Cut or Invest: What to Automate When Money Is Tight

During economic downturns, companies often face a difficult choice: slash costs or invest in innovation to capture market share. The author, a business automation expert, proposes an alternative approach, criticizing both extremes. Instead of blind budget cuts or risky investments in any technology, they suggest using a clear filter to evaluate automation efficiency. In the era of AI agents and bots, it is crucial to understand which processes will truly provide value and which will be a waste of resources. The article aims to help managers and business owners make informed decisions about what to automate during periods of financial scarcity, ensuring they not only survive the crisis but emerge more competitive. The author shares personal experience and criteria that help determine priority tasks for implementing automation during challenging times.