Intranet managers deserve an award
Nominations are being accepted for the Intranet Now Diamond Award. This is a recognition given by the organisers of the Intranet Now conference, Wedge Black and Bian Lamb for somebody who has made a ‘remarkable contribution to the intranet community’.
As former winners, both myself and Martin White are on the panel, but what’s nice about the award is that it is really down to Wedge and Brian to decide who gets it – there are no sponsors, votes (or dare I say, referendum?) to complicate the choice.
What stands out about the intranet community is that is very inclusive. In part I think it’s because many people who work on intranets have few peers in their own company, so they appreciate the opportunity to share. Moreover, I’ve never had a party conversation that went:
“So what do you do?”
“I work on corporate intranets”
“Get away! That must be fascinating, let me get you another drink so I can hear more”.
(More fool them, because if I’m not talking about intranets I usually switch to cycling which is even less interesting to non-participants). But it does mean that when intranet managers get together they’re normally really keen to talk shop, and that’s what the Intranet Now conference facilitates so well.
As the first two winners have both been intranet consultants, I would personally love it if we could recognise a practitioner this year. The person getting the award needs to be someone who has contributed significantly to the intranet community in some way. This might be about sharing what they do in blogs or speaking, or being active networker or simply someone who consistently helps others to learn about intranets. So please, have a think and let Wedge and Brian know who to shortlist.
