What Human Communications Institute does

Human Communications Institute (HCI), doing business primarily through founder Michael Bernoff's personal brand (michaelbernoff.com), is a private personal and professional development company founded in Scottsdale, Arizona. The firm delivers coaching, training, and live immersive experiences built around Bernoff's proprietary 'Human Interaction Technology' (HIT) framework, a methodology focused on self-influence, internal decision-making, and how language removes internal friction. The commercial portfolio spans monthly virtual group coaching (Call2Action, Business Success GPS), self-paced online courses (Rapid Presentation Mastery), flagship in-person immersives at the Scottsdale facility (Core LIVE and HIT, the latter priced at $8,995), one-on-one private advisory for senior leaders, and corporate speaking engagements that tier from $20k to over $1M per engagement.

The business serves a horizontal mix of customers: high-performing individual leaders and entrepreneurs seeking execution and communication breakthroughs; named enterprise buyers such as Century 21, Keller Williams, Mary Kay, Genius Network, and Arizona State University's W.P. Carey School of Business buying keynote and organizational training; and a long-tail consumer base reached through the published book 'Average Sucks' ($24.95) and 'The Average Sucks' podcast across YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Distribution is hybrid - direct-to-consumer through the website and Scottsdale institute, plus B2B speaking delivered on client sites and book retail through Amazon (4.8/5 over 259 reviews).

The firm is bootstrapped, founder-owned, with no disclosed outside capital, no parent company, and no M&A history. Headcount sits in the 11-50 range. Revenue, funding, and precise founding year are not publicly disclosed. The underlying technology is a codified human-delivered methodology rather than a software platform - there are no disclosed APIs, integrations, AI features, or mobile applications.

Name

Human Communications Institute

Legal name

Human Communication Institute

Website

https://michaelbernoff.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Human Communications Institute, founded by Michael Bernoff in Scottsdale, delivers self-influence coaching, live immersive programs, online courses, private advisory, and corporate speaking for high-performing leaders, entrepreneurs, and enterprise organizations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Executive Coaching and Professional Development

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Human Resources, Organizational Behavior & Leadership Institutes (EDAHAHAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Online Public Speaking & Debate Programs (Live/Recorded) (EDAMAOAD), Advanced Study Skills & Executive Function Coaching for High Achievers (time management, workload planning) (EDANAKAJ), Internal & Employee Communications (BPAFADAD)

Keywords

• Executive coaching services
• Personal development training
• Communication skills workshops
• Corporate speaking engagements
• Self-influence methodology

Headquarters

HQ city

Scottsdale

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Live Immersive Events: Premium in-person programs including Core LIVE and Human Interaction Technology (HIT) hosted at the Scottsdale institute, with HIT priced at $8,995 or five monthly payments of $1,899.
2. Online Courses and Programs: Self-paced and monthly virtual training programs including Call2Action (monthly coaching), Business Success GPS (monthly business strategy), and Rapid Presentation Mastery.
3. Private Advisory Services: Selective, high-level advisory engagements for individuals and leaders seeking personalized, consultative work tailored to produce meaningful shifts in thinking, decision-making, and leadership.
4. Speaking Engagements: Keynote and training engagements for organizations, conferences, and corporate events with pricing tiers ranging from $20k to $1m+ based on audience size and format.
5. Book Sales: Physical and digital sales of 'Average Sucks' book at $24.95 per copy, with bulk ordering options available.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Human Communications Institute delivers personal and professional development programs centered on self-influence, communication, and leadership effectiveness. Offerings include live immersive events (Core LIVE, Human Interaction Technology), monthly virtual coaching programs (Call2Action, Business Success GPS), self-paced online courses, private one-on-one advisory, corporate speaking engagements, and a published book ("Average Sucks"). Programs target high-performing leaders, entrepreneurs, and organizations seeking to overcome internal friction and convert capability into consistent results.

Product overview

Human Communication Institute, founded by Michael Bernoff in Scottsdale, Arizona, provides personal and professional development programs focused on self-influence and effective communication. The portfolio includes: online self-paced courses (Call2Action, Business Success GPS, Rapid Presentation Mastery); live immersive events (Core LIVE, Human Interaction Technology); private advisory services; corporate speaking and organizational training; the published book 'Average Sucks'; and the 'Average Sucks' podcast. Programs target high-performing leaders and are designed to move participants from effort-based performance to highly-effective execution through understanding the mechanics of self-influence and communication.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Call2Action: Monthly group phone coaching program for personal development and motivation.
• Core LIVE
• Human Interaction Technology (HIT)
• Business Success GPS
• Rapid Presentation Mastery
• Average Sucks

