{"id":4854,"date":"2024-03-18T15:00:31","date_gmt":"2024-03-18T15:00:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/?p=4854"},"modified":"2025-08-26T12:52:49","modified_gmt":"2025-08-26T11:52:49","slug":"tech-data-grow-your-business","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/tech-data-grow-your-business\/","title":{"rendered":"How to use tech and data to recruit, build and grow your business"},"content":{"rendered":"<header class=\"entry-header has-dark-background-color entry-header--has-illustration entry-header--has-illustration--generic\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__row row align-center\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-lg-7 col-xlg-6 entry-header__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"component component-single-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__misc text--subtitle text--uppercase text--small\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/category\/technology-innovation\/\" class=\"entry-header__link\">Technology &amp; Innovation<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-title-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"entry-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHow to use tech and data to recruit, build and grow your business\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"entry-header__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"single-post-details container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"posted-on \">Published <time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2024-03-18T15:00:31+00:00\">18 March, 2024<\/time><\/span><span class=\"reading-time\"> min read<\/span>\n\t\t<button\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\tclass=\"social-share-button button button--icon button--secondary js-social-share-button\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-title=\"How to use tech and data to recruit, build and grow your business\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/tech-data-grow-your-business\/\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-text=\"Please read this interesting article\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__share-label\">Share<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-label\" hidden>Copy Link<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\" hidden>Copied<\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/header>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-author has-dark-background-color alignfull\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"co-authors\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-author-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"entry-author\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/author\/sjazar\/\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/11\/SJ-Azar-350x350.jpg\" class=\"entry-author__image\" alt=\"sj-azar-profile-picture\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/11\/SJ-Azar-350x350.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/11\/SJ-Azar.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 40px) 100vw, 40px\" \/>\t\t\t\t<span class=\"entry-author__name\">SJ Azar<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The foundation of business and the goal of entrepreneurship is not an easy one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And with the ever-increasing need to fuel growth through technology, small and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/size\/medium-sized-business\/\">medium-sized businesses<\/a>&nbsp;are finding it more and more difficult to manage expectations, hire emerging talent, and support staff in their ambitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2018, a group of US and UK-based Sage global business experts participated in an X (Twitter) discussion about&nbsp;key topics &#8216;enterprise and entrepreneurship&#8217;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Below are just a few of the insights shared by our independent experts that are still relevant today, along with updated analysis on the current question centred around technology: automation versus artificial intelligence (AI)\u2014what\u2019s best for business?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here&#8217;s what we cover:<\/p>\n\n\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\"><ul><li><a href=\"#h-how-is-technology-helping-businesses-innovate-and-manage-growth\" data-level=\"2\">How is technology helping businesses innovate and manage growth?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-how-can-cfos-and-leaders-ensure-their-supply-chain-supports-their-strategy\" data-level=\"2\">How can CFOs and leaders ensure their supply chain supports their strategy?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-how-can-businesses-support-creativity-from-within-their-ranks\" data-level=\"2\">How can businesses support creativity from within their ranks?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-what-should-businesses-seeking-to-recruit-talent-with-expertise-in-ai-machine-learning-and-data-science-do\" data-level=\"2\">What should businesses seeking to recruit talent with expertise in AI, machine learning and data science do?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-as-new-tech-emerges-how-can-businesses-support-professional-and-technical-development-of-employees\" data-level=\"2\">As new tech emerges, how can businesses support professional and technical development of employees?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-pwc-claims-industry-4-0-will-revolutionise-industrial-production-nbsp-what-should-businesses-do-as-they-implement-new-tech-and-try-nbsp-to-reduce-costs-and-increase-revenues\" data-level=\"2\">PwC claims Industry 4.0 will revolutionise industrial production.&nbsp; What should businesses do as they implement new tech and try &nbsp;to reduce costs and increase revenues?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-final-thoughts\" data-level=\"2\">Final thoughts<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"single-cta\">\n\t<div class=\"single-cta__positioner on-scroll-highlight__target\">\n\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__wrapper has-dark-background-color\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"single-cta__title h3\"><span class=\"text-ai-highlighted\">Sage Ai<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p class=\"\">Discover how you can use Sage Ai to make smarter, faster decisions, get a dynamic, real-time view of your business performance, and gain access to actionable insights.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/sage-ai\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"single-cta__button button button--primary\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tid=\"cta-id-17787\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-button-location=\"cta_box\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>Learn more about Sage Ai<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1215\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1386923772-1215x810.jpg\" class=\"single-cta__image\" alt=\"Woman working with AI on a tablet\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1386923772-1215x810.jpg 1215w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 33vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-is-technology-helping-businesses-innovate-and-manage-growth\"><strong>How is technology helping businesses innovate and manage growth?