Meaning ● Human Capital Primacy, in the context of Small and Medium-sized Businesses (SMBs), underscores the paramount importance of employees’ skills, knowledge, and experience as the primary driver of growth, innovation, and competitive advantage. This perspective asserts that strategic investments in workforce development, talent acquisition, and employee engagement are not merely supportive functions, but rather core business imperatives that directly impact profitability and sustainability, especially when integrated with automation initiatives. Prioritizing human capital enables SMBs to leverage their workforce’s unique capabilities to optimize processes, enhance customer satisfaction, and adapt quickly to market changes, fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Consequently, effectively leveraging human assets is crucial for successful automation implementation and maximizing its return on investment within the SMB landscape, as skilled workers are needed to manage and innovate within automated systems.