Identifying and hiring the next generation of leaders and executives takes a lot of work for recruiters. Variables such as brand reputation, pay, and talent scarcity can significantly impact your ability to attract suitable candidates to C-level roles. 

Keep reading if you are wondering how to source suitable executive candidates and fill C-level roles in your organization. This article will explain some of the best practices in executive recruitment and C-level hiring. 

What is executive recruitment?

Executive recruitment refers to recruiting candidates for senior positions in an organization. These roles are often called C-level positions; “C” represents “chief.” These executive roles make up the leadership teams of your organization. As such, there are often high stakes associated with them. 

In C-level employment, top level talent is precious and in high demand. Because of this, executive hiring is often dealt with separately by an independent team within the HR department, with its own set of HR tools to spot top candidates. Otherwise, the C-level employment process is outsourced to a third-party executive search firm. 

Seven best practices in C-level recruitment

Organizations typically choose either to complete the executive recruitment process in-house, or outsource this task to an executive recruiter. In either case, there are certain tips and tricks that can help along the way. In this section, we discuss seven best practices in C-level hiring: 

Develop an executive recruitment strategy 

The average candidate conversion is just 30% which points to many organizations lacking an optimized job application process. As with any decisions you make in business, you should have a well-thought-out plan for recruiting C-level positions in your organization. To successfully recruit your C-level executives, you need to understand the challenges and opportunities within your organization and how this strategic hire will help solve them. 

Alarmingly, 85% of Fortune 500 companies don’t have an optimized procedure for job applications to maximize their efficiency and effectiveness.

To formulate your executive recruitment strategy, you might consider the following questions: 

• What challenges are we trying to solve?
• What skills and knowledge do you need from an ideal candidate?
• Are there unique skills or qualifications required?
• How do we expect this role to impact our overall business objectives?

A good C-level hiring strategy will ensure everyone is on the same page regarding the goals of the employment process. 

Key stakeholders must be involved in the decision-making process. This includes setting clear objectives, defining who the ideal candidate is, where you will be searching for top candidates, and how you will assess these individuals. Don’t worry if this sounds overwhelming, as we will cover each of these processes and more as we move through this article. 

Identify the C-level candidate requirements 

Before you begin your C-level search, you must determine your ideal C-level employee. To do so, you need to be clear on the details of the role, such as: 

• How many people will they be managing?
• What will their critical role be as part of the wider executive team?
• What goals and objectives will they be working towards as a senior executive?

Once you can answer these critical questions, you can build a picture of your ideal C-level executive. You might consider blind recruiting strategies to reduce unconscious bias. This ensures your C-level hire is the best candidate for the job regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, etc. Additionally, it’s essential to identify and evaluate core manager competencies, such as leadership, strategic thinking, communication skills, and adaptability, when defining your ideal candidate. These competencies will play a significant role in determining the success of your C-level executive in their role.

These strategies might include their level of qualifications, experience, and values. If you are not specific enough about the candidate you are looking for, you might employ the wrong person. This can be a costly mistake. 

Create a detailed job description 

To attract top C-level talent, you must write a detailed job description that appeals to your ideal candidate. A good job description clearly outlines the expected roles and responsibilities of the position. A straight-to-the-point job description also acts as a sales document and should motivate potential candidates and demonstrate why they would love to be part of your leadership team. 

When it comes to writing a C-level job description, include the following: 

• Soft and hard skills required for the position
• Necessary or desired education, qualifications, and expertise 
• Critical responsibilities and expectations as a senior hire
• Unique information about the position and your company 
• The significance of the executive role for the success of the organization
• The current challenges and opportunities the business faces 

A quality job description is more likely to attract top C-level talent and make the rest of your executive recruitment process more manageable. 

Determine where to search for executive candidates

Have you identified your ideal candidate and created a detailed C-level job description? You now need to decide where you will search for top executives. Depending on the C-level role in question and the objectives for the hire, you may begin searching among internal candidates. 

What if your next C-level hire was an existing employee? Recruiting internally can be a highly successful recruitment strategy that has many benefits, such as: 

• Lower costs compared with external executive recruiting
• Reduced time-to-hire
• Better employee retention 
• Improved employee engagement and employee morale
• Improved succession planning and internal talent management  

Perhaps the ideal C-level candidate doesn’t already exist within your organization. This is when the executive search goes beyond your organization and begins connecting with potential candidates. Consider using an omnichannel approach to reach the audience you hope to communicate with. As part of this critical executive recruitment process, you should:

• Identify the job titles of the candidates you will target
• Identify particular companies you might or might not target 
• Define the channels to use for outreach (e.g., LinkedIn, recruitment websites, etc.)

C-level recruitment can be challenging as top talent can be difficult to engage with. The key is to be consistent and personalize the approach as much as you can. C-level candidates want to feel valued and connected to your organization before considering applying for an executive role. 

Conduct a thorough assessment of candidates 

Once you have a shortlist of potential C-level hires, you must assess the candidates. How well do they meet your requirements? Using the job description you created earlier in the C-level hiring process, you can decide how well the candidates meet the criteria. 

This includes assessing their hard and soft skills, their work experience, skills, and competencies, as well as how well they would fit into your company culture. The assessment process might include:

• Formal interviews
• Informal meetings
• Assessments and questionnaires
• Candidate presentations

Consider leveraging assessment platforms and tools to streamline the evaluation process and provide valuable insights into candidate suitability. Remember that C-level hiring has high stakes. You want to ensure this step in the executive recruitment process is as thorough as possible to avoid costly hiring mistakes.  

Make an informed decision 

Of course, the executive recruitment process aims to find the best candidate for the job. However, that can be more challenging than it sounds. Once you have shortlisted your candidates and taken them through your rigorous assessment, you can proceed to the decision-making process. 

Carefully use all the information available to make an informed decision about who to hire. Consider using digital technologies and AI to assist you in this process (more on that in the next section). Once the decision is made, it’s time to extend an offer to the successful candidate. You can begin negotiations, background checks, and onboarding processes.

Use technology and data analytics to assist your executive recruitment efforts 

Consider using digital technology and data-driven approaches to transform the C-level hiring process. This could include using AI in recruitment or leveraging data analytics during the candidate selection process. Consider leveraging internal communication tools such as an employee app as part of your executive recruitment strategy. An employee app can be crucial in keeping key stakeholders informed and engaged throughout the C-level hiring process, ensuring everyone is aligned with the strategy.

Using AI alongside a data-driven approach will reduce recruitment costs, increase successful hires, and improve business outcomes overall. Let’s briefly explore how digital technologies and data analytics can be used at different stages of the executive recruitment process:

Sourcing candidates for your leadership team

Data analytics can be hugely helpful when sourcing C-level candidates for executive roles. You can analyze which sources generate the best-suited candidates for particular roles. This helps you to decide where to focus most of your executive hiring efforts.  

Not only that, but by using predictive analytics, companies can forecast hiring needs, skill gaps, and shortages within their organization. This is particularly useful when hiring for C-level roles. 

Application and interview process

Use data analytics and AI tools to improve the application process and, therefore, improve the efficiency of the overall executive recruitment process. For example, an AI tool could sort and categorize applications in a fraction of the time it would take a human employee. Automation in HR can vastly reduce the time spent on executive recruitment. It can also improve overall efficiency and productivity across the board. 

You can also use data analytics and AI to analyze responses throughout the interview process. You can look at the qualities expressed by successful candidates in previous interviews. You can then better understand what to look for during interviews with potential candidates. 

Selection process

As we mentioned, you need to use all the information at your disposal, bolstered by AI in recruitment, to make the best hiring decision for your C-level roles. When using a data-driven approach and digital technologies, you can be confident that your decision is based on high-quality data rather than gut. This is a much more effective method of executive recruitment and leads to better hiring outcomes. 

The role of HR automation in executive search process

More and more HR departments are using automation tools to make their work easier. One area where this is really important is finding top level candidates. Here’s how HR automation is changing the way companies find C-suite managers:

1. Faster and more streamlined hiring process

HR automation speeds up the process by quickly sorting resumes and scheduling interviews. This means getting the right people on board faster and with fewer mistakes.

2. Better candidate experience

Automation keeps top level candidates informed and engaged throughout the hiring process, even if they don’t get the job. This makes the company look good and attracts top talent.

3. Smarter decision-making

HR automation provides helpful data insights, making it easier to spot trends and make informed decisions about who to hire for C-suite roles.

Elevate your executive search process 

Executive recruiters don’t have it easy. Top talent is often hard to source, and C-level roles demand more skilled and competent individuals. It is, therefore, essential that a proper executive recruitment strategy is in place. 

Regarding C-level hiring, recruiters must set clear objectives, determine the ideal candidate, and carefully research where to find them. In addition, they should utilize technology and data analytics. This will help make informed strategic hiring decisions, leading to better outcomes. 