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe sharing economy or collaborative consumption has impacted business through outsourcing services, peer-to-peer rental of equipment, etc. This essentially means agility and cost savings. Collaboration software allows organisations to work regardless of location, without the need for expensive office space and share great ideas.\u201d <strong>Rob May <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/robmay70\">@robmay70<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cTechnology helps get things done faster. It gets information faster, automates processes to get routine tasks done faster, and can help get customers&#8217; problems\/questions resolved faster. Technology provides for speed and convenience.\u201d <strong>Shep Hyken <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Hyken\">@Hyken<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cTechnology allows us to automate repetitive tasks freeing up time to focus on more important tasks\u2026that is when we aren\u2019t wasting that freed time on our phones.\u201d <strong>Robert Wood <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/bertowud\">@bertowud<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Spending on tech allows you to spend more on R&amp;D or marketing or whatever your business needs. Tech also gives businesses access to markets that were formerly too costly to reach.&#8221; <strong>Rieva Lesonsky <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Rieva\">@rieva<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Automation versus AI<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the discussion held six years ago, our business leaders identified that technology was a driving force in growing and innovating a successful business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What no one knew then was the impact automation and AI would have, or the acceleration in adoption that would happen by the time of writing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At first, automation was developed to take on repetitive processes that were previously time-costly, freeing you up to focus on strategy and business-critical work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These solutions were always programmed to follow set rules and the process logic itself only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Combining automation with AI takes this several steps further.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not only has it expanded on automation\u2019s process improvements\u2014as it\u2019s able to learn from data stored elsewhere, rather than just be programmed\u2014but it can calculate and consolidate data faster than humans can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Disparate data can be checked and analysed, to create top-level reports or drilled into for more details that pull insights from previously disconnected sources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is especially useful when dealing with multiple entities, offices, time zones, or projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Process errors or even fraudulent transactions can be identified, and fixes suggested where AI can identify improvements that were not spotted by overworked managers or analysts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This creates efficiencies and helps refine and reallocate workloads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For accountants and finance managers, this is especially clear when AI powers the accounts payable process and speeds up the day-to-day facilitating a strategic refocus on the human-to-human connections businesses rely on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-can-cfos-and-leaders-ensure-their-supply-chain-supports-their-strategy\"><strong>How can CFOs and leaders ensure their supply chain supports their strategy?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHaving instant access to real-time business data to be able to make smart, quick decisions!\u201d <strong>Jeremy Ploessel <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SageJeremy\">@SageJeremy<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cTrying to automate or incorporate technology without taking a more holistic view of the internal processes is like putting a Band Aid on a broken arm. That technology will never be optimally effective.\u201d <strong>Rachel Fisch <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/FischBooks\">@FischBooks<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Supply chain strategies: AI vs automation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the Sound Advice podcast, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/sound-advice-ditch-nine-to-five-grow-business-aron-gelbard\/\">Bloom &amp; Wild founder Aron Gelbard<\/a> revealed that he used the proving grounds of the pandemic to grow his business internationally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He knew he couldn\u2019t rely on only a UK-based closed loop system for international shipping of flower boxes, especially factoring in climate change effects on growers, and the supply chain, and other unforeseen challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Between being grown in a field somewhere and reaching a recipient&#8217;s kitchen table, they&#8217;ll often go from an exporter to an importer to an auction to another exporter and three or four more steps,\u201d he revealed of the process. At any of these steps, the supply chain could break down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So, he used an acquisition of Bloomon, based in the Netherlands, that already used technology powered by AI to optimise the supply chain through real-time data analysis, as a way to build resilience into the farm-to-consumer chain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Aron said: \u201cWe have proprietary technology that enables us to balance volumes between growers, communicate with growers, increase, or decrease volumes between them based on real time information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAlso, that same technology now allows us to track the carbon footprint of each stem at the grower level, so that we understand and can make sure that we&#8217;re delivering also on our commitments to reduce carbon intensity, each year on our path to net-zero.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In ensuring the technology is as innovative as possible and with continuous investment, Bloom &amp; Wild\u2019s supply chain can remain agile as well as continue to excel as an international company with B-Corp standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-can-businesses-support-creativity-from-within-their-ranks\"><strong>How can businesses support creativity from within their ranks?