Products and services

• Call2Action Monthly live virtual group coaching program with Michael Bernoff focused on motivation, communication, decision-making, and follow-through for individual subscribers.
• Business Success GPS Monthly subscription-based strategy program for small business owners covering decision-making, communication, execution, and includes recordings plus a tools library.
• Rapid Presentation Mastery Self-paced online training program that develops presence, clarity, and influence in presentations ranging from casual conversations to keynotes and sales pitches.
• Core LIVE Small-group immersive in-person experience hosted at the Scottsdale institute, focused on understanding behavior drivers, communication patterns, and practical shifts for relationships, leadership, and connection.
• Human Interaction Technology (HIT) Invitation-level immersive in-person program built on psychology and human behavior foundations, designed for leaders seeking to operate with precision and awareness in influence and communication.
• Private Advisory Selective, high-level one-on-one advisory engagements for individual leaders and entrepreneurs seeking personalized, consultative work to produce meaningful shifts in thinking, decision-making, communication, and leadership.
• Speaking & Organizational Work Corporate speaking engagements and organizational training programs for businesses, conferences, and corporate events, focused on shifting how teams think, communicate, and act under pressure.
• Average Sucks (Book) Published book by Michael Bernoff that reveals why capable people stall and how to break free from internal friction by raising one's average, covering self-influence and moving from effort to effectiveness.

Quantifiable outcome

• Hundreds of thousands of students transformed through Call2Action program
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Genius NetworkcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMichael Bernoff speaks at and collaborates with Genius Network, a high-level entrepreneurial mastermind group. This relationship positions him alongside recognized figures in the personal and professional development space.
• Century 21coreGTM or Marketing PartnerSpeaking engagements and organizational training delivered to Century 21 real estate professionals across their network.
• Keller WilliamscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSpeaking engagements and training provided to Keller Williams real estate agents and leadership teams.
• ASU W.P. Carey School of BusinesscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured speaking engagement at Arizona State University's W.P. Carey School of Business, lending academic credibility to his work.
• Mary KayminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSpeaking engagements delivered to Mary Kay sales force and leadership.
• COO AllianceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSpeaking at COO Alliance events for chief operating officers.
• Exp RealtyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSpeaking engagements for Exp Realty real estate professionals.
• University of PhoenixminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSpeaking engagement at University of Phoenix for business programs.
• YoungevityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSpeaking engagement for Youngevity distributors and leadership.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Joe Polish (Genius Network): Genius Network is a high-level entrepreneur mastermind community led by Joe Polish—one of Human Communications Institute's named clients. Operates in the same premium tier of executive networking, masterminds, and personal development programming.
• Tony Robbins: Tony Robbins operates in the same personal development and peak performance coaching space, offering premium live events, seminars, books, and coaching programs targeting entrepreneurs and leaders. Both businesses are founder-led personal brands monetized through high-ticket live experiences and content ecosystems.
• Lisa Nichols: Lisa Nichols is a personal development and transformational coach offering live events, online courses, and certification programs. Comparable founder-led personal development brand targeting entrepreneurs and high-achievers.
• Brendon Burchard: Brendon Burchard is a high-performance coach and bestselling author offering online courses, live events, and a paid community for entrepreneurs and leaders. Directly comparable in target customer, pricing model, and content-driven funnel approach.
• Dean Graziosi: Dean Graziosi offers personal development, real estate education, and entrepreneur masterminds through live events, courses, and bestselling books. Comparable founder-led model with multi-channel content, premium live events, and aspirational marketing to high-performers.
• JJ Virgin: JJ Virgin is a nutrition and mindset coach, author, and speaker who provides premium programs, online courses, and live events for high-performing individuals. Listed as a named customer of Human Communications Institute, indicating direct overlap in customer base and philosophy.
• Ed Mylett: Ed Mylett is a peak performance speaker, podcast host, and author offering live events, coaching, and a content ecosystem focused on leadership and personal growth. Directly comparable in audience (entrepreneurs, leaders) and content-first brand strategy.

Emerging players

• Russell Brunson (ClickFunnels): Russell Brunson sells high-ticket online courses, software (ClickFunnels), and live events targeting entrepreneurs. Comparable in funnel mechanics and premium online course delivery, though with a stronger software/SaaS component.
• Jay Shetty: Jay Shetty is a coach, author, and podcast host focused on mindset, purpose, and performance. Comparable content-first, multi-channel approach to building a personal development brand, though with a younger, digital-native audience.

Broad incumbents

• Jay Abraham: Jay Abraham is a legendary marketing and business strategy advisor offering high-ticket consulting, seminars, and group programs. Comparable in serving business owners with premium advisory and training services, though with a more strategy/marketing orientation.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/michaelbernoff
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/bernoff
• Facebookfacebook.com/humancommunicationsinstitute
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/human-communications-institute
• Instagraminstagram.com/michael_bernoff/?hl=en
• TikToktiktok.com/@michaelbernoff

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Human Communications Institute