Are You Getting the Most Out of Your Intranet?

It is very common for companies to keep important company information like communications, news, or policy and procedures on the company intranet. However, if that is all your company is doing with your intranet, you are wasting a valuable resource. The intranet can be a valuable tool for improving employee morale and increasing quality and productivity.

Studies have shown that employees tend to feel more engaged in the work they do when they know how their contribution affects the high-level goals of the company. They want management to communicate openly with them about major changes and decisions. The company's intranet is the perfect way to keep employees involved and informed.

The company intranet is a great way for upper management to get more in touch with employees in a way that is quick and easy, yet highly visible and accessible for all employees.

Intranets Foster Communication

There are several ways upper management can use the company intranet to improve communication, such as hosting a question and answer page or periodic live discussion forums. Employees should be encouraged to ask questions and make suggestions without fear of compromising their job safety.

It can be difficult for the CEOs of global companies to address all employees at the same time, and budgets may not allow for travel to all of the company's offices. Intranets allow for CEOs to record webcasts of their talks and transmit them live around the world, and then save and post them for later viewing.

During eras of change, employees often feel uneasy about the uncertainty of their future. Management can combat this by keeping a site on the intranet that tracks the company's status on each goal and discuss all the latest news. When employees feel well informed about upcoming changes, they can feel comfortable and embrace it.

Intranets for Morale

Employees generally appreciate being recognized for doing their job well. Using the intranet, management can shine a spotlight on top employees, announce award winners, or thank an employee for performing in an extraordinary way. Posting a photograph of the employee-with their permission, of course-and a short paragraph about what they accomplished is all you need. Employees who are recognized in this manner will feel proud of having their work noticed. The recognition will serve as inspiration to other employees to work harder.

In today's economy, employees want to know as much as they can about what management is doing with their company. They want their contributions to be useful and appreciated. Upper management can increase employee satisfaction by meeting these desires, using the company's intranet. First, however, they must transform it from a simply a place to keep basic company information to a robust communication tool.