Process automation technologies are designed to make individual employee’s jobs easier and more fulfilling as well as reduce costs and errors for businesses by better performing repetitive, low-value, predictable tasks faster and more accurately.
Both artificial intelligence and machine learning developments have accelerated what “bots” can handle, expanding the possibilities for process automation technology applications. But what does that automation really mean for the employee and employer? What would one-hour of automation per day bring to the life of the individual and the profitability of a company?
An Hour Per Day for the Employee
Given that most individuals work an 8-hour workday, saving one hour per day amounts to one-eighth or 12.5% of available time. If you project that time savings over a longer period, you save five hours a week, around 20 hours per month, or roughly 260 hours per year. Imagine reclaiming 260 extra hours of time by simply shifting mundane, repetitive tasks to “bot” technology.
That extra time can be easily used for professional and career development through training and continuing education, participation in industry associations, or self-study. Trading mindless, repetitive tasks for an hour per day allows employees to concentrate on higher-value, more interesting tasks.
For example, allowing a “bot” to automatically send order confirmation and shipping notification emails to customers can free a customer service representative to resolve complex customer complaints, providing personalized service where needed.
An Hour Per Day for the Employer
Process automation technologies can help businesses work more efficiently and effectively, boosting profits and reducing costs in the long-run. Although there can be a fear that process automation results in laying off employees and replacing them with “bots,” the reality is that successful companies need the combination of these technologies along with skilled employees.
Instead of replacing people, process automation provides the opportunity for employees to upskill and learn better ways of contributing to the long-term success of an organization. That, in turn, adds value to the employer and its ability to succeed and be profitable, which should translate to a more secure work environment with opportunities for higher paying and more fulfilling work.
Returning to our customer service example above, we can convert the one-hour of automation a day per representative to amount to a salary savings of $5,000 per year. In addition, that time and those resources can be redirected toward higher value activities, such as improving customer service experiences by reducing wait times, faster problem resolution, and increasing one-on-one service. Higher customer satisfaction means greater loyalty, repeat orders, positive reviews, and powerful word-of-mouth marketing.
At first glance, one hour doesn’t feel like much time. However, using that time each workday to automate repetitive, low-value tasks can easily result in significant benefits for both the employee and employer. Professional and career development opportunities for employees pave a path to more fulfilling, interesting work. Fewer errors, faster service, and freeing resources to provide even better service put businesses on a road to greater profitability and success.