Ultimately, executive recruitment shouldn’t be taken lightly. Employ these tips in C-level recruitment to ensure your business attracts and keeps top talent in your executive roles.

The post Executive recruitment: 7 Best practices in C-level hiring appeared first on airSlate Blog | Business automation.

Human leadership: The next step in the leadership evolution 

According to Gartner’s survey of more than 230 HR leaders, 90% of respondents believe that leaders must focus on the human aspects of leadership to succeed in today’s work environment. 

“Organizations that are able to develop more human leaders will find that these leaders’ teams have less turnover, higher engagement scores, and better well-being,” explains Caitlin Duffy, director of research in the Gartner HR practice. “Although these qualities may have been important for good leadership in the past, today they are non-negotiable—particularly to compete in today’s new talent landscape.”

Gartner’s research found a 37% increase in engagement in employees reporting to a “human leader” as opposed to employees who do not consider their leader human. This is crucial because highly engaged employees can improve their teams’ performance by up to 27%.

There are a multitude of traits that are essential for human leaders in contemporary business settings. We’ll walk you through the four at the top: flexibility, authenticity, curiosity, and empathy.

Flexibility: The number-one leadership quality to navigating  turbulent waters

Organizational agility is necessary, given the heightened pace of change in the modern business ecosystem. Like most elements within a company’s culture, it starts at the top, among the C-level executives.

“You cannot become agile without changing your behavior and your mindset. It’s not about transforming the company and then claiming success or victory. It’s about bringing the company to a state in which it’s regularly learning and adapting.”

—  Felix Hieronymi, Corporate Project Leader at Bosch

An agile organization requires flexible and adaptable leaders, who face ever-changing market trends, disruptive technologies, and global uncertainties. A rigid leadership style can quickly lead to stagnation and missed opportunities. Flexibility allows leaders to adjust their strategies, embrace change, and inspire their teams to navigate challenges confidently.

When COVID-19 hit, the importance of flexibility in leadership was glaringly apparent. The near-instant lockdown required 74% of companies to pivot to a distributed workforce model. Leadership flexibility was vital to ensuring your organization could remain competitive or find new revenue sources.  

Flexibility also involves the willingness to experiment and take calculated risks. Leaders who encourage a culture of innovation and learning foster an environment where employees feel empowered to think outside the box. By demonstrating enthusiasm for new approaches and organizational improvement, they inspire their employees to do the same. Embracing change and continuously evolving helps businesses remain competitive and attracts and retains top talent who value growth and development opportunities.

Authenticity: Leading with integrity

Authenticity has become a buzzword in leadership circles—and for good reason. Gen Z seeks out employers who lead with integrity and transparency. Looking to bring their authentic selves to the job, they look for leaders with the courage to show their true selves. Authentic leaders build and prioritize solid and meaningful relationships, foster open communication, and promote a positive morale and work culture by connecting on a human level and showing genuine concern for their employees’ well-being and professional development.

Authentic leaders have self-awareness, can accurately assess their strengths and weaknesses, and acknowledge and own their mistakes, gaining their teams’ respect, trust, and loyalty. They prioritize and reward collaboration and shared success. 

Consistency is also a vital attribute of an authentic leader. By demonstrating consistency in their words and actions, leaders show that what they present to the outside world is genuine—not a disguise to pursue an agenda. This also helps build trust among employees.

Farshad Asl, author of The “No Excuses” Mindset: A Life of Purpose, Passion, and Clarity,” writes: “Authentic Leaders are not afraid to show emotion and vulnerability as they share in the challenges with their team. Developing a solid foundation of trust with open and honest communication is critical to authentic leadership.” 

Curiosity: Cultivating a hunger for knowledge

The fast-paced nature of the business world demands leaders who are hungry for knowledge and open to continuous learning. Curiosity goes beyond just seeking information; it involves actively exploring new ideas, questioning the status quo, and seeking diverse perspectives. A curious leader is more likely to identify emerging opportunities and stay ahead of industry trends. They are more likely to commit to a culture of continual improvement. 

Furthermore, curious leaders encourage their teams to share their insights and ideas, fostering a culture of creativity and innovation. They understand that fostering curiosity can lead to groundbreaking solutions and keep their organizations agile and future-ready.

The curious are less likely to be satisfied with the status quo, welcoming opinions contrary to their own and understanding that there is always something new to learn.

“I tend to specifically ask the opinion of someone who will bring a different view from my own. As we discuss an issue, I will often go to people who are likely processing things differently and purposely ask for their opinion, knowing it will come from a different place than my own.”

— François Hudon, a senior executive at Bank of Montreal

Empathy: Putting people first

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings and peculiarities of others. In the workplace, empathetic leaders prioritize their team members’ well-being and make business decisions based on the understanding that success is deeply connected to employee satisfaction and engagement. 

According to a survey from EY, nearly 90% of employees see a link between job satisfaction and empathetic leadership. By putting people first, empathetic leaders cultivate loyalty, reduce turnover, and create a culture of mutual support. They actively listen to their employees, value their perspectives, consider neurodivergent individuals’ needs, and demonstrate a genuine interest in their personal and professional growth.

Empathy is vital in conflict resolution and building a harmonious work environment. Leaders who show empathy are more likely to resolve disputes effectively and nurture strong teamwork.

Empathy is saying, ”I’m willing to connect with you” and ” understand your perspective.” Without empathy, people feel unsafe, alienated, and unmotivated. Amy Edmondson, author of “The Fearless Organization,” says humans need many belonging signals, ”over and over.”

Final thoughts

Combining these four essential traits – flexibility, authenticity, curiosity, and empathy – will help leaders succeed personally and contribute to their organization’s success and growth. As we look to the future, these traits will help build stronger relationships with their employees, help navigate your organization through choppy economic times and inspire innovation. They will sustain your business in the years ahead.

The post What makes a good leader: Four essential leadership qualities revealed appeared first on airSlate Blog | Business automation.

While implementing a flexible work model can be disruptive, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) face a trend that could be even more so—the talent shortage. A recent VMWare survey showed 62% of respondent organizations are currently experiencing talent shortages, with hospitality (81%), media and entertainment (69%), business and professional services (68%), and public healthcare (68%) experiencing the most dramatic shortages. These trends are helping to facilitate the rise of the distributed workforce.

What is a distributed workforce?

A distributed workforce can include remote and hybrid workers, but it goes further. Distributed workers may be full- or part-time and work across geographies, time zones, and office locations. 

So even offices where most employees are on-site most of the time may have a distributed workforce. You may have a central office in Madison, Wisc., and smaller locations in Los Angeles and New York. Or you may not have full-time marketing or IT staff, but contract these individuals as needed. Salespeople often work from their homes or remotely while traveling. 

The distributed workforce model is considered future-proof, boosting innovation, driving employee satisfaction and productivity, and enabling companies of all sizes to access talent pools across the globe.

Automation technology and distributed workforces

One thing all these workforce models have in common? The need to implement automated solutions to connect and work digitally and smartly. Automation is no longer just a buzzword; it’s a strategic imperative. With some headwinds due to skill shortages, automation technology is the linchpin that holds the workforce together, irrespective of physical location.

The investments in this technology made during the pandemic have proven to be enduring solutions critical in today’s work environment. These include cloud-based applications for automated workflow, document creation, team collaboration, communicating with clients or prospects, or getting contract signatures. 

Complex automation solutions include eSignatures, document editing, payment collection, and no-code robotic process automation.

Automation tools have become indispensable, as they can trigger processes automatically, regardless of where someone is located. For example, an electronic signature can trigger an alert that a contract with a new client is signed or a job candidate agrees to your offer. They enable employees to sign and send documents, contracts, and web forms that are legally binding from any device. They can also integrate with CRMs and databases. In short, these tools also help companies close deals faster.

The importance of e-signatures in business operations 

Our recent third-party survey highlights a significant shift from traditional wet signatures to digital signatures, with two-thirds of respondents using digital signatures in business operations.

Xerox’s 2021 study, The State and Fate of Small and Medium Business, surveyed 1,200 business decision-makers from companies with 25-1,000 employees, confirming the importance of automation and digital transformation in the post-pandemic work environment.

• 81% acknowledge that reliance on technology is essential to support and secure a distributed workforce.
• 80% saw automating tasks and processes as essential to their survival post-pandemic
• 82% strongly emphasized the importance of digitizing paperwork.
• Two-thirds planned on upgrading their automation tools, with 65% already in the process of upgrading their workflow solutions.
• Following the pandemic, 85% of these businesses were more reliant than ever on communication technologies, remote IT support, and security hardware and software.

Our internal research confirms these findings. Customers who use SignNow have shared benefits such as:  

• 300 hours saved per week; 15,000 hours saved per year
• One whole salary
• Cut the signing process from 15-20 minutes to 30-60 seconds.