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;To support innovation, use brainstorming sessions and don&#8217;t focus on quality of suggestions. Focus on quantity of ideas first. The craziest sounding idea may lead to a breakthrough.&#8221; <strong>Anita Campbell <a class=\"ProfileHeaderCard-screennameLink u-linkComplex js-nav\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/smallbiztrends\"><span class=\"username u-dir\" dir=\"ltr\">@smallbiztrends<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cEncourage staff to challenge status quo &#8211; &#8216;we\u2019ve always done it this way&#8217;. Push to find new ways to use tech as an enabler.\u201d <strong>Nancy Teixeira <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/nancytex\">@nancytex<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHarness best in class technology and tools to get tasks done faster than ever before, freeing time for creativity, collaboration and growth.\u201d <strong>MindBridgeAI <a class=\"ProfileHeaderCard-screennameLink u-linkComplex js-nav\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/mindbridge_ai\"><span class=\"username u-dir\" dir=\"ltr\">@mindbridge_ai<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Are there benefits to creativity from using automation vs AI?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is still a hotly debated topic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Does outsourcing creativity to AI, or manufacturing it through automation, help to support creativity?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Today, it seems there\u2019s an AI-powered app or website for any creative task you can think of\u2014with wildly varying results\u2014making it clear the creative power of AI is still in its toddler period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Previously, it could barely create a believable face after many hours of trying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now, you can create generate almost anything you can imagine if you know the right prompts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can replicate your voice and body to create entirely fictional versions of \u2018you\u2019 or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/embracing-the-opportunities-of-ai-insights-from-an-ai-generated-expert\/\">indeed a new persona entirely<\/a> that reads scripts for videos, automatically dubbing that into multiple languages, ask AI to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/aiArt\/comments\/18s8mlw\/biblically_accurate_angels_according_to_ai\/\">visualise what angels look like<\/a>, or simply create branded logos for multiple formats in one button-click.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yet, it still requires a creative brain to generate the prompts on which all of this is delivered or audit the content for \u2018believability\u2019 and fact-checking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The creative role that would previously use static software to design and build is changing to rely on a broader understanding of that technology, taking on new skillsets to adjust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the question of AI versus automation though, both tools can help speed up the creative process used carefully but, at the moment, can\u2019t replace the human touch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-should-businesses-seeking-to-recruit-talent-with-expertise-in-ai-machine-learning-and-data-science-do\"><strong>What should businesses seeking to recruit talent with expertise in AI, machine learning and data science do?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cLook for people with clear problem-solving experience and not just the ability to explain algorithms, look for where they\u2019ve previously used this when it comes to machine learning.\u201d <strong>Rob May <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/robmay70\">@robmay70<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cStart early and often, identify people who are interested and help find their early education in the field. Partner with education institutions to help create programmes in outlying areas to get more people interested in the field.\u201d <strong>Tripp Braden <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TrippBraden\">@TrippBraden<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/sage-business-cloud\/people\/\">Attracting talent<\/a> is much more than a competitive compensation package. It\u2019s multifaceted \u2013 look to &#8216;gravitational hires&#8217; who attract others; exciting challenges that inspire participation and innovative benefits that keep great people.\u201d <strong>PaymentEvolution <a class=\"ProfileHeaderCard-screennameLink u-linkComplex js-nav\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/PayEvo\"><span class=\"username u-dir\" dir=\"ltr\">@PayEvo<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWork with universities and colleges in your area to find recent grads who majored in those fields.\u201d <strong>Rieva Lesonsky<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Rieva\">@Rieva<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Power in perfecting prompts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Six years on and this advice still holds if you are building or maintaining AI systems and bespoke tools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now, though, not only are programming and computer skills a must, there\u2019s also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/artificial-intelligence-digital-businesses-solve-problems\/\">power in perfecting prompts<\/a> too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So don\u2019t overlook this particular skill for content roles, as programming is just one route into it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-as-new-tech-emerges-how-can-businesses-support-professional-and-technical-development-of-employees\"><strong>As new tech emerges, how can businesses support professional and technical development of employees?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Skills for the new tech is one of the going challenges, especially for the small-to-mid-sized firm.&#8221;&nbsp;<strong>Ian Moyse <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/imoyse\">@imoyse<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cEnsure they have \u2018business skills\u2019 and \u2018know how to interpret the data\u2019 NOT just buzzwords like Python and Perl \u2013 ensure they know how to avoid bias in the models.\u201d <strong>Carla Gentry <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/data_nerd\">@data_nerd<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAs a business owner or manager, \u2018investing for the future\u2019 is how you have to view it. Rome wasn\u2019t built in a day. Consider where your team will be a year from now. That\u2019s the goal.