Keeping Things Human When You Automate
Sat Feb 07 2026
Hello and welcome to this week's episode of The Australian Small Business Show.
In this episode, Matt and Kristy-Lee are joined by returning guest Val from Viya Technology to explore a very timely topic for small business owners, how to automate your business without losing the human touch. With AI and automation tools becoming more accessible than ever, many business owners are keen to improve efficiency but are equally concerned about how technology might impact customer experience, relationships and trust.
Val shares practical insights into finding the right balance between automation and human interaction. The conversation unpacks how to identify which parts of your customer journey are suitable for automation, and which areas should remain human-led to preserve value and connection. Using relatable examples, Val explains why understanding your ideal client and their expectations is critical before implementing any new technology.
Matt and Kristy-Lee also share real-world experiences from their own businesses, discussing onboarding, client communication and content creation. They talk candidly about where automation has worked well, where it has not, and why transparency and feedback are essential when introducing AI or automated processes into your business.
This episode is a must-listen for small business owners who want to leverage automation and AI thoughtfully, improve efficiency, and still deliver a genuine, human experience for clients, customers and teams.
Connect with Us:
If you're an Australian Small Business Owner, we'd love to connect with you on socials. You can give our Facebook Page a like here: https://www.facebook.com/theaustraliansmallbusinessshow
Or follow us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/aussmallbizshow/
We’d love to hear from you!
Subscribe to The Australian Small Business Show newsletter by visiting our website here: https://www.theaustraliansmallbusinessshow.com.au/
Disclaimer: The information shared on The Australian Small Business Show is general in nature and does not constitute professional advice, legal or otherwise. We recommend consulting with your advisors on your specific circumstances.
More
Hello and welcome to this week's episode of The Australian Small Business Show. In this episode, Matt and Kristy-Lee are joined by returning guest Val from Viya Technology to explore a very timely topic for small business owners, how to automate your business without losing the human touch. With AI and automation tools becoming more accessible than ever, many business owners are keen to improve efficiency but are equally concerned about how technology might impact customer experience, relationships and trust. Val shares practical insights into finding the right balance between automation and human interaction. The conversation unpacks how to identify which parts of your customer journey are suitable for automation, and which areas should remain human-led to preserve value and connection. Using relatable examples, Val explains why understanding your ideal client and their expectations is critical before implementing any new technology. Matt and Kristy-Lee also share real-world experiences from their own businesses, discussing onboarding, client communication and content creation. They talk candidly about where automation has worked well, where it has not, and why transparency and feedback are essential when introducing AI or automated processes into your business. This episode is a must-listen for small business owners who want to leverage automation and AI thoughtfully, improve efficiency, and still deliver a genuine, human experience for clients, customers and teams. Connect with Us: If you're an Australian Small Business Owner, we'd love to connect with you on socials. You can give our Facebook Page a like here: https://www.facebook.com/theaustraliansmallbusinessshow Or follow us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/aussmallbizshow/ We’d love to hear from you! Subscribe to The Australian Small Business Show newsletter by visiting our website here: https://www.theaustraliansmallbusinessshow.com.au/ Disclaimer: The information shared on The Australian Small Business Show is general in nature and does not constitute professional advice, legal or otherwise. We recommend consulting with your advisors on your specific circumstances.