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- THE ONE AUTOMATION FLOP 20K+ PEOPLE NOTICED IN ONE DAY
THE ONE AUTOMATION FLOP 20K+ PEOPLE NOTICED IN ONE DAY
Edition 042
Jessica Murray
July 31, 2025
Our featured article either offers a behind-the-scenes look at what we’re up to at Empower or provides a fresh lens on how to grow, operate or think differently about business.
THE AUTOMATION FLOP (AND HOW TO AVOID IT)
Social media is a funny place sometimes.
On Monday morning, I shared a cold-outbound email that landed in my inbox with a quick PSA on LinkedIn: Test your workflows and automate with intention.
I figured a subset of my LinkedIn sphere would nod in sympathy or chuckle.
Instead, the post struck a nerve. 20,233 impressions, 78 reactions, and 75 comments in the first 24 hours.
Raise your (virtual hand) if you’ve received a cold email in your inbox that made you go 🤦♀️.
I’m imagining every hand going up.
Why do I think this particular example generated such a reaction?
Because shots like this do nothing but erode trust and credibility, and there’s a new wave of slop slipping into everyone’s inbox (or DMs).
How do I know this?
Here’s a tiny snippet of how people replied:
“Oh my… 🥴 that’s gonna cause a real lack of trust.”
“{I’m not interested | No, not even remotely | Mark as spam}”
“Wow, that’s embarrassing, no attention to detail, and quite honestly, it’s incredibly lazy not to preview and test your messaging.”
“Oooof. Wrote a post today about doing exactly the opposite of thisssss.”
“This type of pseudo-personalization really destroys trust. It's better to send a generic email, than to send something that smells even remotely fake.”
“Between that and the generic ‘wanna hop on a call?’ DMs, I'm kinda over the bombardment of bad, what I'll call non-human communication. Connect with me as a person, as another human being, and then, maybe, we can start a conversation.”
Want to know how many chances you get to build that back, especially in today’s market?
Not many.
I know we’re all amped up on AI and automation. It’s appealing and necessary to explore new tech and to experiment with ways to make our businesses run better, faster and stronger.
But let’s not forget a few important things here:
Don’t let novelty cloud your judgment over the outcome you aim to achieve.
We still sell our products and services to other humans.
AI and automation shouldn’t be a crutch for laziness. Check your work and test your workflows.
AI and automation are powerful and valuable in the right use cases. When the technology works for you, not against you.
Next time you’re crafting a new workflow, intending to integrate AI and/or automation, a handful of quick tips to keep in mind:
Map it out first. Visualize each step, interaction and decision point.
Leave space for human intervention. Build checkpoints for review before go-live.
Test end-to-end. Don’t just test one step, use case or with one person.
Monitor performance in real-time. Observe KPIs, responses and bounce rates for early detection.
Periodically audit. Don’t “set it and forget it.” Re-test and update on a schedule.
This type of work isn’t always easy. It takes thought, discipline and iteration. If your team is losing time to repetitive work or you want a second set of eyes, Empower can help. From Empower Progress to Empower Complete and my Fractional COO offerings, we work with entrepreneurs to audit and implement new workflows with care.
A peek into another entrepreneurial journey. The wins, challenges, pivots and lessons.
MEET SHANNON AMSPACHER, FOUNDER OF POTLUCK
Q: When did you know you were destined to build a business?
A: “I think I always knew I was destined to start my own business...I had many a business idea as a child. So much so that I majored in entrepreneurship in college. But I knew I was destined to start this business after becoming a mother and navigating a layoff right before I gave birth, I realized how deeply our systems undervalue caregiving and community care. I knew I had to build something that not only helped people like me survive the day-to-day—but also helped them feel seen, supported, and less alone.“
Q: What’s the most unexpected thing (+/-) that’s happened along your entrepreneurial journey?
