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mandy.thatcher@melcrum.comJanuary 9, 2008
Dear Source Reader
If improving your intranet is on your "to do" list for 2008, you may want to think about how regular contributors can play a role in keeping the site relevant and up to date.
In the US retail division of the IKEA business, upwards of 90% of the intranet's content is generated by 50 "publishers" or subject-matter experts – colleagues from around the company.
In an article in the latest issue of Strategic Communication Management, Beth Gleba, US internal information manager and Karla Shafer, US intranet editor for IKEA North America Services, share 5 coaching tactics used at IKEA to encourage top-quality content from all publishers:
1. Begin with the right training
We find that short, one hour or less, one-on-one training is best. Focus on what the publishers need, rather than teaching them every aspect of the tool. At IKEA, new publishers leave the session with a customized video clip showing the process step by step.
2. Regular communication
We produce an e-newsletter updating US publishers on tool upgrades and coming changes, and what effects they will have on their everyday publishing. The newsletter is also a place to share new publishing ideas.
3. Annual seminar
We host an annual, one-day seminar to get all our publishers on the same page. One of this year's sessions included "Publishers United!" – an interactive session where publishers told us what they found rewarding and frustrating about being an intranet publisher. This helped us understand what they need, and helped them recognize that together they make a strong network.
4. Audit, measurement and steering
Annually, we assess sections of our intranet to get a snapshot of its overall health and necessary improvements. We use a scorecard of five simple criteria and a rating system that gives the site a green (good), yellow (some caution) or red (needs immediate improvements). The results are then used to drive discussions with the individual publishers, helping them recognize where strengths and weaknesses lie.
5. Recognition
We recognize that our publishers are taking on an additional role and we appreciate it. Publishers receive a copy of their scorecards and audit to share with their managers at performance evaluations. Publishers also receive a small token of our thanks around the holiday season.
See you next week!
P.S. We've just finalised the brochure for the Change Communication
Conference in March - Click here to download your copy.
Empowerment, engagement and reputation are the keys to what..?
The Internal Comms Hub, January 3, 2008
...an exceptional employee experience, says the Creating an Exceptional Customer Experience report. A new research study by Uffindell West looks at the impact of the employee experience on the customer experience and how this shapes the success of a company's brand.
Two easy new year resolutions for internal comms
Annie Waite, The Melcrum Blog, January 2, 2008
Annie Waite shares two feasible communication goals that you should be able to master by the end of 2008, based on the findings of Hewitt's newly released 50 Best Employers in Canada 2008 list.
Australians don't use social networking sites for work
The Internal Comms Hub Australia, January 3, 2007
A new survey suggests that Australian workers – who spend an average of two hours a week on social networking sites such as Facebook – are giving out the wrong message to employers.
The communicator's role in change
Adrian Cropley, Melcrum's Change Communication Newsletter, December 19, 2007
In the first issue of Melcrum's monthly newsletter on change communication, Adrian Cropley explores the theory that the way employees deal with organizational change is similar to the grieving process.
Working with other functions to improve engagement
Interview with Joan Swenson, The Melcrum Podcast, December 20, 2007
Joan Swenson, Chief HR officer at Kettering Health Network shares the topics
she'll be covering at Melcrum's 4th Employee Engagement Conference – in particular how to work with other functions to get the most out of engagement initiatives.
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