The Communications Strategy Worksheet And Instructions

The Communications Strategy Worksheet And Instructions On How To Compl

The Communications Strategy Worksheet and instructions on how to complete it are provided. You should use the worksheet to plan your communication, considering the desired results, audience needs, and best message organization. For this assignment, complete the worksheet based on the given case, without writing the memo itself. The case involves Jack Stack, a regional sales manager, who needs to address the poor writing skills of his sales team after company office consolidations led to home-based offices. He considers a training program by communication consultant Pamela Skidmore and must plan a communication strategy to propose this to his boss effectively, highlighting costs and benefits, with the possibility of piloting the program in his region.

Paper For Above instruction

Effective communication within organizations is vital to maintaining a professional image and operational efficiency. In the case of Jack Stack, a regional sales manager, he faces a critical challenge: the decline in the quality of sales-related writing after the company’s regional office closures transitioned his team to home-based work environments. The need for a strategic communication plan becomes essential to convince his upper management of the importance and benefits of investing in targeted writing skills training, particularly through an external provider such as Pamela Skidmore’s Write Stuff.

The primary goal of this communication strategy is to persuade the decision-makers that enhancing the sales team’s writing skills will lead to measurable improvements in professionalism, efficiency, and organizational image. To achieve this, Jack must craft a message that clearly articulates the specific issues caused by poor writing, such as misunderstandings, inefficiencies, and damage to the company's reputation, while presenting a compelling case for the training program's value.

The first step in developing this strategy involves defining the target audience, which includes Jack’s immediate supervisor, the regional Vice President, and possibly other decision-makers within the company. It is crucial to tailor the message to emphasize organizational benefits—cost-effective improvements, pilot program potential, and alignment with corporate goals—while also addressing possible concerns about costs and time away from work.

The core message should stress that the training offered by Ms. Skidmore’s company, Write Stuff, is a proven, effective solution, evidenced by positive client testimonials, and promises long-term gains that outweigh initial costs. Jack must balance transparency about both direct expenses (training fees, travel, accommodations, and lost productivity) and intangible benefits like improved communication, enhanced corporate image, and faster turnaround times. Highlighting the idea of initiating a pilot project in his region provides a strategic leverage point, allowing the company to evaluate outcomes with minimal risk.

To organize the message effectively, Jack should utilize informal yet persuasive formats such as a well-structured memo that begins with a concise statement of the problem, proceeds with supporting evidence, and concludes with a clear call to action—approval for the pilot program. Supporting visuals, such as a cost-benefit analysis, could strengthen his argument, illustrating how the upfront investment could lead to cost savings and quality improvements across the organization.

Further, consideration of barriers—such as cost concerns, time constraints, and skepticism about training benefits—is necessary. Addressing these proactively by proposing solutions such as securing initial funding, scheduling training during less busy periods, or citing empirical evidence of benefits can mitigate objections.

In conclusion, Jack’s communication strategy aims to craft a persuasive, data-supported message that aligns the training initiative with the company's strategic goals. By presenting a clear case for pilot testing, emphasizing long-term benefits, and addressing potential concerns, he can effectively advocate for investment in his team's professional development. This approach not only fosters improved communication skills but also contributes to the broader organizational goal of maintaining a competitive, professional image in the marketplace.

References

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