One, Two, Three...Automate!

In our day-to-day lives, it can be tempting to try to live with those annoying nuisances that just seem like to much of a bother to change. Typically, this involves the physical structures that support our work. One example is automating conference room booking systems; both to book rooms, and to make that booking visible to those diving in for a last minute meeting, a.k.a. "squatters."

We took the leap to slay this loathsome time marauder last year at our new offices, and are delighted with the efficiency and peace of mind conference room displays at each conference room door bring us. Between avoided late starts and ease in booking, we estimate we've saved over 50 hours in productivity in just the first month. We eliminated a world of friction that took our eye off the ball in our mission to reduce human suffering from infectious disease.

The pain threshold was high. After months of "I can never find a room!" and trying to figure out the German word for anxiously pacing and glaring at a conference room squatter, we took the risk. We started with an inexpensive tracer bullet: a free two-week trial of a conference room booking software that synced to our calendar system, and an old Kindle display I got as a holiday gift two years ago.  I propped the display up on a stool outside the largest meeting room one Tuesday morning. Adoption was immediate, and that room had 90% utilization in its first week. Where days before anxious lurkers gathered outside doors, transitions became smoother. The colorful display helped queue better on-time stops and starts. The team was enthusiastic and requested all conference rooms be outfitted with permanent installs. Full implementation took about a month. We are so glad we took the risk!

What is one squeaky wheel at your office you want automated?