\u201d <strong>Anita Campbell <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/smallbiztrends\">@smallbiztrends<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Automation versus AI: What this means for employees<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Automation and AI have been slowly creeping into all aspects of business for a few years now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Combined with cloud computing, previously siloed roles have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/cfo\/\">been broken open<\/a> via an influx of data and roles are changing to reflect this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Data no longer remains location-based,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Skill sets have shifted from manual collation of documents and spreadsheets to focus more on the strategic and analytical as AI drives this information to your fingertips<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The roles of chief executive officer (CEO) chief technology officer (CTO) and chief financial officer (CFO) must work even more closely together to ensure business success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Businesses that use technology to support and value its employees and customers will thrive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Examples of this include ensuring all employees have necessary training on any new systems, such as learning to write prompts in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/beyond-chatgpt-financial-potential-generative-ai\/\">ChatGPT<\/a>, or using automation itself to streamline <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/human-resources\/\">HR software<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/sage-business-cloud\/people\/\">people management software<\/a> to help HR teams work more efficiently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With an AI-powered process in place, your pass on the time savings of removing manual admin work to your employees, helping them focus on business-critical work instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This has a positive effect on career development, and in turn helps your company culture thrive as people feel more valued for using higher-level skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/ai-revolutionise-your-business\/\">Integrating AI and automation<\/a> can help your business transition into a company that leads from the inside out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-pwc-claims-industry-4-0-will-revolutionise-industrial-production-nbsp-what-should-businesses-do-as-they-implement-new-tech-and-try-nbsp-to-reduce-costs-and-increase-revenues\"><strong>PwC claims Industry 4.0 will revolutionise industrial production.&nbsp;<\/strong><strong>What should businesses do as they implement new tech and try<\/strong><strong>&nbsp;to reduce costs and increase revenues?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cTake the time to analyse which parts of your business need automation&nbsp;\u2013 connectivity, better data. A little bit of upfront consultation\/analysis could avoid costly, and unnecessary, tech investments. One size does not fit all.\u201d <strong>Nancy Teixeira <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/nancytex\">@nancytex<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOrganisations need to know where their profits come from and then work to build value in those unique capabilities.\u201d <strong>Tripp Braden <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TrippBraden\">@TrippBraden<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBecome predictive and use all that technology has to offer but remember, there is never a quick fix (I hate ready, fire, aim) so ensure your staff is data driven and has the talent and experience needed to take you to success \u2013 tech is great if used correctly.\u201d <strong>Carla Gentry <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/data_nerd\"><strong>@data_nerd<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How AI and automation lead the charge<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our experts knew that data and analysis were key to overcoming production-line challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But is it AI versus automation that has led the charge in modern production?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The answer is both.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since AI can continuously learn from and analyse data, it suggests adjustments to the automation process that not only are more efficient but can add value to the customer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When your production is streamlined, you can refocus strategy on agility to cope with the demands of an increasingly challenging world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tim Boldt is the founder of Gousto meal-prep company. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the Sound Advice podcast, he revealed that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/sound-advice-ai-gousto-student-digs-timo-boldt\">by using AI and highly automated processes<\/a>, his business has cut through risk factors and human limitation to keep manufacturing going through the pandemic, the rising cost of goods, and climate change challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From scanning weather to predicting recipe preferences and creating an automated factory system from the ground up, Tim has invested in bespoke AI that focuses on finding efficiencies by analysing details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He said: \u201cDo you put tomatoes on one station in the factory, 100 stations, the first station, the last station of how the box travels through the factory?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo human has any clue how to ever solve that optimisation challenge. And so we build a lot of fulfilment AI, automatic order allocation, where to allocate the order, which factory, which shift and so on.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Having these efficiency improving processes in place frees Tim up to constantly innovate and answer big questions posed by his customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cEvery single day you want to deliver customer value, and you want to innovate the proposition.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-final-thoughts\"><strong>Final thoughts<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Automation and AI are changing the game for businesses everywhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To take advantage of this sea change will take some openness to learning, perhaps changes in strategic decision-making, and fast onboarding of the technology itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Understanding how your business can use automation vs AI is the key to driving it forwards because it\u2019s not a question of either\/or, it\u2019s how they can both be used effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Luckily, the enterprise and entrepreneurship field is a community full of AI and automation trailblazers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you look and not too hard either, you\u2019ll find support from some of the most successful people in the space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Their ambitions mirror yours and their willingness to offer guidance is frequently a free service that you\u2019d do well to take advantage of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Editor&#8217;s note: This article was first published in August 2018 and has been updated for relevance.