A bit of a wordy article this week but I wanted to ensure that there was a section describing the 30 or so action blocks. Please read and enjoy.

Let me share how I used MindStudio to tackle a classic workplace headache: collecting and reporting client feedback. You know the drill—endless emails, spreadsheets everywhere, and a team constantly asking, “Have we heard back from ABC Ltd yet?” It was chaos. So, I decided to let MindStudio and its AI take over the hard graft while I sat back and acted like I had it all sorted.

The Problem

We needed a way to collect feedback from clients after projects were completed. Not just any feedback, though—it had to be organised, easy to analyse, and presented neatly so the team could actually use it. Oh, and it needed to politely chase those clients who conveniently “forgot” to respond. This task used to take hours, but with MindStudio, I planned to automate it faster than I could finish my tea.

Building the Workflow

The AI even suggested integrating Slack for team notifications, which was perfect since our team spends half the day on it (and the other half making tea).

I started by typing a prompt into the Workflow Generator:

“Create a workflow that sends a feedback survey to clients, tracks responses, analyses trends, and sends a weekly report to the team.”

In no time, MindStudio whipped up a workflow that was almost like it could read my mind. It included:

A trigger block to start when a project was marked complete,
An email block to send out the survey,
A data analysis block to process responses,
A reminder block for those clients who needed a little nudge,
And a report block to generate a summary for the team.

Customising with AI-Generated Functions

This is where things got clever. I needed to calculate an average “satisfaction score” from the survey responses. Normally, this would mean wrestling with a bit of code, but not in MindStudio. I asked the Function Generator:

“Create a function that calculates an average satisfaction score from survey responses and categorises it as positive, neutral, or negative.”

Within seconds, the AI generated exactly what I needed. It even sorted the results into categories so I didn’t have to play mathematical detective. I popped this function into the workflow, and it worked seamlessly.

Workflow in Action

Once everything was set up, here’s how it all played out:

Survey Delivery: The moment a project was marked as complete in the CRM, the workflow sent out a feedback survey faster than I could say “automation”.
Response Tracking: The workflow tracked survey responses like a pro, flagging those non-responders who were “too busy” to click the link.
Polite (but Persistent) Reminders: After three days, a gentle reminder email went out. No pestering from me was required.
Feedback Analysis: All the responses were run through the satisfaction score function, creating clear trends—no more squinting at spreadsheets trying to make sense of it all.
Weekly Reporting: Every Friday, the workflow pulled everything together into a beautiful report, complete with charts, trends, and key client comments. It even sent the report to Slack, saving me the awkward “Did you see my email?” chats with the team.

The Results

What once felt like herding cats is now completely automated. The process runs so smoothly that my team thought I’d hired an extra assistant. (I let them believe that for a bit.) On top of saving hours of effort, the insights we’ve gained have been sharper than ever. Clients who didn’t respond? Gently nudged. Key trends? Clear as daylight. And all of this with no spreadsheets in sight—an absolute win.

Wrapping Up This Part

MindStudio didn’t just make this process efficient; it made it downright enjoyable. The Workflow Generator took care of the heavy lifting, the Function Generator nailed the technical bits, and I got to look like a genius at streamlining everything. If you’ve got processes that are driving you mad, MindStudio’s 30+ action blocks can help. In the next section, we’ll break down each block, showing how they can turn your chaos into perfectly organised, automated brilliance. Keep reading—you’ll want to see what’s possible!

A Guide to MindStudio Action Blocks: A Lighter Take

Building workflows in MindStudio feels like giving your ideas a jetpack—it’s intuitive, fun, and surprisingly efficient. With its drag-and-drop interface, MindStudio’s Workflow Generator and Function Generator let you tackle complex tasks without needing a degree in rocket science. Behind the Generators there is a plethora of wonderful tools, Action Blocks, that when joined together make the world a better place. Let’s explore the array of Action Blocks available, but I have add a cheeky British twist to keep things light and not so mundane!

There are currently 30 types of block action that you can choose from:

Generate Text

Overview

Meet your new AI scribe! The Generate Text block whizzes up written content faster than you can say “cuppa,” using your prompts and parameters. Fancy a formal report? A cheeky tweet? It’ll adapt its tone like a chameleon at a rainbow convention. Perfect for churning out blog posts, emails, or even that novel you’ve been procrastinating. Saves time and sanity.

When to Use

Crafting blog posts, social guff, or emails that don’t sound like a robot wrote them (ironic, we know).
Spewing dynamic content for apps.
Personalising marketing Overview so customers feel ~seen~.

Generate Image

Overview

The Generate Image block is your digital Picasso (minus the beret). Describe a “serene beach sunset” or “a hamster in a top hat,” and voilà – it whips up a visual masterpiece. Ideal for designers who’d rather not faff with Photoshop for hours.

When to Use

Designing Insta-worthy marketing visuals.
Creating art for your hipster aunt’s Etsy shop.
Rapidly prototyping ideas before your boss asks, “Where’s the mockup?”