They also shared the Intangible benefits realized from implementing SignNow: 

• Improved customer relationships due to easy-to-use UI and the ability to sign from any device
• Digitally stored documents can be instantly accessed
• Reduced signing error rate and audit trail to maintain compliance

The benefits of workflow automation

Workflow automation has proven to be a game-changer for businesses in this distributed work environment. Some key benefits include:

1. Streamlined communication: Workflow automation eliminates manual communication, reducing stress and workplace misunderstandings. Team members receive automated reminders for tasks, improving overall communication.
2. Seamless remote onboarding: With the continued embrace of the hybrid working model, companies are turning to automated systems to streamline the onboarding process for remote employees. Onboarding is crucial for integrating new team members into the company culture and ensuring they understand their responsibilities. Automation helps plan and orchestrate the onboarding experience, making remote team members feel welcome and connected. 
3. Increased accountability: Automation assigns responsibility for every aspect of a project or process, reducing the chances of errors or missed tasks. Managers can easily oversee operations and identify inefficiencies.
4. Cost savings: Businesses can reduce costs by eliminating errors and streamlining processes through automation. Administrative labor costs are reduced as repetitive tasks are automated.
5. Empowerment: Workflow automation empowers employees by enabling them to manage their work more effectively, giving them more time for strategic tasks.
6. Efficiency: Workflow automation software simplifies task assignment and approval processes, speeding up operations that previously required manual intervention.
7. Productivity: Employees can focus on higher-value tasks when routine and time-consuming activities are automated. This results in serving more clients with higher profit margins in client-facing industries.
8. Quality: With more time for meaningful work and less exposure to human error, businesses see higher-quality output from their teams.

Final thoughts

The post-COVID work environment has ushered in a new era where technology and automation are crucial to business survival and success. The distributed workforce is here to stay, and businesses, especially SMBs, must invest in technology to thrive in this dynamic landscape. Workflow automation, e-signatures, and other technological innovations are shaping the future of work, and embracing them is essential for businesses looking to stay competitive and agile in the years ahead. As the world of work continues to evolve, those who harness the power of automation and technology are best positioned to succeed.

The post Why automation is integral for the post-COVID, distributed workforce appeared first on airSlate Blog | Business automation.

So, what exactly can it do for your business, and how can it help CRM administrators with their tasks? Let’s explore the key advantages of document workflow automation.

What is CRM workflow automation?

CRM workflow automation refers to automating sequences of actions within a customer relationship management (CRM) system. These actions are triggered automatically when specific predefined rules are met. Essentially, CRM workflow automation involves the partial or complete automation of workflow processes in a CRM.

This automation functions through custom “if-this-then-that” (IFTTT) sequences, activated when a customer engages with a specific action, such as submitting a form. Implementing CRM workflow automation has demonstrated clear benefits, including increased productivity and efficiency within businesses while reducing the reliance on manual intervention.

For instance, an efficient CRM workflow automation scenario might involve a customer lodging a complaint with a sales team member, and the system automatically manages and resolves the complaint without extensive human involvement.

Document Workflow Automation for CRM Admins

• Contract management
• CRM integration
• Business process improvement

Enroll now

What is the document workflow process?

The document workflow process systematically manages the generating, tracking, editing, and storing of documents utilized within business operations. By using a document workflow management system, businesses can streamline handling a substantial volume of work that may otherwise impede daily operations. This transition from physical paperwork in filing cabinets to digital management provides significant efficiency benefits.

Such systems are designed to oversee the flow of documents comprehensively throughout the organization. A robust document workflow management system ensures that employees, managers, and colleagues can access and control all pertinent documents within the organization.

How to implement CRM workflow automation

To use workflow automation efficiently, CRM administrators should follow these key steps:

1. Identify the processes needing automation, typically those involving repetitive or manual tasks that are susceptible to human error.
2. Map out the intended automation process, considering the administrator’s perspective on how document workflow automation should be used for optimal benefit.
3. Define business goals and assess how workflow automation can contribute to cost reduction, error minimization, or productivity enhancement, clarifying the desired outcomes of the automation process.
4. Research and select the most suitable document workflow automation software, ensuring it encompasses all the necessary features and functionalities for daily organizational operations.
5. Conduct comprehensive training sessions to familiarize employees with the new software and maintain regular training to keep processes current, especially as software features evolve.
6. Continuously enhance the automation process by gathering employee feedback and assessing its alignment with business goals, improving the user experience and the overall automated workflow.

Here’s an example of document workflow automation in action:

11 advantages of document workflow automation for CRM administrators

Here are eleven advantages of document workflow automation for CRM administrators.

1. Reduced errors 

Human error can be expensive for businesses, particularly in manual data entry. Using an automated system significantly lowers the likelihood of such errors, promoting confidence in the workflow automation system implemented.

For example, when a prospective customer completes a contact form, a sales automation system can automatically transfer their details into a sales leads list. This process not only organizes the list automatically but also ensures easy future access to customer information. Manual data entry by an employee could potentially lead to inaccuracies.

Furthermore, an automated system affords employees more time to concentrate on other value-adding tasks for the business. As the system mitigates overall risk, employees can devote their attention to more significant responsibilities.

2. Improved work satisfaction

Routine tasks, while necessary, can be tedious for employees and may contribute to job monotony. By delegating such tasks to automation, work satisfaction can significantly improve as employees get freed from their mundane responsibilities.

This shift could also positively impact staff turnover rates. With job satisfaction at its highest since 1987, recent reviews have found that 70% of employees are not actively seeking new employment opportunities. This statistic suggests improved work satisfaction could lead to a more stable workforce.

3. Better collaboration and connectivity

When teams operate remotely, most communication happens online via a .ae domain or .com domain. This influx of online interaction leads to many emails, messages, and calls, making it challenging to locate specific information when needed. Document workflow automation provides a solution by tracking and organizing all interactions efficiently.

This system is especially beneficial for CRM administrators as it aids in maintaining well-organized records of colleague interactions. It also enhances customer relations by streamlining work processes, leading to quicker responses. By keeping interactions structured and accessible, workflow automation fosters better connectivity in remote work environments.

4. Improves business processes

Document workflow automation can enhance business operations by handling numerous administrative tasks, including data entry. This saves time and resources and eliminates the need for manual labor.

This automation allows businesses to concentrate on other significant aspects like customer service and marketing while routine tasks are automated in the background. Processes such as approval flows, task management and business procedures are automated, increasing efficiency and productivity.

5. Enhanced customer relationships

Document workflow automation can be a valuable tool for CRM administrators, as it aids in managing customer interactions and engagements. Businesses can foster more profound, meaningful client relationships by automating tasks like follow-ups, lead nurturing, and monitoring customer communication.

From a client’s perspective, these relationships may feel more personal and attentive. The time saved through document workflow automation is then redirected toward customers, making them feel more valued and prioritized. Thus, workflow automation increases efficiency and significantly improves the quality of customer relationships.

6. Improved productivity

Document workflow automation streamlines repetitive tasks, eliminating the need for manual execution. This boosts productivity as tasks are still completed, but it also frees up teams to concentrate on cultivating relationships with leads and closing deals.

CRM administrators will discover they have extra time to interact with customers and promptly address inquiries or complaints. The swift accomplishment of tasks enhances employees’ productivity and contributes significantly to the company’s overall success.

7. Better IT management

Understanding new integrated marketing communications and operating systems can be challenging for those who may not be tech-savvy. However, document workflow automation simplifies this by enabling you to accomplish numerous tasks using a single software system, eliminating the need to juggle multiple tools simultaneously.

Moreover, document workflow automation can serve as a repository for vital information related to all IT products. This allows users to easily navigate through user manuals and guides to find the relevant information for the software they’re using.

8. Improves scalability

Workflow automation enables the creation of reliable and precise processes, which in turn helps businesses expand their customer reach and grow. By automating work procedures, companies can save time and money, making it an attractive strategy for organizations seeking to enhance their scalability.

9. Better data management

Document workflow automation can be great for better-managing data. Whether that’s business data or customer data, using automation can help you store data in the most efficient way possible. This means you can easily ensure customer information is up-to-date, accurate, and accessible whenever you may need it.

If you need to analyze this data, it’s easy to get hold of, and you can organize it in whichever way benefits the business – such as most recent or alphabetically. This analysis can then be used for decision-making to better improve operations. 

10. Increased sales

A document workflow automation system proficiently organizes all customer lead data, simplifying the task for sales teams to access required information for closing deals or tailoring special offers to specific customers. For instance, if a customer needs special rates on io tld domains, the data stored in the system would enable you to meet that request.

Moreover, this system fosters improved customer relationships through automated emails, timely follow-ups, and organized data storage. The automation software can efficiently manage essential documents like contracts and licenses, which are necessary for onboarding new customers.

