating spreadsheets or chasing invoices.
Automation gives you time back to focus on your strengths — whether that’s baking, brewing, branding, or building connections. It helps you work smarter, not harder.
Getting Started
You don’t need a huge budget or a tech background to get started. Many automation tools are affordable, easy to use, and designed specifically for small businesses.
Start small:
- Automate your social media scheduling
- Set up automatic invoice reminders
- Use email automation for customer or member communications
- Connect your online shop to your accounting system
Each step might seem small, but together they can make a huge difference.
But the best advice is to attend one of the automation in-person workshops with Sustained Innovation or dependent on your programmes, attend a webinar.
