Streamline or Stagnate: AI Automation Readiness Challenge
I recently had the pleasure of presenting at C-Tribe showing people how to use AI and Automation to make their business processes better!
If you missed the presentation (or just want a refresher), I've got you covered. Let's get into the key takeaways that could revolutionize your business processes.
Tools mentioned in the presentation
Make.com - Get 1 month of the Pro plan with 10,000 operations for free!
Why AI Automation Matters
The benefits of AI and automation are clear. I’ve seen businesses see a boost in:
Efficiency
Cost savings
Accuracy
Decision-making
Are You Ready for AI?
Before jumping on the AI bandwagon, you have to assess your readiness. Ask yourself:
Do you have a clear map of your business processes?
Have you pinpointed repetitive tasks?
Is your data management on point?
Can your tech infrastructure handle AI tools?
What to Automate
Not all tasks are created equal when it comes to automation. I've created a handy checklist to help you determine which processes are worth automating. (Psst... you can grab your free copy here!)
Or give me your email and download it here :))
Step-by-Step Checklist for Identifying Automation Worthiness
1. List All Tasks
Start by listing all the tasks performed in your business. Include daily, weekly, and monthly tasks.
Example:
Data entry
Email sorting
Customer service queries
Scheduling meetings
2. Categorize Tasks
Categorize tasks into repetitive and non-repetitive. Repetitive tasks are prime candidates for automation.
Example:
Repetitive: Data entry, email sorting, scheduling meetings
Non-repetitive: Strategic planning, creative work, client meetings
3. Estimate Time Spent
Calculate the time spent on each task per week. I use Sunsama to track my time!
Example:
Data entry: 10 hours/week
Email sorting: 5 hours/week
Customer service queries: 15 hours/week
Scheduling meetings: 3 hours/week
4. Calculate Potential Time Savings
Determine how much time can be saved by automating these tasks. Typically, automation can save between 20% and 80% of the time spent on repetitive tasks.
Example Calculation:
Data entry: 10 hours/week * 0.80 (80% time saving) = 8 hours saved/week
Email sorting: 5 hours/week * 0.70 (70% time saving) = 3.5 hours saved/week
Customer service queries: 15 hours/week * 0.80 (80% time saving) = 12 hours saved/week
Scheduling meetings: 3 hours/week * 0.90 (90% time saving) = 2.7 hours saved/week
5. Assess Ease of Automation
Evaluate how easy each task is to automate based on available AI tools and your technical infrastructure.
Example:
Data entry: Easy (many AI tools available)
Email sorting: Moderate (depends on email system integration)
Customer service queries: Moderate (requires chatbot setup)
Scheduling meetings: Easy (many AI scheduling tools available)
6. Determine Setup Time
Estimate the time required to set up automation for each task.
Example:
Data entry: 10 hours setup
Email sorting: 15 hours setup
Customer service queries: 20 hours setup
Scheduling meetings: 5 hours setup
7. Calculate ROI
Calculate the return on investment (ROI) by comparing the time saved to the setup time and cost of the automation tools.
Example Calculation:
Data entry
Time saved per week: 8 hours
Setup time: 10 hours
Time to break even: 10 hours / 8 hours/week = 1.25 weeks
Email sorting
Time saved per week: 3.5 hours
Setup time: 15 hours
Time to break even: 15 hours / 3.5 hours/week = 4.29 weeks
Customer service queries
Time saved per week: 12 hours
Setup time: 20 hours
Time to break even: 20 hours / 12 hours/week = 1.67 weeks
Scheduling meetings
Time saved per week: 2.7 hours
Setup time: 5 hours
Time to break even: 5 hours / 2.7 hours/week = 1.85 weeks
The Road to Successful AI Implementation
Remember, integrating AI is a journey, not a destination. Remember to:
Train your team
Test
Gather team feedback (especially from frontline staff)
Iterate and improve
The 30-Day AI Challenge
I challenge you to automate one task in the next 30 days. Start small, measure your success, and watch the magic happen!
Your Next Steps
Identify a task in your business that's begging for automation
Download my free checklist to determine if it's worth automating
Set a 30-day timeline to implement your first AI solution
Remember, the future belongs to those who adapt. Will you streamline or stagnate?
Do you have questions or want to share your AI automation experiences? Comment below or reach out to me directly. I'd love to hear from you!
