4 common culprits for intranet failure

Every company that launches an intranet does so with the best of intentions.

The planning stages are full of hopeful proclamations about streamlining internal messaging, boosting collaboration and increasing company connectivity. Unfortunately, intranets often fail to deliver on their promise to pump up productivity, engagement and communication.

According to a survey conducted by IntraTeam, just 40 percent of organizations are “somewhat satisfied” with their intranet system. Fewer than 5 percent of respondents reported being “very satisfied” with their company’s intranet.

Where do companies go wrong? Why is it so difficult to create an intranet that soars instead of bores?

Here are four common reasons intranets fail:

1. Not promoting the intranet, or not training employees prior to launch.

Many organizations make the mistake of having a “build it and they will come” attitude. This is an intranet kiss of death.

If you don’t communicate why your company is building an intranet—or if you fail to sufficiently educate employees on how to use it—you’re setting yourself up for failure.