Automate business tasks for maximum efficiency

The automation of tasks is becoming essential in business, because it improves the productivity and engagement of employees. Using the right automation tools can free up time, allowing employees to focus on the tasks that matter most. Plus, it boosts business productivity and allows employees to direct their creativity and energy toward meaningful goals. In this article, let's discover how to reconcile employee well-being with increased performance by using automation in a relevant way.

What is task automation?

Task automation is defined as a set of procedures that allow repetitive tasks to be performed in an automated manner. Technological advances make it possible to perform these types of tasks with low added value in a more efficient and profitable way. Some specialized IT solutions can thus repeat the same set of tasks normally performed by humans, reducing errors while increasing productivity.

In addition, this automation can be used in multiple departments such as human resources, IS management, accounting, customer relationships, or marketing with the lead generation strategy.

By minimizing human intervention on these mundane tasks, task automation is considered to be an ideal solution for maximizing efficiency, as humans can focus their efforts on more interesting goals. In the long run, the entire company can be positively impacted by this automation.

What are the benefits of automation?

Automation is an opportunity for your business. Indeed, numerous advantages can be obtained by using this innovative approach.

Improving employee satisfaction

Automating tasks can be immensely beneficial for employees. It has no negative impact on them. On the contrary, it saves them from having to do repetitive, tedious and uninteresting work. Employees can then devote their full attention and potential to more creative activities that promote business growth and development.

Streamlining business processes

Before automating tasks, it is essential to list them and map business processes. This is then the ideal opportunity to analyze these business processes in depth and simplify them. Sometimes, in fact, simplification is necessary to allow the automation software to perform its functions effectively.

Reducing the error rate

Employees, while dedicated to their work, can still make mistakes. If they have to do repetitive tasks for long periods of time, their motivation and concentration can naturally decrease and lead to numerous mistakes. Automation tools offer an alternative here. They can perform the same task thousands of times without discerning a difference in performance.

Increase business productivity

Automation tools can improve business efficiency by completing tasks more quickly and reliably. This leads to a significant return on investment by reducing associated costs. Automating repetitive tasks speeds up the production of products and services and frees up employees to focus more on core tasks, maximizing the quality of projects.

How do you define which tasks need to be automated?

To automate tasks, it is necessary to identify those who should benefit from this technology. So start by looking at the tasks that are best suited to automation.

A process that is intended to be automated generally meets three essential criteria:

• A recurring task: The task must be repetitive in order for the automation tool to handle it effectively.
• A task that is not very motivating: If a task is difficult for employees, it is a good idea to consider automating it.
• Low added value: Finally, the task should not require a great deal of expertise. Automation must be able to replicate action without a hitch.

Thus, the automation of routine tasks that do not require creativity or emotional intelligence is possible through the use of automation software. To apply this automation, however, it is necessary to obtain the right software and to set up a structured sequence of steps to automate some of the processes usually carried out by employees.

What are the steps to automate tasks?

For automation to live up to expectations, there are steps that need to be followed carefully. In fact, it is essential to be well prepared for process automation in order to reap all the benefits.

Identify tasks to be automated

First, it is necessary to determine which tasks should be automated. Automating a large number of tasks is not advisable, as this can lead to poor results, for example website translation and content creation.

However, there are tasks that lend themselves particularly well to automation processes. This is particularly the case with these examples of tasks that are regularly automated in companies:

• Sorting employee emails;
• The creation and sending of invoices;
• The classification of prospects;
• But also data entry and analysis;
• The publication of an article on a social network;
• The spelling correction of a document.

Plan processes

Why automate? To ensure the success of your automation strategy, it is important to define your needs.

For example, if you are automating the posting of messages on a social network, what is your objective? This could mean posting three times a week or reaching a certain number of impressions. Setting clear goals helps you plan actions and establish a schedule for completing tasks.

Select automation tools

To achieve the desired goals, you need to choose the right automation tools. Different types of tools are used to automate various tasks. It is therefore necessary to choose the solution that best suits specific needs.

Ideally, the solution you are going to choose should effectively automate processes, integrate with existing workflow, contain the necessary functionalities, and be easily accessible.

Follow the performances

Automation is not enough. You should also monitor its effect on productivity and profitability. Choose relevant performance indicators and create dashboards to track changes over time. This feedback should be used to update the automation process until it achieves the desired results.