In the world of AI automation, we’re faced with a stark choice: to genuinely automate or to simply go through the motions. Here’s the deal: for AI to truly automate business processes, we need to get granular, breaking down workflows into precise, connectable “widgets.” These aren’t just any widgets, though; they need to be adaptable components, each with its own API, seamlessly linking into the broader ecosystem.
But how do we define these widgets when most managers aren’t entirely sure what their people do on a day-to-day basis? And when roles differ dramatically from person to person, how can we build a standardised framework for automation? The big consulting firms are already on the scene, preparing to lead a new wave of “business process reengineering” – yet this raises more questions than answers. Business process reengineering, after all, means change, and change isn’t exactly beloved in most workplaces.
The Core Issue: Change and Skills
So, what skills are actually needed to make the most of AI automation? And who can drive this transformation? In my experience, it’s not top-down mandates or the next big consultancy report that will make AI automation stick. It’s a bottom-up transformation, powered by those in the trenches who have a genuine belief in continuous improvement – what I like to call the “cut your own lunch” mentality.
Why a Bottom-Up Transformation Works
A General Manager I once worked with had a habit of saying, “Cut your own lunch,” pushing us to innovate constantly and render our own work obsolete. That’s the approach we need for AI automation today. It’s about cultivating a team of curious thinkers, people who thrive on connecting the dots, who ask the right questions, and who are ready to make themselves redundant – repeatedly.
- Cultivate Curiousity: AI automation isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it exercise. We need people who stay curious, who understand how processes work and see beyond the obvious.
- Ask the Right Questions: Real AI automation means getting into the weeds of every process. The best way to define effective widgets is by questioning assumptions and finding efficiencies no one else noticed.
- Make Yourself Redundant: It sounds counterintuitive, but embracing AI means being prepared to automate yourself out of a role. And then finding the next role to disrupt.
- Think Horizontally: Automation doesn’t happen in silos. We need people with transdisciplinary skills who can think across departments and see how the pieces connect.
Why Not Big Consulting?
This isn’t a job for Big Consulting. Why? Because true AI automation requires an intimate understanding of your business’s unique DNA – and that’s something a consultant with a generic framework simply can’t offer. Big consulting is excellent at process maps and transformation frameworks, but they’re not the ones who live and breathe your business every day.
Embracing AI with True Believers
The right way to embrace AI automation is with a team of “true believers” – those who are driven by a deep-seated desire to improve, innovate, and challenge the status quo. It’s not about flashy AI projects or the latest buzzwords; it’s about a practical, relentless focus on improvement from those who know the business best.
So, when it comes to AI automation, let’s not just go through the motions. Let’s get to work building real, connectable widgets, cutting our own lunch, and making a lasting impact. Because in the world of AI, there’s no such thing as a free lunch – only opportunities for those willing to dig in and do the work.