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How to improve employee experiences with the right tech
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In recent years, productivity in Australia has gradually declined across most sectors. The Reserve Bank of Australia's 2023 report reveals that the Aussie workforce has an average productivity rate of just 1.2% since the start of the 2010s. This is almost half the productivity rate of the 1990s and early 2000s, despite an increase in population.
Productivity growth plays a fundamental role in driving economic expansion and improving living standards. It's typically measured by the amount of real production or output per hour worked, which is influenced by factors such as capital availability, technological progress and resource efficiency. Higher productivity growth allows for sustainable wage increases and can help mitigate inflationary pressures. So what makes productivity growth stagnate?
Productivity in Australia and across the globe has been slowing due to a number of pressures, including declining technological distribution, regulatory complexity, reduced competition and weakening business growth. The RBA report states that several factors will shape productivity in Australia moving forward, including the pace of global trade, knowledge spillovers, climate change impacts and the energy transition.
For organisations, there is a significant opportunity to improve output rates by addressing technological gaps and inefficiencies to reverse or offset the current productivity downturn. So what technology should you leverage to improve productivity and empower a humming workforce?
Hyperautomation and AI-powered workflows
The global hyperautomation market is experiencing explosive growth, projected to reach USD $155 billion by 2032, up from USD $36 billion in 2022. This represents a compound annual growth rate of 16.3%, with 90% of large enterprises now listing hyperautomation as a strategic priority. Unlike traditional automation that handles individual tasks, hyperautomation combines AI, machine learning and robotic process automation (RPA) to automate entire business processes end-to-end.
The benefits are measurable and significant. Organisations implementing hyperautomation report quality assurance improvements of 24.6% and faster diagnostics by 30.5% in healthcare settings. Companies using intelligent automation can reduce operating costs by 30% to 70%, whilst automation in payment processes saves finance teams over 500 hours per year.
Kyocera's workflow automation solutions embody this hyperautomation approach, integrating AI-powered capabilities to help organisations work faster and smarter. The Kyocera Intelligent Automation Platform automates business processes across departments—from invoice processing to document capture—eliminating manual intervention and allowing employees to focus on strategic, value-adding activities. For instance, AI can recognise user corrections or iterations made in previous documents and take appropriate actions for similar forms in the future, resulting in far fewer errors and enhanced workflow productivity.
With cloud-based technology that connects CRM, HR, ERP and accounting systems, businesses can automate the flow of secure information whilst maintaining accuracy and compliance. This handles routine processes seamlessly, adapting to increasing volume or variations that often accompany business growth without dramatically increasing staff numbers.
Cloud-based document solutions
Transitioning to cloud-based document solutions can also improve productivity by simplifying and speeding up the way you manage and access information. Cloud platforms provide a centralised repository for documents, which drives seamless collaboration among your employees and departments, regardless of their physical locations. This accelerates decision-making processes and ensures everyone has real-time access to the most up-to-date information in a single click.
Modern document management systems leverage AI for intelligent data extraction, automated classification and smart workflows. Advanced features like version control, audit trails and role-based access ensure that distributed teams can collaborate effectively whilst maintaining data integrity. With automation built into every layer, these platforms eliminate the manual data entry and processing that traditionally consumed valuable employee time.
Employee experience technology
Today's top talent thrives in environments that prioritise employee engagement. After all, an engaged workforce is a high-performing one—and as much as 18% more productive. Unfortunately, research from a 2023 Gartner report shows that only 31% of employees report being engaged, enthusiastic and energised by their work.
Enter Employee Experience (EX) technology. EX software includes tools and platforms designed to enhance an employee's overall experience within the organisation, ultimately contributing to a positive and motivated work culture that breeds productivity.
Implementing EX technology can include intuitive employee portals, gamified training modules, internal communication platforms and real-time feedback mechanisms. These not only streamline internal processes but also create an environment where employees feel valued and motivated to work, significantly impacting output and reducing churn. When combined with automation that removes tedious manual tasks, employees can focus on meaningful work that utilises their unique skills and creativity.
Whilst technology is critical, improving productivity involves more than just adopting new platforms and tools—it requires reimagining how we work, optimising existing processes and welcoming new approaches to old problems. As organisations attempt to counteract the drop in productivity in Australia, a proactive approach to innovation and technological advancement will be essential to not only surviving but thriving in the face of productivity challenges.
According to recent research, over 90% of workers say automation increases their productivity, and companies investing in automation see an average 22% reduction in operating costs. With the right combination of hyperautomation, cloud-based solutions and employee experience technology, Australian organisations can reverse the productivity decline and build competitive advantages for the future.
Discover how Kyocera's intelligent automation platform can help your organisation automate workflows, eliminate manual processes and unlock productivity gains across your business.
KYOCERA Document Solutions supports Australian and New Zealand businesses on their digital transformation journey with innovative products and software solutions.
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