Where does the time actually go on a client project, if it isn't the work itself?

In my agency, a huge chunk of it goes on copying things between apps, like pulling goals out of email threads, rebuilding proposals as decks and chasing updates for status reports.

Google just released five new Google Workspace automation tools that let Gemini do that hopping for you, so I've mapped them onto one client project from the first email to the final review.

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Here's the video that walks through the update.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnx9D8Jp0O4

What Google actually shipped

Google announced the update on 9 September 2026 in a post called "Less switching, more flow".

Before it, Gemini mostly worked inside one app at a time, so every app was its own island.

Now Google describes Gemini as an intelligent orchestrator that works across Workspace.

You ask from Gmail, Docs, Drive, Slides or Chat, and Gemini builds a formatted doc, a structured sheet or a styled slide deck in the background, saved to your Drive.

You get a link to a real file, not a chat reply you have to copy somewhere else.

That matters for client work, because a file can be edited, shared and filed in the client's folder like anything else your team makes.

Stage 1: The kickoff thread becomes a brief

Every client project I've ever run starts with a messy email thread.

The client mentions goals in one reply, a deadline in another and a budget concern three emails later.

With the Gmail to brief tool, you ask Gemini in the Gmail side panel to build a project brief.

Gmail connects the thread with related Drive files, emails and chats, then builds an editable brief with the key details, goals and next steps.

The link sits in your side panel, so you never lose your place in your inbox.

This is where I'd make sure the account manager reads every line, because the brief sets the direction for the whole project.

Stage 2: The written proposal becomes a branded deck

Next, you write the proposal in Docs, and then someone on the client side asks for a presentation version.

With the Docs to branded deck tool, you open the side panel in Docs and ask Gemini to turn the proposal into a deck.

It finds the key points and arranges them into clean slides.

If you point it at your brand guidelines or a slide template, it applies that style, so the deck looks like your agency made it.

The deck is fully editable and saved to Drive, ready for you to review before the pitch call.

Google also says Gemini may ask clarifying questions before it builds, and that's coming to every place you can create presentations.

Stage 3: The project folder becomes a tracker

Once the client signs, the Drive folder starts filling up with specs, assets and notes.

The old way meant opening Sheets, copying data by hand and building a tracker from scratch.

With the Drive to spreadsheet tool, you prompt Gemini inside Drive, and it looks at the folder you gave it plus other sources you choose.

It organises everything into a structured spreadsheet, which you can keep refining as the project grows.

Google's own example is tracking material specs across project folders, but the same idea works for deliverables, content calendars or link building targets.

These Google Workspace automation tools are at their best here, because the information already exists and just needs pulling into one place.

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Stage 4: The weekly update becomes a team email

Every week, the project lead updates the strategy doc and then has to tell the team what changed.

With the Docs to email tool, you ask Gemini from the Docs side panel to draft the recap.

It uses the document to summarise progress in your typical voice and can pull in other project info from the sources you picked.

You review it, add recipients and send it straight from Docs, or open it as a draft in Gmail.

Because the email reaches other people, Gemini shows you a preview card first, so nothing goes out until you confirm it.

Stage 5: The leadership check-in becomes a slide deck

Halfway through, your manager asks in Chat for a launch progress update to share with leadership.

With the Chat to slides tool, you open Ask Gemini in Chat and write a simple prompt.

Gemini gathers insights from your active projects, chat conversations, Gmail inbox and action items, then builds a multi-slide presentation with a direct link in Slides.

One honest note is that Google said Ask Gemini in Chat was coming in the following weeks, so check whether it's in your account yet.

The jobs in between: meetings, reminders and research

A client project isn't only big documents, because it's also dozens of small admin jobs.

• Scheduling: Gemini can find open times, schedule meetings and resolve calendar conflicts, which covers every client call you'd normally juggle.
• Tasks: It can log reminders or build a to-do list in Google Tasks, so action items from a call don't get lost.
• Research: It can run deep research across big folders or long threads into a report with clear source attributions, which is handy for an end-of-project review.

Google also says these capabilities will soon power the flows you build in Workspace Studio, where you design, manage and share AI-powered workflows, but that part isn't here yet.

Where I'd keep a human in charge

Google Workspace automation tools hand you a first draft, not a finished deliverable, and Google keeps using the word draft for a reason.

Here's what Google says about the guardrails.

• Gemini only gathers context from the sources you select or the sources your admin has enabled.
• Your data isn't reviewed by humans or used to train Gemini models.
• Gemini follows your existing permissions, so if you can't open a file, neither can Gemini.
• Anything that reaches other people, like an email or a meeting, shows a preview card that you review, edit and confirm first.

On a client project, I'd add one rule of my own, which is that nothing Gemini drafts goes to a client without a named person reading it.

The skill isn't the button, because it's knowing what to ask, what context to give and how to review the draft fast.

Who can use these Google Workspace automation tools today?

Google's rollout notes say the gradual rollout started on 2 September 2026 and takes up to 15 days to reach a domain, so it should be in eligible accounts by now.

• Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Standard and Enterprise Plus work accounts are included.
• Google AI Pro and Google AI Ultra personal accounts are included, although AI Pro doesn't get scheduling.
• Education users can get it with the Google AI Pro for Education add-on.
• The AI Expanded Access add-on includes it, and Frontline Plus gets the scheduling part only.

At launch it's English only, and advanced AI features have usage limits.

To try it, open the Gemini side panel in Gmail, Docs or Slides, or use Ask Gemini in Drive, and start with the stage of your client projects that wastes the most time.

FAQ

Can Google Workspace automation tools handle a whole client project?

They can draft the brief, deck, tracker, recap and status update, but each one is a first draft that someone on your team should review.

Will Gemini see client files my team member can't open?

No, Gemini follows your existing permissions, so it can only use files the person asking already has access to.

Can Gemini use my agency's branding in decks?

Yes, if you point it at your brand guidelines or a slide template, the Docs to branded deck tool applies that style.

Are Google Workspace automation tools available in other languages?

Not yet, because at launch the update is English only.

Does Google's demo show real speed?

No, Google says its demo clips are shortened and for illustration, so test the tools on your own projects.

About Julian

I'm Julian Goldie, AI entrepreneur, SEO expert and founder of the AI Profit Boardroom.

I help business owners scale with AI agents, automation and SEO.

I run a 7-figure SEO agency (Goldie Agency) and a YouTube channel with 425K+ subscribers.

I share daily AI training inside the Boardroom.

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Map your next client project stage by stage, and you'll see exactly where Google Workspace automation tools can give your team its time back.