To automate or to not automate? This is the big question boggling down both small and large businesses alike. Many labor intensive tasks can now be automated thanks to technology, but automation isn’t perfect. Would you rather have efficiency or control? Safety or costs?
55% of firms are already in the process of automating their tasks. To help you decide whether or not to jump aboard, Millennium Omaha presents the pros and cons of automation in the workplace.
Pro: Consistent, On-time Output
Technology (luckily) does not procrastinate. Want to send cold lead emails or weekly text messages to your consumers? Automation means sending your emails and texts on time – every single time. Automate your tasks and set them to run on regular intervals. This takes human delay, errors, and disruptions out of the equation.
Con: High Upfront Cost
There are free automation tools out there, but you have to pay for many of them too. For paid software, you need to consider the cost of the software itself as well as costs associated with configuration, employee training, and maintenance. If you need a customized solution, you’ll likely be paying more as well.
Pro: Scalability
Though automation costs a pretty penny to set up – it can also cut costs in the long-term. As your business grows and scales, automation continues to keep pace with your infrastructure. Whether you need to send 50 or 500 follow-up emails to your consumers, you don’t need to add additional workers to complete manual processes.
Con: Lack of Flexibility
Automation like chat robots can only go so far. Automation lacks a human touch, and that natural connection is important to build business-client relationships. If a chat robot struggles to appropriately help an consumer, this may cause frustration too.
As a general rule, the more customization you incorporate into automation – the more likely they’ll require manual intervention.
Pro: Increase Engagement
Employees rarely enjoy tedious tasks like follow up emails, and bookkeeping. But, if you get rid of all the mindless and manual tasks that zap energy and time, what will your employees do? Encourage your team to tackle more meaningful, challenging tasks. When your team is directly involved in solving company-related issues, they become more engaged.