Early in my career, I joined an early-stage tech startup. Like most startups, we had big ambitions but a small team—especially on the developer side. That meant we had to be scrappy, and automating as many processes as possible became essential.

I quickly found myself learning tools like Zapier and Pipedrive to streamline everything—from automating email responses and managing sign-up flows to improving internal reporting. What started as a necessity soon became a superpower. It wasn’t just a “nice-to-have” skill—it was the difference between drowning in manual work and actually having time to focus on strategic growth.

Fast forward a bit, and that hands-on experience with automation helped me stand out in my role (I was promoted twice in my first year), made my work more efficient, and even led to opportunities beyond my job. And that’s the thing about automation and no-code/low-code tools: they aren’t just for engineers or tech founders. They’re for anyone looking to level up their career, transition into tech, or improve how they work.

If you’ve ever thought about breaking into the tech world or leveraging tech in your corporate job but felt overwhelmed by the idea of learning to code, automation is a great alternative. It lets you leverage technology without needing to be a developer, and businesses everywhere are looking for people who can make processes more efficient.

Let’s break it down.

What is Automation and Why Learning Automation Matters for Your Career

Automation is the process of using technology to perform repetitive tasks without manual effort, helping to save time and reduce errors. Automation tools allow non-technical users to streamline workflows, organise information, and even build apps without coding. By integrating these tools into your daily work, you can improve efficiency, eliminate tedious tasks, and focus on higher-value work that drives career growth.

If you find yourself manually doing the same tasks every day - copying and pasting data, updating spreadsheets, or sending repetitive emails - automation can be a game-changer. Here’s why:

• Boost Your Productivity – Free up time by automating repetitive tasks so you can focus on high-value work.
• Stand Out at Work – Employers love employees who take initiative, improve efficiency, and streamline operations.
• Get a Foot in the Tech World – Automation and no-code tools provide a gateway into tech careers without needing coding skills.
• Increase Your Earning Potential – Being skilled in automation makes you more valuable to employers and opens doors to higher-paying opportunities.

And the best part? You don’t need to be a programmer to use automation tools. Many are designed specifically for non-technical users.

Tools That Can Help You Get Started

‍

‍

These tools can save you hours of work and help you bring automation into your workflow.

1. Zapier

Think of Zapier as the “glue” that connects different apps and automates workflows between them. It’s one of the easiest ways to get started with automation because it requires zero coding.

• Automatically save email attachments to Google Drive
• Send Slack notifications when a new deal is added to Pipedrive
• Update a Notion database whenever a new customer signs up

Once you start using Zapier, you’ll be amazed at how much manual work you can eliminate.

2. Notion

Notion is more than just a note-taking app—it’s a powerhouse for organizing work and automating processes. Once you master it, you can:

• Build custom dashboards to track projects
• Automate workflows with integrations
• Create templates for recurring tasks, reducing busywork

If you’ve ever struggled with keeping track of work, deadlines, or ideas, Notion can help you stay super organized.

3. Pipedrive (or Any CRM)

If you work in sales, marketing, or business development, knowing your way around a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) tool is essential. Pipedrive is one of the easiest CRMs to learn, and when combined with Zapier, you can:

• Automate follow-ups to leads
• Track sales progress without manual data entry
• Generate real-time reports with zero effort

Even if you don’t work in sales, understanding how CRMs work can give you an edge in business and strategy roles.

4. FlutterFlow

Want to build an app but don’t know how to code? FlutterFlow is a no-code platform that lets you design and launch mobile apps—without writing a single line of code.

It’s perfect for:

• Entrepreneurs looking to prototype an idea before hiring developers
• Teams that need a quick internal tool for operations
• Anyone interested in learning how apps are built without diving into programming

If you’ve ever had an idea for an app but felt like coding was a barrier, FlutterFlow removes that roadblock.

Where to Start

If you’re wondering how to get started with automation and no-code tools, here’s a simple approach:

• Pick one platform to focus on – Whether it’s Zapier, Notion, or FlutterFlow, start with one tool and get comfortable with it.
• Use free resources – Most platforms offer free tutorials, guides, and templates to help you learn. YouTube (and even TikTok) is packed with great beginner-friendly content.
• Practice by automating your own tasks – Start small by streamlining your own work. For example, use Zapier to automate email notifications or set up a Notion dashboard to manage tasks.
• Once comfortable, explore other tools – As you gain confidence, expand your knowledge to other automation and no-code platforms to increase your versatility.

‍