How IBM’s Automation Revolution Freed Its Teams
15 October 2025
#Case Study#Strategy#Automation
How IBM’s Automation Revolution Freed Its Teams
When IBM announced it would lay off 8,000 employees in 2023, headlines framed it as AI replacing people. But within a year, they rehired roughly the same number for new, strategic roles. The lesson? Automation isn’t about replacing people; it’s about removing repetition.
What IBM Automated
- Employee benefit queries
- PTO requests & tracking
- Payroll corrections
- Standard form processing
The Result
- $3.5 Billion saved
- 1.5M interactions/year
- Workforce expanded
- Improved employee experience
Why Automation Worked for IBM
1. Target Repetitive Workflows
They identified tasks requiring consistency, not creativity.
2. Reinvest Saved Time
Time wasn’t pocketed; it was reinvested into complex work.
3. Human-in-the-Loop
Technology supported leadership, keeping empathy intact.
4. Measure Value Correctly
Tracked productivity and opportunity, not just headcount.
The Small-Business Advantage: Coded Over AI
| Aspect | AI Automation (Enterprise) | Coded Automation (Apps Script) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Model | Recurring subscription | One-off build cost, no license |
| Control | Closed external systems | Runs inside your account |
| Data Use | Third-party access | Private & Secure |
Conclusion
Automation, done right, doesn’t make your business less human. It makes it more focused, strategic, and scalable.
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