11. Improved lead generation with automation

CRM administrators may utilize document workflow automation to streamline various sales funnel stages. For instance, it can automatically capture new client leads, transform them into data records, and delegate them to a suitable sales representative.

The system also assists employees in classifying existing leads based on their indicated interest in different products or services. It archives data from initial customer interactions, which could be anything from completing a form on your website, responding to an email, or engaging with a sales team member via live chat.

Moreover, workflow automation can collect data from online interactions or emails, helping to optimize sales efforts and provide insights into customers’ specific needs and preferences.

Implementing document workflow automation for CRM

Selecting the appropriate document workflow automation system is crucial for businesses. Equally important is developing optimal workflow processes. Collaborate with employees and CRM administrators to identify tasks that would benefit from automation. This information can guide the configuration of your new software, optimizing business processes and enhancing employee satisfaction.

Ready for a deep dive into the CRM document workflow automation? Enroll in a certification program on Document Workflow Automation for CRM Administrators with airSlate Academy today and empower your business with knowledge and skills to fully leverage this technology.

The post 11 Key benefits of document workflow automation for CRM Administrators appeared first on airSlate Blog | Business automation.

Many office workflows can now be quickly automated using no-code. So, small and medium-sized organizations can streamline these workflows even without a dedicated software developer. The automation can be done quickly and bug-free. A number of organizations would benefit from learning how no-code can be implemented.

airSlate, a leading office workflow automation company, offers an extensive no-code toolkit, which can be pictured as a set of assemblable parts. Workflows supported by airSlate might include sending forms, sending emails, sharing contracts complete with legally binding eSignatures, populating documents and spreadsheets with data, and more.

An airSlate workspace, illustrating some types of workflows it supports. Screenshot mine.

airSlate found that many departments might use its services and that even established customers might not be fully aware of its platform’s power. Fresno Pacific University, a Christian university in California, used airSlate’s integration with Salesforce to automate the management of adjunct professor contracts. From this experience, it realized airSlate’s services could improve other workflows.

Online courses for 20+ different job roles

Information about new and promising technologies turns heads. airSlate is in the fortunate position of being able to provide this information. It offers an extensive, free, online airSlate Academy with instructions, tutorials, and examples of how to use its technologies.

airSlate Academy presents its courses in a variety of formats. Some are billed as introductory courses to its basic technologies. Others focus on more specific features such as building web forms, scheduling workflows, integrating with NetSuite, and automating contract negotiation.

airSlate Academy also offers a “Professional Development” track with 3-hour or 3 1/2-hour courses designed to be taken as standalone and tailored to more than 20 job roles. The courses describe how the products can be used in various departments. They are as follows, with more being added:

1. Document Workflow Automation for Business Analysts
2. Document Workflow Automation for Chief Digital Officers
3. Document Workflow Automation for Chief Information Officers
4. Document Workflow Automation for Chief Operating Officers
5. Document Workflow Automation for Chief Revenue Officers
6. Document Workflow Automation for Chief Technology Officers
7. Document Workflow Automation for CRM Admins
8. Document Workflow Automation for Finance Specialists
9. Document Workflow Automation for Head of Infrastructure
10. Document Workflow Automation for HR Professionals
11. Document Workflow Automation for IT Directors
12. Document Workflow Automation for IT Professionals
13. Document Workflow Automation for Legal Professionals
14. Document Workflow Automation for MS Dynamics 365 Admins
15. Document Workflow Automation for NetSuite Admins
16. Document Workflow Automation for Operations Directors
17. Document Workflow Automation for Operations Managers
18. Document Workflow Automation for Salesforce Admins
19. Document Workflow Automation for Sales Professionals
20. Document Workflow Automation for System Admins
21. Document Workflow Automation for VPs of Operations

Some of the courses in airSlate Academy’s professional development track. Screenshot mine.

Each course begins with a general overview of document workflow automation and its usefulness in various industries. From there, the courses describe the challenges the professionals face in their job roles, the value of workflow automation, and several specific workflows that can be automated to help address these challenges.

They then provide instructions for participants to go hands-on and implement one workflow for a common task for their type of job. The courses end with a quiz, a certificate for those who pass, and an assignment that would involve exploring the platform.

An example: Document Workflow Automation for Chief Revenue Officers

Chief revenue officers oversee sales-related and other client-related paperwork, which can be extensive and very repetitive. They also analyze the data related to revenue generation. Budget approval, sales quotation, and contract management are common workflows and are illustrated in the course.

The course also contains detailed instructions for building an automated account summary report workflow, as well as the business case for automation and several case studies. After passing the final quiz and receiving a certificate, there is another assignment to pre-fill a document template with records from Salesforce using a bot.

Another example: Document Workflow Automation for IT Professionals

IT professionals are generally technical. No-code expertise is part of gaining the highest level of technical knowledge. Part of the role of technology is to implement processes in the most maintainable, efficient ways. Even for the most skilled programmers, building workflows with no-code is likely to be faster and easier for others to maintain.

Automating a workflow in the Document Automation for IT Professionals course. Screenshot mine.

The structure of the course for IT professionals is fairly similar to the structure of the course for chief revenue officers, but with different examples of how to use airSlate. The course describes making IT equipment requests, incident reports, and employee account creation and illustrates how to automate an IT requests and approvals workflow.

Transforming into a no-code technologist

airSlate’s courses are credentials for specialized roles such as system admins, as well as high-level roles such as C-level executives and VPs of operations. It has a point — keeping an organization competitive means staying abreast of the technologies required to make it more efficient.

The descriptions and illustrations of the application and the hands-on exercises are key for encouraging this understanding. From knowing little or nothing about no-code, a Professional Development track course can make a professional into a no-code developer aware of the applications of no-code to their department and role.

Explore the courses in this track here.

The post Getting professionals’ feet wet in no-code technology appeared first on airSlate Blog | Business automation.

By harnessing automated workflows to streamline IT processes, you free up valuable resources to redirect them to other departments. This means fewer IT interventions for routine tasks like password resets and data backups, ultimately reducing headaches for your team and enhancing the customer experience.

But how impactful can workflow automation be for the IT industry? The answer might surprise you. But first, a quick overview of what it entails. 

What is workflow automation?

Workflow automation relies on technology, such as workflow automation software and digital systems, to automate and streamline an organization’s task completion, processes, and activities. It involves designing, managing, and optimizing sequences of steps and actions to complete specific business processes or workflows.

Workflow automation aims to reduce manual intervention, minimize human errors, improve efficiency, and enhance productivity by automating repetitive, rule-based, or standardized tasks. This technology typically automatically routes tasks, data, and information to the right people at the right time, often based on predefined rules or triggers.

In essence, workflow automation simplifies complex processes, ensures consistency, and accelerates the pace of task completion, ultimately leading to cost savings and improved overall performance within an organization.

And with the emergence of no-code platforms and AI, business leaders have automation on the brain. 50% of respondents surveyed by the World Economic Forum say they intend to accelerate the automation of tasks in their organization in the near future.

Rule-based vs. AI-powered workflow automation

Modern workflow automation comes in two categories: rules-based “deterministic” logic and AI-powered “probabilistic” reasoning.

Rules-based logic can file a document away depending on hard facts like the date, its unique ID, or whether or not all parties signed it. AI has traditionally been used to automate subjective decisions in Know Your Customer (KYC) processes. For example, to answer questions like “Is this an authentic, live video of the customer?” However, new large-language models like GPT-4 can carry out complex tasks around manipulating text.

If you want to summarize chats in your Salesforce notes, a chatGPT-powered Salesforce Connector can instantly write up detailed notes and summaries that would take hours of mindless typing every month.

By including AI in your low- or no-code workflows, you can eliminate the “last mile” of subjective decision-making that previously prevented you from fully automating these routine processes. That means you and your team can spend more time on complex problems that demand unique expertise.

IT workflow automation: Key insights

Workflow automation plays a crucial role in the IT industry by streamlining and optimizing various aspects of IT operations. In IT support and helpdesk functions, automation can handle routine tasks like password resets, system updates, and ticket routing. Automated workflows help reduce the burden on IT staff, ensure faster response times, and improve user satisfaction.

In software development and deployment, workflow automation can automate code testing, deployment, and monitoring processes, leading to faster development cycles and more reliable software releases. Additionally, in IT security, automation can continuously monitor network traffic, detect security threats, and trigger immediate responses, enhancing overall cybersecurity posture. Overall, IT workflow automation drives efficiency, reduces human errors, and allows IT professionals to focus on strategic tasks and innovation.

Take note: In one of our recent blogs, we covered operations automation and had an in-depth view of the operations workflows that can be automated.

Shadow IT: The dark matter in your organization’s tech stack

Workflow automation helps to tackle the so-called “Shadow IT.” With 85% of IT professionals surveyed saying this is a big concern and companies spending an average of $135,000 a year dealing with the consequences of shadow IT, this is one of the biggest problems that workflow automation can solve. 