A: “The most surprising part has been how many threads there are to pull. What began as a personal pain point—figuring out how to get dinner on the table every night without burning out—has grown into a broader exploration of care, community, and what we owe each other. As I’ve dug into research and talked with users, I’ve found myself thinking not just about food and the mental labor it takes to make it happen, but also about social capital, trust, neighborhood design, alloparenting, kinkeeping, caregiving roles, rituals around food, cultural exchange, and how technology might support meaningful connection. I started out trying to solve for dinner. What I uncovered is a much bigger question: how do we rebuild the architecture of modern interdependence? “
Q: When did you hit your first scaling challenge, and how did you overcome it?
A: “I’m in the thick of it now. Potluck has proven itself through low-tech pilots, and the next challenge is moving from scrappy, community-led swaps to a scalable MVP—all while bootstrapping. So while I haven’t overcome this challenge yet, I’m actively solving for it by building in public, sharing my vision widely, and leaning into early momentum. I’m also on the lookout for a mission-aligned technical cofounder (get in touch if this might be you!)“
Q: If you were starting all over, what’s one piece of advice you would give yourself?
A: “Build in public and don’t wait until it’s perfect. People connect to process more than polish. Vulnerability is your best marketing tool.“
Q: Do you have one ask or offer you would like to share with the Empower community?
A: “Rebuilding our villages starts with small acts of trust and shared effort. If the ethos of Potluck resonates with you—and you want to reimagine what our world could look like if we truly relied on each other—I invite you to Join the Potluck. The impact of any community multiplies when we share not just meals, but ideas, resources, and the invisible labor that keeps life running. Whether you're curious, inspired, or ready to cook, there's a place for you at the Potluck: https://www.joinpotluck.app/.“
Q: A fun one, what’s your all-time favorite restaurant and where is it located?
A: “As a food-tech founder, this is exactly the kind of question I can get behind. It might be the recency effect, but I recently had the most incredible meal at Kalaya in Philadelphia. Every dish felt deeply rooted in connection and storytelling—two things I think about constantly while building Potluck. I left inspired, full, and already planning my next visit. “
Want to learn more?
Be sure to check out Potluck at the links above!
An approachable tip designed for incremental improvement with outsized impact.
5-4-3-2-1, GO!
This week’s small move is courtesy of Mel Robbins. My mom recently gifted me a copy of Let Them (I’ll withhold judgment on what I think the underlying message of that purchase was), and I started turning the pages last week. In the introduction, Robbins reminds readers of a motivational method she discovered earlier in her life— 5-4-3-2-1.
It’s a simple concept. Have something you keep putting off? The moment that impulse hits, count 5-4-3-2-1 and start moving on “1.” The backward countdown interrupts overthinking, fires up your pre-frontal cortex and gives you just enough jolt to cross the line from thought to action.
Curated reads or listens to spark new ideas or expand your thinking.
SMALL BUSINESS OPTIMISM REMAINS STEADY IN JUNE FROM NFIB
TL;DR
Earlier this month, the NFIB published its Small Business Optimism Index results for June. While the overall result remained largely steady, there were cracks indicating small business sentiment could be shifting, or, at the very least, owners are guarded, including:
A slight decline in overall sentiment was attributed to businesses experiencing higher excess inventory levels.
Optimism about the future declined, but remained above average by historical standards.
The percentage of owners expecting a higher real net sales increase this year fell 3%.
The data on the overall health of respondents’ businesses deteriorated. When asked to rate the overall health of their business, 8% reported excellent (down six points), and 49% reported good (down six points).
Playful and purely for enjoyment.
BEATING THE HEAT (OR TRYING)
It’s been unpleasantly hot in Nashville recently. On the weekends, I consistently find myself balancing my dismay that summer days are (literally) melting away and my desire to do fun things indoors that don’t cost a bunch of $$$ or involve sitting on the couch with the TV.
So far, here’s the best I got:
Pool time (and that includes dunking feet in a kiddie pool to cool off).
Cooking new recipes and inviting people over to share.
Exploring a new indoor exhibit at a local museum.
Experimenting with new icy-cold mocktail or cocktail recipes.
For the parents, join in on an art project with your little one.
Afternoon board games.
Are you in a wall of heat and have more ideas? Reply to this newsletter and share…please!
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If you’re ready to take the step, reach out to discuss how we can support your goals.
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