Every profitable business has intricate systems and processes that function as a single organism. But did you know that to stay ahead of the fierce competition in the business world requires some changes? Changes in the sense of business evolution, which is Business process automation. As an entrepreneur in this era of technological advancement, manually running your business could be an unhealthy move for your enterprise. Therefore business process automation is one sure way to run your business effectively and have it grow. As a result, the quest for most enterprises to become digital businesses makes automation necessary today.
What is business process automation?
Automation in business is taking known manual business processes and replacing them with advanced technological tools. When you use technological advancement to replace the manual methods of doing things in your company, that is automation. And, it involves investing in machines and state-of-the-art equipment to increase productivity in business. As a spin-off, it can also include paying for training and retraining of workers in your company to operate and handle the automated processes.
The use of advanced technology to complete business procedures with little human participation is known as business process automation (BPA). A business process is an activity, or combination of operations, used to achieve a specific organizational purpose, such as manufacturing a product, integrating new staff, or attracting new consumers.
An action is commonly the starting point for a business process that spans numerous company departments. For example, during employee onboarding, the HR system could initiate a series of predefined process steps to send out a welcome email, configure security credentials, and enter financial information into the pay system. Typically, automating the workflow processes in a business process enhances the efficiency and accuracy of each step.
Business process automation makes use of cutting-edge technology like as automation tools, process intelligence capabilities, and cloud platforms. Furthermore, BPA capabilities are frequently hidden behind popular workplace apps like ERP software, human resource management systems, and other tools that enforce industry best practices.
Is business process automation worth it?
In business, any process whose benefits greatly outweigh the cost is worth it. On a general level, automating business processes brings increased customer satisfaction, improves work productivity and efficiency, saves cost and time, etc. Therefore, here are some reasons why you should engage in business process automation.
Why you should engage in business process automation
Automation in the business process helps to reduce human activities that are fillable. Examples include solving the problems associated with the standardization of the business process, maintaining quality control and speed of the business process to maximize output. Furthermore, business process automation helps with controlling fraudulent activities and theft within the company. All of which can stifle the growth of the firm.
5 Business processes to automate today
Now that you know the basics about the automation process in business and its benefits. It is also relevant to keep in mind that not all business processes require automation. Here are five business processes that you can automate today for a profitable business experience.
1. Brand awareness and advertising
Advertising is one core aspect of a business to automate. A way of succeeding with automatic advertising is by leveraging the advanced telecommunications system to increase coverage and outreach. The presence of social media keeps most people busy on their phones. Therefore, utilizing the available means of digital marketing is a way to boost advertising at cheaper costs. Small businesses can use social media posts to create brand awareness and keep prospective customers engaged. Software like Buffer and Hubspot make business process automation easier. Especially with scheduling posts across the social media pages and handles.
Are you unsure where to begin with business process automation or believe it is only appropriate for other aspects of your marketing strategy? Have you heard about lead nurture but are unsure where to begin?
Creating a workflow that allows you to have a continuous presence in your subscribers’ inboxes will raise brand awareness. Even if the reader does not open the email, an informative subtitle will allow them to grasp what your company is selling.
Nurture sequences are an excellent technique to educate prospects about your company and the services you provide. By automating these interactions, you can keep your campaigns running while you focus on other value-added operations.
2. Customer service
Automating the customer service unit of a business is quite tricky because it rides a thin line. When dealing with customers, human interaction is still necessary to maintain a certain level of ambiance. However, introducing automation in customer service is not to entirely remove human interaction but to enhance it. It means using technology to assist those working in the customer service department by automating some repetitive tasks. A good example is setting up an automated response to frequently asked questions to save time. Virtual assistants also provide another dimension to the automation process in the customer service department to serve distant customers. Most virtual assistants are hired and can work remotely.
The most successful businesses today are those who leverage technology to provide great, highly responsive customer service. Customers want to be able to communicate with enterprises quickly and simply online or via any mobile device. If extensive wait times are required, the risks of losing that consumer increase dramatically.
Create and personalize simple, mobile-responsive online forms that capture and store crucial consumer data and feedback.