In simple terms, Shadow IT is the patchwork of solutions employees have implemented to complete their work as quickly and easily as possible without consulting the IT department. Shadow IT is the “dark matter” in any organization’s tech stack: it’s everywhere and unobservable. Shadow IT practices pose risks to operational efficiency, cybersecurity, and compliance with the law.

As workflow automation makes processes more efficient, it removes the need for these hidden and less secure workarounds, enabling staff to finish their work with minimal effort and without the risks associated with shadow IT and ultimately enabling staff to complete their tasks quickly without the risks associated with shadow IT.

7 benefits of IT workflow automation for tech gurus

Here are the seven ways workflow automation can benefit your IT team while improving operations and employee experience.

1) Improved process compliance

Companies are under more scrutiny than ever about how their systems handle user data, such as identifiable information, financial and medical records. If regulators come and ask how you’re handling that, you better have a clear answer. Issues like Shadow IT solutions make this impossible. So, how can you stop them from growing around your tech stack?

Low- and no-code workflow automation, overseen by the IT department, allows employees to set up the necessary authorized solutions without creating security and compliance headaches. By running standardized processes on a secure platform—itself compliant with GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS, etc.—IT teams can rest assured that their customer data isn’t at risk for the sake of convenience.

2) Cost savings

airSlate’s latest IT & Ops report revealed that 41% of IT professionals surveyed think they spend too much time on administrative work. That’s unsurprising, considering 71% have seen layoffs in the past six months. These layoffs are supposed to cut costs, but every hour IT staff spend on laborious, non-specialist work has a price. By partly or wholly automating these tasks, more of the IT budget can be invested in strategic upgrades rather than routine maintenance. 

Workflow automation also enables your existing employees to bypass the tasks that often hamper their work rate and delay the completion of projects. Research has shown that employees can waste as much as five hours per week on repetitive tasks, leading to a financial loss of up to $1.6 billion annually.

As the marginal gains from workflow automation stack up, they increase the speed of project completion, cutting down the time-to-market for your products and allowing you to see faster investment returns. 

3) Greater accuracy

Workflow automation tools have proven to help IT teams complete tasks with much higher levels of accuracy: rule-based workflows are executed the same way every time, and machine learning systems can make snap and accurate judgments about vast datasets.  

A high level of accuracy in your operations is essential for meeting the targets established in service level agreements (SLA) for your products, reducing the negative impacts on customers and other stakeholders. In this way, automation helps to reduce the costs associated with error correction and thorough quality assurance. 

As well as helping to limit errors during data input, automated processes can form part of your model drift detection efforts, analyzing models for inaccuracies that could deteriorate their predictive power.

4) Improved employee satisfaction

Not only does reducing the number of repetitive tasks your employees have to carry out save you time and money, but it also improves the satisfaction levels of said employees.

For example, before implementing document workflow automation, San Diego’s New School of Architecture & Design had employees struggling to process applications. Everything was on paper, forms would go missing, and staff would spend time struggling with forms with empty fields or confusing handwriting.

A simple document automation solution had a significant impact on staff motivation. Digitizing the application process meant forms were consistent, clear, and easy to deal with. Where automation can’t completely eliminate admin processes, it can make them go by much more smoothly.

With no-code workflow automation tools, staff with minimal technical knowledge can install, manage, and monitor processes as well as build apps suited to their needs without involving the IT department. Citizen development can be safe, effective, and empowering for teams using low-code or no-code automation. 

Fostering citizen development improves employee satisfaction across the board, whether it’s admin staff having the solution they need or IT teams spending less time fixing inefficient systems. 

5) Increased productivity

airSlate‘s latest IT & Ops report suggests that 94% of teams using no-code workflow automation feel more productive. Introducing workflow automation enables organizations to optimize IT processes, streamlining workflows and ensuring that only the minimum amount of time is spent on individual tasks.

As a result, the number of tasks completed in a day, week, or month grows, reducing the time needed for more significant projects, increasing output, and improving ROI. 

For example, using an autoloader as part of a data ingestion framework can significantly reduce the time spent manually ingesting data into your data lake house for analytics purposes. An automated workflow will ensure that data is ingested efficiently from various applications, allowing you to devote time to other relevant tasks while the process is completed.

6) Smoother communication

Yet another benefit of leveraging workflow automation for IT teams is improved communication with peers, customers, and other stakeholders. For example, you can streamline communication between the development and operations teams. Reducing silos will get rid of bottlenecks and speed up your product launches.

Not only does workflow automation reduce the need for constant communication, but it can also streamline the communication process. Automated features, such as automatically generated emails or automatic feedback requests, reduce the time team members must spend typing out and sending communications, allowing them to focus on higher-value tasks.

Workflow automation is beneficial when communicating with customers. Integrating CRM software with email marketing tools enables more effective marketing personalization while reducing the time spent generating emails. Instead of turning to shadow IT, the sales and marketing teams can build automated workflows right where the IT team can see them. This makes discussing what’s being implemented much easier, especially in a remote organization.

7) Easier collaboration

Remote work and cloud software have risen in tandem. With teams distributed on their networks and devices, employees’ software and hardware creep into your organization’s tech stack.

Streamlining remote collaboration is simplified when you consolidate all IT-approved solutions into a single platform. This approach simplifies remote collaboration by reducing the need to piece together multiple apps and services. Instead, everyone can work and share their progress on a unified central platform. Consequently, projects of any scale can run more smoothly, adhere to timelines, and stay within budget.

Leverage the power of workflow automation in your IT team today

Workflow automation offers numerous advantages for IT teams, especially in the face of tightening budgets and expanding workloads. The reduction of routine administrative tasks for specialized IT personnel significantly adds value to operations.

Furthermore, companies can revolutionize collaboration within their teams and with IT through the utilization of low- and no-code automation platforms. These platforms empower teams to develop their solutions without introducing security or compliance concerns, sparing the already overstretched IT department from risky shadow IT initiatives.

Most notably, these tools enhance team collaboration by consolidating their solutions within a single system. This streamlines the integration process, reducing the burden on IT staff and allowing them to concentrate on tasks that demand their unique expertise.

The post 7 Underrated benefits of workflow automation for the IT industry appeared first on airSlate Blog | Business automation.

This is despite the 98% of employees who want to work remotely at least some of the time. These recalled workers are thus returning to company HQ disengaged and underperforming. Ergo, quiet quitting is a real threat to business productivity. 

But have you also heard of “quiet firing”? Quiet firing can be as insidious within your organization as mentally checked-out employees. In fact, it’s arguably worse, as it is a bad reflection on your business and implies a severe managerial defect.  

In 2023, you’ve likely witnessed quiet firing at some point—but possibly without even being aware of it. Don’t worry, though—in this article, we’ll answer what it is, how to spot it, and what to do about it.

Understanding quiet firing

Let’s begin by defining what quiet firing is. 

What is it?

Quiet firing happens when a manager is unsupportive of an employee’s development, productivity, and/or career progression. It’s often an intentional course of action, where a manager hopes to nudge a worker to quit gradually.

A recent survey found that only 21% of employees trust in leadership. Quiet firing is another disease that poisons company-wide trust in managers, making it an incredibly damaging trend.

Inadequate management can also unintentionally quiet fire team members. Whether deliberate or not, it reflects poorly on leadership if managers force a team member’s hand by withdrawing support and guidance. 

In either of these scenarios, both parties will experience harmful consequences. 

Organizational impact

Quiet firing doesn’t solely affect the employee who’s being pushed out; it impacts your entire organization. Other team members will notice the withdrawal of support and coaching. Quiet firing trends and habits may also create discord across the department and other business areas. 

Such divisive tactics are at loggerheads with encouraging teamwork and collaboration in your business. Besides creating discord, quiet firing negatively impacts your company culture. Other leaders might observe and replicate such behavior, while subordinates – expect to be next on the chopping block. 

Either way, this directly opposes building a productive and collaborative environment. When people struggle to work together, everyone’s job becomes more complex, lowering employee morale across your organization. 

By turning up the heat, quiet firing may inadvertently spread malcontent and job dissatisfaction to others. This creates a wildfire of disengagement that can fuel mass quitting, much like the Great Resignation of 2021.

What most underperforming employees require is an alternative management style. In other words, managers who quiet fire leave untapped potential to go to waste. Treating a targeted employee poorly on the way out can also burn bridges. 

You can be confident that team members who experience quiet firing will let colleagues, peers, and industry contacts know about it. Word will get out about your poor leadership and toxic company culture, meaning the negative reputations of various leaders and leadership within your company will curtail your ability to recruit top talent.  

6 Strategies to combat quiet firing

Many times, quiet firing is subtle and difficult to spot. Even for the employees being cut out or neglected, it can be nearly impossible to prove they’ve received unfair treatment. 

