Sometimes seeking out the best intranet and getting genuine intranet buy-in feels like a pretty elusive goal. Like trying to pat your head and rub your tummy at the same time; you can do it for a few minutes but somewhere along the way you miss a step and lose your rhythm.

For many of us intranet admins, it feels like we work double time to provide more than enough valuable and relevant information and resources on the intranet, so then why are employees STILL not jumping for joy over the intranet, despite our efforts? Perhaps it is because we are doing the following five things and need to stop.

1) Stop Overcrowding the Intranet

We all do it. Content bloat is a real problem on the intranet. Especially mature intranets. Intranet Connections has a lot of automation and archival cleanup processes to help with that in our intranet software, but the overcrowding effect is hard to avoid. The biggest offenders, and with the most impact:

1. Too many intranet widgets on the home page
2. Large intranet menus and complex navigation

When it comes to your intranet, less is more, especially when you first launch. Don’t overwhelm your employees and remember we are all visual creatures. How you design your intranet will directly reflect how it is received.

2) Stop Being So Serious

Your gateway into the best intranet with lots of engagement is those three little letters: F-U-N.

Be sure to incorporate some fun. Include employee stories, give out employee kudos with the Employee Recognition app and promote events that support the company culture. Add fun and engaging areas that bring employees onto the intranet regularly, including areas that they can contribute and be a part of. If you can tap into emotion with these ideas, you really can build momentum.

Check out this recent blog post on how to bring emotion onto your intranet.

3) Stop Trying to Do Too Much

I think there is a big deficit in strategy around intranets. Pick a goal or a passion that is personal to you. Why? Because you are the intranet champion. You are the person who will infuse life into the project. The goal or passion could be helping people, sharing the culture, spreading HR initiatives… whatever it is, keep it personal for you and then wrap that goal into the areas of the intranet that are functional. Keep it simple and be cognizant of the intranet trying to do too much. Keep the goal and strategy down to one or two key passions. You can always build on it down the road.

4) Stop Channeling Your Inner Techie

Even if you are a techie, remember that what excites people are stories. How you write on your intranet can make a big difference in how employees feel about it.

Avoid technical speak, big words, and pontificating. Keep messaging simple, short and succinct with a dose of personality. Look for “content writers” in your company that are funny and outgoing personalities to share what is important to them.

Keeping it personal is a highly engaging way to impart information and knowledge. These are all little ways that add up to a big win in building the best intranet.

5) Stop Complaining and Start Doing

Not to say we all sit around complaining about how much work the intranet is (OK, truth is we all do at one point or another) but instead of constantly bugging management to get on board, or pulling your hair out in frustration over a lack of ownership from departments – get busy doing your own passions for the intranet. You may be surprised just who comes around asking to join in on the success once they see your efforts take hold.

Build the Best Intranet Possible

The key is to start small and build trust and loyalty. That will build the best intranet possible.

Looking for more stories and ideas on fun and engaging applications you can build today to improve your intranet? Let me know by commenting below!

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