Subscribe to newsletterTo all intranet managers: things are getting better, aren’t they … ?
The second annual Global Intranet & Portal Strategies Survey is currently on going and as I said a few days ago, I want to go down on record with some predictions before I close the survey and begin analysis.
This post is the second prediction and focuses on the intranet manager him/herself.
(The first one was on whether or not the intranet has become the “way of working” in organizations: What keeps senior management awake at night and what is your intranet doing about it?)
Here’s my second prediction :
In spite of difficulties and some major challenges in individual cases, the intranet manager community is growing in solidarity, self-confidence and overall job satisfaction. There will be significantly less professional frustration expressed this year by intranet and portal managers.
If you did not see it, you might want to check out my blog post from November 10, 2006 from the 2006 Report: No career path for an intranet manager. The change I sense since last year is in part because a growing number of forums, clubs and information services are becoming available for intranet managers – including the Global Intranet Survey itself!
I’m personally aware of grass roots initiatives in the UK, France and the US – all kicked off by companies themselves, not consultants. Some are faring better than others.
Another change I feel is that intranet managers are becoming more knowledgeable and skilful in their jobs. The average “intranet manager” found him/herself in the role without training or preparation. Although in some companies the person fulfilling the role changes often, in other organisations the same person is in the role for a number of years, and becomes highly expert in the job. Of course the job itself is evolving, and offering more challenges and rewards.
I feel an increasing sense of communication, sharing and pride in the job role within the global intranet manager community. It will be interesting to see the answers to the 2007 survey question asking the intranet manager his/her opinion if the intranet is a tool that does or can do the following:
• Increase an organization competitive advantage in the market place or arena of operation. It lets teams work better and faster, create value and better serve customers
• Improve external communication and public relations in general because well-informed employees who understand the organization strategy consciously or unconsciously transmit positive or negative messages about their organization to the outside world.
• Enable change: help the organization move to a more effective, productive and satisfying way of working.
• Become one of the factors that make job applicants think that your organization could be “a great place to work” because the intranet is so appealing, efficient, modern and enjoyable
I expect the answers to be upbeat, with most managers at the higher end of the scale that runs from “strongly disagree” to “strongly agree”.
We’ll have to wait and see….comments anyone? The 2007 Report will be published in October.
7 Responses to “To all intranet managers: things are getting better, aren’t they … ?”
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August 2nd, 2007 at 12:58 pm
1. Networking
Intranet Managers in Germany more and more get connected to each other. I’m a member of a working team that shares experiences across company “borders” and meets every 3 months. Having started with one team in the Rhein-Main-Area in December 2006 now there are 4 teams initiated by a consultant company. This month we will go online in our own community.
But there are other intranet networks I know of and I personally know some other Intranet Managers.
2. Communication
There has been a remarkable shift from intranet as IT project to an established online communication medium. As part of integrated Corporate Communications the intranets have almost become the mainstream medium for communication within companies. Senior management may not be very comfortable with being online but recognizes the strategic value of intranets – especially for creating a common sense of corporate values.
August 2nd, 2007 at 11:16 pm
Thanks Frank – Sounds like Germany is booming!
I hope some other countries will tell us what is happening.
August 4th, 2007 at 10:00 am
Here’s for Intranet Networking Groups in Switzerland:
- Swiss SharePoint Club: a real grassroots movement that of course is a bit more technology oriented (http://www.club-sps.ch/default.aspx). It’s also a great example how to master the challenge of setting up a community in a multi-lingual enviroment (German/French).
- Stimmt Intranet Breakfast: organized twice a year by the consultancy Stimmt in Zurich (http://www.stimmt.ch/themen/intranet/breakfast/)
Furthermore I know of several companies in Switzerland that would be interested in more frequent and more regional activities for intranet managers. If anyone else is interested, I’d be happy to get you in contact.
p.s.: there’s one more Networking Group in Germany that I also know of: add-all’s Intranetbrunch in Frankfurt (http://www.intranetberater.de/index.php?op=news_detail&id=1462)
August 4th, 2007 at 5:49 pm
Thanks Stephan. I think the Swiss SharePoint Club could be of interest to companies I know in France too.
August 6th, 2007 at 8:00 pm
You’re welcome, Jane!
Every second meeting of the SharePoint Club takes places in the French part of Switzerland and is also held in French.
I know the organiser well, so just get in touch.
December 19th, 2007 at 4:17 pm
Hi there. Great blog.
Does anyone know of any intranet managers forums/communities in the UK or London ?
Thanks
July 2nd, 2010 at 1:28 pm
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