TIPS FOR INTRANET

Increasing publicity for your services and products

Improving your employees' productivity
Improving communication amongst each other
Improving communication with internal clients
Making Intranet a tool for communication rather than using other (paper) means of information.
Knowledge-sharing
Improved internal customer service.
A better image: see what we have to offer

CHOOSE A DECENTRALIZED INTRANET AND INTERNET

Ensure that each facilities department and/or subsidiary has his or her own section on the intranet.

MAKE SURE YOU DETERMINE THE CONTENT OF YOUR SECTION ON THE INTRANET

When it comes to how the content is structured on intranet there are two golden rules:

Start with the passive pages, followed by the active ones.
Start with static pages, followed by the dynamic ones.

Start with passive pages that supply information, which means the pages that are only meant to be read, such as;

Subsidiary addresses;
Floor plans;
Product and services catalogues;
List of frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Names and email addresses and if available photo's of employees (headshots);
The employees' guide;
Quality manuals;
Internal newsletter;
Corporate identity guidelines, logo's in various sizes for downloading;
Vacancies or space for future vacancies (career at …)
Financial and social annual report
Corporate rules and regulations, including business use of internet;
Appraisal and calamity guidelines.

Start with things that employees are already 'familiar with' concerning internet, such as email. Then expand your intranet with active pages, like pages that require user response such as surveys, the 'call me back' function, direct access to a helpdesk and 'desktop learning'.

Start with static information (which is to say regular text and image pages) and then include dynamic information (such as sound and video bytes).

ENSURE PROPER INTRANET MANAGEMENT

It is important that your company has a web master with responsibility regarding final content at executive level. Also instate a web editor who is responsible for the intranet’s design, corporate identity and functionality. Each department should be able to supply information that is sent to a designated central contact person.

MIGRATE FREQUENTLY USED CONTENT TO INTRANET

Another thing that will ensure that employees actually use the intranet is:
Ensuring that it includes important, practical information such as work schedules, telephone numbers, the staff association’s reports, activities, events, pictures taken at meetings etc.

Real-time applications:
Weather & Traffic information
Stock Exchange information

MENTION WHO OWNS THE CONTENT

Make sure that the name of the person that has written an article is included and refer to that person so that employees who require more information on the subject in question know whom to call.

LIST THE TELEPHONE NUMBER FOR TELEPHONE SUPPORT LIST

It can be very frustrating if certain applications do not work or if you are looking for specific information, but cannot find it. It is even worse if you cannot find information on how to get in touch with the contact person or if you cannot find a telephone number that you can call for all your questions and/or remarks. Make sure that this kind of information is always clearly displayed on the intranet. This will save you a lot of annoyance.