Fresh Perspectives: Living in the reality of SharePoint intranets

S2: Ep 13 | Content Hoarders Anonymous with Advania UK 30.06.2026 27min

David Bowman hosts Shannon Ford and Zoe Bennett, Solutions Consultants at Advania UK, for an in-depth discussion on content migration challenges and strategies. Shannon and Zoe share insights from massive migrations including 20 terabyte projects and SharePoint 2016 to online transitions. They reveal why the biggest migrations are often easier than smaller ones and discuss the common discovery of decades-old content like Christmas party photos from 2009. The conversation explores how migration projects evolve from initial IT requests to complex organizational change initiatives. Shannon and Zoe explain why talking to actual content owners across departments is crucial rather than relying solely on high-level project teams. They discuss the balance between manual recreation of intranet pages versus automated document migration tools, and why permissions management becomes increasingly critical with Copilot integration. The consultants emphasize that successful migrations require internal communication, content cleanup, and treating the project as organizational change rather than just a technical exercise. Key topics covered: [00:00] Intro [01:25] Biggest migration experiences [03:03] Legacy SharePoint content discoveries [05:05] Customer expectations vs reality [07:50] Content owner knowledge gaps [10:09] Common migration challenges [12:26] Metadata importance for search [14:42] AI Copilot content quality requirements [16:53] Migration tools and approaches [19:16] Manual vs automated methods [21:16] Where migrations go wrong [23:34] Success preparation strategies [25:55] Digital strategy importance Learn how proper planning and stakeholder engagement can transform content migration from a technical headache into a strategic advantage for your organization.

S2: Ep 12 | How Forvis Mazars managed a global rebrand through their SharePoint intranet with Andy Hall 12.05.2026 36min

Jarbas Horst and David Bowman from Fresh Intranet welcome Andy Hall, Knowledge Transformation Manager at Forvis Mazars, for a deep dive into managing SharePoint intranets through major organizational change. Andy shares his journey from the company's rebrand from RSM to joining the global Forvis network, including a complex tenant migration that affected 3,500 employees across multiple countries. Andy reveals how the Hive intranet became central to change management during the acquisition, supporting everything from document rebranding to employee communications. He discusses practical strategies including using SharePoint web parts for governance oversight, creating centralized FAQ pages with curated search, and implementing taxonomy tags to track rebranding progress across 250 content editors. The conversation covers the challenges of maintaining content quality during rapid organizational change and how proper governance creates a foundation for AI implementation. Andy's experience demonstrates how SharePoint intranets can effectively support organizations through acquisitions, rebrands, and complex migrations when backed by solid governance frameworks.

S2: Ep 11 | The One Where SharePoint Turns 25 14.04.2026 37min

SharePoint just celebrated its 25th anniversary with Microsoft's biggest announcement in years. The new SharePoint experience introduces a refreshed navigation bar that follows you everywhere, featuring discover, publish, and build capabilities that transform how teams work with content and AI. Jarbas Horst and David Bowman break down the major changes including the rebranded SharePoint AI, new skills functionality, and how the E7 license makes AI more accessible. They explore what this means for organizations considering building their own intranet solutions versus using third-party products. The conversation covers whether AI automation will eventually replace the need for specialized SharePoint vendors, the importance of ongoing maintenance and ownership, and why creating something once is very different from sustaining it long-term.

S2: Ep 10 | Intranet predictions for 2026 04.03.2026 31min

David Bowman and Jarbas Horst from Fresh Intranet share their bold predictions for workplace technology in 2026. The conversation reveals three major shifts that will reshape how organizations operate and communicate internally.The duo explores the growing threat of AI generated content flooding workplaces and social media platforms, creating what they call AI slop that risks losing employee attention entirely. They discuss how Microsoft 365 organizations will drive software consolidation as Copilot becomes central to workplace AI strategy, forcing companies to evaluate whether external systems can justify their costs when they lack AI integration. David and Jarbas also examine how internal communications roles will become heavily AI augmented, with agents handling sentiment analysis, content prioritization, and even autonomous task execution.

