It was a chaotic Wednesday: Emails pile up, deadlines loom, and your team is stuck juggling spreadsheets and messaging apps. By noon, things fall apart—a client update gets lost, a project stalls, and a key deadline is missed. Sound familiar?
The problem isn’t the workload. It’s the lack of a system to manage it. Repetitive tasks eat up time, manual processes create errors, and communication gaps turn small issues into big problems. The solution? Workflow automation.
What is workflow automation?
Workflow automation uses software to handle repetitive tasks, connecting tools, processes, and people seamlessly. For example, instead of manually assigning tasks, an automated system can do it instantly.
Jacques Bughin and his team at the McKinsey Global Institute found that 40% of companies using automation shift tasks from high-skill to lower-skill roles, improving efficiency and creating new opportunities. Automation isn’t just about saving time—it’s about restructuring work to make better use of skills.Why automation matters
Manual processes are costly. Juan Perez’s recent article in Harvard Business Review explains that businesses relying on manual workflows struggle during tough times. Automation reduces repetitive tasks, boosts productivity, and improves work-life balance. Perez found that 90% of workers feel more productive with automation, and 85% report better collaboration.
Top workflow automation strategies
Define your goals first
Identify what you want to improve—slow approvals, scattered communication, or inefficient data collection.
A 2024 study by Lovich and Sargeant at BCG found that automating low-joy tasks (like admin work) frees up time for more meaningful work, boosting productivity and morale.
Build custom automation workflows
Generic tools don’t always fit. Custom workflows let you tailor automation to your needs.
Kristian McCann, in AIMagazine, explains how AI-driven workflows handle complex tasks, improving efficiency in industries like healthcare and finance.Automate data collection
Manual data entry wastes time. Michael Sindicich, in Forbes, highlights that 47% of finance professionals still handle expenses manually. Automating this can cut processing time from weeks to an hour.
Streamline task assignments
Automating task assignments ensures accountability without micromanagement. Nasser Chanda, CEO of Paymerang, emphasized in a recent NYSE interview that automating accounts payable can cut workloads by 50% to 70%, freeing teams for strategic work.
Choose the right workflow automation software
Not every tool suits every business. Look for intuitive interfaces, integration capabilities, and features like analytics. Platforms like MediaOS offer customizable workflows that fit seamlessly into your processes.
Best practices
Start small
Begin with simple tasks, like email responses, and scale up.
Train your team
Ensure everyone knows how to use the tools effectively.
Why it works
Automation isn’t about efficiency—it’s about creating a better work environment. By cutting out repetitive tasks, businesses can focus on innovation, collaboration, and growth.
Ready to streamline your workflow? Explore how custom automation can transform your business.
