icatalystAs a business owner, you should be spending every moment of your workday trying to grow your business.
Truth is, there’s a good chance that you’re wasting about 70% of that precious time on day-to-day tasks.
The good news is that there’s an effortless way around this problem. Business process automation is the answer.
The Process of Automation
Business process automation means that you get machines to deal with the drudgery for you. Technology makes short work of repetitive tasks. These could include generating reports, extracting data or transferring files.
You can automate any task that is repetitive and involves a series of predictable steps. Automation works for simple tasks like sharing documents between team members. It’s also great for more complicated ones like streamlining the steps in an approval process.
Benefits for Your Businesses
Anyone who has ever spent hours extracting data to compile a report will instantly see how automating this kind of process is a win.
When you automate business processes, you reduce the risk of human error.
Business automation means that you and your employees have more time. It’s time that will be better spent on aspects like customer service, sales, and marketing.
You can train your existing employees to take on new tasks instead of going through the costly process of hiring more personnel. Varied and interesting tasks lead to higher employee satisfaction.
Business process automation solutions improve communication in your organization. Shared documents update instantly, and are easily accessed by interested parties.
There are business tools available to streamline and manage almost every aspect of communication in business.
Automating business processes takes a little time and consideration at the outset. Once it’s up and running, it’s effortless.
The Phases of Business Process Automation
There are four steps involved in getting set up. These are:
Analysis
Decide which routine and repetitive tasks suit automation. You can do this by talking to your personnel about routine tasks that are taking up too much time.
Implementation
Purchase, set-up and customize your chosen technology. End-user training will fall into this phase too.
Integration
API integration allows your existing software to communicate effectively with the new technology. Data integration to combine data from disparate sources should also form part of this process.
Maintenance and Support
During this phase, you will fine-tune your new system. There are bound to be bottlenecks and flaws in your original plans that need ironing out.
This phase is ongoing and includes regular software updates and tech support for any hiccups encountered along the way.
It is advisable to get a business automation consultant to help you through these phases. They will be able to come up with cost-effective solutions that you’ve never considered and mastermind a smooth transition.
How to Get Started
It’s clear that business process automation is the way forward for companies great and small. Keep checking back for updates on the latest ways to streamline your operations and get ahead in your field.
Get in touch if you would like to benefit from our expertise to take your business to the next level.
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