Integrating Tech for Seamless Workflow

Unilever shows us: productivity isn’t just about buying better tech; it’s about building better systems of people and technology working together. As Unilever’s Global Head of Ops said, they don’t separate investment in automation from investment in people. That mindset, designing roles, routines, and decision-making to match what the tech enables, turns capital spend into a competitive edge. Here’s what internal Org Development & Org Design can actually do to make that happen in #CPG: 1. Make tech and talent one system, not two: How to: - Don’t bolt tech onto old ways of working. - Start by assembling cross-functional teams: operators, IT, managers, and have them co-design workflow and KPIs together, from day one. 2. Define the new decisions, not just the new machines: How to: - Map what decisions move closer to the front line or become automated. - Run facilitated workshops to clarify “who decides what now” and ensure everyone has authority to act where it counts. 3. Build fast-feedback learning cycles on the floor: How to: - Create standing weekly or daily “factory pulse” huddles to surface issues from the floor, test improvements, and adjust quickly, turning problems into improvements instead of waiting for reports. Why this matters: 1. Tech doesn’t fix bad structure. 2. You can buy smarter robots, but if your teams don’t know how to adapt and own the new ways of working, you’ll end up paying more for the same headaches. Unilever shows that the real payoff comes when OrgDev and OrgDesign shape the system to use the new tools well, and that’s how you build a manufacturing operation that can keep pace. https://lnkd.in/gnMd5Qcm #CPG #OrgDevelopment #OrgDesign #ManufacturingExcellence #TechAndTalent #Productivity

Individual templates don’t boost your productivity; templatized systems do. I use Notion to manage my systems, but the specific tool you use isn’t important. Here’s how I manage: 1. 𝐊𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐓𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 I used to approach my YouTube videos sequentially, working from start to finish. This often meant it took several weeks to complete even a simple video. After refining my process, creating a YouTube video now follows a systematic 17-step approach, covering everything from ideation to publishing and analytics. The project template itself includes multiple sub-templates, such as one for scriptwriting. While setting up the project template required initial effort, it continues to pay dividends. This shift has enabled me to plan more efficiently and handle multiple tasks simultaneously. 2. 𝐔𝐬𝐞 𝐀𝐈 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐲 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 I don’t rely on AI to handle my critical thinking; that stays in-house. However, I do use AI to refine grammar, enhance clarity, and remove unnecessary filler words. Before production, for instance, I run my scripts through AI to ensure they read smoothly and are easy to articulate. I also use AI to evaluate my work across various dimensions, identify areas for improvement, and provide qualitative feedback. 3. 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐨𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 I conduct weekly planning sessions aligned with quarterly goals. Automating this process involves generating documents periodically from pre-created templates and setting reminders in my calendar to maintain consistency. This system has been integral for over two years, ensuring I never miss a week and allowing me to focus my energy on tasks rather than process maintenance. Productivity isn’t one-size-fits-all; your system should adapt to your workflow, not the other way around. Instead of adopting my system as-is, invest in creating a tailored approach that integrates seamlessly into your existing workflow. Notion has proven to be an excellent tool for this purpose, but regardless of the platform, prioritize systematizing your work to achieve optimal productivity. - Want to try Notion out for yourself? Try it out here: https://lnkd.in/gEWbSiRV

Adding more AI tools won't fix broken workflows – it'll break them faster! I have seen too many companies and initiatives fall in the trap of the "paradox of generative AI". The real opportunity isn’t in accumulating AI tools or deploying yet another conversational assistant but in fundamentally rethinking how technology can amplify human potential. Here's the paradox of generative AI that many miss: while it makes content generation effortless, this ease of creation actually risks overwhelming workers with even more notifications, messages, and tasks that need attention. What's more, we're now seeing a new cognitive burden emerge. The proliferation of AI assistants isn't eliminating complexity – it's just shifting it. Instead of wondering "what do I need to search for?" users now face the constant question of "which assistant do I use for what task?" When organizations focus blindly on AI's generative capabilities without considering business outcomes, they can end up amplifying the very inefficiencies they're trying to solve. The key insight is that AI isn't a replacement for human expertise – it's an amplifier. Just as a telescope doesn't replace an astronomer's knowledge but extends their vision, AI tools should enhance our capabilities where we already work. There is a powerful convergence happening: productivity tools are becoming smarter with their AI companions and enterprise applications are becoming more automated with business agents. The key in all of this is meeting users where they already work, and not force them to adopt yet another tool. When we seamlessly integrate AI into their workflows we enable people to execute higher order tasks without breaking their rhythm or toggling across apps. Take the creative industry - when generative AI emerged, many feared it would replace creative professionals. Instead, it transformed them from creators to sophisticated curators, enabling co-innovation with clients and higher value work. This pattern extends across every sector: AI isn’t just a bottom-line enhancer finding efficiencies, but a top-line driver enabling people to focus on work they couldn’t get to before. When you break down any job, you’ll see tasks evolving just as they have over the past decade - only faster. It’s about AI handling routine tasks so that people can tackle higher-order challenges that drive business growth. The organizations that thrive won't be those that simply add more AI tools to their stack. They'll be the ones that thoughtfully integrate AI to amplify their people's expertise, reduce cognitive load, and enable their teams to tackle previously impossible challenges. #FutureOfWork #AI #Innovation #DigitalTransformation