Virgin Media Ireland: Delivering digital transformation with a Microsoft 365 intranet

Virgin Media Ireland (VMIE) is the leading connected entertainment cable and broadcast business in Ireland and employs around 1,000 people.

VMIE’s internal communications team came to Sequel to upgrade their top-heavy and clunky intranet to help enhance their employee engagement tools.

And as VMIE IT started exploring Microsoft 365, the IC team wanted to know if it might fit the bill for internal communications too.

Sequel made the complex technical elements relatable and understandable.

Interactive workshops brought Microsoft 365 to life for the IC team, helping them understand how to get the most out of the apps for internal communication purposes.

Using Sequel’s channel map process, together we selected the right combination of tools to create a bespoke digital workplace matrix. To tie it all together, we created a custom-built SharePoint landing page, with quick links to all the different apps and internal communication tools. An intranet audit identified the content that would be brought over from the old space.

Training sessions, and walk-through videos and guides, helped to train content owners in how to use SharePoint, and employees in how to make the most of the new tools. We also advised line managers and members of the champions network on how to help embed new behaviours into the business.

And the training activity was complemented by a communications campaign that made use of existing and new channels.

From day one to launch was just over three months.

In an employee engagement survey a few days after launch, 91% of employees had visited the new intranet; and 81% said the new suite was giving them the tools they need to stay connected.

One year after launch, 84% said they have the digital internal communication tools they need to do their job well; 93% said they have the digital tools to stay connected to their colleagues wherever they are; and 77% said they got enough support with the migration to 365. Overall, 95% of respondents were satisfied with the new approach to internal communications.