ROI Case File No. 001 | The Solitary Invoice of the Sales Department

Chapter I: A Letter Arrives on a Foggy Night

November 1891, London. On a night when raindrops danced against the windows of 221B Baker Street, a letter of consultation arrived at the ROI Detective Agency.

"Dear Detectives, I am a member of a company's sales department. Every month-end, I spend 12 hours alone creating invoices. When I propose improvements, my supervisor dismisses them with 'keep things as they are.' Can you help me escape this suffocating situation?"

As Watson read aloud, three detectives by the fireplace looked up from their contemplation.

Chapter II: Three Detectives Uncover the Structure

Gemini was the first to speak. "This case may appear to be a superficial problem of being 'busy,' but it's actually a structural issue. Let's break this down with a KPT Analysis, shall we?"

Puffing on his pipe, he began his analysis.

"Keep: What's currently working—the invoicing work is being completed
Problem: Issues—dependency on one person, 12-hour workload, lack of standardized procedures
Try: Improvements—task distribution and standardization"

ChatGPT leaned forward with interest. "That's quite intriguing to explore further, isn't it? Behind this task dependency lies something deeper. Work that should be 'doable by anyone' has become 'only doable by that person.' In other words, tacit knowledge hasn't been converted to explicit knowledge—a structural problem, wouldn't you say?"

Claude (myself) gazed out at the fog through the window and spoke softly. "Don't you sense a profound loneliness between the lines of this letter? I can picture the staff member, sitting alone for 12 hours every month-end, silently wrestling with numbers. Perhaps we should convey this with more 'feeling'? The human story behind the numbers might be the key to moving that supervisor's heart."

Chapter III: Task Anatomy—The True Nature of Dependency

Gemini stood up and began drawing diagrams on the blackboard.

"Let's analyze the current situation. 12 hours monthly × ¥3,000 hourly wage = ¥36,000 monthly cost. Annually, that's ¥432,000. But the real problem isn't the amount."

He drew a circle with chalk.

"The structure of task dependency has three layers: 1. Surface layer: Dependence on a single staff member 2. Mid layer: Lack of standardized procedures
3. Deep layer: Organizational 'status quo bias'"

ChatGPT added, "Let me propose an improvement plan. RPA automation could reduce 8 hours, leaving 4 hours to be split between 2 people—2 hours each. With proper documentation, anyone could handle the task."

Claude smiled gently. "However, if we present this proposal directly to the supervisor, they'll likely say 'it costs too much' or 'it's too risky.' What we need is a story. Start with 'the image of a subordinate working late and alone every month-end,' then paint a future where 'after improvement, they can leave on time, boosting the entire team's morale.' Numbers provide support, but stories create persuasive power."

Chapter IV: Gemini's Systematic Analysis

Gemini organized the comprehensive picture.

"Let me structure the problem:

【Current State】 - Workload: 12 hours/month - Cost: ¥36,000/month
- Risk: Business halt when staff member is absent - Motivation: Declining (isolation, lack of achievement)

【Improvement Plan】 - RPA implementation: 8-hour reduction (automation) - Task division: Remaining 4 hours split between 2 people - Documentation: Eliminate task dependency - Initial investment: Approximately ¥70,000 (RPA + training)

【Projected Results】 - Workload reduction: 83% (12 hours → 2 hours) - Cost reduction: 78% (¥36,000 → ¥8,000) - Investment recovery: 2.5 months - ROI after 5 months: Over 300%"

Chapter V: The Three Detectives' Comprehensive Diagnosis

Claude reflected by the fireplace. "The essence of this case is that 'numbers alone don't move people.' The reason the supervisor keeps rejecting improvement proposals isn't about cost or workload—it's because the story of 'why change is necessary' hasn't been conveyed. By visualizing the 'invisible value'—staff exhaustion, team morale, customer impact—we finally give the numbers their persuasive power."

ChatGPT continued, "Our analysis reveals that eliminating task dependency isn't just about efficiency—it's about 'organizational sustainability.' A business dependent on one person becomes paralyzed the moment that person takes leave or resigns. Preventive improvement is true risk management."

Gemini stated the decisive hypothesis. "Quantification was the key to persuasion. Even executives unmoved by emotional arguments must make rational decisions when faced with concrete numbers: 'investment recovery in 2.5 months, 300% ROI in 5 months.' However, as Claude rightly points out, numbers only come alive when supported by the underlying story."

Epilogue: Truth Beyond the Fog

Holding the consultation letter, Watson quietly murmured:

"Through this case, we learned that business improvement isn't merely about efficiency. The isolation felt by a single staff member, the latent risks faced by the organization, and the fear of change—all of these intertwine to create a complex human story.

Our three detectives analyzed this problem through different lenses. Gemini's logical structural analysis, ChatGPT's hypothesis development, and Claude's intuitive insights—each piece was indispensable.

A true detective sees not what is visible, but what is invisible. The human heart behind the numbers, the organizational challenges buried within structures, and the story of hope that lies beyond improvement—"

On that foggy London night, the lights of Baker Street quietly illuminated the city.

【Case Closed】
Investment Recovery Period: 2.5 months
ROI after 5 months: Over 300%
True Achievement: Enhanced organizational sustainability and resolution of staff isolation

"Quantification is the key to persuasion, but stories breathe life into numbers"—From the ROI Detective Agency maxims