S2: Ep 9 | Putting people first with Christiaan Lustig 11.02.2026 44min

David Bowman and Jarbas Horst from Fresh Intranet sit down with Christiaan Lustig, intranet and digital workplace consultant and author, to explore what digital employee experience really means. Christiaan explains why his definition puts employee needs first, arguing that great digital employee experience is the sum total of all digital interactions where the needs and expectations of employees come first. The conversation covers how intranets serve as horizontal platforms that bridge organizational silos, the importance of talking directly to employees before implementing new tools, and why resistance to digital tools often signals the wrong tool or wrong implementation approach. Christiaan shares practical advice on using personas to make employee insights tangible and discusses how AI will change digital workplace interactions through conversational interfaces while exposing poor content management practices. Key topics covered: [00:00] Intro [01:29] Writing a book on digital employee experience [04:04] Defining digital employee experience beyond technology [05:15] Business benefits of employee-focused design [08:43] Organizations actively pursuing DEX improvements [12:28] Internet's role as horizontal platform [16:07] Organization size boundaries for DEX [17:56] Formal recognition of digital employee experience [21:45] Integration strategies based on employee journeys [25:06] Handling resistance to new digital tools [29:35] Listening to employee needs effectively [31:54] AI's impact on digital employee experience [36:33] Future of DEX in next 5 years [41:01] First steps for improving employee experience A must-listen for anyone working to improve their organization's digital workplace through employee-centered design.

S2: Ep 8 | Behind the ClearBox report with Suzie Robinson 21.01.2026 43min

Jarbas and David from Fresh Perspectives sit down with Suzie Robinson from ClearBox Consulting to explore the comprehensive process behind the 900-page ClearBox Report. Suzie explains how her team conducts 3.5-hour product demos, scores vendors across 8 business scenarios, and maintains the delicate balance between honest reviews and vendor relationships while keeping this valuable resource free for organizations. The conversation covers ClearBox's rigorous fact-checking process, the evolution from analytics as a standalone scenario to integrated workflow assessments, and how customer service has become increasingly crucial in vendor selection. Suzie shares insights on AI trends in the digital employee experience space, discussing how platforms are moving beyond basic generative features toward more supportive governance and lifecycle management tools that truly benefit organizations.

S2: Ep 7 | A Fresh Perspectives take-over: How to build community 26.11.2025 41min

Building a successful community isn't about gathering large numbers of people in one place. It's about creating meaningful connections that drive real business outcomes. Former Microsoft MVP program leader Laurie Pottmeyer shares her proven strategies for building communities that actually work.Laurie spent nearly two decades at Microsoft developing some of their most successful community programs, including the Microsoft 365 MVP program. She reveals the critical difference between connection and momentum, and why most community building efforts fail before they even begin.The conversation covers everything from getting executive buy-in and measuring ROI to choosing the right tools and maintaining consistent engagement. You'll learn why purpose beats participation, how to identify your community champions, and the three essential elements every successful community needs from day one.Whether you're building an internal champions program or an external customer community, this episode provides a practical roadmap for creating communities that deliver measurable value to both members and organizations.

S2: Ep 6 | From Portals to Copilot with Microsoft's Kripal Kavi 12.11.2025 44min

Fresh Perspectives hosts Jarbas Horst and David Bowman sit down with Kripal Kavi, Principal Group Product Manager at Microsoft, who leads product development for SharePoint experiences including sites, pages, the new Amplify space, and SPFx. Kripal manages an impressive portfolio spanning both mature products serving hundreds of millions of users and zero-to-one initiatives, giving him a unique perspective on product strategy at massive scale. The conversation explores SharePoint's role as the foundational fabric of Microsoft 365, where it serves as the primary content source for Copilot and supports everything from simple intranet publishing to complex workflow automation.Kripal discusses Microsoft's vision for SharePoint's future, emphasizing the balance between AI-powered conversational interfaces and traditional visual UX design. He shares insights on common misconceptions about SharePoint, particularly how many users still think of it as the early 2000s product rather than the modern, flexible platform it has become. The discussion covers Microsoft's approach to simplifying SharePoint while maintaining its powerful capabilities, the importance of keeping enterprise content consolidated for AI effectiveness, and how third-party partners play a crucial role in extending SharePoint's value for specific customer needs.Key topics covered:[00:00] Intro[01:31] Most Exciting SharePoint Projects[04:13] Managing Massive Scale Challenges[05:42] Picking Favorite Features[08:35] SharePoint's Role in Microsoft 365[12:53] Underappreciated SharePoint Strengths[16:26] Evolution vs Revolution Question[20:35] Future of User Interfaces[24:37] Making Intranets More Successful[29:36] Third Party Solutions Discussion[31:01] Changing SharePoint Perceptions[35:53] Future SharePoint Direction[39:39] SharePoint Myths to Bust[41:01] Favorite Apps and ToolsA fascinating look inside Microsoft's product strategy for one of the enterprise world's most foundational platforms.

S2: Ep 5 | Mission: Possible! Intranets with Daniel Amaro 28.10.2025 34min

Daniel Amaro from Klarinet Solutions shares 27 years of hard-won wisdom about what makes intranet projects succeed or fail. From his base in San Diego, Daniel has delivered hundreds of intranet projects and reveals the 3 critical elements every organization needs before starting their digital workplace journey. The biggest surprise? It's not about the technology. Organizations that focus on executive sponsorship, dedicated champions, and content strategy see dramatically better outcomes than those who jump straight into features and functionality.

