Balancing automation: How much is too much?

Automation enhances efficiency and cuts costs, but some tasks still need a human touch. This blog covers what to automate, and when to keep human involvement within your organisation.

Written by Vantage 365

Automation is pivotal for enhancing efficiency, reducing costs, and streamlining operations. However, it's critical to discern which processes are ripe for automation and which require human oversight.

Ideal processes for automation

Generally, business processes that are ideal for automation tend to be those that are time-consuming and labour-intensive, yet do not significantly contribute to tangible value.

• Employee onboarding: The onboarding process, often riddled with repetitive tasks such as sending welcome emails, setting up user accounts, and distributing documentation, can benefit immensely from automation. Automating these tasks not only speeds up the onboarding process but also ensures new employees feel welcomed and supported from day one.
• Invoice processing: Handling invoices manually can be time-consuming and prone to errors. Automation in invoice processing helps in reducing mistakes, speeding up approval times, and freeing up employees to focus on more strategic tasks. This leads to better cash flow management and financial accuracy.
• Data entry: Routine data entry tasks are perfect candidates for automation. By using software to input and manage data, businesses can significantly reduce the risk of human error and enhance the accuracy and reliability of their data.
• Social media management: Automating social media posts and monitoring can help maintain a consistent online presence without the need for constant manual updates. This allows marketing teams to focus on creating engaging content and interacting with their audience in real-time.

When to retain human involvement

While automation can effectively streamline high-volume, low-value tasks such as rescheduling bookings or checking ticket statuses, organisations should adopt a targeted approach to its implementation.

This is because certain areas of the business can benefit more from human engagement, which can provide added value that automation technology cannot match.

• Customer service: While chatbots and automated responses can handle straightforward queries, human interaction remains crucial in dealing with complex issues and emotional customer interactions. Personalised service can build stronger customer relationships and enhance brand loyalty.
• Creative tasks: Jobs that require creativity, strategic thinking, and emotional intelligence, such as content creation, marketing strategy, and product development, benefit from the unique insights and innovations that humans bring to the table.
• Negotiations and relationship management: Building and maintaining relationships with clients, partners, and stakeholders often require a personal touch that automation cannot replicate. Human interaction in these areas helps in understanding nuanced concerns and fostering trust.

Incorporating automation into your business processes can lead to significant improvements in efficiency and cost savings.

However, it’s essential to remember that the goal of adopting automation is not to replace human workers but to assist them in performing their tasks more effectively and efficiently.

Therefore, businesses must recognise the importance of collaboration between humans and technology to thrive in today’s digital landscape.

Vantage 365 is a specialist consultancy that helps businesses of all sizes get the most from their investment in Microsoft 365’s powerful suite of business tools and productivity apps.

For further details on streamlining your organisation's processes with Microsoft 365, contact us!