A bit of background
Diakonie Michaelshoven e.V. is a nonprofit organization based in Germany with around 2,800 employees. As a large social services provider, clear and engaging communication is essential to connect teams, share knowledge, and support daily work across diverse roles. With their MIKA intranet built on Powell, the organization continuously looks for innovative ways to inform and inspire employees. Beyond simply publishing content, the goal is to create moments of engagement that bring people together and make digital tools meaningful in everyday work.
Their challenges
The team wanted to achieve more than just another seasonal campaign. They had two core objectives. First, they aimed to demonstrate how AI, and especially Copilot, could practically support everyday work. Many colleagues had heard about AI but had not yet experimented with it. The team wanted to lower the barrier, provide relatable examples, and encourage hands-on exploration.
Second, they sought to maintain excitement and joy around using the intranet. Regular information is important, but seasonal highlights can strengthen engagement and create shared experiences across the organization. The challenge was to design an initiative that would:
- Showcase AI in a practical and accessible way
- Encourage experimentation with Copilot
- Increase intranet visibility and usage
- Create a shared, positive experience during a busy pre-Christmas period
- Be manageable using existing Powell features
Their solution
The answer was an AI-assisted Advent calendar story published on the MIKA intranet in December. Each day, employees could open a new virtual calendar door revealing the next chapter of an interactive story. The narrative was based on true events, and the protagonists were real colleagues who became part of the storyline. Every chapter provided new clues that helped employees solve a case, turning the calendar into a daily puzzle.
Copilot supported content creation, tone structure, and idea generation for the narrative.
Widgets and teaser tiles created a visually engaging and automated entry point.
A gamified experience where real colleagues became the heroes of a daily mystery.
At the end of the story, a Christmas greeting and a message from the Executive Board awaited participants, adding a meaningful and personal touch. Powell’s flexible components played a central role:
- Widgets and teaser tiles created a visually engaging entry point
- Scheduled content ensured that new chapters were published automatically each day
- Interactive elements encouraged daily visits and participation
- Copilot support helping the team craft the storyline and experiment with tone and structure
📊 The key highlights
Most visited area of the intranet in December
Increased visibility of the platform throughout the campaign
Digital curiosity and AI adoption growing rapidly
Although the campaign focused primarily on engagement and innovation, it delivered clear qualitative impact. Many colleagues reported that the project motivated them to try Copilot and explore AI features for the first time. The initiative not only entertained but also strengthened digital adoption.
Results
The Advent calendar story achieved something rare. It combined technology, creativity, and human connection. Employees returned daily to follow the story and solve the mystery. Seeing real colleagues as characters made the experience personal and relatable.
“For me, the project proved how much potential lies in experimenting with AI and platforms like Powell. With a bit of courage, humor, and curiosity, we can create experiences that inspire others to try new tools themselves. It was a great example of how innovation can start small but have a big impact.”
— Julia Hoffmann, Innovation & Organizational Development, Diakonie Michaelshoven
“The story created a completely new level of engagement. It brought colleagues together and made our communication channels feel more human and interactive.”
— Simone Schön, Head of Corporate Communications, Diakonie Michaelshoven
✨ Key Takeaways
- AI as a Creative Ally – Copilot is a catalyst for engagement, not just productivity.
- Human-Centric Tech – Real employee participation makes digital tools relatable.
- Strategic Fun – Seasonal highlights are powerful tools for long-term digital adoption.
Conclusion
Diakonie Michaelshoven’s AI-powered Advent calendar shows how a digital workplace can become a creative innovation lab. By combining Powell’s flexible intranet features with Copilot-generated content, the team turned a seasonal campaign into a strategic initiative. They demonstrated how AI can be practical, accessible, and even playful. Most importantly, they inspired colleagues to experiment, explore, and embrace new tools.
About the Partner: HIRSCHTEC
Specializing in the digitization of internal communication and collaboration since 2005, HIRSCHTEC customers get everything from a single source: from developing the big picture for the digital workplace to the introduction and further development of intranets, employee apps and digital workplaces based on M365, from the automation of workflows to support in digital leadership.
Ready to innovate with AI?
Trinity Resting
Product Marketing Manager
Product marketing doesn’t have to be all jargon and slides—Trinity’s here to prove it’s about creating human connections. With 5 years in digital marketing, she’s been scaling, building, and transforming product strategies that resonate with real people. At Powell, Trinity ensures the message isn’t just heard, but felt. She’s passionate about helping teams go beyond the office and build lasting relationships. When she’s not crafting strategies, you’ll find her sipping tea (she’s a self-proclaimed tea-aholic) or working as a professional dog sitter—because, let’s be honest, dogs are the ultimate team players.
