Intranet Journal

PAGE TYPE: CAPSULES

PUBLICATIONS

Splash Pages

Definition: Splash pages are like book covers or major dividers in a report. They mark an area of an organization and encourage users to get more information about that area. They play two primary roles: They provide brief initial information about the area and they introduce ways to get more information.

Guidelines: Splash pages should give the users useful information and arouse their curiosity without overwhelming them. They should be graphic heavy and should present a sophisticated, unified whole picture of the area, rather than a carnival of special effects loosely strung together.

Suggestions: One animation per splash page.
One blinking word or object per splash page.
One consistent background (canvas) for all splash pages.

Mission Statement Pages

Definition: Mission statement pages clearly outline the mission of the company, department, division, etc.

Guidelines: Graphics should support the mission. For example, a mission statement
that suggests a commitment to getting products to customers quickly should be illustrated with a photo or graphic that suggests speed.

Suggestions: Do not just put words on the page without a sense of the total design
and how it supports your mission statement. Enhance the mission,don't merely drop words on a page and run.

Organizational Chart Pages

Definition: Organizational chart pages present the structure of an organization in a graphic form,using pictures and visual arrangements to make the hierarchy easy to understand.

Guidelines:

--Size all pictures the same.
--Use the same font for all names and titles throughout the site.
--Ensure an update feature for your organizational charts.

Tie the chart to an application for new hires/promotions and the corporate ID system as quickly as possible to ensure charts are updated automatically.

Suggestions: Use one color background for national employees and a second color for international employees.

Take all photos from the corporate ID system; this ensures consistency of scale and protects you against "glamour" shots.

Allow the success of your diversity program to be shown by the organizational chart. If that success is not evident, you have discovered another value-added of the Intranet: Heightened awareness--get on it!

Messages/ Updates

Definition: Messages/Updates pages are a means of alerting employees to new, important information, for example, an acquisition, or the retirement of the CEO.

Guidelines: Messages should appear where everyone goes, i.e., the sign-on page, the stock quotes page, or whatever fits your specific user group.

Suggestions: Have a universally recognized icon for high priority messages, for example, a flashing red memo. When employees see the red memo at sign-on, they know to click on it to get the "hot" message.

Warning: Do not be like the boy who cried wolf; don't misuse this valuable function. That will only lead to predictable employee apathy. Rather, respect the effectiveness of this communication option and keep it strong.

Department-Specific Services

Definition: Department-specific service pages are a great way to both market your services and make them easily available to large numbers of employees. They can also help end many time-consuming phone calls and cut down on inter-office mail. They are workflow enablers.

Guidelines: Make the pages useful; make them reflect and offer your services. For example, the relocation department can have a page offering (with a click on the icon):

A map showing cities with corporate locations.

A link to Chamber of Commerce sites, realtors, etc. in those cities.

A cost of living breakdown for each.

A mortgage calculator to estimate costs of a new home.

A link to the corporate policy on relocation and expenses.

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