Do you need an assistant, automation, or to simply stop doing the thing?
An assistant helps a person. Automation changes the process.
Choose an assistant when
The work is variable and judgment-heavy but one person keeps doing the same kinds of research, drafting, preparation or information retrieval.
Choose automation when
A predictable event should trigger predictable steps: create the record, move the data, send the reminder, check the status, update the next system.
A simple test
Mostly one person thinking
Assistant is probably the better starting point.
Mostly systems and handoffs
Automation is probably the better starting point.
Use both when it makes sense
Automation can gather context and create the task. An assistant can help a person handle the unusual case.
And sometimes use neither
If the task only exists because of an old policy, duplicate spreadsheet or report nobody reads, delete the work instead of automating it.
Talk to us about your workflow
You do not need to know the technology. Start with what is taking too long or falling through the cracks.
Start there