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Effective business process automation is currently the simplest path to radically reducing operational costs and unlocking your team’s potential. Implementing technologies such as AI and cloud-based RPA enables precise, real-time monitoring of activities and lightning-fast responses to market changes. From end-to-end automation to the use of cobots, modern solutions are becoming the foundation of competitive advantage in industry and e-commerce. Learn how to consciously plan a digital transformation strategy to effectively eliminate errors and increase company profitability.
How to transform automation into a business strategy
Automation is and will continue to be a priority for many companies – according to a report by McKinsey, by 2030, approximately 30% of jobs in the United States alone will be automated. Data clearly indicates that it is not only an effective path but, in many cases, the only way to achieve an efficient business. How can you use automation as a business strategy? First and foremost, you must start by clearly defining business goals and areas requiring optimization – this will not only facilitate the preparation of subsequent stages of the process but also allow you to narrow down your choice of technology. When selecting specific tools, you need to consider whether they:
- allow you to achieve your stated goals,
- can be easily integrated with existing solutions,
- are scalable.
Regardless of whether a company decides on full automation, just robotization, or a combination of both, the next step is to conduct training for the team – selected technologies are only as effective as the people who use them in their daily work. If the team is unable to effectively operate the implemented tools, the automation implementation will fail. It is also important not to forget that managing change within the enterprise is just as important as technical solutions – introducing appropriate changes to the company’s organizational culture often makes it easier to understand and apply new technologies, while also reducing potential resistance from employees.
What benefits can we gain by taking this step?
Automation as a business strategy is used for many reasons, but companies that choose this process do so to increase operational efficiency – the McKinsey report shows that automation contributes to a 1.4% increase in productivity annually worldwide. This may seem small, but it is important to consider that these are global data points, so the efficiency gain within a single enterprise will be more noticeable. Increased company efficiency equals higher employee productivity. One of the greatest benefits of automation is the elimination of the most tedious and monotonous tasks – automating these processes not only ensures they are performed better and more effectively, but above all, it relieves the burden on employees. Work monotony can be detrimental to efficiency, which can drop significantly over time; thanks to automation, employees can focus on more interesting tasks. The benefits mentioned above result in one more significant advantage from a business perspective – cost reduction, often substantial. A report by Deloitte shows that automation can reduce operational costs by 24%. It is a fact that it can be a demanding and expensive investment, but expenses pay off in the short term and also result in, for example, lower procurement costs as production becomes more efficient.
How to maintain quality while automating processes?
Maintaining quality during automation can be a challenge, but taking the time to carefully plan the entire process can mitigate potential problems. Process automation can be divided into two sides – technical and human-organizational. Regarding technical issues, to maintain product quality and organizational efficiency, it is good to carefully analyze the automated processes to identify their individual components, bottlenecks, and areas where problems may occur. It is also worth defining clear quality criteria that everyone understands and conducting tests at every stage – this allows for the quick detection and elimination of any non-conformities. The human-organizational side is more difficult to manage – while tool-related problems can often be fixed or replaced, team management issues may arise without easy solutions. Employee resistance, misunderstanding of automation goals, and lack of knowledge about tools are the biggest challenges, but they can be avoided – it is often enough to involve employees in the entire process, emphasize the importance of the project from the beginning, and conduct regular training and audits so that employees turn from opponents into ambassadors of automation. In both cases, you should consistently follow the established plan while remaining flexible and adapting to changing conditions. You must also effectively manage change, so you should communicate the effects and potential difficulties at every stage of the process.
How this strategy works in the long term
There are many long-term effects of automation, but the most important include the transformation of the company’s operating model – automation is not just a benefit in terms of greater operational efficiency; it is primarily a change in the work environment to one that places greater emphasis on continuous process improvement and technological development. Its implementation can also be a step toward transforming the company into a data-driven organization. Automation also has long-term effects on employees and work culture. Above all, it results in increased competence, which is related not only to the need for training on new equipment and technologies but also to the time freed up by automation, which can be invested in developing the team’s skills. Automation also allows for a greater focus on customer needs and expectations, which in turn can result in better quality of offered products or services. This can be a source of competitive advantage and can also positively influence the company’s image. An organization that does not have to waste time on tedious duties can invest that time in business development.
