Three things i learned

IoIC Festival 2024 - day 1 reflections.

How many years have i been at IoIC's festivals/conferences? Must be going on for 30 years now. And every year i think 'that was just the best...' and, well, here we go again!

Reflecting on Day 1 there were three things that have stayed with me.

1. I learned from the excellent Dr Paul Redmond that Generation X are 'proof needers' and the most important generationally for IC, making up 27% of employees. They want more clarity on big topics, and want to sand ee the evidence of what's been done with their feedback. And stop asking for feedback, ask for advice as you'll better cooperation.
2. Internal communicators must navigate CPA - Continuous Partial Attention syndrome. This is what we do with a lot of our time, distracted by phones and life. Information used to be power. Now attention is power and the most valuable commodity on the planet. Cracking how to grab it and use it will be an IC superpower.
3. Simple is hard, but strive for simplicity. Rachel Miller asked in her session 'why have we made IC so complicated?' especially when it comes to internal comms strategy. Just do you (have a plan, keep it simple, update it regularly and make it relevant for your organisation).
4. And a fourth (!) as we roll into Day 2 of the Festival, it continues to be a pleasure to co host with Joe Salmon FIIC , to work alongside Jennifer Sproul , to marvel at the event organisation skills of Rebecca Nicholls , and to continue to meet interesting and passionate communicators like Laura Wager CIIC Jen Stobart and Joe McMann who i had the pleasure of introducing to the stage.