A few years ago, automation was only associated with advanced manufacturing plants. But not anymore. Automation software is now used in every industry to boost productivity, decrease errors, and increase profits. 31% of businesses have fully automated at least one business function.
By automating workflows, businesses boost productivity, save money, improve employee performance, and streamline communication. Process automation manages tedious and time-consuming tasks once done by humans.
The debate on where automation is headed rages on, but one thing is for sure, the gains of workflow automation have been growing exponentially. More and more companies are adopting process automation to have an edge over their competitors.
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What Makes Workflow Automation Unique?
It Simplifies HR Processes
Even though HR is essential to business operations, it’s chock-full of manual processes. For example, during the hiring process, HR personnel have to go through a multitude of applications, identify potential candidates, schedule interviews, send job offer letters, then onboard the new employees.
An automated HR system can help an organization streamline HR processes. HR staff doesn’t have to go through all the job applications, the software simply scans the applications and identifies the best candidates. 25% of companies already use AI to screen resumes and job applications. This move has helped them reduce hiring time by 67%.
Improves Client Relationships
63% of consumers prefer organizations that use text messaging. Business texts have a 90% open rate and most of them get read within 3 minutes. Also, consumers are more likely to purchase when brands communicate with them in real-time–via chat. Customer service automation increases customer satisfaction because it gives reps more time to troubleshoot and optimize the customer experience. A business that adopts automation is equipped to build long-term bonds with its customer base.
Streamlines Email Marketing
Workflow management software can automate portions of an email marketing campaign, like sending follow-up emails, lead nurturing, and contact management. Some systems allow marketers to automate and customize their email marketing campaign parameters to their liking.
You can upload an introductory email to the software which is sent the minute someone joins your mailing list. You can also configure the workflow software to send follow-up emails days later to people who opened the initial email. When workflows are automated, marketers can create relatively advanced email marketing campaigns with minimal time input.
Enhances Customer Support
90% of Americans use customer service to decide whether or not to do business with a company. Good customer service is important because it helps retain customers and increases the customer lifetime value–the total worth a customer brings to a business over the whole period of their relationship.
Help desk software allows reps to customize workflows, keep track of conversations, automate repetitive help desk tasks, measure and improve efficiency, resolve issues as a team, and unify all support-related communications on a single platform. The answers to repetitive questions are automated to ensure that customers aren’t kept waiting.
Automates Filling in of Forms and Signing
In some departments, like HR and finance, filling out repetitive forms is the norm. Automation tools with strong encryption allow employees, customers, and suppliers to automatically fill out online forms securely. Users don’t have to keep resetting forgotten passwords, the system generates strong passwords and stores them in an encrypted password-protected vault.
Automation software can also allow for electronic signatures. E-signatures have become commonplace because they drastically cut down approval times. An automated workflow system makes it a breeze to sign and send important documents.
What’s the Importance of Workflow Automation?
It Enhances Efficiency and Productivity
For modern companies, maximizing efficiency and productivity is an evergreen goal. It’s not just about boosting the bottom line but also improving workplace happiness. When employees are happy at work, they don’t get stressed and resign.
Workflow automation makes it easy to assign tasks, collaborate on projects, and approve work. It reduces redundancy and streamlines data entry, which means employees take less time to input data. Because they don’t spend a lot of time on manual processes, they can devote their time to more complex tasks. This boosts their morale and allows them to deliver higher quality work.
In customer-facing companies, employees can serve more clients within a shorter time, which leads to higher profit margins. Automation also reveals weak spots in business processes that need improvement.
Empowers Employees
A smart automation program improves employee engagement by getting rid of redundant tasks. It allows staff to directly contribute to the organization’s growth, enhancing their loyalty. Automation also empowers employees to work smarter, not harder. They adopt digital transformation and focus on higher-value activities. A company can use employees’ knowledge and expertise to fast-track business processes.
Boosts Communication
Communication makes the business run smoothly. As many as 63% of employees cite poor or ineffective communication as the major reason for quitting their jobs. Inefficient communication interferes with employees’ ability to perform their work properly. When workflows are outdated, team members don’t have to remind each other of tasks that need completing. Reminders and notifications are sent automatically.
The ROI and Long-Term Benefits of Automation
It’s the dream of every organization to reduce operational costs and increase profits. Automation offers both of these benefits. It significantly minimizes mistakes because there’s less human input.
When business processes are streamlined, employees spend their working hours productively and don’t waste time on low-level, repetitive work. This lowers costs and increases business output. Workflow automation also ensures employees are assigned tasks that suit their talents and qualifications.
In the long term, automation reduces risk and errors, increases productivity, saves time, and makes it easier to scale business operations. It provides the results every business strives for. Managers are also able to make better decisions because the information is automatically captured and saved in one place.
Transform Your Organization with Automation
Successful companies don’t just focus on their short-term goals, they also plan for the long-term. Your company is in it for the long haul, and so is automation. Start automating workflows and streamline your business processes using ai tools for project management.