We all use tools that help us to “automate” our lives.
AI is an amazing tool that many are grasping and winning with. A widespread misunderstanding exists that “AI” refers to taking over human employment. It’s two different things. Will people continue to be replaced with technology / AI? Yes.
Is this new? No.
Look at EZ Pass, remember the days when you had toll booth operators and the contraption that grabbed the quarters we tossed in? How about the horse & buggy vs the automobile?
What if we changed the narrative? What if we viewed automation not as a replacement for individuals, but as a spark for human capability? Dreaming bigger, MUCH bigger.
For an extended period, companies have been hindered by the “busywork”. The manual input of data, the never-ending email chains for authorizations, the monotonous tasks that consume precious time. These are not mere inefficiencies; they quietly undermine innovation, creativity, and employee morale.
The true aim of automation isn’t merely to reduce expenses. The goal is to shift from automation (removing a task) to acceleration (strategically using the saved time to foster growth).
Your Blueprint for a Smarter Way to Work
To change your perspective from viewing automation as a task to seeing acceleration as a tactic, a plan is essential. This is not an intricate, lengthy endeavor spanning years. It’s a sequence of deliberate actions that can begin today.
Step 1: Recognize the Time-Wasters.
Begin by inquiring with your team: “What is the most monotonous, recurring aspect of your day?” The responses will astonish you. It might range from handling invoices to arranging appointments. These are your key targets for automation. Many companies are finding early wins by focusing here. Simple ways to improve the businesses, quickly.
Step 2: Rank by Effect.
Not all automation is the same. Concentrate on activities that will significantly affect your company’s profitability. Will the automation of a process in customer service enhance satisfaction? Will optimizing a sales process boost revenue? Select the easily attainable opportunities that provide the greatest benefit. Hint: A recent report released by MIT spoke to FinOps and Operations being some of the biggest areas for early wins, ROI, and gaining competitive advantages.
Step 3: Enable Your Team to Create.
This is the most essential section. By automating the routine, you free your team’s capabilities. They can now concentrate on important, strategic tasks. This is the place where the enchantment occurs. Your customer service representatives can now concentrate on fostering stronger connections. Your sales team can chase new prospects. Your marketing team can conceive more daring campaigns. Look throughout your organization, not just in the C Suite. You may be surprised when you go bottom to top to see how teammates are leveraging automations in their jobs.
Step 4: Consider Acceleration.
After automating a process, the focus should change from “what should we automate next?” to “how can we leverage this extra time to fast-track our objectives?” This is the place to foster a culture of ongoing enhancement and creativity.
Picture a company where your staff isn’t merely finishing assignments; they’re proactively considering ways to enhance procedures, develop innovative products, and improve customer service. This represents the future of employment, grounded in a base of strategic automation.
Don’t allow the jargon to scare you. The journey from automation to acceleration focuses on enhancing your business to be smarter, more efficient, and more human than it has ever been. It’s a plan for a better tomorrow.
If you would like to discuss this, let’s connect here on LinkedIn and schedule time to meet.