We live and work in times of boom and bust. Even when the economy travels well, there are stresses and strains in our working lives. However, if the economy takes a sudden dive, then the impact on organisations is likely to require us thinking and reaction beyond the ‘business as usual’ approach.

Of course, the crisis does not have to be on a national or global level – individual organisations can suddenly be faced with all kinds of operational hurdles. A falling share price, cash flow problems or a change in top management may lead to a u-turn in organisational direction.

The strategies organisations employ in managing change at such times maybe innovative but too often they are reactive and unimaginative. It is common for organisations to revert to the usual approaches of cost and staff number reductions and organisational restructuring.

And what are the implications for intranets when this occurs?

Inevitably, there are impacts on the corporate intranet. These impacts may be direct reductions in intranet resources or funding, or more indirect effects, such as increased workloads caused by fewer content authors, or cancellation of new projects.

Look for opportunities

The impact that a crisis has on an intranet is likely to reflect the value the intranet has within the organisation. Does senior management consider the intranet a core business tool or is it still considered a ‘nice to have’?

[November KM Column by Amanda Broomhall, read the full article]