When it comes to workplace productivity, distractions can stop us in our tracks. Yet, there’s one scenario where a little distraction might be a good thing—when it comes to your company’s intranet.

Why Distraction Can Be a Good Thing

If your company has a dynamic, engaging intranet (it IS possible!), think about a time you clicked on a headline that caught your eye. Maybe it was an article about a colleague’s recent achievement, a spotlight on a new company initiative, or even a fun quiz. You may have initially logged in to submit a form or check your benefits, but you spent a few extra minutes exploring other content. 

In that moment, the intranet captured your attention—and that’s powerful.

From a communications standpoint, this “distraction” is gold. It’s an opportunity to engage employees in the company’s culture, values, and updates. When employees are drawn into the intranet by interesting, relevant, and fresh content, they’re more likely to stay informed, feel connected, and even participate in the company’s narrative.

Making the Intranet a Must-Visit Destination

For an intranet to be truly effective, it must be a place employees need AND want to visit. Here are a few ways to make your intranet indispensable:

1. Make Your Intranet the Go-To Resource. Incorporate essential tools, programs, and links that help employees do their jobs daily. Employees will visit often if the intranet provides easy access to these tasks.
2. Relevant Information through Personalization. Tailoring content to individual users based on their department, role, or interests makes the intranet feel more relevant and engaging. 
3. Keep Content Fresh. Update regularly and use content expiration dates to suppress old or stale information. 
4. Integrate Social Features. Allowing employees to like, comment, and share content fosters a sense of community. It also makes the intranet more interactive and engaging.
5. Make Navigation Intuitive. If employees can easily find what they’re looking for, they’ll have a more positive experience. This encourages repeat visits and longer engagement.

The Power of Capturing Attention

When employees are drawn into the intranet by a captivating headline or an engaging feature, it may momentarily distract them from their original task. But it also serves a greater purpose. It reinforces their connection to the company, informs them about what’s happening across the organization, and makes them feel part of something bigger.

Ultimately, an intranet that occasionally “kills productivity” by capturing attention might just be the secret to a more informed, engaged, and connected workforce. 

And that’s a productivity boost in its own right.