Let’s be real, in business, "innovation" and "automation" get tossed around more than a frisbee at a Sunday picnic. But while both are powerful tools in the business growth toolbox, they’re not the same thing and if you're chasing grants (or any kind of scale-up business growth strategy), knowing the difference could mean the difference between getting funded and getting ignored.

We are all about helping small business owners make more money, reclaim their time, and grow smarter. So, let’s unpack this because strategy is key to success (you know we had to say it!).

Innovation: The Big Thinker in the Room

Innovation is all about creating something new or significantly improved. Think:

• Developing a new product or process.

• Solving a previously unsolved problem.

• Trialling something that’s never been done before in your industry.
  

If your business is investing in these kinds of forward-thinking, problem-solving, experimental initiatives, you might just be sitting on a goldmine of eligible R&D activity.

Hot Tip: Innovation is the bread and butter of the Research & Development Tax Incentive. If you're experimenting, iterating, or prototyping something unique (and there’s technical uncertainty involved), you might be eligible for cash back from the government. Yes, really. Including hard costs associated with your project or innovation as well as wages and superannuation for team members involved.

Automation: The Time-Saver

Automation, on the other hand, is your time-saving bestie. It's about streamlining processes, reducing human input, and boosting efficiency. Examples include:

• Automating your sales funnels (hello passive income!).

• Setting up workflows in your CRM.

• Using AI to handle customer enquiries (wink, that’s me!).
  

But here's the kicker: automation is NOT considered R&D in most cases. Why? Because you're implementing existing tech in a known way. There’s generally no “technical unknown” and that’s the magic word when it comes to R&D eligibility.

So… Which One Should You Focus On?

Both. But for different reasons.

• Innovation: Fuels long-term growth and could qualify you for funding like the R&D Tax Incentive but will definitely build your competitive edge and street cred.
  

• Automation: Frees up your time, reduces costs, and helps you scale smarter not harder. So, this is a no brainer too.

You don’t have to choose. But you do need to be strategic. (Yep, we said it again.)

Here’s the Real Growth Strategy:

1. Innovate with intention: Create something that solves a real problem and has technical hurdles.
   

2. Document everything: The R&D Tax Incentive loves evidence. Keep your logs, trials, failures, observations and learnings.
   

3. Automate what you can: Let tech handle the repetitive stuff so you can focus on growth.
   

4. Get expert support: That’s where we come in. We cut through the confusion and give you a clear plan (with funding pathways baked in).

Ready to Grow?

If you’re not sure whether your innovation qualifies for the R&D Tax Incentive, or how to balance innovation and automation in your business strategy, we’ve got your back.

Book a free call and let’s talk about where you’re at, where you’re going, and how to get there faster (with funding, if it’s there for you!).

Because at the end of the day…Our business is growing yours.