Many business owners still measure productivity by the length of working hours. However, longer operating hours do not always translate into greater results. Often, operational time is spent on repetitive and administrative tasks.
From this perspective, it’s important to recognize that operating hours aren’t just about service duration—they’re about how that time is used effectively. One way to achieve this is through automation. So, how can automation help manage operating hours more intelligently? Keep reading to find out.
What Are Operating Hours?
According to Facilio, operating hours are the span of time during which a business conducts its operational activities. This period also serves as a reference for when services are available and when customers can interact with the business team.
However, in practice, operating hours don’t always reflect truly productive work time. In its article, Keka distinguishes between gross hours and effective hours. Gross hours include all employee working hours, including breaks and idle time. Meanwhile, effective hours refer to the time actually spent completing productive work.
That’s why, even if a business has been “open for long hours,” many still feel that results aren’t optimal. The issue is often not the duration, but the effectiveness of how that time is used. This is where automation comes in—not to cut service hours, but to ensure every operating hour is utilized to its fullest potential.
Signs That Long Operating Hours Are Ineffective
While long operating hours may seem like an indicator that a business is “working hard,” a longer duration doesn’t necessarily mean higher productivity. On the contrary, poorly managed operating hours can lead to inefficiencies. Here are some signs that your business’s operating hours are not being used effectively:
- Many manual and repetitive tasks that could be optimized.
- Many business processes still rely heavily on human input, which often causes delays when there are hold-ups.
- Human errors occur when tasks are repetitive or complex and lack system support.
- Processes slow down due to waiting for approvals or confirmations between teams.
- The team appears exhausted, yet the output doesn’t match the hours worked.
- Internal communication is hindered due to unsynchronized workflows.
- Data and information are scattered across multiple systems, resulting in wasted time searching for or verifying information.
How Automation Can Improve the Efficiency of Operating Hours
From the start, automation has been touted as the key to managing operating hours more intelligently and efficiently. But how does it actually work? All will be explained in this section.
1. Optimizing Workflows Holistically
Automation doesn’t just turn manual tasks into automated ones; it also integrates various processes to run smoothly without bottlenecks.
For example, integrating the POS system, inventory system, and CRM ensures that sales data is automatically linked to stock levels and performance reports. As a result, every step of the operation is interconnected, enabling faster decision-making and reducing wasted time caused by fragmented processes.
2. Distributing Work Intelligently
Automation allows tasks to be distributed and scheduled according to priority, rather than piling them up on the team. For instance, the system can assign customer requests to staff who are available and have the right expertise. This way, even long operating hours remain efficient, as each task is handled in the fastest and most effective manner.
3. Enhancing Service Scalability Without Extra Burden
Automation allows businesses to serve more customers without increasing employee working hours. For example, chatbots and self-service systems can handle common customer inquiries, while staff focus on more complex issues. This effectively extends service hours without overburdening the team.
4. Mendorong Pengambilan Keputusan Berbasis Data
Automated systems collect and display the necessary data in real time. For example, daily sales reports or stock status can be viewed directly on a dashboard, allowing managers to make quick decisions without waiting for reports to be prepared. This way, operating hours are spent on action, not just gathering information.
5. Promoting Flexibility in Operating Hours
Automation can make operating hours appear longer without adding more staff. For example, automated queue systems and customer notifications keep services running smoothly, making the business appear responsive without increasing employee shifts.
6. Focusing on Value-Added Activities
With operational tasks automated, the team can allocate time to activities that truly add value, such as trend analysis, promotional strategy, or product innovation. Long operating hours are no longer wasted, as every minute is spent on productive work.
7. Reducing Operational Risks and Disruptions
Automation helps anticipate errors or delays that typically occur when all processes rely on humans. For example, automated systems can validate payments, update inventory, and send customer notifications on time.
Automation helps businesses work smarter, ensuring every operating hour is used effectively without adding extra burden on staff. To put this into practice, Labamu Staff offers a complete solution for managing teams easily and efficiently.
With Labamu Staff, you can
- Schedule and manage staff efficiently, including for businesses with multiple locations.
- Monitor staff activities in real time to keep operations running smoothly.
- Assign different access levels to each staff member to maintain system security.
- Simplify training for new staff thanks to an intuitive interface.
With a single platform, anyone can work more productively. Optimize your team’s performance and your business’s operational efficiency with Labamu today!
