From the best intranet firm of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere is a new methodology on enhancing an existing intranet. The 6x2 methodology from Step Two Designs is a highly, pragmatic, activity focused process for improving the intranet in 6-month chunks. Simple to digest and understand, this methodology is a particularly solid do-it-yourself approach for small and medium-size organizations.

“Detailed project planning is used to ensure that the selected items are

actually achievable, as well as giving a clear sequence of activities,” says James Robertson, author of the methodology and Managing Director, Step Two Designs. “This methodology provides a simple and pragmatic approach that can be used by intranet teams of any size (from one person to a dozen or more).”

A sneak preview of this methodology highlighted in a 104-page report:

You can preview or order the 6x2 methodology online from Step Two.

ON A PERSONAL NOTE: A great day indeed when my one-year-old daughter, who’s been sick for most of the past two months, suddenly perked-up today. Unusually smiley and active, and clearly feeling better, she walked for the first time!! Very exciting stuff!! There’s almost nothing more exciting for a parent than those first steps J A great day! (She fell sick again tonight, but we’re hopeful a good day might lead to more…!!).

A very exciting trade deadline day in the NHL. Outrageous are the prices paid for ‘rental’ players particularly Tkachuk, Forsberg and Guerin. Shocking that the Oilers end-up trading Smyth… but quite possibly a very good deal for Edmonton. San Jose I think are the big winners and I’d put them up their with Detroit as cup favorites. Don’t however rule out Anaheim and Vancouver. Oh and for the record: Bryan Smolinski’s best season was 61 points – 12 years ago (and playing with Cam Neely and Adam Oates).

Anyone see the Carling Cup finale?!? Wild stuff for football. I can’t say I was impressed by Chelsea, nor Wayne Bridge’s theatrics or Drogba’s… nice to see the Blues play all their best players while Arsenal fields no starting players and only their young substitutes. See YouTube.com > “Carling Cup.”

What a joke the Oscars are… I like Al Gore and appreciate his efforts… but that was way over-the-top. Especially for a grossly exaggerated documentary (by the way I’m a big carbon neutral proponent). Great to see Marty win the two big ones… I like Helen Mirren (looked great too) and Forrest Whittaker winning. I don’t however understand Alan Arkin… he played himself, the same way he plays all roles (which I actually like), had about 10 lines of dialogue, and wins an Oscar?! Finally, I’m a proud Canadian, but Celine needs a break… or we need a break from Celine.

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It’s a little late for New Year’s resolutions, but we’re still early in the budget year for most (or near the end for others). Nonetheless, the intranet is usually in a state of improvement.

Here are 6 timely resolutions for improving the intranet, regardless of the calendar month, by Prescient’s Cathy McKnight:

Resolution #1 - Taxonomy. Develop and execute a robust intranet taxonomy so the site’s content will not be “invisible" to its users.

Resolution #2 - Metrics. Look at the metrics collected on site usage, and use that information to plan the site’s growth and evolution so that it meets the needs of the employees. 

Resolution #3 – Prioritize. “I cannot be all things to all people.” 

Resolution #4 – Redesign. Speaking of revamping the site’s design, this is the year that we ditch the orange and green banner, and update the President’s page so that it does not include a photo of her with a beehive hairdo.

Resolution #5 – Engagement. Get in touch with stakeholders and target audiences. 

Resolution #6 – Marketing. Let everyone know just how great the intranet site is (especially now that you have successfully kept to all your resolutions). 

The top intranet complaint at any organization is “I can’t find anything.” This is why the taxonomy is so important. Learn more by reading What is the New Year without (intranet) resolutions?

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