Without measurement, intranets languish

Communicators must calculate cash returns from their intranets for executives to take notice

Why have corporate intranets lain underused, neglected and ignored for years at many companies?

“Executives have no respect for the intranet,” explains Toby Ward, CEO of consulting firm Prescient Digital. “They see no value in it, little future for it, and they see it as a cost center. There are a few execs who get it—but most don’t, and that’s why it’s stagnating at most organizations.”

Toby Ward points to the following case studies of corporate intranets whose managers measure ROI.

That’s what happened at Ericsson Group Function, part of the part of the Swedish communications giant.

Ericsson saves millions Over the course of 10 years, 4,000 separate intranets sprung up at Ericsson. In 2005, the intranet team consolidated the separate departmental and unit intranets into one centralized intranet.

Although the consolidation project cost millions in time and manpower, it saved millions—and continues to save money.