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2 Buckets of Time!

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You know the bucket is a great invention. I tried to do some research on when the bucket was invented and if anyone was able to pin the accomplishment on any one human… and I didn’t find anything.

Anyway, as promised from my last post, I am working through a series that supports the idea that automation is only as good as the people, time, and effort that is freed up. I have written about the definition as well as what automation is not. Then I gave you advice on how to choose a service provider based on time. I concluded choosing the service provider post with somewhat of a warning.  I wrote that there were two buckets of time. Those buckets of time are:

  1. Soft Time
  2. Hard Time (not like jail)

Soft time is time that is affected by automation but not completely eliminated. Hard time is time that is 100% eliminated by automation. Here is an example. In a paper driven accounts payable process there is a need for people to code and approve invoices. When that process is automated, there is still a need for people to code and approve invoices. Now, when automated the number of people may change and they may spend less time, but there is still a need. With hard time, if you are able to convert all of your invoices into electronic form (which by the way is possible… ask me) then there is no need to open invoices… meaning whoever was opening invoices no longer has that task and that time can be used somewhere else in the company.

Hang on… more drama…  If you base your new time judgement or if your new time calculation has any element of soft time then your numbers (ROI) will be off and your service provider selection will be wrong.

I am on a roll, so next week I am going to give you the 5 steps on finding your cost as well as your new time number… stay tuned.

Buy the book – The Argument to Automate – How Innovation Can INSPIRE Not Fire – click here to buy

(Also) To get your copy of The 8 Pitfalls of Accounts Payable Automation – click here to buy

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The Chris Elmore Avatar
The Chris Elmore
**Entrepreneur | Speaker | Author | Sales & Innovation Expert** Chris Elmore is a dynamic entrepreneur, speaker, and author known for his engaging storytelling and deep insights into sales, innovation, and entrepreneurship. With over 30 years in the tech industry, Chris has built a career at the intersection of business growth, human behavior, and market disruption. Recognized as a “Startup Hero” by *North Carolina Business Magazine*, Chris was the first employee at AvidXchange, where he played a key role in its growth and success. Today, he serves as the **Sales Director at Community Financials**, helping communities streamline financial operations with innovative solutions. A sought-after speaker, Chris captivates audiences with his unique blend of humor, wisdom, and real-world experience. He has delivered keynotes for companies like Schneider Electric USA and teaches **Entrepreneurship at UNC Charlotte**, where he shares his expertise with the next generation of business leaders. Chris is also the author of 12 books, including his latest project, *The Convergence Theory of Entrepreneurship*, which explores how innovation, people, wisdom, and market insights drive success. His practical, no-nonsense approach to business and sales makes him a trusted advisor to entrepreneurs, executives, and sales professionals alike. Outside of business, Chris is a professional Christian songwriter, musician, and co-host of the *True Financial Crimes* podcast, a lighthearted yet insightful look at financial fraud. Whether on stage, in the classroom, or behind the mic, Chris brings an infectious energy that inspires and challenges audiences to think differently, sell better, and lead with impact.

10 responses to “2 Buckets of Time!”

  1. Find Your Cost – Step 1 – You have to have a map | Automation

    […] as the people, time and effort that is freed up.  On Friday I wrote about the different types of time that needs to be evaluated, and the cliffhanger was helping you find what that time is by […]

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  2. Find your cost – Steps 4 and 5 – Apply Cost and Do a Little Math | Automation

    […] have found the average cost of an invoice process to be $22, but like I mentioned in the 2 buckets post not all of the $22 can be eliminated. Next week I am going to write about how to pull time out […]

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  3. I learned 2 things at an event this week! | Automation

    […] to start to show. When selecting a service provider, besides selecting one that has a very powerful hard cost impact, I firmly believe that you should select a service provider whose software is un-IT. Yes, […]

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  4. Make an AP Automation Decision in 1/2 the Time With These Resources | Accounts Payable Automation

    […] The time calculator will let you know who in your organization will need more things to do once you are automated in AP. Be warned though, that the amount of time that is freed up is closely attached to the service providers capabilities ( I refer to this as hard dollar savings.) […]

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  5. 8 Dangers of Time Freed Up By AP Automation | Accounts Payable Automation

    […] (like approving). Make sure when evaluating automation software and services you base your ROI and New Time on hard […]

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  6. Where does time comes from – 4 places to look in Accounts Payable Automation | Accounts Payable Automation

    […] 100%. Those are tasks that the service provider will take completely. You can read more about it in previous articles on in one of the […]

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  7. 7 Indications There is Pain in Change When Automating AP | Accounts Payable Automation

    […] that separates good change from terrible change… data. Data like, cost per invoice, ROI and new time, which is the time that is freed up by […]

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  8. What does 1500 invoices per month mean to AP Automation | Accounts Payable Automation

    […] of time, I won’t go into them too much, but you can read an article I wrote about them by clicking this link To give you the short version, there are soft dollar time savings and hard dollar time savings. […]

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  9. 1500 Invoices and What It Means to AP Automation | AP Automation News

    […] of time, I won’t go into them too much, but you can read an article I wrote about them by clicking this link To give you the short version, there are soft dollar time savings and hard dollar time savings. […]

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  10. #4 Top Blog Of The Year – What does 1500 invoices per month mean to AP Automation | AP Automation News

    […] of time, I won’t go into them too much, but you can read an article I wrote about them by clicking this link To give you the short version, there are soft dollar time savings and hard dollar time savings. […]

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