Automation should evolve the workforce, not replace it. Are you prepared?

A Tale of Two Companies

In 2024, Sydney-based online retailer Booktopia made a bold move.

They invested $12 million in a state-of-the-art automated customer fulfillment center.

The goal?

• Enhance efficiency
• Support future growth
• Streamline operations

But reality didn’t match the vision.

Instead of increasing efficiency, the transition led to operational disruptions and rising costs. Revenue and profit declined. By early 2024, Booktopia was forced into voluntary administration—unable to recover from the automation setback.

Now, compare that to Estabanell Energia, an energy and telecommunications provider. They implemented data pipeline orchestration using automation—strategically integrating AI-driven operations.

The result?

• Higher profitability
• Reduced costs
• Increased agility

Two companies. Two automation strategies. One thrived. One collapsed.

The difference? Execution.

The Efficiency Trap

Technology has always promised to make work easier, faster, and more efficient. And for the most part, it delivers.

• AI sorts data in seconds.
• Robots assemble products with precision.
• Humanoids can now take on customer service roles.

Businesses see cost savings. Workers feel the shift.

But here’s the question no one is asking loudly enough: What happens after automation does its job?

The Silent Displacement Problem

Efficiency often means fewer jobs. It’s a reality we can’t ignore.

A recent McKinsey report suggests that up to 30% of tasks in many jobs could be automated by 2030. That’s not just factory workers—this includes finance, healthcare, and even creative fields.

Humanoids aren’t just replacing repetitive labor. They’re entering spaces we once thought required a human touch.

• AI writes content.
• Robots assist in surgeries.
• Humanoids greet customers.

What’s left for humans?

The answer lies not in avoiding automation—but in preparing for it.

This is where structured change management frameworks become critical.

The Humanoid Integration Change Management Framework (HICMF) is a structured methodology designed to help businesses seamlessly adopt and integrate humanoid robots into their workforce. It provides a step-by-step approach covering the pre-adoption, deployment, and scaling phases, ensuring smooth workforce adaptation, leadership alignment, and operational efficiency.

A well-planned approach mitigates risks—like the ones that led to Booktopia’s collapse—and ensures automation is a strategic, sustainable, and human-centered transformation.

The Shift Leaders Must Prepare For

The companies that thrive won’t just be the ones who adopt automation. They’ll be the ones who manage the transition.

That means:

• Comprehensive Planning: Develop a detailed strategy that anticipates potential challenges and outlines clear objectives.
• Employee Training: Invest in upskilling employees to work effectively with new technologies.
• Redefining Roles: Move humans into areas that require emotional intelligence and problem-solving.
• Continuous Monitoring: Regularly assess the performance of automated systems to identify and address issues promptly.
• Ethical Integration: Balance cost savings with long-term workforce sustainability.

The leaders who ignore this shift will face backlash, talent shortages, and brand erosion. The leaders who plan ahead will future-proof their organizations.

The Future of Work Is a Choice

We’re not just building better robots. We’re deciding what kind of workforce we want to create.

Automation doesn’t have to mean displacement. It can mean evolution—if we handle it correctly.

Reflecting on Booktopia’s experience, we see the consequences of poor execution. It’s not just about adopting the latest technology. It’s about ensuring automation aligns with an organization’s capabilities and strategic goals.

Success in automation requires more than investment. It demands insight, foresight, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Without structured change management, automation can become a costly mistake instead of a competitive advantage. But with the right frameworks—like HICMF—automation can be a scalable, strategic, and human-centered transformation.

What’s your company’s plan for the human side of automation?

Sources

• Warehouse Automation: "$12 Million Automation Failure Leads to Client’s Bankruptcy." (2024).
• Stonebranch: "Estabanell Energia: Success in Automation & AI Integration."
• McKinsey Global Institute: "Automation & The Future of Work." (2023).