Intranet Insights: Learn How To Build A World-Class SharePoint Intranet In 2024

In his keynote address, Mark Kashman, Senior Product Manager at Microsoft, sets the stage for an exciting exploration of how SharePoint is evolving as a central pillar in the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. Kashman highlights SharePoint's pivotal role as a content service and management platform that powers modern intranets. He delves into the integration of AI technologies, like Microsoft Copilot and Viva, and how they are transforming intranet experiences by enabling dynamic, personalized content delivery, seamless collaboration, and enhanced security.

Picture kick-starting an intranet that pulses at the core of your company. Gerry Brimacombe, a virtuoso in intranet development, shares a battle-tested blueprint for making this dream tangible. This session transcends mere layout and development; it's about sparking a fire of participation throughout your entire company. Step into a masterclass where concepts transform into actionable insights, equipping you to create an intranet that’s not just appreciated but indispensable. Skipping this means bypassing the cornerstone of digital workplace triumph.

Session Abstract:

You have decided to leverage SharePoint to take your organization to the next level: it's time to build an intranet. Join intranet specialist and author, Gerry Brimacombe, as he guides you through proven steps he has used to develop hundreds of intranets. This session will guide you to develop a manageable plan, and execute that plan in a way that guarantees success. Gerry will also walk you through a detailed Design process to create an intranet that everyone will love, and use. This session is based on Gerry's intranet build book, SharePoint in Practice.

Embark on a journey to the forefront of innovation with Richard Harbridge, revealing how AI is reshaping intranets in Microsoft 365. This is far beyond a mere update; it's a transformative shift in how we engage employees and propel digital evolution. Unearth innovative approaches to harness AI for forging captivating, tailored employee experiences that propel your organization ahead. This session is your gateway to activating an intranet that optimizes efficiency, transforming it into a crucial asset in your digital toolkit.

Session Abstract:

In the era of digital transformation being led by AI and advances in Employee Experience today, Microsoft 365 intranets have evolved beyond simple information hubs into dynamic platforms that drive engagement, integration, and personalized experiences. With AI technologies like Microsoft Copilot, users and creators are empowered to craft more compelling pages effortlessly, enhancing communication through multi-channel and multi-modal strategies. This session will spotlight how tools such as Viva Connections, Viva Amplify, Viva Engage, Copilot, Copilot for Microsoft 365 and more, can revolutionize the way organizations communicate, engage, and personalize within their digital workplaces.

Join industry expert and Microsoft MVP Richard Harbridge as he shares insights that help organizations harness the full potential of their Microsoft 365 intranet. Richard will dive into the strategic evolution of intranets, highlighting how AI-enhanced platforms and rich Employee experiense are not just transforming intranet strategies but are pivotal in fostering a connected, engaged, and continuously learning workplace environment. Discover how to make your intranet more than an information center—turning it into a cornerstone for achieving business objectives and enhancing organizational culture.

Elevate your SharePoint and Microsoft Teams experience with insights from Nate Chamberlain. Dive into the advanced functionalities and discover how these platforms can work in tandem to boost your organizational efficiency and collaboration. This workshop delves deep into integrating SharePoint's comprehensive content management system with the dynamic communication features of Teams, creating a seamless digital environment that propels your workplace forward. For those committed to achieving excellence in operations, Chamberlain's session is an invaluable opportunity you won't want to miss.

Session Abstract:

In the era of digital collaboration, many organizations grapple with the question: "Do we need a SharePoint Intranet if we already use Microsoft Teams?" This session, "Harmonizing SharePoint Intranets and Microsoft Teams: A Strategic Duo for Every Organization," aims to demystify this dilemma by providing a comprehensive comparison and highlighting the synergistic potential of integrating both platforms, irrespective of organizational size.

Understanding that Microsoft Teams excels as a real-time collaboration tool while SharePoint Intranet serves as a robust repository for knowledge management and corporate communications, this presentation will explore the distinct advantages and limitations of each platform. Attendees will gain insights into how Teams facilitates immediate communication and project collaboration through chat, meetings, and integrated apps, and how SharePoint Intranet offers a structured environment for storing, organizing, and sharing documents and resources on a wider scale.

Key takeaways from this session include:

• Complementary Strengths: An in-depth look at how SharePoint Intranet and Teams complement each other, with SharePoint providing a comprehensive content management system and Teams offering agile communication channels.
• Integration Strategies: Practical strategies for integrating SharePoint with Teams to create a seamless digital workplace that leverages the best features of both platforms, including shared document libraries, intranet pages accessible via Teams, and enhanced search capabilities.
• Enhancing User Adoption: Tips for driving adoption and ensuring users understand the value and functionality of both platforms

By the end of this session, participants will not only understand the unique benefits and challenges associated with Teams and SharePoint but also how to strategically deploy both to create a more connected, efficient, and resilient digital workplace. This session is ideal for IT professionals, digital workplace strategists, and organizational leaders seeking to optimize their collaborative ecosystems and ensure their teams have access to the tools they need to succeed, regardless of their organization's size.]