3. Assembly line and packaging
The assembly line or packaging department is responsible for producing the final product package that customers see. Thus, automating this process helps with an improved appearance of the final product, increased productivity, minimal injury/occupational hazards, conserving raw materials, and cost reduction. All you need is to acquire the machine. And follow the manufacturer’s instructions or engage an engineer to train you to operate and maintain the machine. Then set up the equipment, and have your products quickly packaged for customers. Remember that customers value speed in claiming their orders. And this gives you an exact business process automation of the packaging and assembly line.
Semi-automated Vs. Fully Automated
A completely automated production line refers to machines and systems that perform all or part of the process with little to no human intervention. Employee engagement is often limited in a fully automated production environment to loading product recipes into the machine interface before supervising and monitoring the system for difficulties, such as part replenishment, which needs loading product components into the relevant feed systems.
Semi-automated systems require additional human intervention to begin machine commands once parts are manually loaded into fixtures or other such gear. This type of system may incorporate people collaborating with automation. Some activities, for example, need more skill than a human can reasonably accomplish, therefore collaborative robotics and other automation aid systems can be included. Employees may be in charge of moving parts or products from one assembly station to another, while more automated equipment at these stations do repetitive duties.
4. Sales
An automated sales process ensures that you do not miss out on any opportunity to make sales. Especially, with customers who may not want to come down to the business venue. A brilliant way to incorporate business process automation in sales is to use sales software and have a business website. That way, the effect of your digital advertising does not go to waste. Customers can easily make purchases online and have the products delivered or shipped to them within a reasonable delivery time.
Contracts define commercial connections. However, ineffective contract administration might place unnecessary strain on your sales force. Contracts that are poorly implemented might result in greater noncompliance, erroneous information, and delayed sales.
However, automation has the potential to alter the contract lifecycle and payment cycle, increasing productivity and compliance. Streamline contract procedures from start to end by automatically generating data-driven contracts and fast and efficiently routing them for review, redlining, and approval.
5. Financial tracking and documentation
Financial tracking and documentation is a very critical aspect of every business. And the goal of every business besides adding value is profit-making. Therefore, it seems out of place for an enterprise to lose money because of improper financial tracking. A manual system of financial tracking/documentation is time-consuming and can lead to errors. Therefore, business process automation of company finances becomes essential. The easiest way around this is to make use of tracking software to monitor expenses. In the end, tracking software saves time and keeps errors under strict control. An online pay stub generator is also another effective method to track expenses.
Even in today’s highly computerized environment, invoice processing is still mostly done on paper. Manually processing invoices can cause delays, create cash flow concerns, introduce errors, and frustrate vendors.
Payments can be streamlined and expedited via business process automation. Robotic process automation pulls data from invoices fast and accurately. Each invoice is automatically directed to Accounts Payable for inspection and verification, then contested or authorized before being paid by finance employees.
Billing process mapping and automation enhances compliance and accuracy. Digital processes integrate with your current ERP systems to send accurate data to Accounting.
Use Paystubsnow as an excellent device for business process automation
Manually carrying out payroll activities can be exhausting, time-consuming, and result in a lot of errors. Therefore, you can quickly and easily make paystubs and generate invoices with paystubsnow.
Paystubsnow is an online pay stub generator that you can use to automate your business process. You can also create electronic invoices for your customers. And generate 1099 forms, w-2 forms for your employees besides their paychecks.
FAQ:
What business processes should you automate?
Generally, most entrepreneurs would want to automate any repetitive day-to-day tasks. Those tasks that are voluminous, involve multiple players, and are time-sensitive are excellent for automation.
What is an example of business process automation?
The business processes that need automation are those which are repetitive and can do without mandatory human effect. Examples of business process automation are automated distribution and logistics, automated sales and marketing, digital advertising, etc.
What are some benefits of business process automation?
Business process automation is beneficial in more ways than one. Some of such benefits include but are not limited to increased productivity (speed and accuracy), cost reduction, increased profitability, streamlined communication, and increased collaboration (team spirit).
