While these benefits are substantial, they can only be realised if stakeholders across the organisation understand the value of automation and actively support its implementation.
Today, virtually every business team has embraced some form of digitisation. Legal teams use CLMs for automating contracts, finance departments streamline payments and expenses, and customer service relies on automated ticketing systems. In the same way, standardising compliance workflows with technology can boost efficiency across the business, benefiting departments like sales, procurement and compliance. However, compliance teams often lag in adopting automation. For technology to succeed, you need broad support, not just from the compliance team, but from the key stakeholders across the organisation.
This guide will help you identify the key stakeholders, understand their roles and specific needs when selecting the best compliance automation solution, and show you how to get them on board.
Compliance automation refers to the use of software solutions that automatically monitor, track, and report on regulatory and internal compliance obligations. Rather than relying on manual processes, these tools help organisations maintain continuous compliance with minimal human intervention. A win-win scenario.
Improved efficiency
Automation reduces the time and labour required to manage compliance, freeing up resources for higher-value tasks.
Consistency
Automated processes are repeatable and can be standardised across multiple departments or locations.
Real-time insights
Automated tools provide continuous monitoring and real-time reporting, reducing the risk of non-compliance going unnoticed.
Scalability
As regulations and operations grow, automation scales more easily than manual processes.
Cost savings
Over time, organisations can reduce the costs associated with manual compliance checks and human errors.
While these benefits are substantial, they can only be realised if stakeholders across the organisation understand the value of automation and actively support its implementation.
Compliance teams often face challenges when tasked with securing approval for new technology, especially when the wider business doesn’t perceive its benefits. Engaging stakeholders early increases the chance of project approval by:
Stronger business case: Early engagement helps build a more robust business case, demonstrating improvements and cost reductions that benefit the entire organisation as opposed to department-centric.
Shared responsibilities: Involving various stakeholders in the onboarding and roll-out process ensures shared responsibilities, promoting maximum user adoption and a better return on investment (ROI).
Tailored approach: While every business is unique, there are common stakeholders you should involve in the selection and implementation of compliance automation solutions.
Stakeholders will vary depending on the size and structure of the business, but some of the most critical players often include:
C-suite leadership
Compliance Teams
IT Departments
Legal Teams
Operational & Risk Teams
Finance Teams
Each team benefits from automation in different ways, contributing to a comprehensive compliance framework that boosts efficiency, reduces risk, and ensures adherence to regulations.
To simplify stakeholder engagement, it helps to categorise them into three groups:
End-users: These individuals will use the compliance system daily. Involve them early to ensure the solution fits their needs and integrates smoothly into their workflows. Gather their feedback to make necessary adjustments and ensure higher adoption rates.
Budget holders: Typically finance leaders or CEOs in small organisations, these stakeholders manage financial resources and need clear demonstrations of ROI and cost savings. Demonstrate the financial benefits and how the solution will mitigate risks and avoid costly penalties.
The decision-maker: Often the project lead, and sometimes multiple decision-makers from various departments. Educate them on the solution’s benefits for them and their department before arranging a call with a vendor.
To move forward, you need to involve other critical departments to ensure a comprehensive approach.
Finance
Finance is a pivotal stakeholder in approving expenditures for a company-wide software solution. Engaging them early in financial discussions with the chosen vendor is essential. Numbers are their forte, so they will be keen to understand the project’s ROI and compare it against the costs of inaction. Highlight how the solution not only addresses compliance needs but also contributes to overall financial efficiency and risk management.
Sales & Marketing
Many companies view compliance as a box-ticking exercise, something that doesn't generate revenue but rather slows down business operations. For revenue-generating teams, compliance—particularly processes like Know Your Customer (KYC)—can feel like a blocker, delaying customer onboarding and, by extension, slowing down the path to revenue. However, compliance automation can significantly shift this perception. With sales teams handling anything from a handful to dozens of opportunities each month, sales teams are actually one of the biggest beneficiaries of a compliance solution. Automating compliance tasks helps streamline the prospecting and contract processes, reducing bottlenecks and allowing sales teams to close deals faster. For marketing teams, compliance automation can help ensure that all prospecting and communications meet regulatory standards. This allows for more targeted prospecting, improved campaign accuracy, and a reduction in administrative burdens. Instead of seeing compliance as a hindrance, automation transforms it into a tool that supports faster, more efficient operations across sales and marketing.
IT
Security is the IT team's priority, so the earlier you consult with them, the easier it is to secure sign-off! Provide the necessary security information and whitepapers to smooth the approval process. The more involved in the process the IT team are, the smoother the project will be!
Procurement
In many cases, the procurement team has two key functions during the process. First, procurement’s internal compliance processes can become a bottleneck if not addressed early. By involving them from the outset, you can highlight how compliance automation will benefit their workflows, such as automated notifications for non-compliance or standardised due diligence. Secondly, procurement brings valuable expertise to negotiations with the vendor. They may spot problems that you haven’t thought of! Their input will help ensure that you get the best deal possible and that all company procurement standards are met.
You're now at the final stage of the buying process. After completing your research and securing stakeholder buy-in, it’s time to schedule demos with the shortlisted compliance vendors. A demo will give you a better understanding of how the product works and whether it fits your business well. This stage is crucial for you and your team to ask specific questions and evaluate how well the solution addresses your particular compliance challenges.
The selection process might involve issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) or Request for Information (RFI) to a few vendors, outlining your requirements and budget. This step helps you assess which suppliers offer the most relevant features, best pricing, and strongest alignment with your company’s goals.
At Creditsafe, we’re committed to guiding you through every stage. Our team will work with you to craft a solid business case for adopting an integrated compliance platform, clearly outlining the potential return on investment and operational improvements for each department. With our support, you'll be able to showcase the tangible benefits of compliance automation to stakeholders, ensuring an informed and seamless decision-making process.
Creditsafe has consistently met our needs as a business, not just in terms of data, but in terms of delivering a quality service too.
David Hutchinson
Managing Director at PeopleCheck.
Many businesses assume the journey ends with the purchase of a compliance solution. At Creditsafe, we know that’s just the beginning. The key to success lies in seamless adoption and integration. That’s why we’ve developed a robust implementation program to ensure your compliance tool is not only up and running but also delivering results from day one.
Having a dedicated account manager gives us a single point of contact and means we have someone who truly understands our business needs.
Justin Arandjelovic
Head of Operations at Atradius Collections
We understand that no two projects are alike. Our dedicated team works closely with you to create a customised plan tailored to your unique needs. From personalised training to continuous support, we ensure your compliance solution is optimised for maximum impact.
Our goal is to go beyond functionality—ensuring the tool enhances your compliance processes and adds real, measurable value.