Eric Riz takes you on a deep dive into the heart of successful SharePoint intranet adoption, where engagement and productivity intersect. Discover practical strategies and insider tips to transform your intranet into the ultimate tool for enhancing collaboration and efficiency. This session is about making your intranet indispensable, ensuring it's not just another platform, but the platform that powers your organizational success.

Session Abstract:

In today's rapidly evolving digital workplace, the adoption of SharePoint as a central intranet platform plays a pivotal role in streamlining communication, enhancing collaboration, and consolidating organizational resources. This session aims to explore comprehensive strategies and best practices for fostering successful SharePoint intranet adoption within organizations. We will delve into the critical aspects of user engagement, change management, and the cultivation of a digital workplace culture that aligns with organizational goals and user needs.

Participants will gain insights into effective planning and implementation approaches that ensure widespread adoption and maximize the intranet's value as a dynamic tool for knowledge sharing, project management, and community building. The session will cover key topics including personalized user experiences, the importance of governance and training, and leveraging SharePoint's versatile features to meet diverse departmental requirements.

Through a blend of theoretical frameworks and practical case studies, attendees will learn how to overcome common adoption challenges, measure success through analytics and feedback, and continuously evolve the intranet to keep pace with organizational growth and technological advancements. This session is designed for IT professionals, project managers, and organizational leaders seeking to enhance their SharePoint intranet's impact on operational efficiency and employee engagement.

Kelly Edinger warmly invites you to delve into the captivating world of Viva Connections, where the power of SharePoint intranet and Teams merge to revolutionize employee engagement. This session is designed to guide you through the seamless integration of Viva, fostering a unified and personalized digital workspace that nurtures and empowers every member of your team, no matter their role or location. Dive into the secrets of utilizing Viva Connections to cultivate a more connected, engaging, and productive digital atmosphere for all.

Session Abstract:

Imagine a vibrant digital plaza where your organization’s heartbeats—SharePoint and Teams—converge. Viva Connections is that magical gateway, connecting the dots for your employees. Viva Connections offers a seamless digital hub that brings together frontline workers and information workers, regardless of their location or device. Viva Connections integrates Microsoft 365 apps and 3rd party tools, delivering personalized news, announcements, and resources directly to employees.

Join us as we explore how Viva Connections empowers organizations to:

1. Tailor Content by Audience: create up to 10 distinct experiences per tenant and tailor further by audience targeting content within each experience.
2. Navigate Content Effortlessly: Provide employees with a unified dashboard to simplify access to news, events, pay & benefits.
3. Connect to Critical Business Applications: Provide quick access to business applications like Workday, ServiceNow, Viva Learning, Shifts, and more.

Get ready to revolutionize employee engagement. Let’s embark on this exciting journey together!

Let's dive into the truth. Join Gerry Brimacombe for a no-holds-barred exploration of two distinct SharePoint intranet development endeavors. We're privileged to welcome David Derby, the driving force behind both projects, now serving with the Nova Scotia Provincial Government. With Gerry as the SharePoint expert and David steering the client's vision, these collaborations spanned diverse landscapes. This session promises an unfiltered examination of successes and stumbling blocks. Embrace the invaluable insights harvested from these experiences—they're the crucial link transforming your plans into tangible successes.

These intranet stories have happy endings, but not without some thrills and chills along the way.

This session offers a unique blend of inspiration and practicality, detailing two real-world success stories of intranet implementation with SharePoint. Learn from the trenches what works and what can go wrong. Learn what it actually takes to design, deploy, and derive value from an intranet that transforms your organizational culture and productivity. If you're looking for a blueprint to intranet success that's honest, proven and innovative, this session is your pivotal turning point.

Session Abstract:

Enter the heart of digital transformation in this compelling case study session led by Gerry Brimacombe, a seasoned intranet specialist. Gerry’s viewpoint will be tempered and enhanced by the client representative and Project Sponsor on both project, David Derby. Through an in-depth walkthrough of real projects, Gerry will reveal how strategic planning, innovative design, and effective engagement practices can turn a vision for an intranet into a reality. This session will explore the challenges faced, solutions implemented, and the remarkable outcomes achieved for a client using SharePoint.

Participants will gain exclusive insights into the project's lifecycle, from initial assessment and planning phases through to execution and beyond. Significant focus will be on what can go wrong and how to resolve those challenges. Discover the pivotal decisions, human connections, tools, and methods that enable Gerry, and you, to deliver SharePoint intranets that meet and exceed client expectations, and enhance collaboration, productivity, and user satisfaction.

This case study is more than an adventure story; it's a blueprint for success. Learn how the principles applied can be tailored to your organization, and what might go wrong. Get a 3D view of the structured yet flexible approach Gerry employs in his comprehensive Build Your Microsoft 365 Intranet Step-By-Step program. Leave with actionable insights and the inspiration to embark on your own journey of intranet excellence.