The challenge
With the intranet as SBAB’s primary channel for internal communication, there was a clear need for a digital workplace with a strong cultural function, aligned with the modern organisation. As the shared communication platform for everyone working at SBAB, Booli and Boappa, the intranet needed to reflect company culture and governance, enable intuitive navigation between tools, information and resources, and support employees’ day-to-day work through news, information and digital tools.
– Culture and a sense of belonging were extremely important to us. This was especially true during the pandemic, but it remains just as relevant now that many of us work partly remotely. We wanted the same warm and welcoming feeling that you experience when you step into our offices to be present in our intranet as well, explains Monica Sandgren, Head of Internal Communication at SBAB.
In addition, SBAB launched a new brand platform in 2020 that the previous intranet no longer reflected. This became a key delivery requirement for Consid, alongside the fact that SBAB does not use cloud services for security reasons.
The solution
Following a joint analysis to identify the right approach, Sitevision was selected as the platform. This choice was driven by the high-security requirements, as Sitevision offers the same functionality whether deployed as a cloud service or on-premise, as well as its strong editor-friendly capabilities. The ambition was for all employees to be content editors. Through close digital collaboration with SBAB, we developed a range of features that enable the intranet Helikoptern to truly take off internally.
Simplified access through single sign-on
To make everyday work easier, employees are automatically logged into the intranet and several connected systems as soon as they sign in to their computer, using single sign-on.
Spreading warmth between colleagues
To increase engagement, employees are encouraged to show appreciation for one another directly in the intranet. Through the “5x appreciation” feature, colleagues can send kudos by filling in a simple form that becomes a digital kudos card. Each card includes a photo of the recipient, a personal message and the sender’s name. These cards are displayed on the intranet homepage, creating a positive and welcoming experience every time employees log in.
Getting to know each other through personal profiles
All employees have personal profile pages where, in addition to data from the HR system, they can add information such as language skills and “ask me about”. This makes it easier to get to know colleagues and quickly find the right expertise, supported by the intranet’s powerful search functionality.
Avoiding information overload through personalised content
To reduce information overload and improve clarity, content is personalised based on organisational unit, office location and role. This applies to news as well as curated pages for policies, tools and key resources, ensuring that each employee sees what is most relevant to them.
Highlighting operational updates automatically
By integrating the intranet with business intelligence systems, key metrics and real-time data can be displayed directly on the intranet. Operational messages and system status updates are also automatically published based on cases registered in other systems.
Content quality assurance through customised reminders
Regular content reviews help ensure that information remains accurate and relevant, while keeping content volumes under control. Sitevision includes a basic reminder function that prompts editors to review content annually. Consid extended this functionality by enabling more frequent email reminders and automated follow-ups if content is not reviewed in time.
Creating the right conditions for continuous improvement with Sitevision web analytics
Once the intranet was launched, understanding what works and what does not became essential. Are users finding what they need and getting maximum value? Sitevision Web Analytics provides insights into search behaviour, missing content and optimisation opportunities, creating a solid foundation for ongoing improvement.
– The entire project journey was a true collaboration where we worked as one team. It was an intensive project with high ambitions, which made it crucial to get design and UX right early so the developers could move forward efficiently. There were many internal review rounds, with Monica and SBAB acting as a strong and engaged counterpart, says Ann Svalling, Project Manager at Consid.
The result
Helikoptern was launched in September 2021 and has resulted in a significant step forward for SBAB, according to Monica Sandgren. Internal surveys linked to the Web Service Index show that employees are highly positive about the new intranet in terms of usability, usefulness, information quality, design and accessibility.
Results from SBAB’s internal survey in 2022, linked to the Web Service Index:
– With our new intranet, we have taken a major leap forward. We ran a survey in 2018 and another in 2022, and our scores have improved significantly. Previously, we were below average. Now we are above average in most areas. We are not in the top five yet, but we will see what we can achieve as we continue to develop the platform. It feels incredibly rewarding, says Monica Sandgren.
What SBAB is most proud of with the new intranet
The intranet clearly reflects SBAB’s identity and attitude. Its structure and content are inclusive, supporting continuous learning, pride and an attractive workplace. Culture and values are embedded throughout the experience, from content and design to functionality.
– What we are most proud of, and where we have improved the most, is how Helikoptern reflects our company culture. That was our biggest pain point from the start, and this is where we have truly made progress. From 27 to 79, an increase of 52 points, says Monica Sandgren.
Today, the intranet serves as a shared entry point for information, policies, routines and tools related to employees’ daily work. It is a central hub where information is easy to find and search, with personalisation creating relevance for each individual.
– Our highest score in the survey relates to information quality, that it is up-to-date. It is great confirmation that our structured approach has paid off. We reviewed and quality-assured everything we migrated. The score increased from 49 to 90, an improvement of 41 points. In addition, more employees now find information faster, improving from 33 to 53. A clear step forward.
The intranet also enables employees to share relevant workplace and business information, creating a holistic overview and encouraging engagement through likes, shares and comments.
– “Does the intranet meet expectations?” We saw a major improvement here, from 21 to 68, an increase of 47 points. There is still more to do, but now we have a platform we can truly grow with, one that generates enthusiasm and joy. The next step is to help Helikoptern fly even higher, concludes Monica.