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"single-cta\">\n\t<div class=\"single-cta__positioner on-scroll-highlight__target\">\n\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__wrapper has-dark-background-color\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"single-cta__title h3\">Sage Copilot<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p class=\"\">Learn about our new generative AI-powered assistant that tackles your to-do list, automates tasks, and recommends ways to help you make savings and drive improvements.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/sage-copilot\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"single-cta__button button button--primary\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tid=\"cta-id-17786\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-button-location=\"cta_box\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>Find out about Sage Copilot<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1215\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1459190037-1215x810.jpg\" class=\"single-cta__image\" alt=\"Working on business finances\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1459190037-1215x810.jpg 1215w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 33vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"single-cta\">\n\t<div class=\"single-cta__positioner on-scroll-highlight__target\">\n\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__wrapper has-dark-background-color\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"single-cta__title h3\">Subscribe to the Sage Advice newsletter<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Join more than 500,000 UK readers and get the best business admin strategies and tactics, as well as actionable advice to help your company thrive, in your inbox every month.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"#gate-b1a63862-3fa0-4a5e-bb67-c76b88bbc6b8\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"single-cta__button button button--primary\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>Subscribe now<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1073797282-1-1440x810.jpg\" class=\"single-cta__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1073797282-1-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 33vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<section class=\"more-topics alignfull has-grey-light-background-color wp-block-sage-post-topics\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12 col-lg-4\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"more-topics__title h2\">Browse more topics from this article<\/h3>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12 col-lg-8\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"post-tags__list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/tag\/ai\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAI\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/tag\/data-analytics\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tData analytics\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/tag\/supply-chain\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSupply chain\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/tag\/workplace-technology\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWorkplace technology\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<div class=\"alignfull wp-block-sage-related-posts\">\n\t<section class=\"related-posts card-grid has-dark-background-color\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"related-posts__heading related-posts__heading--featured h1\">Explore more wisdom<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"row related-posts__featured\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-0 post-32002 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-strategy-legal-operations category-technology-innovation tag-ai tag-business-performance tag-circular-economy tag-construction tag-enterprise-management tag-international-trading tag-manufacturing tag-midsized-business tag-performance-management tag-reporting tag-supply-chain tag-workplace-technology business_type-medium-sized-business industry-chemical industry-construction industry-distribution industry-food-beverage industry-healthcare industry-manufacturing industry-non-profit industry-professional-services card-post--is-clickable\"\n>\n\t<div class=\"card-post__media-wrapper\">\n\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1473163791.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"Looking at business data\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1473163791-684x384.jpg 684w, 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h3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__title-link\"\n\t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/financial-close-checklist\/\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWhat is a financial close checklist?\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"card-post__description\">\n\t\t\t\tA financial close checklist keeps month-end reconciliations, reviews and sign-off consistent. Here&#8217;s what to include and how to build one.\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row related-posts__non-featured\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"related-posts__heading related-posts__heading--more h4\">More on this Topic<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-1 post-31997 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-strategy-legal-operations category-technology-innovation tag-ai tag-business-performance tag-circular-economy tag-construction tag-enterprise-management tag-international-trading tag-manufacturing tag-midsized-business tag-performance-management tag-reporting tag-supply-chain tag-workplace-technology business_type-medium-sized-business industry-chemical industry-construction industry-distribution industry-food-beverage industry-healthcare industry-manufacturing industry-non-profit industry-professional-services\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/real-cost-of-manual-accounts-payable\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1143476224-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1143476224-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1143476224-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1143476224-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-08-14T09:00:00+01:00\">14 August, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">6 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tThe real cost of manual accounts payable\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-2 post-32070 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-strategy-legal-operations category-technology-innovation tag-ai tag-business-performance tag-circular-economy tag-construction tag-enterprise-management tag-international-trading tag-manufacturing tag-midsized-business tag-performance-management tag-reporting tag-supply-chain tag-workplace-technology business_type-medium-sized-business industry-chemical industry-construction industry-distribution industry-food-beverage industry-healthcare industry-manufacturing industry-non-profit industry-professional-services\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/multi-entity-finance-acquire-expand\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1316107530-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1316107530-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1316107530-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1316107530-1215x810.jpg 1215w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-08-14T09:00:00+01:00\">14 August, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">6 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tMulti-entity finance: Acquire and expand\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-3 post-32003 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-strategy-legal-operations category-technology-innovation tag-ai tag-business-performance tag-circular-economy tag-construction tag-enterprise-management tag-international-trading tag-manufacturing tag-midsized-business tag-performance-management tag-reporting tag-supply-chain tag-workplace-technology business_type-medium-sized-business industry-chemical industry-construction industry-distribution industry-food-beverage industry-healthcare industry-manufacturing industry-non-profit industry-professional-services\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/ar-automation-reduce-days-sales-outstanding\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1163568066-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"Working on payroll tasks\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1163568066-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1163568066-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1163568066-1215x810.jpg 1215w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-08-14T09:00:00+01:00\">14 August, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">6 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tAR Automation: How to reduce DSO\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-4 post-32004 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-strategy-legal-operations category-technology-innovation tag-ai tag-business-performance tag-circular-economy tag-construction tag-enterprise-management tag-international-trading tag-manufacturing tag-midsized-business tag-performance-management tag-reporting tag-supply-chain tag-workplace-technology business_type-medium-sized-business industry-chemical industry-construction industry-distribution industry-food-beverage industry-healthcare industry-manufacturing industry-non-profit industry-professional-services\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/why-uk-finance-teams-cant-close-faster\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-944515884-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"Preparing the team for new business requirements\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-944515884-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-944515884-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-944515884-1215x810.jpg 1215w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-08-14T09:00:00+01:00\">14 August, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">8 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tWhy UK finance teams can&#8217;t close faster\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Tech and data can play a big role as you grow your business. Learn how AI and automation can make a postive impact.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1760,"featured_media":16434,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_is_cornerstone":"","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-noindex":"","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-nofollow":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image-id":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image-id":"","_yoast_wpseo_schema_page_type":"","_yoast_wpseo_schema_article_type":"","_sage_video":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskeywords":"[]","_yoast_wpseo_keywordsynonyms":"[\"\"]","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":"11","sage_membership_post_content_type":"article","sage_membership_post_featured_video_id":"","sage_membership_post_video_type":"trailer","sage_membership_post_featured_video_duration":"","post_featured_image_hide":false,"sage_hide_published_date":false,"sage_hide_read_time":false,"sage_hide_share_buttons":false,"_pwl_sage_podcast_buzzsprout_src":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[50,126,130,125],"business_type":[4,3],"lilypad":[],"context":[],"industry":[],"persona":[71,73,74],"imagine_tag":[96,109],"coauthors":[389],"class_list":["post-4854","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technology-innovation","tag-ai","tag-data-analytics","tag-supply-chain","tag-workplace-technology","business_type-small-business","business_type-medium-sized-business"],"sage_meta":{"region":"en-gb","author_name":"SJ Azar","featured_image":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1369412492.jpg","imagine_tags":{"96":"Medium businesses","109":"Small business"}},"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"Sage Advice UK","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4854","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/users\/1760"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4854"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4854\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media\/16434"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4854"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4854"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4854"},{"taxonomy":"business_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/business_type?post=4854"},{"taxonomy":"lilypad","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/lilypad?post=4854"},{"taxonomy":"context","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/context?post=4854"},{"taxonomy":"industry","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/industry?post=4854"},{"taxonomy":"persona","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/persona?post=4854"},{"taxonomy":"imagine_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/imagine_tag?post=4854"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=4854"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}