Look past the Rolex and reserved parking… C-suite executives have it tough. If you are trying to convince one or more of them to approve a new intranet platform, you had better take an interest in their problems and how you can help solve them. More than just a channel for internal communications and handy links, intranets have evolved into powerful tools that facilitate knowledge-sharing, connection and engagement and for C-suite professionals, the intranet offers a multitude of benefits.
1. Humanising Leadership
Intranets provide C-suite executives with a platform to connect with employees on a more personal level without actually having to talk to them. By sharing personal experiences or insights, executives can humanise their leadership style, making themselves more approachable and relatable. Your CEO could interview the new CFO for instance. Depending on their personalities, it could be funny, entertaining or just a great human touchpoint for employees. This transparency helps build trust and strengthens the corporate culture by demonstrating that leaders are individuals who understand and empathise with their teams.
2. Upholding Organisational Values
Intranets serve as a powerful tool for reinforcing company values and vision. Through consistent messaging, senior leaders can ensure that their actions resonate with the broader mission and vision of the company. By actively promoting these values on the intranet, executives can inspire employees to uphold these principles in their daily work, ultimately driving organisational alignment and unity.
The Injio intranet contains a recognition module, allowing people to be recognised specifically for their efforts to support a particular company value.
3. Mitigating Rumours and Gossip
“We’re about to be bought out.”
“There’s been a data breach.”
“They’re closing the Brisbane office”
Clear communication is essential in preventing the spread of rumours and gossip within an organisation. Intranets serve as a controlled environment where accurate information can be disseminated swiftly across all levels of the company. By promptly addressing misinformation or speculation through official channels, leaders can maintain trust and mitigate the negative impact that rumours can have on morale and productivity.
4. Celebrating Success and Company Wins
It’s nice to feel like you’re on the winning team but organisational successes don’t always filter down to every employee. Celebrating company achievements boosts morale and reinforces the value of everyone’s contributions. Intranets provide executives with a platform to share success stories, milestones and noteworthy accomplishments, whether it’s highlighting new clients, awards or innovative new products or processes, your digital workplace will allow leaders to share the good news with everyone.
5. Insight into Employee Sentiment
Understanding the pulse of the organisation is crucial for effective decision-making. Intranets enable senior leaders to gauge employee sentiment through comments, polls, or reactions to company news and initiatives. This real-time feedback provides valuable insights into how policies, strategies, or even internal communications are perceived by employees. Armed with this information, executives can make informed adjustments, address concerns promptly, and create a more inclusive workplace environment.
6. Recognising Outstanding Performers
“Almost 1 in 3 workers feel “unheard” or “completely ignored” by their employers.”
– workhuman, February 2023
Acknowledging performance is crucial for employee engagement and retention but remote and hybrid work is making some workers feel invisible. Intranets enable company leaders to give public recognition and shoutouts to outstanding performers, regardless of their location. This recognition not only motivates the individual being recognised but also sets a positive example for others, encouraging a culture of excellence and continuous improvement across the company.
7. HR Resources
While senior leaders are highly experienced and skilled, it can still be helpful to have easy access to reliable resources. Leading a team often involves knowledge of organisational processes and HR legislation that is outside the scope of a CXO’s field and not information they necessarily want to retain in their personal RAM. Having a trustworthy resource to support onboarding, hiring/firing or just improving leadership skills supports these team members through infrequent processes and ensures adherence to policy.
The ability to harness the full potential of intranets is not just a competitive advantage but a strategic imperative for C-suite executives looking to lead with transparency, empathy, and effectiveness. By embracing these platforms, leaders can navigate the demands of modern business while supporting a culture of collaboration, innovation, and recognition.