The best way to weed out quiet firing from your company culture is to be proactive. Here are some easy ways to fight against this harmful phenomenon.

Enforce clear communication channels

Communication channels such as team messaging, phone calls, and email should be open and transparent for everyone. These should act as the first line of communication for team members, supervisors, and management. 

But that’s just the beginning. You can be proactive by building policies that encourage weekly and daily communication. Conversations don’t have to be strictly about tasks and projects. They can also be to check in or touch base.

Doing this forces the hands of your managers. They can’t remain “quiet” if instructed to contact each employee regularly. 

Additionally, provide transparent policies for promotions, pay raises, and bonuses, and implement HR tools, like payslip software, to give employees an accessible avenue for sorting out payment issues. 

Nurture a positive work environment

Establishing a healthy workplace culture will help fend off quiet firing. You can maintain a positive work environment by formulating and following a plan.

A survey found the corporate culture elements that matter most to employees are feeling respected and having supportive leaders.

You can nurture a workplace culture that prioritizes these elements by doing the following:

• Set clear organizational and departmental goals. Be transparent when it comes to areas such as KPIs and performance assessments.
• Respect employees. Put policies in place to ensure every team member feels valued, listened to, and respected.
• Foster employee recognition programs. Organizations should encourage employees to achieve more and feel valued for their hard work. 
• Promote social gatherings. Group outings and non-office events are a great way to encourage team building. They also promote interactions between employees from different departments and ranks. 
• Impose zero-tolerance policies. Establish HR directives that deal with all forms of harassment in the workplace. 
• Keep it lighthearted. You can maintain a professional environment while allowing for fun at certain times. Encouraging a bit of humor and non-work-related discussions helps ease stressful situations and reduce employee burnout.

Offer regular feedback

Gallup found that just 7% of US workers strongly agree that communication is accurate, timely, and open where they work. A mere 26% of employees strongly agreed that their manager’s feedback “helps them do better at work.”

This statistic should be alarming because your team likely feels that communication isn’t open and your managers aren’t giving valuable feedback.  

Annual or six-monthly reviews are some of the many occasions to give feedback. Managers should also use less formal situations like quick chats in the halls and video meetings to provide regular feedback.

Managers should also be 100% willing to have difficult conversations during formal meetings like reviews. After all, struggling employees can’t be expected to fix issues if they aren’t even aware of them!

Promoting regular feedback from leadership fosters a more open workplace. Of course, this only works if managers are trained to give valuable and honest feedback.  

Implement employee self-evaluation to encourage self-reflection as well. Looking inward will help your team promote a culture of openness and accountability. Remember, it doesn’t have to only be about constructive criticism and “areas for improvement.” 

Train your leaders to tell individuals when they’re doing a good job too. Employees often aren’t looking to be recognized for big projects or milestones; it’s the little, everyday things they might feel go unnoticed.

Foster employee participation and dialogue

Good communication is kryptonite to quiet firing, so you want to build a workplace that fosters employee participation. 

There are several ways to drive two-way dialogue effectively. One is to gather employee feedback frequently. Supervisor and team member feedback can shine a spotlight on quiet firing practices, helping you nip the problem in the bud by either re-training problem managers or sending them on their way. 

Employee feedback forms can also highlight any issues in the workplace. Fresh suggestions help innovate business processes, boost productivity, or save money. The best way to nurture employee participation and encourage transparency is to make sure you act on the feedback given. 

Leveraging automation technology can encourage better communication and more open dialogue. Modern services can streamline team communication channels and make leaders more accessible to subordinates. Tools such as small business payroll software and other HR solutions empower workers with access to information and encourage improved enrollment in benefits programs. 

Another area where you can boost engagement is the decision-making process. For example, providing communication channels allows team members’ voices to be heard more easily. This is especially helpful with policies, procedures, and workplace benefits.

Providing opportunities for learning and career development also promotes employee dialogue. Growth opportunities like coaching and mentoring allow for cross-level and cross-departmental interactions. Besides professional development, your employees can learn from other leaders throughout the organization.

By building trust in these ways, employees will feel better able to identify unfair workplace treatment and report this to higher-ups rather than giving into these practices and quitting.

Address issues promptly

Quiet firing can quickly become an epidemic—even a pandemic—if it goes soft-pedaled. If one manager is displaying problematic behavior, it’s only a matter of time before a colleague observes and imitates it.

This is even more likely when senior leadership approves of this tactic. Tenured managers will be looked up to for their experience. Other managers will begin to think, “That’s an acceptable way to get rid of someone.”

So, putting strict policies in place will allow for swiftly dealing with quiet firing practices. You’ll need processes for identifying and reporting this and HR solutions put in place. Also, one of the ways to combat quiet hiring is creating educational materials that are accessible to all employees, so they know what it is and that it absolutely won’t be tolerated. 

Besides dealing with unsupportive managers, you can train HR on quick fixes for quiet firing, such as lateral moves and cross-departmental coaching. These options will help you get a “quiet fired” employee to safe waters as quickly as possible while dealing with the culprit.  

Provide emotional support

To promote trust and communication, employers must create a sense of psychological safety for their employees. One way leadership can provide emotional support is through the language they use.

Here are some of the speech patterns to avoid when offering emotional support:

• Minimization. Devaluing an individual’s problems by saying everyone feels or experiences something.
• Dismissiveness. Making claims that an individual shouldn’t be feeling or doesn’t have a reason to feel a certain way.
• Giving unwanted solutions e.g., “Just get a babysitter” or “Just take the bus.”
• Negation. Denying an emotion or problem e.g., “That’s nothing.”

You’ll also need managers with emotional intelligence to help combat this phenomenon. To adequately understand the feelings of others, they’ll need:

• Self-awareness – to understand other people’s emotions and how they impact team members and colleagues.
• Self-regulation – to manage their own emotions and remain objective in stressful situations.
• Social awareness – to develop the ability to perceive other people’s emotions.
• Social skills – to learn using emotions to motivate others, resolve conflicts, and successfully work together as a team.

Final thoughts

You’ve come here wanting an answer to one question: “What is quiet firing?” Now you know. That said, quiet firing can be challenging to identify. Like a thief in the night, it can run off with your positive company culture and leave you with only a toxic work environment. 

So, the question isn’t whether quiet firing exists in your company but whether you’re taking steps to prevent it from taking root.

Taking a proactive approach is the only way to stop it. You can build a more engaging and collaborative culture that increases employee engagement and productivity and guards against quiet firing by getting ahead of the curve.

The post What is quiet firing and how to combat it appeared first on airSlate Blog | Business automation.

57% of organizations performed pilot tests for solutions to automate at least one business process pre-COVID. #nocode #automation @airSlateAcademy
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According to a 2020 global survey of business leaders by McKinsey, 85% of enterprises have somewhat or greatly accelerated the deployment of videoconferencing and filesharing technologies to facilitate remote employee interactions. In addition, 50% of enterprises increased the digitization of customer channels (via mobile apps and chatbots), while some 35% have further digitized their supply channels.

The upward trend for use of robotic automation is due to its ability to facilitate contactless interactions and relieve the cost pressure that can stem from the economic decline caused by the pandemic. This tumultuous period presents an opportunity for businesses to redefine their own business models with workflow automation and no-code automation/integration bots. This new automation technology introduces a number of benefits:

• Affordability compared to standalone solutions
• Can serve as a substitute or additional workforce
• Cuts expenses associated with paper-based workflows (ink and toner, postal delivery, etc.)

For instance, airSlate’s Automation Bots allow the user to set up a fully automated no-code workflow designed to fit the specific business operations they have in mind. Before we delve into the list of the Top 20 most popular airSlate Bots, it’s a good idea to first clarify the bot definitions.

Document Workflow Automation for IT Professionals

• Business process automation
• Client onboarding
• Workflow optimization

Enroll now

What is a bot?

airSlate has two types of Bots: Automation and Integration.

• Automation Bots are used to automate a specific Flow by completing tasks like sending notifications, sending reminders, populating documents with CRM data, etc.
• Integration Bots are used to integrate your Flow with cloud services, popular tools, and streamline the storage of important information. They are used to transfer data from CRMs, SQL databases, spreadsheets, and other sources.

As a result of using airSlate software Bots, the vast scope of business operations ranging from contract management to employee onboarding and patient intake, are all efficiently handled within airSlate.

