Culture is one of the most important aspects to take into consideration when developing a content management plan. It is also important to note inefficient processes or practices that need improvement. The key is to be respectful of organizational culture and to disrupt workflow as little as possible.
It is also important to realize that change will have to happen in order to implement a content management plan. I like to make changes that mimic a whisper rather than a bulldozer.
Ideas for influencing change:
· Start to influence culture by creating a new employee appealing looking desktop view with links to valuable information and to spaces where they can easily save their content. Spaces should first, be segregated by department and function, but also by personal and professional. This desktop view should be available and waiting for them on their first day after orientation. Some content to include is:
- HR content such as forms and policies
- Department content needed to do their job
- Orientation schedules
- Information, maps and connections to co-workers
- Mentor information
- Bios of department managers, C-Suite
- Basic information about the company
- Maps
- Resources such as where to go for more information or who to talk to for help
Creating a new employee desktop will start the process of tweaking the content management culture. Ideally, existing employees will see that new employees have a great content space and want one as well. Managers may want to roll something out to all on their teams. This is a small piece of the process.
Develop features and functionality, which make tasks such as metadata application more automated
- Button on save page that automatically adds department name to metadata
Consider how content in languages other than English may be affecting search and retrieval
- Does the organization have a policy about creating company content in different languages?
- how much content is in different languages?
- Effect on those creating content in non-English language in terms of search and retrieval
- how does search engine function in non-English languages, in non-Roman alphabets?
- Effect of non-English content on those searching in English in terms of search and retrieval
- Consider primary language for metadata and taxonomy
- is there a need for parallel metadata and taxonomies to accommodate different languages?
Culture develops as a result of the formation of a company, but also independently as the company grows. Different departments can have different traditions and practices around work and personal activities. If your company values preservation of the culture, it is important to take these practices into consideration when organizing company content.
Please contact me to assist with the process of creating a content management plan and infrastructure.