FINAL WORD
Don ’ t Believe the CAO Hype
Colin Redbond , Global SVP for Product and Strategy , SS & C Blue Prism , says the need for top-down thinking and sponsorship underscores the strategic importance of automation in driving digital transformation .
Automation is critical for companies striving to stay competitive , so to help navigate the digital era , more organizations are realizing the importance of senior executive oversight and sponsorship of automation initiatives .
The recent suggested need for a Chief Automation Officer ( CAO ) position stems from the rapid widespread recognition of the pivotal role that automation plays in reshaping business operations and enhancing efficiency . But while process automation is recognized as a central element in the digital transformation strategies of 70 % of organizations , according to the Wall Street Journal , we ’ ve been here before .
When it comes to tech , one minute you ’ re the doyen of the CRM or P2P worlds and the next we ’ ve moved to blockchain and augmented reality .
Instead of pouring new resources and energy into new roles that are created off the back of hype , what ’ s needed is executive sponsorship and leadership of advanced automation programs at the highest and most influential levels , underpinned by the appropriate business knowledge and network to be able to drive real change .
If you ’ re serious about automation , it needs to be embedded into a primary C-suite role that ’ s not transitional and a person able to tie-in , and federate tasks or projects across the organization .
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