If you want to understand how to actually implement AI in your business, the best thing you can do is forget the word "AI" entirely. Instead, let us talk about LEAN.
The principles of LEAN manufacturing are deeply embedded in my approach to business. - A foundation in Mechatronics and 15 years specialising in engineering recruitment will do that to you.
What is LEAN?
Originating from the Toyota Production System, LEAN is essentially a methodology for continuous improvement. It forces you to look at every single step in a process and categorise it simply: is this value-adding, or is this non-value-adding?
The goal is to map out your entire workflow, identify the non-value-adding steps that simply eat up time, and ruthlessly reduce that waste to reach an ideal, efficient state.
This exact process is how you should be looking at AI.
It is not a magic solution designed to replace your team (yet)
It is simply the most powerful tool we have ever had to execute a LEAN strategy!
The Traffic Light Implementation Strategy
When deciding where to integrate AI into your hiring or business processes, apply a simple traffic light grading system:
Red or Amber (Value-Adding Tasks): Be extremely cautious here. If a task requires human empathy, complex negotiation, or relationship building, proceed with care.
Ask yourself: does automating this take anything away from the final outcome?
In recruitment, the human element is non-negotiable for life-changing career decisions.
Green (Non-Value-Adding Tasks): Go right ahead. If a task adds zero distinct value and is just a time-consuming necessity, this is your prime target. Focus on the small, repetitive administrative processes that take up the most time in your day and then the smaller steps within them, working outwards across the process.
The Common Mistake
Most people try to get AI to do the value-adding tasks. They want it to write personalised outreach, conduct initial human assessments, and manage relationships.
In my opinion, and for a lot of businesses, this is the wrong approach entirely.
When you automate the value-add, you strip the authenticity and trust out of your service and the key skills you are known for!
You must protect the human element. The true benefit of AI is clearing the path so your people can focus on what they do best with the most amount of their time.
VBench - AI in Recruitment
This LEAN philosophy is exactly why we built VBench. We looked at the recruitment lifecycle and targeted the heavy, non-value-adding administrative tasks which chew up time. VBench is designed to eliminate the manual sorting that bogs down hiring teams without causing friction with your existing work flow.
It allows you to spend MORE time with great people not less and be more informed when having those conversations.
From a candidate perspective AI can be worrying I get that - but look at it this way - You WILL get seen if you are right for the job, there is no bias, cross-functional skills are considered, not just exact key words written in a certain way and everyone gets feedback.
Going LEAN in recruitment has the opportunity to fix the bad reputation that the industry has had and provide a better service - and that, to me is the goal.
A better, leaner outcome for everyone.
If you want to see how reducing waste can give you your time back, visit Https://vbench.com.au/ for a free demo.