Many employees find the purpose of the intranet unclear, leading to underutilisation. Often, intranet navigation mimics the organisational chart too closely, making the structure incomprehensible to the average employee. According to Harvard Business Review, 71% of employees feel overwhelmed by the amount of information available to them, which exacerbates the problem when the intranet appears to be a repository of departmental data rather than a practical tool. If the navigation looks like it’s designed for someone else, employees tend to assume the content is not relevant to their needs, reducing their motivation to engage with the platform.
Another significant reason employees shun the intranet is the inadequacy of its content in enhancing productivity. Descriptive content that outlines what a department does or provides generic service links without context does little to help employees complete their tasks. Gallup reports that only 13% of employees strongly agree that their company’s intranet helps them work efficiently. Without clear instructions on who should use the content, what it is for, and when it should be used, the intranet fails to serve as a meaningful resource, further discouraging its use.
To address these issues, intranet owners can implement a task-based navigation system. This approach clearly communicates what employees can achieve by accessing various types of content, thus adding value and promoting usage. Microsoft research indicates that task-based navigation can improve user satisfaction by 32%, as it aligns the intranet’s structure with the user’s workflow rather than the company’s hierarchy. By prioritising actionable steps and relevant tasks, employees can more easily find the tools and information they need, enhancing overall productivity.
Creating a navigation system tailored to each audience also aids usage. Removing irrelevant nodes ensures that the navigation is intuitive and effective. This targeted approach to navigation makes it easier for employees to find the tools and information they need to complete their tasks, thereby enhancing overall productivity.
Delivering more useful content requires going beyond mere descriptions. For example, departmental content should not only explain what the department does but also include detailed information on how to collaborate with them and an outline of essential departmental processes. Harvard Business Review notes that 56% of employees are more engaged when they have easy access to resources that help them work more efficiently. By providing comprehensive, actionable content, employees can better self-serve their needs, thereby driving both the value and usage of the intranet.
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Struggling with low intranet engagement? It’s time to eliminate this issue once and for all.
Join us for the first session of our Peer Insights for Communications Directors series and discover how Jonathon Pinch, Head of Internal Communications at Wincanton, transformed their intranet into a dynamic, engaging platform. Don’t miss out—register below to secure your spot!