Automation is the process of a machine or computer carrying out tasks, thereby making any process hugely more efficient. The need for human intervention is reduced, if not eliminated entirely, and information relating to the process can be centralised. Automation takes time and effort to implement but once the legwork has been done, automation is efficient, fast and easy.

Sounds intriguing, right? Read this article to find out more information about using foundational automation in business, and how it can help lead to more efficient practises and increased customer satisfaction.

An all-encompassing business process automation will generally follow these stages: analysis, selection, execution, integration, maintenance and support.

1. Analysis – A company must understand its pre-existing capabilities and workflow in order to properly integrate a relevant automation process.
2. Selection – The right automation tool should be picked to complement a business’s objectives.
3. Execution – The tool is customised and implemented within a company, which includes creating tasks, exploring its functionalities and assigning user access. This is where the tool is tested to ensure it fits the company.
4. Integration – Now, the new automation tool is integrated with the company’s third-party solutions and any other enterprise systems.
5. Maintenance and support – Any bottlenecks, issues or redundancies with the new automation tool will be identified, and technical support provided to resolve any issues.

There are many advantages of business process automation, making it a valuable addition to any business. Not only can you benefit from reduced expenses, more efficient resource management or better communication, but there is a reduced workload for employees. Additionally, with a more synergised company, your ability to serve customers improves tenfold.

Cflow is a business automation tool made for businesses of all sizes – it can be used without any coding knowledge. It works on both iOS and Android, and offers cloud-based storage and file access.

Mailchimp is an automation tool that offers both paid and free versions, depending on what your business is looking for. You can set up automated customer journeys, including sending a discount or a reminder depending on whether your customer who abandons their cart is a new or returning customer.

Zapier is used by many well-established companies, such as Meta or Slack – but it can be used by any size business. You can automate your work processes such as saving email attachments to Google Drive or creating new Trello cards for new form responses. It can be used across 5,000+ apps, allowing you to use Zapier for a whole range of purposes, whether you’re in marketing or IT, a business owner or employee.

Customer relationship management can be automated, making the customer handling process a whole lot easier. Calls-to-action (phrases like ‘Subscribe now!’ or ‘Buy today!’) can be sent automatically via email, enticing customers to make decisions via marketing or sales automation.

On its own, a CRM system is vital to successful sales, but coupled with automation, you can improve customer satisfaction, increase customer engagement, shorten the sales cycle, see the bigger picture from better data, increase productivity and even improve pipeline performance.

The Lincoln Be Smarter Scheme offers the opportunity to recieve academic support to aid in your business’s quest to use the most up-to-date technology; get in touch with us today!