Rethinking Jobs with AI: A Practical Approach

When your company leaders ask you to leverage AI to boost productivity, what's your move? Do you opt for the drastic route of cutting jobs, or do you explore redesigning roles with AI in mind? Recently, I engaged with numerous businesses on this very topic, and here's what we discovered.

Understanding Bureaucracy in Companies

Let's dive into why companies often become bogged down in bureaucracy. As businesses expand, they tend to hire more staff, particularly in support roles like program managers and analysts. This can lead to a bloated structure where many of these positions could potentially be centralized, automated, or even eliminated.

For instance, a major media company I worked with has nearly 7,000 employees in roles they call "media managers." While these employees primarily handle ad space purchasing, they also juggle creative design, account management, and analytics. With AI, this pivotal role could be transformed and standardized, offering a more streamlined approach.

The Blueprint for Redesigning Work

Job design isn't new, but AI has changed the game. Traditionally, job design involved analyzing tasks to identify inefficiencies and automation opportunities. Now, AI can automate everything from recruitment to content development, demanding a broader strategy.

Here's a simple blueprint to guide this transformation:

1. Benchmarking for Inefficiencies: Use tools like Reejig or Draup to pinpoint where your company might be overstaffed or inefficient. For example, a media company facing declining margins is focusing on client-facing roles to spur growth.

2. Decomposing Work: Break down tasks to determine where AI can be most effective. While some tools like SeekOut Spot can be implemented directly, a systemic approach often yields better results and less resistance.

3. Analyzing Tasks and Activities: Identify tasks that are routine and could be outsourced or automated. Evaluate the ease of implementing AI tools and the training required to optimize them.

4. Adding New Value: As tasks are automated, consider what new skills employees will need to add value. For instance, if a marketing role shifts due to AI, the employee might need to pivot to strategic planning.

Embracing Work Intelligence Platforms

Platforms like Reejig, Gloat, and Draup are leading the charge in providing AI-driven task analysis. These tools help companies understand the real tasks employees perform and identify opportunities for automation and efficiency.

For example, Gloat's Mosaic platform can deconstruct work into tasks and identify the skills needed for each step. This enables managers to find the right people for specific tasks and ensure no step is overlooked.

A Balanced Approach to AI Implementation

While AI offers exciting possibilities, it's crucial not to view it as a catch-all solution. The key is to focus on areas with the highest return on investment and secure necessary support for your redesign efforts.

In one case, a tech company used Reejig to analyze their HR processes and found that 40% of their senior staff's time was consumed by administrative duties. By automating these tasks, they could focus on more strategic objectives.

Ultimately, the goal is to align job redesign with broader business goals. Tools like Gloat Mosaic, Reejig, and Draup can accelerate this process, but it's essential to remain pragmatic and focused on real business needs. In today's economic climate, this approach is not just beneficial—it's necessary.