Is Automation Really a Good Idea?

Innovation enthusiasts don't buy and adopt innovation because it's new. They want other people to in by this innovation, so that it comes and delivers value to them. Different kinds of automation are useful across the entire spectrum. i've found it really helpful to understand from the potential customer a if they can help me understand more about the benefit they think they would get from the product or service that i've described to them. I'd like to understand a cost trade off as early as possible in the relationship. How much does it cost you to do what you're doing now without our product? In building something, or in reaching new customers, or in spreading the word in the market place