Required Resources
Munter, M. & Hamilton, L. (2014). Guide to Managerial Communication (10th ed.). Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall.
Booher, D. (2003). Speak with Confidence! Powerful Presentations that Inform, Inspire and Persuade. New York, NY: McGraw Hill.
Assignment 1: Strategic Communications Plan
Worth 150 points
The ability to effectively communicate is one of the most in demand and sought after skills in today’s workforce. As a business professional, you will be expected to not only communicate in a clear and concise way, but to do so strategically. These communication skills are necessary to manage personnel effectively and to drive your organization toward its strategic goals and outcomes. Effective communication starts with planning. By developing a strategic communications plan you will be more intentional in your messages and the actions you ask of your audience. This plan is the foundation for Assignments 2 and 3.
Instructions
Create a written strategic communications plan for the professional communication challenge or opportunity of your choice. Your plan should include the following components and may be written in a professional report format. See the formatting requirements for additional information.
Note: You may create and establish all necessary assumptions needed for the completion of this assignment. The scenario is yours to explain.
Professional and APA Formatting Requirements
Your assignment must follow these general APA formatting requirements:
Grading for this assignment will be based on the following criteria and evaluation standards:
Points: 150 |
Assignment 1: Strategic Communications Plan |
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Criteria |
Unacceptable |
Fair |
Proficient |
Exemplary |
1. Description Weight: 10% |
Does not or incompletely describes challenge or opportunity and/or may not provide information on why this topic is professionally important/relevant. |
Partially describes challenge or opportunity and/or provides some information on why this topic is professionally important/relevant. |
Adequately describes challenge or opportunity and/or provides information on why this topic is professionally important/relevant. |
Fully describes challenge or opportunity and provides information on why this topic is professionally important/relevant. |
2. Goal Weight: 5% |
The communication goal is unclear or is not defined. |
The communication goal is fairly defined. It is somewhat clear, and may need further refinement to be concise and clearly actionable. |
The communication goal is satisfactorily defined. It is mostly clear, is actionable, but could be more concise. |
The communication goal is exceptionally well-defined. It is clear, concise, and actionable. |
3. Audience |
The communication does not include an audience analysis, draws irrelevant conclusions about the audience, or incompletely addresses the characteristics, motivations, and expertise of the audience. Does not identify the tone to be used to convey message. |
The communication includes an analysis of the audience, but this is insufficient. The communication includes some relevant conclusions about the audience, the characteristics, motivations, and expertise of the audience. Identifies only one element of the tone to be used to convey message. |
Audience analysis is sufficient to the task. The author thoughtfully considers most of the characteristics, motivations, and expertise of the audience, drawing mostly relevant conclusions. Identifies both elements of the tone to be used to convey message. |
Audience analysis is thorough. The author thoughtfully considers the characteristics, motivations, and expertise of the audience, drawing highly relevant conclusions. Identifies both elements of the tone to be used to convey message. |
4. Key Message Weight: 15% |
The key message is unclear and/or is illogical. It does not align with the goals/needs of the audience. |
The key message is fairly clear, concise, and logical. It may be somewhat compelling and memorable and aligns somewhat with the goals/needs of the audience. |
The key message is mostly clear, concise, and logical. It is sufficiently compelling and memorable and is sufficiently aligned with the goals/needs of the audience. |
The key message is completely clear, concise, and logical. It is exceptionally compelling and memorable. It is well-aligned with the goals/needs of the audience. |
5. Supporting Points Weight: 15% |
The communication does not provide three or four points, reasons, or justifications to support the key message, and does not list sources to be used to support the message. |
The communication provides three or four points, reasons, or justifications that support the key message to some degree, but this support is incomplete, and may not list relevant sources to be used to support the message. |
The communication provides three or four points, reasons, or justifications that support the key message sufficiently, and lists mostly relevant sources to be used to support the message. |
The communication provides three or four points, reasons, or justifications that clearly support the key message in a compelling manner, and lists entirely relevant sources to be used to support the message. |
6. Channel Selection Weight: 10% |
The communication does not identify or incompletely identifies the communication style and/or communication channel(s), while failing to provide sufficient rationale for the channel selection(s). |
The communication identifies the communication style and communication channel(s), but to an insufficient degree. Rationale for the style and channel selection(s) explains the chosen method of delivery insufficiently. |
The communication identifies the communication style and communication channel(s) sufficiently. Rationale for the style and channel selection(s) explains the chosen method of delivery adequately. |
The communication style and communication channel(s) are thoughtfully chosen. Rationale for the style and channel selection(s) explains the chosen method of delivery in a compelling and thorough manner. |
7. Action Request Weight: 15% |
The request made of the audience is unclear, or action cannot be taken based on the communication. |
The request made of the audience is fairly clear, but may not be actionable. |
The request made of the audience is sufficiently clear and is actionable. |
The request made of the audience is thoroughly clear and easily actionable. |
8. Write in a professional manner using proper grammar, mechanics, spelling, formatting, and citations. Weight: 10% |
Writing does not meet minimal standards. |
Writing is satisfactory. |
Writing could be improved, but meets acceptable standards. |
Writing is excellent. |
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