Process Automation: A Startup’s Best Friend or Foe? 🔧💡
This LinkedIn post reflects on a conversation I had with my supervisor at The Kive Company about the benefits and challenges of process automation for startups. While automation can improve efficiency and reduce errors, it comes with upfront costs in time and resources.
I recently had an eye-opening conversation with my supervisor here at The Kive Company . We were in the thick of building an automation system using JavaScript , PowerShell, and Power Automate when a question tugged at my thoughts: “Is process automation always the right solution for startups, and what does the ROI look like?”
There’s this popular narrative that if you’re a startup, you should automate everything from the get-go. Automate to accelerate, they say. But as we all know, every solution is a double-edged sword. Let’s dive in.
Firstly, process automation comes with some undeniable advantages. It reduces human error, improves efficiency, and frees up time for high-value tasks – a godsend for startups where resources are precious. However, it’s not a magic wand that you can wave to solve all problems. The design, implementation, and maintenance of these systems require significant investment – both in terms of time and money.
And here’s the catch-22: while startups need to conserve resources, investing in automation may seem like an additional expenditure. But isn’t the endgame to save resources? That’s where ROI comes into the picture.
The ROI of automation is not always immediately visible. It’s a long game. For instance, the hours we put into building and refining our automated systems at The Kive Company may not pay off right away.
But over time, the return compounds as we save countless hours that would have been spent on repetitive tasks, giving us the liberty to focus on innovation and growth.
Also, remember that automation is not a one-size-fits-all solution. What works for one startup may not work for another. It’s crucial to evaluate your unique situation and requirements.
If a process is prone to human error, repeated frequently, and crucial for your business, it’s an excellent candidate for automation.
Ultimately, the decision to automate should not be taken lightly. It’s an investment, and like all investments, it comes with risk. Weigh the potential time and resource savings against the costs. If the balance is in favor of savings in the long term, automation might be the way forward.
So, dear startups, embrace automation but do it wisely. Understand your needs, do the math, and strike a balance between human ingenuity and digital efficiency.
And remember, the path to growth is often non-linear. Keep learning, keep innovating, and you’ll find your way.
#automation #startups #ROI #artkive #growth #PowerAutomate
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