Digitalization and robotic automation has made significant inroads into all the larger accounting companies, reconfiguring the way they function. Though this technology has passed the infancy stage, still the management at many firms have their own skepticism and uncertainties to deploy accounting automation bots. Some firms concentrate only to cover certain areas of automation within the practice, leaving a huge unclaimed area.

When the idea to automate emerged, many firms created a team who were going to take on the task of executing automation within their firms. It is their task to convince management who are the deciding authorities.

American advertising creative director famously quoted “Persuasion is not a science but an art”

Also read : How robotic automation supplements value to your business:

Ways teams can persuade management on accounting robot implementation?

1. Build a support team before initiating meeting with Management:
   As a general practice, robotic automation is always associated with various branches of Finance and Accounting. Therefore, management needs to be convinced to adapt them as bookkeeping bots, accounts payable bots etc. which are based on the specific processes. However, the canvas for automation is much wider. They can be easily implemented in processes which have structured and repetitive tasks.
   In order to gather momentum to the cause, get the support of members from various departments such as IT, HR, marketing etc. Help them understand the benefits of deploying RPA in their divisions. Once the RPA team gets support from these teams, it becomes simpler to present the case to the management.
2. Study the team composition of decision making executives :
   It is obvious that the management team always comprises people from varying academic backgrounds (eg Marketing, Finance, Engineering, etc.). Despite having diversity, they all emphasise on cost reduction, revenue generation, competitive edge etc. Therefore, when presenting your case it is important to highlight points touching these areas to get the message across appropriately. Once they understand the benefits, your investment proposal will get easier acceptance.
3. Highlight the problem, before proposing a solution :
   Management always wants to mitigate business risk. Therefore, always address them with a problem which will gain their undivided attention. From there you can take small steps in presenting how robotic automation helps in tackling these problems. From there, infuse confidence in the technology and get them to understand the need and the remedy.
4. Support your answers with proven statistical data:
   Management needs a good reason to divert or prioritize their funds for automation. In order to do this they have to either invest additional funds or defer projects where they have budgeted their funds.
   In order to make a strong case in your favour, always make your presentation with supportive data. Gather information from research driven case studies where customer experiences, employee morale, ROI etc. indexes are calculated. A comparison study expressed through ( numericals / statistics / percentage etc.) before and after deploying automation will help you achieve a ‘win-win solution’.
5. Tune your automation approach in line with the firms’ objectives:
   It is necessary to align your automation approach along with the firms’ objectives. When management understands that the presentation is formulated keeping in mind its core financial and non-financial indicators, then there is more possibility of project adaption. Then it becomes a combined effort of all the departments of the firm.
6. Address management’s concern on risk of digitisation:
   During times of unpredictability, there are always precautionary measures exercised by management. They are not interested in embarking on untested territory by automating processes at the ‘spur of the moment’.
   Therefore, the presentation should focus on reduction of risk through automation, keeping in mind the early ROI, employee retention, customer satisfaction and enhanced productivity.

Also read : Why do firms need to have a checklist before deploying Robotic automation?

Automation is the need of the hour. If you need help to convince management, leave the task to us. We are ready to demonstrate our capabilities and help you to persuade management to adapt and automate at your firm. Call us to set up a demo.