Overview

ClearBox Consulting is a specialist independent firm dedicated to improving workplace productivity and employee experience. They are best known for their expert research and the 'ClearBox Buyer's Guide,' which provides rigorous, scenario-based evaluations of intranet and digital workplace software. Beyond research, ClearBox offers strategic consulting services, including intranet strategy development, user adoption planning, information architecture, and internal communications design. By prioritizing a 'people-first' approach to technology, they help organizations cut through market complexity to select and implement digital tools that truly meet business objectives.

Founder story

ClearBox Consulting was founded by Sam Marshall, the former Global Intranet Manager for Unilever, along with a network of skilled associates. Based in the UK, the firm was built on the premise that workplace technology is often implemented without sufficient focus on human impact, leading to the goal of making the digital workplace a more productive, people-centered experience.

What it does

• Intranet Managers
• Internal Communications Specialists
• Digital Workplace Architects
• HR Directors
• IT Strategy Leaders

Who it's for

• Organizations seeking to modernize their intranet or digital workplace
• Companies looking for independent software selection guidance
• Enterprises struggling with disorganized or low-adoption internal portals
• Large-scale organizations requiring complex digital communication strategies

Why it works

• Independent, evidence-led evaluation criteria remove vendor bias from software selection processes
• Scenario-based analysis assesses tools against real-world workplace needs rather than just feature checklists
• Expertise in both Microsoft SharePoint and non-Microsoft independent platforms ensures vendor-agnostic recommendations
• Strategic focus on 'people-first' design ensures that technology improvements translate into actual productivity gains
• Years of hands-on experience in global intranets (e.g., Unilever) provides actionable, battle-tested strategic advice

Growth strategies

• Publishing annual high- authority buyer's guides to attract leads via expert industry research
• Providing specialized intranet strategy workshops and training for internal comms and IT teams
• Offering a 'no- baggage' independent assessment service that saves clients months of market research
• Expanding consultancy reach through case studies that demonstrate measurable improvements in employee engagement

Alternatives

• Nielsen Norman Group
• Gartner Digital Workplace Research
• Forrester Research
• Prescient Digital Media

Comparison overview

• Unlike software vendors, ClearBox provides independent consulting without a product of their own to sell
• ClearBox specializes in deep-dive 'workplace scenarios' rather than broad market surveys
• Their research is specifically focused on the intranet and employee experience niche, whereas others cover general enterprise IT