New intranet: how to overcome resistance to change?

michel
30/01/2024
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5 min read

Imagine an office where information flows smoothly, where important documents are accessible in a few clicks, and where every employee knows exactly where to find what they need. That's the promise of a well-designed Intranet. However, despite these obvious benefits, adopting a new intranet often faces a major obstacle: resistance to change.

Why this paradox? Because change, however beneficial it may be, disrupts habits, raises fears and requires an effort to adapt. In a professional world that is constantly evolving, businesses need efficient tools to optimize their communication and productivity. But without team buy-in, even the best Intranet risks going unused.

In this article, we will explore the reasons for this resistance to change in business and, above all, discover how to overcome it effectively so that your intranet becomes a real driver of transformation and not a source of frustration. πŸš€

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Why is an intranet an asset for your business?

An intranet is more than just a tool. It is a powerful tool for improving communication and productivity. Here's why it's essential:

πŸ“Œ Smoother communication
No more lost emails and files that cannot be found! An intranet centralizes all information: news, HR documents, ongoing projects... Everything is accessible in a few clicks.

πŸ“Œ A gain in time and efficiency
Employees spend less time looking for documents and more time on assignments. With well-integrated collaborative tools, work is more fluid and better organized.

πŸ“Œ Strengthened collaboration
An intranet is also a space for exchange. Internal messaging, forums, discussion groups... These features Create a link and promote cohesion, even when working from home.

πŸ“Œ A concrete impact on performance
Before having an intranet, a company was wasting time between e-mails and scattered tools. After its deployment, it reduced its validation times by 40% and boosted the satisfaction of its employees.

One Well-designed intranet simplifies daily life. But for it to be adopted, resistance to change must be overcome... Let's see how next. πŸ”

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Understand the resistance to change in business.

Change is scary. Even when it makes improvements, it changes habits. Why are employees resisting? Here are the main reasons:

🚧 The fear of the unknown
It's hard to accept change when you don't understand where it leads. Without a clear explanation, the Intranet may seem complicated or useless.

🚧 The attachment to the old ways
β€œWe've always done it that way.” Many prefer to keep their habits, even if they are less effective. Changing takes effort, and some people are hesitant to do it.

🚧 The fear of overwork
A new tool often means an adaptation phase. If the intranet is not well explained or if it seems complex, teams may see it as an additional burden.

🚧 The impression of a fashion effect
Some employees think that the Intranet is just a passing trend. If they don't see a concrete interest, they won't invest.

πŸ” The image of the river: a natural resistance
Resistance to change is like a river. Water prefers to take its usual course, but it can be redirected with the right tools. The challenge is not to fight against resistance, but to support him intelligently.

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Strategies for overcoming resistance and successfully deploying a corporate intranet.

A good Intranet is not enough. Its adoption depends above all on the involvement of employees. Here are the keys to overcoming resistance and guaranteeing success.

Involve employees from the start

πŸš€ Involve rather than impose
Imposed change is often misperceived. To avoid this:

βœ”οΈ Organize workshops and meetings to co-build the project.
βœ”οΈ Start polls to gather expectations and needs.
βœ”οΈ Create workgroups with change ambassadors.

The more employees feel involved, the more they will join the project.

Focus on pedagogy and acculturation.

πŸ’‘ Explain, reassure and train
An intranet should not be seen as a constraint, but as an asset. For this:

βœ”οΈ Explain goals clearly and the long-term benefits.
βœ”οΈ Offer fun courses : videos, serious games, webinars.
βœ”οΈ Offer coaching for employees who have difficulty adapting.

A well-trained employee is a convinced employee!

Ensure continuous and reassuring communication.

πŸ“’ A good project deserves good communication
Announcing a new intranet does not have to be done all at once. It is necessary to:

βœ”οΈ Communicating before, during, and after the launch.
βœ”οΈ Use engaging storytelling to make change meaningful.
βœ”οΈ Sharing success stories teams that have adopted the tool well.

Clear and positive communication turns distrust into enthusiasm.

Guarantee easy adoption thanks to a user-centered design.

🎯 An intranet should be simple and intuitive
If the tool is complicated, no one will use it. To avoid this:

βœ”οΈ Favor an ergonomic and accessible design.
βœ”οΈ Ensure compatibility with existing tools so as not to disturb habits.
βœ”οΈ Set up responsive technical support to answer questions quickly.

An easy to use intranet is an adopted intranet!

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Measure adoption and adjust continuously

An intranet is not limited to its deployment. For it to be a success, it is necessary to monitor its adoption and adapt it according to user feedback.

πŸ“Š Define success indicators
Follow some KPIs (key performance indicators) makes it possible to assess the impact of the intranet. Among the most important are:
βœ”οΈ The connection rate : how many employees actually use the tool?
βœ”οΈ The level of commitment : which features are used the most?
βœ”οΈ The user feedback : do employees find the tool useful?

πŸ‘‰ For a more detailed analysis of the KPIs to follow, consult our dedicated article: 15 KPIs to measure the ROI of your intranet

πŸ“’ Gather feedback on a regular basis
The intranet must evolve with the needs of employees. For this:
βœ”οΈ Organize regular polls to understand areas for improvement.
βœ”οΈ Analyze them suggestions and feedback to adjust features.

🎯 Continue to support employees
A good tool is useless if it is not used well. Think about:
βœ”οΈ Suggest continuing education to optimize the use of the intranet.
βœ”οΈ Set up regular updates based on identified needs.

A powerful intranet is a tool upgradeable. Monitoring its adoption and improving it continuously guarantees its long-term success. πŸš€

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Conclusion

A corporate intranet can transform communication and collaboration. But for it to be adopted, it is necessary to anticipate resistance to change and support it intelligently.

πŸ”Ή Keys to a successful deployment :
βœ”οΈ Involve employees from the start.
βœ”οΈ Focus on pedagogy and training.
βœ”οΈ Ensure clear and ongoing communication.
βœ”οΈ Offer a simple and intuitive user experience.
βœ”οΈ Monitor adoption and adjust based on feedback.

πŸ’‘ A collective and evolving project
An intranet is not just a tool, it is A human project. Its success depends on Team commitment and its ability to evolve with their needs.

πŸš€ Ready to take the plunge?
For a smooth transition and tailor-made support, discover our intranet solutions adapted to your business. Contact us for a demo and let's discuss your project!

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michel
11 Jan 2022
β€’
5 min read