Competitive businesses are using artificial (AI) and automation more than ever to get ahead today. In 2020, McKinsey reported that two-thirds of companies started using business automation processes, up from compared to 57% in 2018. According to the 2024 McKinsey Global Survey on AI, 65% of companies regularly use generative AI today – almost twice as many as in 2023. Organizations clearly recognize how AI and automation are increasing productivity for their employees.
While business process automation has been popular since the dawn of the information age, generative AI has exploded in the past year. Companies today use generative AI to write software code, develop marketing strategies and content, analyze documents, provide 24/7 customer service and develop products… the options are almost endless. McKinsey estimates that by 2030, generative AI could free up workers’ time by 30%.
Although AI and automation are both growing in popularity and accuracy, some companies may not recognize the full capabilities of automation tools to improve productivity. Here are the top six ways to boost efficiency with automation.
1. Automate repetitive tasks
According to Kissflow, 94% of employees regularly perform repetitive tasks and manual processes that take up time (and brain power). These repetitive processes include time tracking, scheduling, invoicing, reporting, HR or employee management tasks, expensive management, marketing and accounting. By automating business processes, team members gain back valuable time, freeing them to focus on more important tasks.
2. Reduce errors
Business process automation reduces human error to improve efficiency. Data errors cost the U.S. $600 billion annually, according to the Data Warehouse Institute. Knowledge workers who use automation spend less time checking for errors or fixing work, saving the company time and money. In the manufacturing industry, implementing robots in manufacturing processes also reduces errors in production processes and makes work safer.
3. Improve employee engagement
One of the indirect benefits of automation is a boost in employee engagement. When employees focus on more fulfilling projects instead of repetitive tasks, they’re more likely to enjoy their work. Automating tasks also reduces employee workloads, which further boosts engagement. Engaged employees are more productive, more dedicated to the company’s goals and more likely to stay at a company longer.
4. Prioritize process innovation
While automating business processes is innovative in itself, automation solutions also allow employees to spend more time innovating and refining processes that matter to them. This increases productivity by removing barriers to getting work done. For example, employees who don’t have to worry about their individual time tracking can spend their time focusing on project management issues that impact the whole team.
5. Improve communication
Some communication tools feature automation capabilities that notify others about task status, deadlines or reminders. This means team members spend less time updating project statuses or tagging colleagues. Plus, it helps ensure everyone is looped in, improving visibility for all team members, from the busy manager in meetings to hybrid colleagues who aren’t in the office. Some advanced communication tools feature automation technology to take notes during meetings in real time, summarize emails or provide suggested responses, saving employees even more time.
6. Respond faster to changes
AI and automation tools process large amounts of data and provide recommendations faster than humans usually can. These processes reduce the time teams need to plan in response to changes, increasing productivity and efficiency. Automated analytics also see trends faster and on a bigger scale, empowering leadership to plan for future scenarios so the organization is prepared for unexpected transitions like economic shifts or, say, a global pandemic.
Addressing fears of automation and unemployment
Organizational use of automation and AI has caused some fears to crop up among people currently in the workforce. According to ADP, 85% of employees believe AI will affect their jobs, with 41% of those employees saying automation will likely replace some or all of their current tasks. While AI has replaced many tasks, especially in industries that use manual labor, many workplaces use AI to help employees perform their tasks faster or more efficiently rather than replacing them altogether. These employers often need more workers to meet the increased demands created by faster workflows and more productivity.
This means employees will need to learn new skills to match their AI counterparts, especially in terms of technology and social skills. Employers who want to stay ahead of the curve must create training and development programs to keep their workforces competitive, retain productive employees and increase their reach in the talent pool. Increasing these training opportunities also creates more job satisfaction for employees, giving another boost to productivity.
Uncover your automation opportunities to boost productivity
Most organizations know how to automate simple tasks and give employees more time for meaningful work. Competitive organizations are looking deeper into their processes to find even more ways to increase productivity based on how employees perform. Leverage ActivTrak’s employee monitoring software to identify the best processes to automate at your organization for increased productivity.
Our platform gives you deep insights into employee productivity and well-being to make informed decisions, optimize outcomes, and foster a culture of innovation and resilience. Join the 9,500+ customers who trust ActivTrak's expertise, recognized by industry leaders and backed by top investors. Contact our sales team today to get started and take the first step towards an automated, more productive workplace.
