By Betty Lockwood
A smart automation strategy provides fertile ground for quick business growth, especially when it comes to small companies trying to carve out a niche in the global market
The world evolves in a fast-changing climate where small businesses always face a risk of being devoured by powerful giant companies. It is hard to keep up with technological changes and stay competitive if your business model is still conservative. To date, the global IT industry stands at $5.2 trillion because one in two businesses relies on technology as a way of developing and sustaining a strong competitive edge in the market. For that reason, it is best to adopt smart business strategies that enable your business to emulate competitors and at the same time give an opportunity to boost the workflow. One of such strategies is linked to the use of robotic process automation allowing companies to replace human power with digital one.
These are the top ways of how an automation strategy will benefit your business if you adopt it in time.
- Lower operational costs
Automation lets a small business perform on a par with large-scale companies that employ over a thousand staff members. How is it possible? The truth is that automation simplifies operational processes and reduces the need for human resources. It can be introduced to any business practice that revolves around repetitive work. Today many employers prefer investing in automation solutions instead of hiring more staff because people are prone to make an error in a stressful environment, whereas programmed machines provide error-free performance and can operate under any conditions.
- Optimal budget planning
When it comes to marketing ROI, some companies integrate robotics in finance operations to improve budgeting and analysis. Financial operations and reporting require a great effort, and for that reason, they are usually time-consuming. Besides, any deviation in the financial processes may result in the collapse of the entire business system. This is why automated controls are frequently used to mitigate risks that typically exist in financial reporting and forecasting.
- Superior customer service
Customer satisfaction is a contributing factor to a brand’s success. Statistical data reveal that poor service is the number one reason why a customer decides to switch a company. But it is difficult to win customer loyalty if the service system does not involve any automation tools. Though human agents are to some degree more empathetic and responsive, their performance is commonly inferior to the results you can observe when your clientele is served by robots and robotic systems. From chatbots to automated management systems, automation software lets small businesses increase their customer service and improve average response time. Moreover, it is also an amazing chance to save on personnel expenditures and invest in the core business activity instead.
- Increase in productivity
Any technology is basically aimed at providing a business with an opportunity to grow faster than it did before. Automation, in turn, enables long-term business growth by cutting time for tedious operational processes. It is beneficial to any type of company, not only those involved with large-scale production. For example, digital enterprises use automation tools to handle bill payment or scheduling reminders, as well as other operations that are performed on a regular basis, such as weekly reports or payments. Automation software is equally effective in dealing with massive amounts of data that commonly come from the customers that are willing to cooperate with a company.
- HR practices
Here, automation is used to monitor the workflow and the level of employee satisfaction. When a worker fails to complete their task for some reason, the automated system can reassign the project to another team member that possesses optimal skills in this regard. Automation software is equally integrated with the recruitment system that helps to find the right specialists with relevant expertise in a short time. When it comes to employee satisfaction, the automated system is designed to count the working hours of each worker and pay for overtime. Similarly, it handles the leave and travel reimbursement quickly so that no team member feels frustrated or discontented.
- Control over the remote workforce
Automation software is widely used among distributed companies that need to keep track of their remote employees’ performance. They integrate the automated system to supervise their work and manage the workload smartly. In particular, the system reports on progress and allows the company’s managers to monitor employee productivity in real life. As a result, out-of-office workers deliver tangible results and remain motivated during the workflow.
- Improved delivery processes
Unless you want your business to end in fiasco, it is advisable to employ automation tools in your supply system as well. It is easier to avert delays and achieve inventory accuracy if the robotic system manages the order-to-delivery flow. This way, the delivery system is consistent with updates and changes in the database. Consequently, the rate of error is extremely low, while customer satisfaction constantly grows.
One way or another, automation opens up plenty of opportunities to small companies. If there is any way you can link automation with your business strategy, you should go for it because the automation solution is never a mistake.
Author’s BIO: Betty Lockwood is a blogger, web developer, fintech expert and caring mother of two kids. She loves to write about new technologies, business news, traveling, and music events. Betty is also an editor-in-chief of Computools website. Follow Betty on Twitter.