Watch the video below to get a grasp of no code bot automation basics with airSlate:

airSlate’s top-20, no code Bots for business optimization

airSlate allows organizations of any size to automate even the most complex business workflows using over 140 no code Bots. The list of airSlate’s most popular Bots can be split into several groups based on their mode of application:

Pre-fill Data Bots

• Pre-fill from Doc to Doc Bot
  Pre-fill from Doc to Doc Bot automates the process of pre-filling one document with data from another document within a single workflow. For instance, the Bot can be used to automatically populate a sales invoice with data from a completed sales proposal. Enroll in the Pre-fill from Doc to Doc course at the airSlate Academy to learn how to install and configure this Bot.
• Pre-fill from Excel Spreadsheet Bot
  The Pre-fill from Excel Spreadsheet Bot automates the process of importing data from an Excel Spreadsheet to another document within a single workflow. For instance, this Bot can help you automatically populate the dropdown fields of a purchase order form using inventory information that is taken from a product inventory Excel spreadsheet. Sign up for the Pre-fill from Doc to Doc course at the airSlate Academy and learn how to use this Bot for your business needs.
• Pre-fill Dropdowns from Google Sheets Bot
  The Pre-fill Dropdowns from Google Sheets Bot pre-populates dropdown fields in documents with data taken from a Google sheet when certain conditions are met. For example, the Bot can be used to automatically fill out the dropdown fields of a purchase order form using information that is taken from a product properties Google sheet. Click to learn more about the Pre-fill Dropdowns from Google Sheets Bot.
• Pre-fill with Custom Data Bot
  The Pre-fill with Custom Data Bot pre-populates Slates (collections of documents) with manually entered data. The Bot can be used to automatically pre-fill invoices with custom data manually entered by a sales representative such as the client’s name, reference number, and dates for a new deal. Click to learn more about the Pre-fill with Custom Data Bot.
• Pre-fill from Google Sheets Bot
  The Pre-fill from Google Sheets Bot automatically transfers data from a Google sheet to the selected fields of another document within a single workflow. This Bot can be used to automate the process of creating employee onboarding documents, financial reports, and sales orders pre-populated with data from Google Sheets. Enroll in the Pre-fill from Google Sheets Bot course at the airSlate Academy and learn how to use this Bot for your business needs.

Salesforce Integration Bots

• Pre-fill from Salesforce Records Bot
  The Pre-fill from Salesforce Records Bot automatically populates documents with data taken from one or multiple related Salesforce records. The Bot can be used to automate the process of creating contracts, quotes, invoices, and reports completed with the Salesforce information you need. Enroll in the Pre-fill from Salesforce Records Bot course at the airSlate Academy and get a step-by-step guide on how to install and use this Bot.
• Pre-fill from Salesforce Records via SOQL Bot
  The Pre-fill from Salesforce Records via SOQL Bot searches for Salesforce records based on your SOQL query and fills out documents with data from these records. For instance, this Bot can be used to automatically generate invoices pre-filled with data from unpaid sales orders. Click to learn more about the Pre-fill from Salesforce Records with SOQL Bot.
• Create Salesforce Record Bot
  The Create Salesforce Record Bot automates the process of creating Salesforce records using data from a completed document. For instance, this Bot can be used to transfer data from a new client’s completed registration form and create new Leads in Salesforce. Enroll in the Create Salesforce Record Bot course at the airSlate Academy and learn how to use this Bot for your business operations.
• Update Salesforce Record Bot
  The Update Salesforce Record Bot can change record types in Salesforce. The Bot automatically updates Salesforce records with data from a completed document. For instance, if a customer makes changes to their business address in an order form, it will be updated in the corresponding Salesforce record. Enroll in the Update Salesforce Record Bot course at the airSlate Academy to learn how to install and use this Bot.
• Export to Salesforce Bot
  The Export to Salesforce Bot automatically uploads a Slate to a specific Salesforce record. For instance, the Bot can be used to automatically save a contract as an attachment to the relevant Salesforce client record. Sign up for the Export to Salesforce course at the airSlate Academy to learn how to employ this Bot in your business operations.

Other popular airSlate Bots

• Rename Flow on Documents Completion Bot
  The Rename Flow on Documents Completion Bot automates the process of renaming your Slates. For instance, the Bot can be used to automatically assign a new name to an invoice once it has been paid. To learn more about installing and customizing this Bot, sign up for the Rename Flow on Documents Completion course at the airSlate Academy.
• Hide Signatures Bot
  The Hide Signatures Bot automatically conceals previously added e-signatures or initials when certain conditions are met. In other words, each time a signer or multiple signers want to e-sign a document, they will have to add a new version of their electronic signature(s) or initials. New signatures or initials can be added by all signers online and in-person with a tablet or smartphone using their fingers. Click to learn more about the Hide Signatures Bot.
• Email on Documents Opening Bot
  The Email on Documents Opening Bot allows you to track when your recipient opens a document sent to them. Also, the Bot sends you an email notification each time someone has started working on a Slate document. For instance, this Bot can be set up to automatically send an email notification to a sales representative once a prospect has opened a sales quote. Enroll in the Email on Documents Opening course at the airSlate Academy to learn how to install the Bot and set it up.
• Export to Google Sheets Bot
  The Export to Google Sheets Bot automatically transfers filled-in data from a Slate document to a Google sheet. For instance, the Bot can be used to export client data and order details from a completed order form to a sales report sheet in Google Sheets. Sign up for the Export to Google Sheets course and learn how to install and customize the Bot according to your workflow.
• Remind Recipients to Complete Documents Bot
  The Remind Recipients to Complete Documents Bot sends reminder emails for signing or completing a Slate document based on recipient roles. Learn how to automate reminder emails to keep all participants in a workflow up to date with the help of the Remind Recipients to Complete Documents course at the airSlate Academy.
• Save to Google Drive Bot
  The Google Drive Bot allows you to automatically move completed Slates to a Google Drive folder. For instance, the Bot can be used to archive business contracts after they have been terminated. Sign up for the Save to Google Drive Bot course to streamline your document retention routines.
• Save to Dropbox Bot
  The Dropbox Bot allows you to automatically transfer and archive completed Slates to Dropbox. For instance, the Bot can be used to store executed purchase orders, quotes, contracts, etc. Enroll in the Save to Dropbox course at the airSlate Academy to learn how to use this Bot for document retention.
• Add Tags Bot
  The Add Tags Bot adds tags to a Slate to mark specific changes. For instance, the Bot can be used to automatically assign the “accepted” tag to a sales proposal once it has been accepted by a customer. Click to learn more about the Add Tags Bot.
• Create Event in Google Calendar Bot
  The Create Event in Google Calendar Bot automatically creates events in Google Calendar and populates it with data taken from a pre-filled Slate. For instance, the Bot can be used to automatically schedule a weekly staff meeting in Google Calendar with a date, topic, and event description taken from a pre-filled meeting agenda form. Enroll in the Create Event in Google Calendar course course at the airSlate Academy to learn how to use the Bot for more streamlined appointment scheduling.

If you want to advance your no code automation skills, we recommend enrolling in the airSlate Academy’s free certification programs. Start with the airSlate Bots: The Ultimate Guide course to master the ins and outs of using airSlate Bots.

Originally published in February 2021, updated in July 2023 for accuracy and comprehensiveness

The post What is a Bot? TOP 20 Bots for no code business automation appeared first on airSlate Blog | Business automation.

Why adding certifications to LinkedIn is essential to advancing your career

Adding certifications to your LinkedIn profile is essential for candidates who aspire to advance their careers and elevate their professional profiles. 

• Each new certificate for course completion added to your LinkedIn profile demonstrates your commitment to continuous learning and development, showcasing your expertise and specialization within a particular field. 
• By adding certifications to LinkedIn, you enhance your credibility and increase your chances of catching the attention of recruiters and hiring managers. It adds depth to your professional narrative and provides concrete evidence of your abilities, making you a more attractive and qualified candidate for potential opportunities. 
• Certifications on LinkedIn help you establish yourself as a lifelong learner, someone who stays up-to-date with industry trends and is dedicated to professional growth. By showcasing your certifications, you position yourself as a highly motivated and skilled professional, opening doors to new career prospects and networking opportunities.

In this article, we’ll explore how to share a certificate on LinkedIn and uncover the advantages it brings to your online presence. Whether you’re an airSlate Academy student looking to showcase your achievements or a professional eager to enhance your career prospects, mastering the art of adding certificates to LinkedIn will unlock new career opportunities and open doors to meaningful connections. Let’s get started.

How does it work?

LinkedIn categorizes users by the information they add to their profiles. It defines skills as keywords so that relevant profiles appear in search results. LinkedIn computer algorithms scan profilеs to find mentions of specific keywords.

Example: When recruiters look for candidates on LinkedIn, they use words like certificate as keywords. Therefore, including it on your profile and resume helps your information appear in their results. The more these keywords are mentioned, the more LinkedIn sees you as an expert in this area.

And this is how you receive more profile views, gain more contacts, and get access to even more opportunities.

According to Pearson VUE’s 2023 Value of IT Certification report, the impact of completing IT certification on individuals and organizations around the globe is as follows:

• 27% of candidates accepted job promotions
• 37% of candidates received salary increases after earning their certifications
• 62% of candidates earned certifications to enhance their professional profiles and résumés
• 74% of candidates have greater work autonomy and independence
• 78% of candidates are more satisfied with their jobs
• 92% of candidates became more confident in their abilities, and 81% have more confidence in exploring new job opportunities

Therefore, sharing your certificates on LinkedIn is the best way to show your audience and competitors how much investment you have put into your career and education.

