Your company’s intranet can be an amazing resource, but it won’t do any good if it isn’t used in the right way. At MangoApps, we believe that there are few things more heartbreaking than untapped potential, especially in business and corporate success. So we are sharing a few of the best ways companies can encourage lasting employee intranet usage and unleash the potential energy their intranet has in store.
6 Ways To Encourage Employee Intranet Usage:
#1: Redirect Employee Inquiries
Designating office resources to be available only on the intranet is an easy way to encourage natural employee engagement. These resources could be anything from employee benefits information to a PTO request form. When employees ask about information that is already stored on the intranet, gently refer them to where they can find the information. This subtle practice helps employees get into the habit of using their intranet as a resource and increases their own informational self-sufficiency. Establishing familiarity with posting and receiving information through the intranet will instinctively increase user engagement in other intranet areas as well.
#2: Make It A Work Catalyst
Intranets are designed to make work more efficient and more creative. However, this will only happen if your intranet is up-to-date and easy-to-use. Old or irrelevant intranet information can be frustrating and negatively impact business decisions.
Working with this kind of content quickly burns out employees and creates a perception that can be difficult to change.
Not only that, when your intranet is riddled with outdated content and confusing processes, it can become cluttered and hard to use. This will in turn lead to lower levels of employee engagement and adoption of your intranet.
One way to circumvent this is to proactively take steps to keep your intranet decluttered. In doing this, you can empower employees to easily access the information and resources they might need.
How To Declutter Your Intranet
In order to encourage lasting employee intranet usage, the content needs to be a catalyst for employees. It should make work easier, more efficient, and more enjoyable. Check out this article on a few of the essential features your intranet solution should have.
#3: Build A Supportive Space
Intranets allow people to collaborate, communicate, and develop relationships in unique ways. However this can only happen in a space where ideas and creativity are encouraged to grow. Healthy debates and alternative viewpoints strengthen ideas but only when they are positive and focused on improvement. This is especially important in a digital setting where it can be easy to misinterpret information. When employees feel encouraged and supported they will actively engage in successful ideas and conversations.
#4: Give Employees A Choice
Nothing creates pushback quite like telling a person what to do, especially if the change is different or disruptive. Allowing employees to make choices increases their sense of control over a situation and encourages feelings of active participation. This is true even if their choices are not particularly significant or relevant in the long run. Letting employees decide how and when to engage with the intranet or similar kinds of choices will help create lasting employee intranet usage and increased performance, persistence, and creativity.
#5: Expect The Adoption Curve
The adoption curve is a pattern established by human nature that explains how people typically react to changes and the rate at which enhancements are embraced. Just like profits, stocks and other business elements tend to follow certain patterns, humans also accept and utilize new technology and experiences in a fairly consistent way. Understanding this pattern helps employers create realistic intranet integration goals and expectations for employees and recognize how their company’s individual adoption and usage compares to what is expected.
#6: Invite Unspoken Opinions
Employees can often be hesitant to share thoughts and opinions, but that doesn’t mean they don’t exist. Supervisors can encourage discussion and participation by seeking out specific employees who may have insights or contrary positions and specifically invite them to voice their opinion. Often employees just need a friendly invitation to encourage their ideas and let them know their thoughts are needed and valued. This rings especially true if they offer an perspective that have not yet been considered.
MangoApps
Creating lasting employee intranet usage doesn’t have to be difficult. With a little attention an intranet can be the right fit for any kind of company. At MangoApps we work with businesses to enhance their own creative abilities and help them unlock all of their potential. We love to help businesses create collaborative business communication and offer advice on intranet success.
To learn more about how MangoApps Intranet can benefit your organization, contact us or schedule a personalized demo today.