Display Content

Overview

This block’s the cheeky little middleman that shoves text, images, or cat memes at users. It’s like a digital butler, presenting info in a crisp, no-faff manner. Critical for apps, chatbots, or anything that needs to look less 1990s Geocities.

When to Use

Slapping dynamic content into chatbots.
Showing users their weather forecast (spoiler: it’s raining).
Delivering personalised messages that don’t start with “Dear [INSERT NAME]”.

Generate Asset

Overview

Tired of faffing about with design software? The Generate Asset block automagically whips up PDFs, certificates, or reports so polished, your clients will think you hired a graphic designer. Saves hours – freeing you up for more tea breaks.

When to Use

Auto-generating invoices that don’t look like a toddler made them.
Crafting “personalised” certificates for that online course nobody finished.
Creating snazzy downloads for marketing (because brochures are so 2003).

User Input

Overview

The User Input block is the digital equivalent of a nosy parker, collecting data via text, dropdowns, or file uploads. Use it to make workflows as interactive as a pub quiz – minus the sticky tables.

When to Use

Harvesting survey responses (please, someone answer them).
Tailoring experiences: “Do you prefer puppies or spreadsheets?”
Onboarding forms that ask for your mother’s maiden name (kidding… mostly).

Query Data

Overview

This block’s your data bloodhound, sniffing out info from databases like it’s hunting truffles. Perfect for apps needing real-time stats without the Excel-induced migraines.

When to Use

Fetching user data to pretend you remember their birthday.
Checking if your e-commerce site has stock (Spoiler: It doesn’t).
Grabbing analytics to justify your caffeine budget.

Run Function

Overview

For the coders who enjoy showing off, the Run Function block executes custom scripts – be it crunching numbers, transforming data, or poking APIs. It’s like giving your workflow a PhD in “Getting Stuff Done.”

When to Use

Backend wizardry even Gandalf would approve of.
Turning messy data into something resembling order.
Triggering APIs because REST is best (apparently).

Scrape URL

Overview

The Scrape URL block is your digital pickpocket, lifting data from websites faster than a seagull nabbing chips. Ideal for~~creeping on competitors~~market research.

When to Use

Swiping competitor prices (for science).
Hoarding headlines for content “curation.”
Automating research so you can finally take a holiday.

Analyse Image

Overview

This block’s the Sherlock Holmes of pixels, deducing objects, text, and whether that’s a cat or a melted loaf. Perfect for automating tasks that require more brainpower than a stapler.

When to Use

Moderating images (RIP inappropriate avocado memes).
Extracting text from your gran’s handwritten recipes.
Spotting products in photos for inventory. “Is that a chair or modern art?”

Generate Chart

Overview

Turn numbers into pretty pictures! The Generate Chart block transforms data snoozefests into bar charts that’d make your maths teacher proud. Ideal for dashboards, reports, or justifying your department’s existence.

When to Use

Visualising sales data (downward trends optional).
Summarising survey results: “90% prefer cake over kale.”
Making spreadsheets slightly less soul-destroying.

Text to Speech

Overview

Turn text into a melodious robot voice! The Text to Speech block reads your content aloud in posh, Cockney, or even a Geordie twang. Ideal for audiobooks, lazy readers, or prank-calling your mates.

When to Use

Helping visually impaired users navigate your app.
Converting blog posts into nap-time podcasts.
Powering voice assistants that still can’t make tea.

Fetch Google Doc

Overview

This block’s your digital librarian, fetching Google Docs so you can collaborate without the 3am “WHO CHANGED THE FONT?!” emails. Perfect for workflows addicted to Ctrl+C/Ctrl+V.

When to Use

Auto-generating reports that nobody reads.
Grabbing templates for proposals (90% placeholder text).
Collaborating without your team’s chaos leaking everywhere.

Fetch Google Sheet

Overview

The Fetch Google Sheet block is for data nerds who think spreadsheets are art. Pull live data, automate calculations, or just marvel at cells that auto-update. Excel jockeys, rejoice!

When to Use

Syncing data without manual copy-paste-induced RSI.
Automating budget sheets (red numbers optional).
Building dashboards that look almost professional.

Search Google News

Overview

Stay ahead of the curve (or pretend to) with the Search Google News block. It trawls headlines so you can sound smart at Zoom meetings. “Did you see that article on blockchain?”

When to Use

Curating news for your “I only read intellectuals” persona.
Stalking competitors without leaving LinkedIn.
Automating news roundups because reading is hard.

Search Google Trends

Overview

Find out what’s trendier than avocado toast with the Search Google Trends block. Discover if “yoga goats” are still a thing or if the world’s moved on. SEO nerds, assemble!

When to Use

Riding the hype train for content ideas.
Proving to your boss that “yes, TikTok is relevant.”
Confirming that everyone’s Googling “why is my cat like this?”

