People-First IC - Discovery Journey

People-First IC
Explorer Discovery Journey

Where your People-First learning journey begins
Internal communication is changing — fast. AI is reshaping how we work, while employees are demanding more authentic, human connection. PFIC Explorer is your starting point for navigating this new world.
  Discovery Journey
 Approx 1 hour
  People First Internal Communication

Programme overview

PFIC Explorer isn’t a traditional course. It’s a guided journey — designed to help you rethink your role, re-energise your purpose, and rediscover what makes communication truly human.

In this short, insight-rich experience, you’ll uncover how internal communication evolved, why change is so urgent, and what the People-First Internal Communication (PFIC) model means for you.

During this course you will:

✅ Explore how IC has evolved through a number of distinct eras
✅ Identify where you and your organisation are today
✅ Understand why a new, people-first model is needed
✅ Discover how AI and human empathy can co-exist
✅ Build the mindset to future-proof your IC career

This is your map to the new world of IC — and the first step on your People-First learning journey.

What You’ll Learn:

The Evolution of IC
From the People-First roots of Cadbury and Rowntree, through decades of process-led efficiency, to today’s digital, campaign-driven world — you’ll trace how internal communication got here, and what we’ve lost (and gained) along the way.

You’ll also complete the interactive “Which Era Are You In?” reflection — mapping where your current practice sits today.

The Wake-Up Call: Why We Need a New Model
The tools have changed — but the frustrations remain. You’ll examine why so many IC challenges still persist (think: disengaged employees, under-confident leaders, information overload) and why AI has become the ultimate catalyst for reimagining the IC profession.

This section introduces the People-First IC philosophy — moving from communication as output to communication as experience.
Introducing People-First IC
You’ll explore the PFIC model — a human-centred, AI-enabled, future-ready approach to internal communication.
You’ll learn how to:
💬 Use empathy, curiosity and co-creation to shape truly human communication.
🤖 Partner with AI to automate the admin and amplify your impact.
🧠 Design communication that feels personal, purposeful, and emotionally resonant.
This is where you’ll start to see your role not as an expert or broadcaster, but as an experience designer.
Reflection & Action
Through guided reflection activities — including the AI Audit and the PFIC Maturity Path — you’ll identify where your team is today, what’s working, and where to focus next.

This final section helps you translate theory into action, so you can start applying People-First thinking right away.

Why It Matters

Internal communication is at a crossroads.
AI can replicate our outputs — but it can’t replace our humanity.

The future belongs to communicators who can combine insight, empathy and design — who understand people and can create experiences that truly connect.

PFIC gives you the tools and thinking to lead that change — transforming communication from something you deliver into something people feel.

Who It’s For

This journey is perfect for you if you’re:
  • An Internal Comms professional ready to evolve beyond channels and campaigns
  • A People, HR, or EX practitioner looking to connect EX and IC through design
  • A leader or manager wanting to understand how comms can build trust and performance in the AI era

What’s Included

  • 45–60 minutes of guided learning
  • Interactive reflections and downloadable tools - including “Which Era Are You In?”, AI Audit and the People First IC (PFIC) Maturity Path
  • Access to further reading and bonus content from leading sources (Gallup, McKinsey, IoIC)
  • Certificate of completion

Course Lessons

Where to next?

PFIC Explorer is the foundation of your People-First IC journey.
When you’re ready to go deeper, continue your learning with:
These Labs are available individually, or as part of EX Space Pro Membership.

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