In this episode of The EX Conversation, Kaz sits down with Suzie Robinson to explore how intranets have evolved, and why they still play a critical role in employee experience today. From early, clunky systems to today’s connected digital workplaces, Suzie shares a grounded perspective on what’s changed, what hasn’t, and where organizations often go wrong.
They also dig into the less talked-about foundations of great EX — governance, content quality, and clarity — especially in the context of AI. Drawing on her experience at Clearbox, Suzie offers a practical view on how organizations can cut through complexity, make better technology decisions, and focus on what actually improves the employee experience.
This episode will be especially useful for EX, internal comms, and digital workplace leaders who are navigating platform decisions, struggling with governance, or trying to make sense of AI’s role in their intranet strategy. If you’ve ever felt the pressure to “do more” with your platform without the right foundations in place, this conversation will resonate.
🎧 Enjoy the episode and thanks for listening.
00:00 – 03:20 | From bookshops to intranets
Suzie shares how she accidentally discovered intranets early in her career and how her perspective evolved over time.
03:20 – 07:35 | Writing, gaming, and clearer communication
How Suzie’s work in fiction and gaming has shaped her approach to clarity, storytelling, and audience understanding in internal comms.
07:35 – 10:45 | Storytelling at the heart of EX
Why storytelling, personas, and understanding people are central to effective intranets and internal communications.
10:45 – 14:06 | Making sense of the intranet market
How Clearbox approaches vendor evaluation, avoids hype, and helps organizations navigate complex technology decisions.
14:06 – 19:31 | Why there’s no ‘best’ platform
A discussion on why the right intranet depends on context — from budget to organizational needs — and the risks of oversimplifying the market.
19:31 – 23:02 | The real opportunity with AI
Suzie explains why governance, content quality, and structure matter more than ever — and why AI success depends on getting the basics right.
23:02 – 26:05 | Governance: the unglamorous foundation
Why governance is often overlooked, how to simplify it, and why it’s essential for long-term intranet success.
26:05 – 29:00 | Is the intranet still relevant?
How the definition of “intranet” has evolved — and why the term still matters despite changing technology and terminology.
29:00 – 32:25 | The intranet as a digital front door
Exploring how intranets act as a central access point across systems and why they’re well positioned in today’s digital workplace.
32:25 – 36:38 | Ownership, roles, and responsibility
Who should own the intranet — and why passion and accountability matter more than job titles or departments.
36:38 – 41:28 | Career reflections and advice
Suzie shares lessons from her career, including the importance of feedback, balance, and listening to yourself.
About The EX Conversation
The EX Conversation is a podcast series from Unily that brings together employee experience, internal communications, and digital workplace leaders from across industries.
Each episode features an open, practical conversation with people on the frontlines of EX: sharing what’s working, what’s hard, and how they’re navigating complexity in real time. No hype. No scripts. Just honest perspectives and hard-won insight to help EX leaders learn from each other and move the workplace forward.