Meaning ● Within the SMB sector, a Human-Centric Automation Strategy represents a deliberate approach to implementing automation technologies that prioritizes the needs, skills, and well-being of employees. This involves carefully selecting and deploying automation tools to augment human capabilities, rather than simply replacing them. ● The key to this strategy centers on enhancing employee productivity, reducing tedious tasks, and creating opportunities for skill development within the business. By focusing on user-friendly automation and providing adequate training, SMBs can minimize disruption and maximize employee buy-in during the implementation phase. ● Considering aspects of SMB growth, automation efforts need to improve scalability and customer satisfaction, with employees acting as front line, and automation as a supporting pillar. When it comes to automation and implementation, this strategy considers automation not as a silver bullet, but as a tool among many that serves organizational design, work effectiveness, learning, and strategic decision-making. ● Effective planning for Human-Centric Automation acknowledges that technology should support, not supplant, employees; this necessitates SMB leaders making sure that project teams gather inputs across operational roles to understand what works best for the entire team when introducing automation.