The prevalence of remote work has increased dramatically in recent years, with more companies embracing its flexibility and benefits. This trend is driven by technological advances, changes in employee expectations, and the need for organizations to adapt to an increasingly globalized workforce. Remote work can increase productivity, reduce overhead costs, and access a broader talent pool. However, this shift also brings challenges, including the potential for employees to feel isolated and disconnected from their colleagues and the company culture. 

An intranet can be invaluable for overcoming these challenges and fostering a sense of community and belonging among remote teams. An intranet can help maintain a strong company culture and keep remote employees connected, engaged, and productive by providing a centralized platform for communication, collaboration, and information sharing. In this blog post, we will explore various ways an intranet can help build culture and keep people connected in remote companies. We will use multiple real-life examples to demonstrate its potential impact.

Team and Department Spaces

Dedicated spaces for teams and departments within the intranet allow employees to easily access and share relevant information, updates, and resources. These spaces can include discussion forums, file sharing, and project management tools specific to the team or department, enabling efficient collaboration.

• A sales team uses its dedicated space to share sales reports, collaborate on sales strategies, and track the progress of its leads and targets.

• A software development team is collaborating on project requirements, sharing code snippets, and tracking the progress of software releases in their dedicated space.

• A marketing team is collaborating on campaigns, sharing promotional materials, and tracking the progress of ongoing projects in their dedicated space.

Company-wide Announcements and Updates

An intranet is a central hub for company-wide announcements, updates, and news, ensuring that all employees, regardless of location, receive consistent information about organizational changes, achievements, and other relevant developments.

• The leadership team should communicate about a recent merger, a new product launch, or the achievement of a significant milestone through the intranet.

• Human resources department posts updates about employee benefits, open enrollment periods, and upcoming company events.

• A product team announces the release of a new product feature or software update, ensuring all employees are aware of the latest enhancements.

Social and Community-building Features

Intranet platforms can include features such as employee profiles, interest groups, recognition boards, and social networking tools that help remote employees connect and build relationships with their colleagues.

• Creating an interest group for employees who love hiking, encouraging them to share stories, photos, and advice about their outdoor adventures.

• Setting up a virtual “water cooler” chat room where employees can engage in informal conversations, share personal news, and build relationships with their colleagues.

• Establishing a peer recognition program, allowing employees to nominate and celebrate their colleagues for outstanding work, fostering a sense of appreciation and camaraderie.

Virtual Events and Meetings

An intranet can host and facilitate virtual events and meetings, such as webinars, town halls, or training sessions, helping remote employees stay informed, engaged, and connected with their colleagues and the organization.

• Hosting a monthly virtual book club meeting via the intranet, allowing remote employees to discuss the latest book selection and interact with their colleagues.

• Conducting weekly team meetings or webinars using the intranet’s video conferencing feature, ensuring remote employees stay informed and connected.

• Organizing virtual team-building events, such as online trivia nights or escape room challenges, to help remote employees bond and have fun together.

Discussion Forums and Knowledge Sharing

Intranet platforms can offer discussion forums and spaces for employees to ask questions, share knowledge, and collaborate on ideas, enabling remote employees to tap into the collective expertise of their colleagues.

• A customer support team can use a discussion forum to share best practices for handling difficult customer situations, ensuring that team members stay connected and informed despite working remotely.

• Employees from different departments can collaborate on a company-wide initiative, such as improving diversity and inclusion, using discussion forums to share ideas and progress.

• A product development team utilizing a forum to collect and prioritize user feedback ensures remote employees can contribute to the process and stay informed about product improvements.

The intranet’s ability to facilitate information sharing, community building, and virtual events ensures that employees remain informed, engaged, and connected, ultimately helping to maintain a strong company culture in a remote work environment. As more organizations continue to embrace remote work, the importance of a well-designed and functional intranet will only grow. By investing in an intranet platform that addresses the unique needs and challenges of remote teams, companies can empower their employees to stay connected, collaborate effectively, and thrive in a remote work setting.