Well... Hello DOLi!

I think even Broadway legends Jerry Herman and Michael Stewart would be proud. In a plot twist worthy of a great Broadway musical, the New York State Department of Labor had always had challenges with our Intranet, but during the pandemic it only got worse.

Our existing SharePoint intranet was playing the villain - cumbersome, unreliable, and about as popular as a bad review on opening night. It was clear we needed a show-stopping change to foster better communication and collaboration across our 100 offices statewide. This is the story of our journey from flop to hit, as we successfully transitioned to ThoughtFarmer , launching our new intranet star, the Department of Labor Intranet (DOLi). So, let's raise the curtain on this tale and you can learn how we turned our intranet from a tragedy into a smash hit!

Identifying the Need for Change: Before the Parade Passes By

The limitations of our SharePoint intranet were as evident as a flop on opening night. Employees struggled with ease of use, information retrieval, and reliability, often opting to avoid the platform altogether - it was clear our intranet needed a big upgrade to meet our evening changing needs. During the pandemic, these issues were exacerbated, highlighting the urgent need for a more effective solution. We had identified a great solution platform known for its user-friendly interface, quick setup, and cost-effectiveness. It was already receiving rave reviews at the former workplace of our manager leading the innovation effort. It was the right solution for our business needs.

Transitioning to ThoughtFarmer: A Broadway-Worthy Performance

Our transition strategy was as straightforward as Dolly Levi's matchmaking plans: abandon the old SharePoint site and raise the curtain on the new one. We cast key players from each program area, assigning them roles as team captains to oversee the information relevant to their specific sectors. Like a well-edited script, we identified only "must-have" information for migration. This made our go-live moment a relatively easy milestone. I still cannot believe we launched our new intranet in nearly record time.

?

Gaining Stakeholder Buy-In: A Standing Ovation

Securing buy-in from stakeholders (our employees) was as effortless as Dolly Levi descending the grand staircase at the Harmonia Gardens. The widespread dissatisfaction with the old intranet made the transition a welcome change by all. We showcased the benefits of the new intranet to stakeholders and they quickly saw the benefit. The ease and functionality of use was so simple. And the benefits that could be gained in a short period of time were obvious to all.

Implementing DOLi: It Only Takes a Moment

"It Only Takes a Moment" could have been the theme song for our implementation. Its turnkey nature required minimal customization, allowing us to focus much of our attention on the training and support ok stakeholders. We provided extensive coaching to our "lead actors" - the team leaders in each program area - and conducted various sessions for our "supporting cast" across the department. The new system naturally encouraged employee engagement, and we implemented regular surveys to gather feedback, ensuring our show would have a long and successful run.

Measuring Success and Impact: Rave Reviews

We measure DOLi's success through simple metrics. Open comments on DOLi encourage communication across all levels. DOLi dramatically increased our internal communication and collaboration. It does this by allowing us to tailor content to specific staff in different offices, regions, and job titles. The positive impact on workplace culture has been undeniable, providing employees with an easy and effective way to engage with one another, creating a harmony as beautiful as any Broadway ensemble.

?

Overcoming Challenges: The Show Must Go On

The primary challenge in launching DOLi was obtaining the various approvals from the larger state environment to deviate from SharePoint - our equivalent of convincing producers to back an unconventional show. However, once this hurdle was cleared, the implementation proceeded as smoothly as a well-rehearsed performance. In hindsight, my only regret was not making the switch sooner - we could have been selling out shows much earlier!?

Staffing for Success: Assembling the Cast

Just as a Broadway show relies on a talented cast to bring its story to life, the success of DOLi depends on having the right staff to manage and curate its content. Our team captains, much like lead actors, were carefully chosen for their expertise and enthusiasm. They played a pivotal role in overseeing the information relevant to their specific sectors, ensuring that content was not only accurate but also resonated with our diverse audience. By assembling a dedicated content team, we ensured that DOLi could deliver a performance worthy of a standing O. And speaking of a talented Team, Jill Aurora leads up ours along with Nicole Graf and Deb Handy, MS . The platform is solid, but it is only as good as the content created for it. I am biased, but our Team and content are first class.

Lessons Learned and Advice for Others: Before the Parade Passes By

The transition to ThoughtFarmer has been a resounding success, with our investment paying off many times over. For anyone considering a similar transition for their workplace, especially in today's remote work environment, keeping employees connected is as crucial as keeping an audience engaged. ThoughtFarmer can address a significant part of this challenge, as evidenced by the numerous employee testimonials praising DOLi's impact - our very own five-star reviews.

In conclusion, the launch of DOLi has been a pivotal step in rebuilding our internal communication infrastructure. By embracing innovation and prioritizing user-friendly solutions, we have created a platform that not only meets our current needs but also positions us for future success. As Dolly Levi would say, we're "back where we belong," leading the parade in effective internal communication.