Intranet for fun

What do you think a company intranet is for? Should it just be official and practical, or should it be personal and fun, maybe even wacky?

I think the main purpose of an intranet is to help staff do their jobs efficiently so it needs to contain information to help them. Having provided that information, I think an intranet can also include less formal items.

I see a number of advantages to a more friendly intranet:

• it can aid staff communication and relationships
• the occasional smile is good for staff productivity!
• higher morale reduces staff turnover and makes it more likely staff will complete tasks rather than watch the clock

So what can be added?

• daily weather updates – practical but nice if staff can see what other offices are experiencing
• tips – could be semi-serious like word of the day or funny or a motivational quote
• photo gallery of staff events and news (work Christmas parties, staff weddings, business launches, award ceremonies)
• tipping competition and results (why limit it to football? Try cricket, basketball, athletics or triathlons)
• information about charities staff/the business are involved in – and links for sponsorship
• menus of local lunch spots
• RSS feed of public transport updates in the area
• funny corner – add those joke, cartoons, etc that everyone will just email each other anyway
• health tips, recipes, office exercises, etc
• interesting seminars, webinars, training courses, etc coming up

They’re just my ideas – what else can you add?