Transform IT Smartbridge, LLC

Today, many business leaders are familiar with the team “robotic process automation”, both on the technical and non-technical side. RPA, as a form of software automation technology, is sweeping through business processes faster than many other technologies on the market today, streamlining both rule-based and end-to-end tasks.

This impact of RPA in the workforce has only accelerated amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizations are recognizing the reality of automating repetitive tasks that exists in their workforce to save their employees time, and enhance their innovative efforts. To gain a better perspective of this impact, Smartbridge hosts Zach Reynolds, and senior RPA developer Raul Pena, sit down with Sanjay Patel, Director of Q&A at Weingarten Realty.

As it happens, Smartbridge recently concluded an RPA implementation project with Weingarten which served to completely automate their user provisioning processes. From a leadership perspective, Sanjay discusses the challenges, growing points, and immediate benefits that he experienced during and after the project was complete.

🍔 Enhancing the Customer Journey in the Restaurant Industry 🍕

Among the various industries impacted by digital transformation, food service (and the restaurant industry alike) has experienced perhaps the most dramatic shift pertaining to the dynamic journey of the customer. From social influencing, streamlined services and advertising channels, food service establishments are beginning to amplify the customer experience through digitally transforming their operations and business structure.

Recognizing how to appeal, generate, and nurture customer leads is perhaps the most impacted channel within food service establishments. Further, ensuring that the customer journey encompasses various digital touch points to appeal to unique senses is crucial. In the competitive cycle to stay relevant and retain a loyal customer base, only the strong (and digitally savvy) survive.

David “Rev” Ciancio – Yeah Management! Marketing Consultant, social influencer, and longtime food enthusiast has operated in this realm for over 25 years, gaining significant experience in the customer journey/experience in the food service industry. We joined Rev for an in-depth discussion on the ins and outs, dos and dont’s, and critical need to knows pertaining to the customer’s digital journey in food service.

A Skeptic is NOT a Nay-Sayer! 🤔

Often in the IT industry, the term "skeptic" can get get a bad rap. The perception of the term is someone who refuses to digitally transform, adopt new technologies, or doesn't want to evaluate their current business processes. However, healthy skepticism in IT is far from a negative concept, and can impact a organization's custom retention rate for the better.

Randy Laker, recently retired CIO of Oil States International, says that few (if any) companies understand the true value of productive skepticism. Randy states that customers are the biggest skeptics an organization will encounter, and looking at products, processes and services through their point of view will help create customer-centric value and retention in the long run.

In the ever changing world of IT, it's crucial for an organization to test, troubleshoot and structure their technological offerings from the perspective of a customer, not a subject matter expert. Further, questioning "if" something can be implemented just because it "can" be implemented is a pillar in the customer value offering.

😷😷 A Silver Lining Through the COVID-19 Crisis...

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has impacted multiple businesses in various industries. Small businesses are rapidly loosing revenue, workers are strapped for hours, and multiple projects continue to be put on hold. Among more vulnerable industries like shipping and oil & gas, nonprofit organizations such as food banks, charitable organizations and social advocacy groups, especially have significant challenges to face, and the worst is perhaps yet to come.

However, technology professionals have the means to provide a glimpse of hope during the economic downturn caused by the global Coronavirus, especially within the Salesforce community. Tyler Colby, Data Infrastructure Director at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), has initiated a call to arms in the Salesforce community (and the IT community in general), to provide whatever means of expertise they have to assist nonprofit organizations affected by COVID-19.

Tyler has had extensive experience in assisting nonprofits during community crises. His call to action, or more accurately - The COVID-19 Sprint, has already generated sizable buzz from Salesforce and IT professionals wanting to get involved. Transform IT was the first to capture his passionate message through a remote podcast, which we're eager to share with our listeners here.

In this special episode, we’re joined in the studio by former military members from Smartbridge to discuss veterans in the IT industry, and the benefits of hiring veterans.

❗ Veterans are impacting the IT industry ❗

Many organizations are aware of the various benefits of hiring veterans. They’re work ethic, loyalty, and leadership capabilities can serve them well in the public sector after their military separation. Further, their above average ability to adapt in unfamiliar environments can benefit organizations in various industries. However, the benefits of hiring veterans in the IT industry can often go overlooked.

Prior service men and women from all backgrounds serve as cornerstones in many organizations, especially in the aspect of leadership and project management. In this special episode, we’re joined by four Smartbridge military veterans who share their thoughts, experiences, and insight regarding veterans in the IT industry.

🗣 "The usefulness of hiring veterans in the IT field is because you are now placing very ambitious and self-driven individuals in the work layer of your teams. This frees up leadership to do more innovative things since they now have embedded leadership in their departments to drive efforts.”
- Rob Amason, Digital Innovations Manager at Smartbridge

🎧 Listen on your preferred platform 🎧
https://smartbridge.com/podcast/transform-it-ep-19-veterans-in-it/

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Hosts Miraj & Patrick sit down with Senior Manager of Buckeye Partners L.P, Steven Fein, to discuss the impact of RPA on process improvement.

❗ RPA is Impacting Business Process Improvement ❗

Among the various technologies emerging in business today, Robotic Process Automation is on the forefront. More and more organizations are adopting RPA technology to significantly enhance the mundane processes bogging down their workforce.

However, as the pressure to innovate continues to weigh on organizations, various questions emerge in the process. What is the true value proposition of RPA? What is the ROI and how is it measured? How do I get decision makers on board?

🗣 "You have to ask yourself, ‘what am I preventing myself from doing?’ Because RPA could potentially remove that barrier.”
- Steven Fein, Senior Manager at Buckeye Partners L.P

🎧 Listen on your preferred platform 🎧
https://smartbridge.com/podcast/transform-it-podcast-ep-18-rpa-process-improvement/