Automation Product Beyond the Bots: Demystifying the Automation Bias Kalli Ringelberg Feb 6, 2023 6 mins read Blog Product Beyond the Bots: Demystifying the Automation Bias We’ve all heard about automation, but for some reason, every time it’s brought up, it comes with a slew of negative “buts.” Not every form of automation is for everyone, and concerns are valid. It’s good to know what you’re getting yourself into—simple automation isn’t always costly or unable to take on complex workflows. But automation has also changed a lot over the years. Today, automation is a big part of many successful businesses and helps them grow and do well. Let’s get deep into demystifying the automation bias we’ve heard about. Some companies like Zapier can take on several different integrations, but they still haven’t resolved the issue of complex processes that would require more human oversight. Luckily, there are Zapier alternatives like Wrk. We will discuss concerns about simplicity and simple automation and dispel myths and assumptions about increased costs, robots taking over jobs, and less human supervision once the workflows run. Let’s break down some automation biases that teams may have. Myth 1: Too expensive We’re not here to pretend that automation is free of cost. However, the business ROI from automation always exceeds the initial investment. You get many benefits from your investment, and you save in more places than you can imagine across your entire business. Your team will have more time to be creative and do high-value tasks like analytics, strategy, building relationships with customers, and closing deals if they don’t have to do the same tasks over and over again. In fact, companies relying heavily on automation for their businesses are 6x more likely to experience revenue growth of more than 15% vs. companies without automation. Myth 2: too difficult to understand We’ve read a lot about automation. We talk about it all day, every day, and there are still terms we don’t fully comprehend, which is where automation bias stems from. However, not all aspects of automation are made for IT and Engineering minds only. Platforms like the one we use at Wrk are specifically designed to empower your team so you can create the best Wrkflow for you. Our main goal was to simplify automation, so it serves you and you won’t require bandwidth from your IT team to get started. The reality is you won’t understand every aspect, and if you need support, we have our engineers ready to step in. But we want to make the entire process as accessible as possible, meaning you won’t need to learn how to “speak code” to benefit from automated business processes. We offer the option of an “Automate With Me” package that provides you with support throughout the entire process. Likewise, we have a simple “Pay As You Go” model that will allow those who have some experience with automation full autonomy. Check out our package options here. Myth 3: Makes jobs redundant It’s easy to hear the word automation and assume that robots are all coming to take our jobs. Of course, automation, and even our Hybrid Automation approach at Wrk, uses bots, RPA, APIs, etc. Still, the goal isn’t to take over but to divert tedious day-to-day steps and optimize your team rather than eliminate it. So far, from eliminating jobs, most experts believe that automation will create massive numbers of jobs. The World Economic Forum predicts automation will result in a new increase of 58 million jobs. Myth 4: Loss of control over automated tasks Many engineers, teams that make money, and leaders in all fields worry that if they use automation, they will completely lose control of their projects. They also fear that there’s a risk that their data is too easily accessible to all. The reality is that automated platforms like Wrk’s Platform allow better visibility into the projects that every department is taking on, and better communication between teams. Partnering with a platform that understands your needs and lets you create your workflows is the best way to make sure you still have full control over your work. Myth 5: Customizing is impossible This is the first automation bias we debunk when discussing automation with clients. Wrk’s Hybrid Automation approach is fully customizable. It might seem impossible, but the premise is built on repeated tasks and repeated business processes, but that’s just the first step, that’s how we create our templates. Finding the right fit for you is the only complex part. We do our research, learn about your unique business processes, and then help you get set up with a customized Wrkflow that works for you. In the past, automation was too rigid and robotic, but we’ve added the most potent part to our hybrid approach, the human workers. By adding the skilled community of human workers, we’ve closed the loop. Workflows and entire projects can be automated AND customized. You don’t have to worry about your results being rigid or lacking personality. We can help your team and set you up for success without losing your unique brand. Myth 6: It can’t take on complex processes Complex processes are only as complicated as you make them. With our Wrkflow Designer, you can drag and drop Wrk Actions and build up your automated Wrkflows. Like the examples of automation bias above, access to a community of skilled workers opens up automation to even the most complex processes. We’ve yet to find a process we can’t help with, try us! Now that we’ve debunked the myths and, hopefully, squashed any fears preventing you from jumping on the automation train, we couldn’t let you go without also addressing one of our top questions: What is the simplest form of automation? Automation is a very broad concept. It’s natural to have a lot of questions and concerns. The exciting thing about automation is how much the workplace is already more automated than you realize. The simplest form of automation is Robotic Process Automation (RPA). RPA—sometimes called Software Robotics—uses automation technology to simulate back-office functions performed by employees, such as extracting data, enriching your lead lists, deduplicating files, etc. Many departments use RPA, including finance, sales, marketing, customer service, etc. Its main goal is to automate repetitive, often rule-based tasks. And guess what, you may already be using and benefiting from some of the technology. Say goodbye to automation bias Every business is looking at automation now. It’s not a matter of “will you,” it’s a matter of “when” and ‘how.’ We have the how, you let us know when! Connect to one of our experts today! Share This Article Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email