S2: Ep 4 | The evolution of SharePoint as a platform, with Mark Kashman 15.10.2025 58min

Mark Kashman spent over a decade inside Microsoft working on SharePoint, from the early days of SharePoint 2007 to becoming the first product manager for SharePoint Online. Now as an independent consultant, he shares insights that only come from being on the engineering side of one of the world's most widely used platforms. In this conversation, Mark breaks down the evolution of SharePoint from a document storage system requiring a "SharePoint PhD" to the modern collaboration platform that now powers Microsoft Teams, Lists, Loop, and countless other applications. He explains why SharePoint succeeded by being both an application and a platform, and how this flexibility creates both opportunities and challenges for organizations. The discussion covers the reality of intranet ownership, from governance planning to the never-ending nature of digital workplace evolution. Mark shares surprising use cases he's encountered, from managing 500 delivery trucks with Funko Pop shipments to massive enterprise deployments with pixel-perfect branding requirements. We explore the future of digital workplaces in an AI-driven world, examining how Copilot and similar tools will complement rather than replace traditional intranet experiences. Mark explains the crucial difference between pull-based AI interactions and the push-based communication that organizations still need for announcements, training, and company-wide initiatives.

S2: Ep 3 | Behind DLA Piper's SharePoint intranet success, with Alex Peers 01.10.2025 36min

David Bowman and Jarbas Horst speak with Alex Peers, Intranet Content Manager at DLA Piper, about transforming corporate communications through storytelling on SharePoint. Alex manages the intranet for 7000 people across multiple countries at the global law firm, turning what could be dry corporate content into engaging human stories. Alex explains how DLA Piper moved beyond traditional corporate jargon 18 months ago by applying external storytelling techniques internally. The team operates like a news desk, creating compelling content about colleagues from a German partner who referees Bundesliga matches to a lawyer who appeared on the Swedish version of Survivor. This approach has significantly improved engagement rates while subtly reinforcing company values without forcing vision statements down people's throats. Key topics covered: [00:00] Intro [02:07] SharePoint Migration to Cloud Strategy [03:25] Internet as Central Hub for 7000 Employees [04:16] Human-Centered Storytelling Approach Transforms Corporate Communications [05:50] Swedish Survivor Story Hooks Employees [07:32] Building a Collaborative News Desk Team [08:52] Managing Global Audience Across Multiple Regions [11:12] Flexible Tools Enable Quick Response Changes [12:25] Relationship-Based Feedback Over Forms [15:52] Balancing Compliance with People-Oriented Culture [18:12] Automated Content Management Reduces Manual Work [20:46] Power BI Dashboard Transforms Analytics [25:32] Microsoft 365 Integration Benefits [28:10] AI Copilot Empowers Non-Technical Users [30:53] Future Vision Beyond Browser-Based Intranets [34:05] Always Be a Student Mindset The conversation explores balancing global content needs with local office requirements, using Power Automate for content governance, and measuring success through relationships rather than just analytics. Alex shares insights on preparing for AI agents and the future where intranets may not require traditional web browsers at all.

S2: Ep 2 | How to build a people-first intranet in SharePoint with Abby Webster 18.09.2025 45min

Abby Webster from TD Bank shares how they transformed a frustrating 150000-page intranet system into a streamlined platform that 95000 employees actually love using. From handling 1 million daily visits to seamlessly integrating social collaboration, discover the strategic decisions that made their SharePoint-based solution a massive success.

S2: Ep 1 | The SharePoint intranet saga continues 04.09.2025 24min

David Bowman and Jarbas Horst return for Season 2 of Fresh Perspectives, diving into the latest SharePoint drama that unfolded while David was on vacation. Microsoft introduced new page templates that disappeared almost immediately after user backlash, plus a mysterious AI quick actions button that's now floating on every SharePoint site.The hosts share real feedback from recent conferences where SharePoint vendors face the same response - users saying "no" when asked if they like SharePoint. They discuss the reality of boring, disconnected experiences that plague large organizations, especially when relying on out-of-the-box features.Fresh Intranet's parent company Advania UK completed major acquisitions, creating a 450 million pound revenue business with over 1500 employees and 10,000 customers. Meanwhile, ChatGPT-5 launched with more natural conversations now available in Microsoft Copilot.

