Quick Answer
For search, voice, and "just tell me what to do".
Why some inefficiency is sacred—and how to preserve it.
Key Takeaways:
- Good Friction vs. Bad Friction: Bad friction stops the sale. Good friction builds the bond.
- The Uncanny Valley of Service: When service is *too* perfect, it feels robotic.
- The Human Touch Points: Identify the 3 moments where a human MUST be involved.
In-Depth Analysis
The Cult of Efficiency
We worship efficiency. We want "One-Click" everything. But relationships are not efficient. Trust is not efficient. Love is not efficient.
The Sacred Inefficiency
If you optimize a dinner party for "efficiency," you would just blend the food and chug it in 30 seconds. You missed the point. The point was the time spent.
Where to Optimize vs. Where to Linger
- Optimize: Invoicing, scheduling, bug fixing, data entry. (The Chores).
- Linger: Strategy, design, conflict resolution, celebration. (The Art).
Use AI to crush the chores so you can linger on the art.
Playbook
The 'Do Thinking Hand' Rule: Never automate the apology. Never automate the thank you note for a major deal.
The Friction Audit: List every step. Ask 'Does this step build trust?' If yes, keep it slow. If no, automate it.
The Surprise Call: Call a customer for no reason other than to say thanks. AI can't do that sincerely.
Common Pitfalls
- Automating Intimacy: Sending 'Happy Birthday' emails that look automated.
- Efficiency Idolatry: Measuring success purely by 'Time Saved'.
- Losing the Pulse: If you never talk to a customer, you don't know what they want.
Metrics to Track
Client Retention Rate
Net Promoter Score (NPS)
Number of Non-Transactional Conversations
FAQ
Shouldn't we optimize everything?
No. You optimize the *pipeline* so you can spend time on the *person*. Optimization is a means, not an end.
Is manual work a waste?
Not if it signals care. A handwritten note is 'inefficient', which is exactly why it is valuable. It proves you spent the time.
Related Reading
AI as a Silent Partner
Explores the philosophy of AI as a background collaborator—never the voice, always the amplifier. This approach centers on maintaining strict boundaries, using intentional prompts to guide output rather than surrendering to it, and sharpening human discernment. The goal is to remain the final moral and creative authority, using AI to handle the cognitive heavy lifting without eroding the human soul of the business.
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