The dos and don’ts of business automation
Few of the best advancements in technology are rooted in automation. It is the ultimate gamechanger for businesses across verticals. Business automation is nothing but using specialized devices or software to complete tasks with minimal human intervention. It has become the new synonym for process efficiency.
Businesses that aim to scale faster need to draw a balance between automation and the tasks performed by a human. It is quite evident that a growing business is directly proportional to an ever-increasing manual task. Businesses need to make sure that their human employees spend less time on repetitive tasks and focus more on concrete engagements.
It is not wrong to say that automation is the new normal. It is not just becoming affordable but also more accessible. But can all businesses use automation in the right way? Definitely not! Some businesses lack a real understanding of how they can use automation to the best of their ability. This is the reason why they fail miserably resulting in financial losses, wasted time and efforts, unsatisfied customers, and over complicated work processes.
Here are some dos and don’ts of business automation that you must keep in mind while investing in an automation solution:
The don’ts of business automation
1. Expecting error-free results:
You need to remember that automation depends on human programming and therefore it is not perfect. Also, if you invest in a poorly designed automation solution or the implementation is not right, large-scale errors are inevitable. However, errors are avoidable with good human supervision and ongoing training.
2. Thinking automation as a replacement for the human workforce
Automation solutions are designed to lower human tasks that are repetitive and non-productive. You should not push to automate tasks that require deep human judgment or misallocate labour at the pilot stages. It is always wise to establish a collaborative workspace where automation and human employees can co-exist to help your business scale faster.
3. Unrealistic expectations on ROI
While it is okay to measure the return on investment of automation solutions, what is not okay is to have unrealistic KPIs as parameters. Automation is not a one-day thing. The time taken to give the desired ROI depends on your business case.
It could be within a week or may take up to 6 months. One needs to look at the direct and indirect ROIs while evaluating any automation solution. Cost-saving is one aspect, the other aspects could be lowering the burden on human employees, satisfied customers, streamlined processes, elimination of repetitive tasks, etc.
Investing in high-cost complex automation solutions
One pitfall that most businesses descend on is investing in an expensive automation solution that is not just complex but also offers a lower ROI. Avoid automation solutions that require up staffing or updating your machinery. Rather, look for alternatives that are no-code customizable solutions with lower run costs.
The dos of business automation
1. Learn from your competitors
It is wise to investigate how your direct competitors are using automation. Do not copy their strategy, instead, learn from their mistakes. Competitor analysis will help you look for opportunities that may work in the favour of your business.
2. Hybridize automation with human supervision
It is advisable to hybridize any new form of automation with some level of human supervision. As mentioned earlier, automation solutions are built by humans, so it is not always 100% right. You need someone to evaluate it and look for further opportunities.
3. Start small, by automating the simplest processes
Businesses don’t always have to start implementing automation on a large scale. Instead taking small steps is always beneficial. Start by automating the simplest tasks such as email and document handling, or customer support. Once you know how automation works, you can always explore bigger things.
4. Gradually eliminate manual process
One of the primary goals of process automation is to eliminate manual, time-consuming repetitive tasks. So, when you integrate automation solutions, your aim should be to cut down on tasks that require a lot of labor. By doing this you will not only increase the productivity of your organization but also make your employees happy and satisfied.
5. Consistently measure ROI
ROI is a crucial aspect of business automation. You should continuously look for metrics like the number of human hours saved, the total increase in productivity, cost-saving achieved, reduction in response time, etc. All these will give you a true account of the ROI achieved. If you are struggling to get the desired ROI, it is never too late to explore other business automation solutions that offer better business outcomes.
Success in business automation comes down to two things: the technologies businesses choose, and the way they integrate them. Don’t run behind automation solutions with no visible outcomes. Remember, not every automation solution will work for every business, but the right ones will make all the difference.
Business automation powered by AI has become the first choice of CXOs for two reasons, easy implementation, and high ROI. So, ask yourself: what processes can you automate with AI-driven solutions, and what do you need to leave in human hands. Recall all the dos and don’ts before making a choice for a better experience with automation solutions.
About Simplifai
Simplifai is an AI solution company that provides end-to-end automation for businesses with the help of Digital Employees. We use Intelligent Process Automation to help achieve process efficiency. Our AI-powered solutions can work in any third-party system and can be programmed to carry out specific tasks at the front- and back-end. Our solutions can provide up to 90% automation grade and can be implemented in a few weeks.
If you are considering using AI for business automation, Simplifai can be a good choice. Check out how Simplifai’s Digital Employees work by clicking the following:
