The 4E's of automation
Successful order automation isn't just about technology - it's about creating systems that work in the real world. After implementing automation for dozens of companies, we've learned that every solution must meet our 4 E's framework to deliver lasting results.
Effective: the system must process every order without exception. If it misses emails, struggles with handwritten notes, or can't handle your specific format, your team will revert to manual processing. True effectiveness means 100% capture rate, not 95%.
Easy: validation and monitoring must be intuitive for your team. If it takes longer than 30 seconds to approve an order, or if the interface requires training, adoption will fail. Easy means your busiest team member can use it confidently on their first day.
Enjoyable: your team must prefer the automated process over manual work. This requires trust in the system's accuracy and confidence in its reliability. If staff feel the system creates more work than it saves, they'll find ways around it.
Ethical: the total cost of automation - financial, time, and human - must be genuinely lower than manual methods. If implementation disrupts operations or the ROI doesn't materialise within 90 days, the project has failed its ethical obligation to improve your business.