Introduction
A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to speak at TechCon 365 in Atlanta on a topic that’s close to my heart: creating a resilient intranet that truly engages employees. Intranets can often be overlooked, but when done right, they are powerful tools for connection, culture, and productivity.
During my session, I focused on three essential components that every organization should prioritize to build an intranet that not only works, but works well.
1. News That Resonates
News is the heartbeat of an intranet. But not just any news, relevant news. It needs to speak directly to the people reading it. That means:
- Finding the right frequency: Too much, and it becomes noise. Too little, and it feels like the lights are off.
- Targeting the right audience: Use personalization to show employees what matters to them.
- Aligning with culture: Share updates that reinforce your mission, vision, and values.
Ultimately, news should help employees understand the culture, see where they fit, and shape their self-perception in a way that aligns with the organization’s goals.
2. Resources That Stay Fresh
Think of resources like the backbone of your intranet like benefits, directories, policies, calendars, SOPs. These are the tools employees rely on to do their jobs.
The problem? They get stale.
A lot of effort goes into building these resources, but without regular updates, they lose credibility. When employees find outdated information, trust erodes.
The solution: Create a maintenance schedule.
- Review content regularly.
- Assess for relevance.
- Keep the most-used resources up to date.
This builds trust and keeps employees engaged with the intranet as a reliable source.
3. Accessibility That Removes Barriers
If your intranet isn’t easy to access, it won’t be used. Period.
Here are three simple ways to improve accessibility:
- Make it the default homepage when browsers open.
- Integrate with Microsoft Teams using Viva Connections to bring SharePoint-based intranets into daily workflows.
- Optimize for mobile: This used to be a “nice to have.” Now it’s essential. Mobile access is rising, and the experience is finally smooth enough to support it.
Accessibility isn’t just about convenience. It’s about inclusion. It ensures that every employee, regardless of device or location, can stay connected.
Final Thoughts
A resilient intranet isn’t just a tech project, it’s a culture project. By focusing on relevant news, fresh resources, and barrier-free access, you create a digital space where employees feel informed, empowered, and aligned.
Let’s stop thinking of intranets as static repositories and start treating them as dynamic platforms for engagement.
If you think our Intranet Services can help, visit our page here.
