Labs: testing shiny new things
Heaps Smart Labs is where we explore new tools, technologies, and ideas that can help us work better. Here are some of our latest experiments and findings.
Running low-cost automations locally using n8n and Ollama
How we built a private, automated workflow to summarise blog posts into an email-ready newsletter. For free, without the cloud.
Derek Blank|June 3, 2025Doing more with less Part 2: What it costs to automate your comms with n8n
Automation can save time, but what's the real cost? What we learned running n8n with AI, Gmail and Google Workspace for our non-profit communications.
Kate Blank|May 30, 2025Doing more with less: How we automated non-profit digital comms using n8n
How a non-developer built an n8n workflow that turns one blog post into multiple communications, customised by audience and format.
Kate Blank|May 29, 2025Work smarter, not harder: The case for automation in your office
How automation can lift productivity, reduce burnout, and save costs without exhausting your team.
Kate Blank|May 20, 2025