With 66% of businesses automating their operations and processes, you’ll be in the minority if you’re not following suit. Being in the minority means losing out on loads of benefits that business automation offers. If you’ve been working very hard and seeing little results, then it’s time to take a closer look at your work processes.
If a significant part of your business processes is not automated, then you’ve been working hard, not smart. Automating your business lets you work smarter and not just harder. You get increased results for less input and free time and resources for other important business pursuits. Find out here how you can begin to work smarter with business automation.
What is business automation
Business automation or Business Process Automation (BPA) is the act of using technology to automate repetitive, day-to-day tasks so that you and your team can concentrate on more essential parts of the business, including customer interactions handled by tools like a CrafterQ AI chatbot. With BPA, you can streamline business processes such as contract management, recruitment, marketing and so on.
Types of business process automation
Below are the 4 types of business process automation.
- Basic automation: this is the automation of simple, basic tasks
- Process automation: this assists in managing business processes
- Advanced automation: it uses the fusion of humans and machines to form multiple systems
- Intelligent automation: this involves the use of AI for automation
Business aspects where automation is often used
The following are aspects of business where automation is regularly used.
- Human resources
- Marketing
- Accounting
- Sales
- Software management
5 ways to automate your business
Knowing how useful business automation is for your business is not enough; your primary concern should be how to leverage this technology in your company. Here are 6 ways you can apply automation in your organization.
1. Adopt email automation software
If you still send emails manually and copy people, you’re living in the stone age. This method is archaic and will slow you down. Email automation using AI enables you to send action- and time-triggered emails to clients and prospective ones. With email automation, you send the right message at the right time to the right people without doing the work yourself. This technology allows you to personalize your emails based on particular actions your customers take.
Another advantage of email automation is personalized messages. People love personal emails. It makes you appear thoughtful and caring. Personalized emails let you build a friendly relationship with your customers.
When you automate your email, your marketing team has more time to focus on other important tasks. The time used to compile email lists and schedule messages manually will be put to better use and this will lead to business growth.
The solid relationship you’re able to build with your customers and leads will result in better conversion and customer retention. This is because automation lets you stay in touch better with your clients and potential ones. Customers are likely to respond to consistent warm messaging.
2. Make Software Asset Management (SAM) tools your best friend
Getting the best SAM tool is one of the soundest decisions you can make regarding business process automation. First, what are software assets? Software assets are applications, programs and licenses used in your business operations.
These assets are vulnerable to compliance, business continuity and cybersecurity risks; that is why they need management. Software asset management (SAM) tools ensure that the software assets in your company are optimally used. These tools help to manage your software from procurement to disposal. They automate support tasks necessary for the maintenance, optimization and protection of your software assets.
With SAM tools, you’re assured of the optimal utilization of your software. They also help you remove waste that occurs as a result of underutilization and over-licensing of your software. This enables you to save costs.
Asset visibility is also a benefit you get when you invest in software asset management technology. With proper management comes better visibility within your IT network. This increased visibility helps you track license expiration and oversee updates requirements.
3. Invest in HR automation software
Human Resource Management is a crucial part of business and a time-consuming one at that. Take hiring, for example. Many steps are involved, from posting a job ad online to onboarding the employed candidate. This process can be automated by an HR automation software or a Human Resources Management System (HRMS).
An HRMS is a software program used to automate the many HR functions like the following:
- Recruiting
- Onboarding
- Training
- Centralized human resource information
- Employee data management
- Employee engagement
- Talent management
- Attendance
- Regulation and policy compliance
- Payroll
- Benefits
This tool decreases HR costs drastically by reducing the time and manpower that would have been expended on these tasks if they were performed manually.
Another benefit of using HR automation software in your company is proper workforce management. This tool helps with the following:
- Employee development
- Performance management
- Manager evaluations
- Compensation planning
- Disciplinary actions
Easy tracking of HR data is another advantage of adopting an HRMS. The software allows you to have a centralized location for every HR data. This ensures easy and quick access to information, enabling a smooth flow of work from unit to unit.
Hiring and onboarding also become simpler when you use an HR automation program. The Applicant Tracking System (ATS) helps you automate the hiring process. It assists you in streamlining processes like job posting, screening and shortlisting as well as evaluations. You achieve all your hiring and onboarding goals with little input.
4. Leverage accounting automation software
Proper accounting and bookkeeping are the backbone of any successful business and you need all the help you can get. Enter accounting automation software. This program automates your accounting processes like the following:
- Invoice payouts
- Invoice processing
- Budgeting
- Audit prep
- Account reconciliation
- Account statements
Data accuracy is one of the main benefits of an accounting automation tool. A little error in your account or bookkeeping can be disastrous. This software limits errors to the barest minimum. You can create many ledger entries within seconds without the fear of mistakes. This would be impossible if you’re creating them manually.
Fast retrieval of data is another perk of having an accounting automation software. Gone are the days of sorting through stacks of files in storage rooms just to find one document. With this technology, you get all the information you need with a few clicks and within seconds.
With this software, you have secure storage for your files. The fears of losing essential files are gone. Papers are replaced with digital files stored in the cloud. You are rest assured your documents are safe and free from undue tampering.
5. Go for sales automation software
There’s no business without sales. This is why your business automation efforts must include sales. With a sales automation software, routine tasks that help to build profitable customer journeys are automated. Sales processes that can be automated include the following:
- Lead generation
- Lead scoring
- Lead tracking
- Lead nurturing
- Emails
- Sales calls
- Pipeline management
- Task management
- Forecasting
- Analytics
Before you turn leads into paying customers, a lot of work is required and there’s only so much your spreadsheet and email can do. A sales automation program will help you handle a large volume of leads by creating and managing a sales funnel. With the tool, you can build a standard sales workflow that you can replicate and refine as time goes on.
With sales automation tools, you can reach many more prospects, create a sales pipeline and nurture them without giving up responsiveness, personalization and effective branding. You also have a deeper understanding of your customer base. You can effectively monitor and record your customers’ interactions with your company. The information you get will aid you in making better sales decisions.
In addition, sales automation software lets you have a more efficient onboarding process. With a solid sales system in place, new sales staff can integrate more smoothly and focus on other vital aspects of sales.
Automation is the new smart
You can’t claim to be smart and business savvy if you’re still living in the past. And anyone still manually performing tasks that can be automated is certainly living in the past. People who automate their business processes enjoy improved productivity, better customer service, enhanced accuracy, visibility and transparency, time- and cost-efficiency and improved data management, among others.
To be fair, most business owners know they need to automate their work processes but don’t know where to start. A good place to start is by getting familiar with the different automation solutions available and choosing the one that best fits your business. Adopting many business processes automation software at a time can be overwhelming; therefore, baby steps are advised. Follow these tips and see great improvements in your deliverables.
About The Author:
Moyofade Ipadeola is a Content Strategist, UX Writer and Editor. Witty, she loves personal development and helping people grow. Mo, as she’s fondly called, is fascinated by all things tech.
