TALKING

While competitive salaries and perks once dominated , our recent research shows that automation technologies – like workflow management and digital archiving – are now key to employee satisfaction . A quarter of employees reported that having the right technology to streamline tasks would improve their job fulfilment , while 21 % said access to better automation tools would make them less likely to consider leaving their current role in the next year .

As workplaces continue to evolve , it ’ s clear that businesses must address the growing demand for automation – or risk losing their top talent .

Strong demand for streamlining processes

Employees are becoming increasingly vocal in their desire to deploy automation technologies to abolish mundane and repetitive tasks . Such demands stem from a collective aspiration to free up time for more meaningful work that aligns with their personal goals and professional growth .

Concerningly , our research revealed that over half ( 59 %) of European employees are currently bogged down by high administrative burdens .

Business leaders stalling

Despite the clear benefits , successfully implementing process automation is often easier said than done .

Many organisations have built up a tangled web of manual and semi-automated processes over the years , resulting in complex workflow that can be daunting to navigate and difficult to unpick . This intricate structure can create significant challenges and untangling these processes to introduce new automation technologies can feel like trying to rebuild an aircraft while it ’ s in flight .

It is therefore no surprise that almost a third ( 30 %) of decision-makers say they need better guidance on how to integrate automation solutions without disrupting existing processes . For many , the fear of a botched project that could lead to downtime or operational issues looms large , making them hesitant to act .

Such anxiety can stem from a lack of understanding about the potential risks and rewards , as well as

Jason Spry , Portfolio Lead for Process Automation at Ricoh Europe

Untangling these processes to introduce new automation technologies can feel like trying to rebuild an aircraft while it ’ s in flight .

While business leaders are fully aware of employee appetite for automation , the pace of applying such technologies remains slower than it should . In fact , almost a third ( 32 %) of employees say they still don ’ t have access to process automation technologies , despite actively wanting them . previous negative experiences with technology integrations that did not go as planned . For instance , over half of business leaders ( 55 %) report that IT investments are often made in isolation , without full consideration of their impact .

This gap is not just an IT issue ; it ’ s a missed opportunity to empower staff to work smarter , not harder . When employees are trapped in a cycle of routine tasks , they can become easily disengaged , making it easier for competitors to attract them with more fulfilling work environments .

But the reality is that delaying these investments will only hinder efforts to improve productivity and prompt employees to seek pastures new .

Tackling fears to unlock business potential

What ’ s more , a preoccupation with the mundane stifles employee ’ s potential for creativity and innovation , further undermining business growth .

Whilst their hesitancy is understandable , business leaders must find a path to deploy process automation technologies . Simply put , embracing automation is no

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