In today's fast-paced business environment, teams who prioritize productivity and efficiency have a much better chance of success. Savvy leaders know this, and it’s why they treat their time and that of their teams as a currency, because it quite literally is. 

Investing in efficient systems is a must for businesses targeting long-term success. It starts by maximizing the short-term time-saving potential. Now when we say “succeed long term,” we’re not talking about the businesses trying to dominate the market for the next 3-5 years; we’re talking about the enterprises looking to make their mark for the next 10, 20, 30 years and beyond. 

But what industries do businesses aim to compete for such a long time? The financial industry is an example of a sector where businesses aim to compete for a long time, and firms need to evaluate their capabilities for the long haul. For this reason, technology providers cater to these needs by introducing tools and solutions that help businesses streamline their workflows, automate repetitive tasks, and overall manage their teams more effectively. 

So, what are these magic systems? Here are just 5 software solutions that a financial firm trying to compete long-term would use:

1. Workflow Management Systems: Financial firms use these systems to organize and track different tasks and approvals, making sure everything gets done on time.

2. Business Intelligence and Data Analytics Systems: Systems used by institutions to understand how the business is performing and make more informed decisions through data analysis.

3. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Systems: Smart computers that can learn and make predictions on their own, helping firms easily make better decisions. 

4. Electronic Document Management Systems: This is where organizations store and share important papers like contracts and invoices electronically. As a result, they don't have to rely on hard copies.

5. Robotic Process Automation Software: This software will take over repetitive tasks such as data entry and free up time for the complex and value-adding tasks we’ve been mentioning. 

While each one of these systems sounds cool, there is still a gray area behind integrating them into daily practice within the organization. With that said, It's important to note that while these systems can indeed bring great benefits, they also require a significant investment in terms of time and resources. Consider for a moment that 70% of digital transformation projects fail typically because of a lack of planning for system integration and an understanding of why the team needs the system. That is why a game plan before implementation is so critical to ensure maximum ROI upon execution.

What Does This Execution Plan Look Like?

For a financial institution, the execution model might look something like this: 

1. Identify the goals that can be met with the new system.

2. Assess the current workflows and processes within the organization and find the areas that the new system can optimize.

3. What features/capabilities of the new technology align with the objectives of the business and/or team?

4. Outline ideals (milestones, timelines, and deliverables upon implementation).

5. Resources needed to support the project (staff, budget, equipment, etc).

6. Monitor progress and ensure the necessary adjustments are being made.

This outline is kind of the static layout behind every software project and for good reason. This guide is going to force you to evaluate the “why” behind your project, which will then make every step beyond a lot more simple to understand. 

The Takeaway

The point here is to emphasize how important it is to constantly evaluate your organization's processes and to find the margins where innovation can benefit performance. As always, this comes down to understanding your business goals and the impact of new technologies.

Written By Ben Brown

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ISU Corp is an award-winning software development company, with over 17 years of experience in multiple industries, providing cost-effective custom software development, technology management, and IT outsourcing.

Our unique owners’ mindset reduces development costs and fast-tracks timelines. We help craft the specifications of your project based on your company's needs, to produce the best ROI. Find out why startups, all the way to fortune 500 companies like General Electric, Heinz, and many others have trusted us with their projects. Contact us here.