Ep 12 | The reality of SharePoint intranets: Season 1 Wrapped 25.06.2025 24min

In this season finale of Fresh Perspectives, Jarbas and David reflect on the standout moments and key lessons from their first twelve episodes.From reflecting on how the podcasting journey pushed them out of their comfort zones, to sharing their most memorable highlights - this episode revisits the episodes that explored 2025 trends, the evolving role of AI and Copilot, and standout guest appearances from industry voices like Kai at Swoop Analytics and Manesh Mistry from Microsoft.Tune in for the full episode for a few sneak peeks and exciting plans for Season 2.------------------That’s a wrap for Season 1 🎉Thank you for your support, feedback, and brilliant questions.We’re taking a short break to gear up for Season 2, meanwhile follow us on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/fresh-digital-workplace/] for more insights on all things SharePoint intranets and employee experience.

Ep 11 | Microsoft 365 Community Conference: The Recap 05.06.2025 36min

In this episode of Fresh Perspectives, Jarbas Horst, senior product manager, and David Bowman, product director for Fresh Intranet, kick things off by celebrating a significant milestone: Fresh Intranet’s recent recognition by Clearbox as an award-winning solution in the digital workplace space. They reflect on what set their product apart, notably its tight integration with SharePoint and Microsoft features, enhanced news and content management, and impressive AI capabilities in search and information management.A central focus of the episode is on the major takeaways from the Microsoft 365 Community Conference in Las Vegas, which David recently attended. The hosts delve into the vibrant community exchange at the event, highlighting the latest trends around Microsoft Copilot and AI advancements. They discuss new Copilot features such as research agents and image creation, as well as SharePoint’s evolution toward more beautiful and dynamic site designs. The conversation touches on the practical challenges of governance, the importance of design expertise, and how tools like Viva Amplify are reshaping internal communications within Microsoft 365.The episode also explores broader shifts in the enterprise collaboration landscape, especially with the growing importance of Viva Engage as organizations transition away from platforms like Workplace by Meta. Jarvis and David examine Microsoft’s new “Frontier Firm” concept and the stages of AI adoption in organizations—from initial individual use to more advanced, agent-driven automation. Throughout, the hosts leverage their deep expertise to provide listeners with thoughtful commentary on the future of digital workplaces, the potential of AI, and the evolving needs of internal communicators and community builders.

Ep 10 | Why Is My SharePoint a Mess? 08.05.2025 32min

In this episode of Fresh Perspectives, David Bowman and Jarbas Horst tackle the ever-present challenge of managing SharePoint effectively. They explore why organizations often struggle with cluttered and chaotic SharePoint environments, emphasizing that while the platform offers extensive flexibility, its lack of structure can quickly lead to confusion. With insights from their experience in digital workplace solutions and recent industry events, they highlight the critical role of governance, planning, and strategic oversight in ensuring a well-organized digital workspace.David and Jarbas also discuss the latest SharePoint enhancements, such as AI-powered Design Ideas, flexible layouts, and Copilot-driven page creation, noting that while these features add power and versatility, they require thoughtful implementation to avoid sprawl. They conclude with actionable advice, encouraging organizations to establish clear guidelines, templates, and approval workflows before adopting new capabilities. Ultimately, they stress that investing in governance, planning, and user education is essential for leveraging SharePoint’s potential while maintaining clarity and control.Listen to the full episode of Fresh Perspectives for more real-world advice from David Bowman and Jarbas Horst.✨ Let's connect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/fresh-digital-workplace

Ep 9 | SharePoint intranet search - why do you hate me? 09.04.2025 33min

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 intranet, including the role of governance, generative AI, and customizable options. Whether you're struggling with your current search system or just curious about optimizing your SharePoint experience, this episode is packed with practical insights for you and your team. Happy listening!

Ep 8 | The benefits of intranets 26.03.2025 31min

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. Tune in to learn how intranets can transform your organization's digital workplace, improve onboarding processes, and foster a more connected and efficient work environment.💜If you want to love SharePoint, we want to talk to you Get in Touch - Fresh Intranet

Ep 7 | AI for SharePoint Intranets revisited 19.03.2025 29min

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 within SharePoint. These agents can be integrated into Teams discussions, providing valuable insights and facilitating more efficient collaboration. Follow and subscribe for insights on the future of SharePoint intranets and the role of AI in enhancing the employee experience.

Ep 6 | How to measure effective communication in the workplace with Cai Kjaer 26.02.2025 50min

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 tracking successful initiatives to ensure a good return on investment. Cai introduces the "Seven Collaboration Habits" framework to describe collaboration behaviors and preferences within organizations, such as the use of email, chat, and intranet. By exploring these habits, our guest sheds light on the common challenges organizations face with data utilization and measurement, providing practical guidance on effectively leveraging analytics to drive employee engagement and align with strategic organizational goals. Listen to the full episode now to unlock strategies for improving communication, engagement, and productivity in your workplace.✨Let's connect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/fresh-digital-workplace