The next question is:
Where can I find an online IT certification for free?

With the airSlate Academy, you have everything you need to grow professionally and make your resume stand out by completing no-code automation courses online for free. Sharing your success is a necessary component of eLearning with airSlate.

All you need to do is:

1. Pick a free online course or certification program
2. Complete it and get your certificate
3. Share it on LinkedIn

How to add Certificates to your LinkedIn Profile 

The first step to sharing your certificates is adding them to your LinkedIn profile. This showcases the certificate’s credibility and confirms that you own it.
To share your certificate right after completing a course, follow the steps below:

1. Click Exit Course, check your inbox, find the email from airSlate Academy, and click Add to LinkedIn.

2. Then, click Add to my profile to add the certificate in the Licenses & certifications section.

Do keep in mind the following:

• To make your certificate permanently available, skip adjusting the expiration date.
• Include a list of the skills you’ve gained after completing the course. Don’t limit yourself here; this helps make you stand out in recruiter searches and makes your profile more catchy. 
• Click Next when asked if you want to share the news with your network.
• Allow everyone to see your post and ensure anyone can leave comments.

How to share certificates on your LinkedIn news feed

Sharing your certificate in a post on your news feed makes it available for reactions and comments to better engage with your audience. 

To do so, follow the simple steps below:

1. Access the certificate from your inbox and click Add to LinkedIn.
2. Click Share and then Share in a post.
3. Add a text message expressing how you feel and what you’ve achieved.
4. Make your post visible to everyone and available for comments.
5. Click View post to see how it will appear in your news feed.

Top 3 tips for sharing certificates on LinkedIn

#1. 

To get the most out of sharing your certificate or badge, use every sharing option available to capture the most recognition and number of eyes on your profile. For example, your colleagues and friends might respond better to a post, while employers will pay more attention to your Licenses & certifications section.

#2.

Once you’ve shared your certificate on LinkedIn, you can access it by clicking Show credential below.

#3.

Find your digital credentials on the Acredible page. Here you also have different options for what to do with your certificate, from saving it as a PDF and changing your name to adding evidence and sharing it on social media.

The bottom line

Completing online courses and sharing your achievements on LinkedIn helps you prove your in-demand skills, satisfy current workplace challenges, and add more credibility to your work. LinkedIn is the right place to share your success, gain recognition, and drive attention to your achievements.

The post Boosting your professional profile with airSlate Academy: How to add certifications to LinkedIn appeared first on airSlate Blog | Business automation.

Indeed, rapid digitization during the pandemic led many organizations to accumulate tools that helped remotely automate a wide range of workflows. However, in their haste, these organizations often needed to pay more attention to the importance of conducting a cost-benefit analysis to evaluate whether the benefits of using these tools outweighed the costs. 

When it comes to document workflow automation solutions, an important part of a cost-benefit analysis is identifying the capabilities and limitations of these tools to calibrate expectations. 

The main goal of using a cost-benefit analysis is to reach a clear understanding of the business value of adopting these tools to help organizations make informed decisions that align with their objectives and maximize their return on investment.

The top-level benefits of airSlate cost-benefit analysis

A cost-benefit analysis of airSlate’s automated document workflow solution demonstrates multiple top-level benefits, including:

1. Time efficiency and resource allocation to increase productivity

Manual workflows are notorious for their time-consuming nature. Employees spend countless hours on repetitive tasks such as data entry, document sorting, and approval processes. The inherent delays and bottlenecks inhibit responsiveness and agility.

airSlate’s automated document solution lets you reclaim working hours spent on manual tasks. Users can offload work like creating/updating records, pre-populating documents from your systems of record, exporting results, and notifying stakeholders of a document’s status. 

By delaying the implementation of workflow automation, businesses risk squandering valuable human resources that could be better utilized for high-value activities, such as strategic planning, customer relationship management, and innovation.

2. Reducing errors and promoting quality assurance

Automation minimizes human error by ensuring consistency and accuracy across all workflow stages. Tasks such as data entry, document routing, and compliance checks can be performed precisely, reducing the likelihood of mistakes and rework.

3. Facilitating speed and responsiveness to customer requests

Organizations that can swiftly adapt to customer demands, market changes, and emerging opportunities have a competitive advantage.

Businesses can expedite processes, eliminate unnecessary delays, and improve response times by implementing document automation. Automated notifications, real-time reporting, and instant access to information empower employees to make informed decisions promptly. Delaying automation hampers operational speed and responsiveness, risking profitability by potentially missing out on time-sensitive opportunities.

4. Improving scalability and growth potential

As businesses expand and operational volumes increase, manual workflows become more cumbersome and inefficient.

Automation platforms can accommodate higher workloads without requiring a proportional increase in resources. Organizations can handle larger volumes efficiently and seamlessly scale their operations by automating repetitive tasks.

5. Enhancing compliance and risk management

airSlate’s automation platform enables robust security measures, audit trails, and compliance features to ensure regulatory adherence. By leveraging automation, organizations can proactively manage risk, reduce exposure to compliance violations, and safeguard profitability.

6. Simplifying and streamlining document workflow with a single, all-in-one solution

The comprehensive solution from airSlate enables users to implement document workflow automation from start to finish with multiple integrations, document editing/completion, eSignature, and more in one platform. Businesses can effortlessly navigate the complexity of document workflows by providing seamless integration options with cloud apps like CRMs (e.g., Salesforce), ERPs (e.g., NetSuite), and cloud storage sites (e.g., Google Suite, Box, Sharepoint).

Analyzing the cost benefits of an automated document workflow

While companies understand the importance of automating document management, they may not understand how to analyze the cost benefits. Here are examples that illustrate how a company can identify the actual cost and time benefits.

Streamlining the intake process; cost-benefit analysis in healthcare

Let’s assume your client is a medical clinic, and each physician sees roughly 440 patients every month. Every patient must complete an intake form (each form corresponds to one “flow”). By automating the patient intake process, the office administrator, who makes $25/hour, is spared 15 minutes of work per patient, meaning the facility saves $6.25 per flow for a total monthly savings of $2,750 ($6.25×440 patients).

Of course, there are additional benefits for patients and the facility.

Using an eSignature solution like signNow to send, collect, and organize patient paperwork, patients can complete their paperwork electronically versus having to print and scan emailed documents to send back to the health facility or drop off the paperwork in-person to complete any necessary treatment consent. Instead of a frustrating and time-consuming process, the patient benefits from a simple intake process that enables documents to be accessed at the patient’s convenience – even from a mobile device.  

The medical facility also has easy-to-access documentation of a patient’s consent to treatment. 

Creating a better client experience; cost-benefit analysis in construction 

For one equipment rental company, using signNow has created a much more efficient client experience. Coordinators no longer need to chase down contracts. The company’s 60 coordinators save at least one hour daily, five days a week. That’s 300 hours a week or 15,000 hours over a year.

Ensuring an efficient contract journey; cost-benefit analysis in the university setting 

A university’s academic affairs office hires approximately 100 adjunct faculty members over a single academic year. Each adjunct is given a contract ahead of the semester to teach. From start to finish, the process takes about 1.5 months. It begins when a department requests a new adjunct contract and ends when the contract is returned, and the university considers the adjunct hired.

Each contract process has a corresponding flow with 20 associated actions, requiring the input and approval of several university staff members and administrators. Contracts must be created, approved, and sent to each adjunct. During the process, contracts move across multiple departments, corrections are made if necessary, and if contracts are not returned, they must be hunted down.

Let’s say five university staff members and administrators are involved in the process. By automating the workflow, they are each spared 10 hours of work total per contract. If staff compensation averages $50/hour, this translates into $500 per flow. The five staff members save a total of 1,000 hours (100 contracts x 10 hours) and the university saves $50,000.

These calculations do not consider the intangible benefits of automating this process, like giving back the staff time, shortening the process completion time by weeks, offering adjuncts a smooth onboarding experience, and having up-to-date systems of record. This type of automation mitigates the challenge of keeping track of all the contracts as they are being created, circulated, and returned.

The implications of delaying the adoption of workflow automation 

The cost-benefit analysis of workflow automation versus delaying its implementation shows the profitability risks involved. Delaying the adoption of workflow automation inhibits scalability, impeding compliance and growth potential and stifling profitability.

Conversely, leveraging a workflow/document automation platform empowers organizations to optimize operations, enhance productivity, mitigate risks, minimize errors, and position themselves for sustainable growth and profitability in today’s competitive landscape.

The post Applying cost-benefit analysis to automated document workflows appeared first on airSlate Blog | Business automation.