As automation becomes more accessible, companies of all sizes are exploring how it can enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve customer experience. Yet, the first question most business leaders ask is, “What should I start automating?” This is a crucial decision, as the right automation strategy focuses on areas that create the most value without causing unnecessary disruption.
Below five key areas we analyze with our clients before we begin a project. It’s a practical framework to help identify where to start with the optimization.
1. Identify clear goals and KPIs for automation
Effective automation begins with a clear goal. Start by asking what specific key performance indicators (KPIs) you want to improve with automation. For example, are you aiming to reduce the time it takes to complete client onboarding, minimize operational costs, or decrease error rates in data entry? Clarity on these goals provides a roadmap for choosing the processes that need improvement. Think of automation as a tool for optimization, and the more specific you can be about your goals, the more focused and successful your strategy will be.
2. Prioritize processes that bottleneck growth
The next step is to look at which areas of your operations might be limiting your company’s ability to scale. Imagine your customer base doubled overnight—what part of your workflow would struggle to keep up? This can be a powerful way to identify where automation could provide immediate relief and support future growth. Common areas where automation can help scale operations include order processing, customer support ticketing, and inventory management. By removing bottlenecks, you create a more agile and resilient organization.
3. Eliminate time-wasting tasks
Another essential factor to consider is whether the tasks you perform daily actively contribute to your company’s growth. Automation should simplify workflows and free up your team to focus on high-value activities. Administrative tasks, like scheduling, manual data entry, and reporting, are often excellent candidates for automation. If a process is repetitive, time-consuming, and doesn’t directly impact growth, automating it can reclaim valuable hours and enable your team to work more strategically.
4. Target high-cost areas
A significant benefit of automation is cost savings, so it’s wise to evaluate where your organization spends the most resources. For many companies, these high-cost areas may include supply chain management, payroll, and compliance tracking. Automation here can cut down on both direct and indirect costs by reducing errors, improving efficiency, and minimizing the need for manual oversight. By identifying costly processes, you can prioritize automation projects that have a positive impact on the bottom line.
5. Focus on improving customer satisfaction
Last but not least, automation can transform your customer experience by providing faster, more personalized service. Consider how automation could streamline communication and response times, such as automated chatbots for common inquiries or systems that help you personalize communication based on customer data. Improving client satisfaction often leads to higher retention rates and increased referrals, which are key drivers of growth. Therefore, areas that directly interact with customers should be part of your early automation efforts to build trust and loyalty.
Getting started with automation
Deciding where to start with automation can seem daunting, but a targeted approach focusing on specific business goals can deliver impactful results quickly. By beginning with clear objectives and prioritizing bottlenecks, high-cost areas, and customer-facing processes, companies can implement automation in a way that supports both immediate needs and long-term growth. Automation is a strategic investment, and with the right planning, it can be a powerful lever for scaling your business effectively.
