Fresh Perspectives: Living in the reality of SharePoint intranets

In this episode of Fresh Perspectives, David Bowman (Product Director for Fresh) and Jarbas Horst (Senior Product Manager for Fresh) take on the recurring question: “Why is my SharePoint a mess?” Drawing on their deep experience in digital workplace solutions and recent conversations at industry conferences, they share insights into why so many organizations struggle with managing SharePoint effectively. David and Jarbas quickly establish that even though SharePoint is widely adopted and accessible, its flexibility can lead to significant challenges when not guided by a strategic approach.

A central theme throughout the discussion is the importance of gove...

SharePoint intranet search - why do you hate me?

This provocative question resonates with many SharePoint users. At events, when we ask people if they love SharePoint, search is often cited as a pain point in their intranet experience.

This is why in this episode of Fresh Perspectives, Jarbas Horst and David Bowman dive into the complexities of the search experience within SharePoint Intranet and Microsoft 365.

They explore why many users feel frustrated with the existing search functionality and discuss potential solutions for improving search quality within the...

In this episode of Fresh Perspectives, David and Jarbas explore the essential role of intranets in modern organizations. They discuss how intranets, particularly SharePoint intranets, enhance employee engagement, streamline communication, and boost productivity.

David and Jarbas share real-world examples and insights on why every business, regardless of size, needs a modern intranet. They delve into the evolution of SharePoint, highlighting its flexible layouts, AI functionalities, and seamless integration with Microsoft Teams. The episode also covers the significant impact of high employee engagement on financial performance, backed by data from Microsoft's Work Trend Index.

In this episode of Fresh Perspectives, David and Jarbas delve into the evolving landscape of SharePoint intranets and the transformative power of AI. 

Sharing  their experiences from recent events, including the Microsoft AI Tour and the Ragan AI Horizons event in Miami, they discuss the varying levels of AI adoption among organizations and the importance of change management, training, and clear communication to ensure successful AI integration. 

One of the key topics covered is the introduction of SharePoint Copilot agents, which allow users to create agents for documents, list libraries, and sites...

In this episode of Fresh Perspectives, David and Jarbas engage with Cai Kjaer, the co-founder of Swoop Analytics, to explore the critical role of measurement in workplace environments with a particular focus on enhancing employee engagement. 

Cai, who has a rich background in analytics and internal collaboration, provides insights into the need for communicators to understand your organisation's current position via metrics to effectively navigate and improve communication strategies. 

The discussion highlights the tangible link between investments in digital channels, like intranets and community-based systems, and employee engagement, emphasizing the importance of t...

In this episode of Fresh Perspectives, David Bowman and Jarbas Horst are joined by Manesh Mistry, Copilot Technical Specialist at Microsoft, to explore the functionalities and developments of Microsoft Copilot. 

David and Jarbas set the stage for a detailed discussion about how Copilot is revolutionizing the integration of generative AI with Microsoft 365 applications such as Teams, Word, and Excel. 

The episode opens with introductions and quickly dives into the core topic, providing listeners with foundational knowledge about what Copilot is and how it's being used in today’s digital workplaces.

In this episode of Fresh Perspectives, Jarbas Horst and David Bowman welcome the new year with predictions and insights for 2025.

They begin with Viva Engage, predicting its continued momentum owing to Microsoft’s consistent improvements and the tool’s ease of integration within organizations. When combined with SharePoint and Teams, Viva Engage creates a powerful platform for enterprise social networking, enhancing community building and content collaboration.

The conversation then shifts to the evolution of SharePoint into a modern web publishing tool. Jarbas and David highlight new features such as custom fonts, flexib...

In this episode of Fresh Perspectives, Jarbas Horst and David Bowman are joined by Madeleine Ryderheim, Head of Product Operations at Fresh Intranet. They discuss why solutions like Fresh exist alongside SharePoint and explore SharePoint's need for extensive configuration to be user-friendly.

Madeleine shares how Fresh enhances SharePoint with better interfaces, content aggregation, and advanced tools like editorial calendars and search functionalities. They also highlight the strategic use of FreshMind - intranet AI features to improve search within SharePoint, and emphasize client feedback in product development.

The episode covers balancing market de...

In today’s fast-paced tech landscape, even intranets need an upgrade. But do we really need modern intranets in an era dominated by AI? The AI Intranet episode dives into why companies should rethink their employee experiences and how AI can take them to the next level. We discuss real-world scenarios where AI transforms intranets into smarter, more intuitive spaces that boost productivity. Plus, we explore the potential of Copilot agents and the unique benefits they offer, helping users work more efficiently and collaboratively.  
Follow and subscribe for insights on how AI is changing the way we connect and...

In this episode of 'Fresh Perspectives: Living in the Reality of SharePoint Intranets,' hosts David Bowman and Jarbas Horst dive deep into the complexities of using SharePoint as an intranet platform. They explore the root causes behind some of these challenges and share practical tips and insights to help you overcome them. Whether you're an intranet manager, HR leader, IT professional, or business executive, this episode offers valuable strategies to enhance your SharePoint experience. Tune in to discover how to tackle SharePoint intranet hurdles effectively and make your digital workplace thrive. 

 Need to use a SharePoint intranet? When all information available is overly technical or negative, turn to Fresh Perspectives: Living in the reality of SharePoint intranets. We provide useful, jargon-free insights and real-world examples to help you maximize the benefits of SharePoint intranets and tackle its challenges.