Automating
Your Workflow Processes
The gaps in tech-driven communication
With the rise of tech in the workspace for automating processes or communicating , it can be easy to overlook the key component necessary for using these tools — human interaction . Consider these tips whether your business is implementing a workflow system scaled for major manufacturing or relying on communication systems for remote employees .
> Add perspective to distance . If you ’ re communicating via teleconference or phone , give the other user some idea or contextualization of your location and surroundings . It builds a connection and shows where potential distractions or interruptions may occur .
> Don ’ t blame the person for the technology . Poor connections and dropped conference calls can be irritating — but they ’ re not necessarily reflective of the other parties . Stay open and flexible when tech hiccups occur .
> Build systems that align with the way people work . Technology that makes work easier should do that — not over complicate or bog down existing processes . No matter what system you use , gain buy-in among employees so they ’ ll use the system to improve their daily tasks as well as the company ’ s efficiencies .
Automating workflow processes can boost your business . Streamline communication , enforce accountability , and minimize costs with a range of solutions as simple as an email template or as complex as project management applications .
Business processes are described as a series of actions in an organization ’ s activities . For example , the process for selecting a new hire at a company requires a standard set of steps . The initial touch point of interviewing a job candidate sets off sequential actions . If the interview is successful , human resources is brought in to undergo background checks . Creating workflow processes that work means considering what parties are involved and what sequential steps are necessary .
Automating these steps would enable the process to move forward seamlessly and consistently . Each team member would receive a prompt or reminder at a set point in the process and eliminate unnecessary manual communication .
Other reasons to re-engineer a workflow process include :
Consider these points when structuring a workflow redesign
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Streamline communication . Eliminate unnecessary / extraneous emails and phone calls .
Minimize costs from errors . While automation doesn ’ t entirely eliminate errors from the system , it creates a shared space for tracking jobs and items . This reduces the need for one-off communications to team members to initiate the next stage of a process , as well as enforcing accountability .
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ÎÎboosting customer satisfaction
ÎÎimproving efficiency of operations
ÎÎimproving quality of products and processes
ÎÎreducing costs
Gain insight into the evolution of your business processes . By monitoring your workflow through automated processes , business owners or managers can track how the processes unfold in the workplace , and whether the tools resolve problems or lead to bottlenecks later in the process . This provides relevant feedback that allows you to alter processes in order to make work easier or a workflow more effective .
10 | SNB . COM // CONNECT TECHNOLOGY SUMMER 2015