Extract Text From File

Overview

This block rescues text from PDFs, scans, or that blurry photo of a whiteboard. No more squinting at hieroglyphic meeting notes!

When to Use

Digitising your mum’s handwritten lasagna recipe.
Automating data entry (because typing is for chumps).
Creating searchable archives of “important” docs.

Search Posts

Overview

The Search Posts block is your digital stalker, finding social posts, blog rants, or that Yelp review calling your café’s coffee “dishwater.” Handle with care.

When to Use

Monitoring your brand’s 1-star review meltdown.
Finding blog posts from 2012 for “retro” content.
Tracking hashtags that nobody uses anymore.

Create Gmail Draft

Overview

Automate email drafting so you can spend less time penning love letters to your inbox. The Create Gmail Draft block churns out polite follow-ups, promo guff, or passive-aggressive reminders.

When to Use

Crafting email campaigns that avoid spam folders.
Pre-writing “We’re sorry you’re leaving” breakup emails.
Automating reminders for people who ignore calendars.

Send Gmail Draft

Overview

The Send Gmail Draft block is your digital postie, firing off emails while you nap. Perfect for timely comms, like reminding Karen her invoice is 6 months late.

When to Use

Auto-sending newsletters that 2% will open.
Dispatching meeting invites nobody accepts.
Triggering “We miss you!” emails (they don’t).

Post to Channel

Overview

This block blasts updates to Slack, Teams, or wherever your coworkers hide. Automate office gossip, project updates, or daily cat facts.

When to Use

Announcing “urgent” meetings that could’ve been emails.
Automating Friday memes to boost “morale.”
Posting KPIs to remind everyone they’re failing.

Create Post

Overview

The Create Post block drafts social media guff so you can pretend you’re a ~content creator~. Automate tweets, LinkedIn humblebrags, or that blog you’ll never finish.

When to Use

Maintaining a social presence between naps.
Generating posts that use “viral” hashtags (🦄 #Blessed).
Streamlining content for your “personal brand.”

Create Google Document

Overview

This block auto-generates Google Docs so you can skip the blank-page panic. Perfect for reports, templates, or collaborative novels about office life.

When to Use

Spitting out boss-pleasing reports.
Creating docs titled “ULTIMATE PLAN (draft 17).”
Collaborating in real-time (chaos included).

Create Google Sheet

Overview

For spreadsheet addicts, the Create Google Sheet block whips up fresh tabs faster than you can say “pivot table.” Ideal for budgets, logs, or tracking your coworker’s coffee habits.

When to Use

Automating attendance sheets (because sign-ins are passé).
Logging data that’ll be ignored in next week’s meeting.
Creating nerdiest spreadsheets this side of ExcelCon.

Jump

Overview

The Jump block is your workflow’s cheat code, hopping between steps like a caffeinated kangaroo. Skip ahead, loop back, or confuse everyone with nonlinear logic.

When to Use

Bypassing steps for premium users (money talks).
Creating loops because someone forgot to exit.
Implementing “if confused, start over” logic.

Logic

Overview

The Logic block is your workflow’s brainiac, evaluating “if-then-else” scenarios. Because sometimes you need to gatekeep steps like a nightclub bouncer.

When to Use

Routing users based on their ~vibes~.
Flagging incomplete forms with “Nice try, Karen.”
Making workflows as fussy as a Michelin chef.

Run Workflow

Overview

This block’s the Russian nesting doll of workflows, calling smaller workflows to build über-processes. Perfect for outsourcing tasks you can’t be arsed to handle yourself.

When to Use

Assembling workflows like Lego (minus the foot pain).
Reusing that one decent workflow you made in 2022.
Passing the buck to another process (teamwork!).

Terminator

Overview

The Terminator block is your workflow’s digital bouncer, shouting “Last orders!” to halt processes dead. No frills, no farewells—just a hard stop. Ideal for ending workflows that overstay their welcome.

When to Use

Killing processes after they’ve sent the 14th reminder email.
Ending workflows that loop like a broken record.
Pulling the plug when users select “I’d rather not, thanks.”

Query Data Source

Overview

This block’s your data bloodhound, sniffing out info from databases like it’s hunting for a sausage roll at Greggs. Perfect for workflows that need real-time stats without the spreadsheet-induced despair.

When to Use

Fetching customer data to prove you “totally” remember them.
Validating if Karen’s password is “password123” (spoiler: it is).
Grabbing live analytics to justify another biscuit break.

So there you have it, a list of the most energetic little building blocks that you could ask for. Now it is time for you to take the bull by the horns and ride MindStudio, I can honestly say that you won’t be thrown off.

Next time we will take a look at the dark world of debugging, evaluating, and some other useful elements.

If you have not done so already, why not read Part 1

Part 2 – A Guide to MindStudio: A Day in the Life of Using MindStudio

The Problem

Building the Workflow

Customising with AI-Generated Functions

Workflow in Action

The Results

Wrapping Up This Part