Intranets reimagined: From static archives to dynamic hubs

Remember when they were digital dust collectors? They’re not anymore (and here’s why you should care)

Organizations can attribute better employee engagement to many factors. However, one of the most critical is providing employees with the correct information to do their jobs well. According to a Harvard Business Review article, employees who get enough information to do their jobs well are 2.8 times more likely to be engaged.

Old intranets played their role as communications channels but often failed because of their clunkiness and lack of personalization. In many cases, intranets were deemed old-school company portals where information went to die. But modern intranets have undergone a significant transformation, reshaping into dynamic digital hubs that are shaking up how we work.

And the best part? We designed Appspace with user-friendliness in mind, making the transition smooth and reassuring for your team. This transformation is not just a change; it’s an exciting evolution that opens up a world of possibilities for your organization. To paraphrase a popular rap song by LL Cool J, you can call it a (intranet) comeback.

A look back. From digital filing cabinets to interactive wonderlands

Early intranets were basically digital filing cabinets stuffed with endless walls of text, links, and outdated PDFs. For many employees, navigating them felt like finding their way out of a labyrinth.

One recent Gartner study found that more than a third of employees (38%) say they receive an “excessive” volume of communications at their organization. There is too much of a good thing, so if employees were already overloaded with information, it’s easy to understand why many weren’t overly enthusiastic about tapping into their old intranets as another data source.

Having the right amount of information is a good start in increasing workplace productivity. Engagement in today’s workplace also requires more meaningful connections with leadership. Top-down, one-way leadership communication is long gone as employees look to share their voices.

Modern intranets provide a perfect channel for employees to participate in the two-way communications mix and amplify their voices. This means that instead of just receiving information from the top, employees can also share their thoughts, ideas, and feedback, fostering a culture of open communication and collaboration.

The power of people: It’s all about that social buzz

“If you build it, they will come” is an appropriate phrase for the future of employee comms solutions. Employees want to easily connect and collaborate using communities, stories, and social features, just like they do in their personal lives.

AI is changing the game in modern intranets. Generative AI is a significant time saver when drafting content. But more importantly, the ability to more easily and quickly personalize content is critical to the success of today’s employee comms solutions.

Out with the old: Less is more

The “less is more” approach also applies to features in modern intranets. Instead of overwhelming users with unnecessary features, the right modern intranet solution provides a streamlined set of essential features for daily operations, such as booking rooms and managing desk reservations.

“This streamlined approach improves user experience and reduces the cognitive load on employees, allowing them to focus on their work,” says Thomas Philippart de Foy, Chief Innovation Officer at Appspace. “Employees like the ease and familiarity of consumer technology, and today’s employee experience platforms must meet this challenge to increase adoption and productivity.”

The possibilities for modern intranets are endless, from AI-powered chatbots to virtual reality collaboration spaces. One thing is sure: employee comms is only getting better with targeted content and employee creators serving as strong company storytellers. Today, employees are not just users, but integral contributors to the evolution of modern intranets, empowering them and shaping the future of the organization.

So, if you’re still using an outdated intranet that feels like a relic from the past, it’s time to upgrade. Your employees (and your bottom line) will thank you. If you’re ready to take the next step towards a new approach at employee comms, head over here to learn more about Appspace, and let’s talk.