Communication Plans

Like a business plan and a marketing plan, a communication plan is a key business tool. In fact, like a marketing plan, a communication plan should be included in every business plan and be subject to the same annual review to measure its effectiveness and ensure it's relevance to the business.

The benefit of a well-considered and implemented communications plan is all audience segments will receive information that is relevant to them, that helps build trust and helps build business.

A communication plan can be as simple or complex as you wish; but consists of several key aspects:
1. The strategy
2. The action plan

Strategy
The Strategy is about identifying and reaching the audiences, key message/s, overarching aims and objectives of the communication activity.

Action Plan
A detailed Action Plan (Communications Plan) supports the Strategy, by providing detail to the strategic framework, along with performance indicators.
Identification of key issues determines the communication effort and shapes the message.
In large organisations, all major projects need to have a Communications Plan to maximise the dissemination of positive information about - work progress, achievements, benefits. This is essential when the identified audiences is the local or regional community.
In addition the plan will have in place arrangements to effectively deal with crisis situations.
We are experienced in developing communication plans for organisations of up to 1500 staff. Please feel free to contact us to discuss your needs .

source: http://plusone.com.au/

Tips for Communication

1. Whether writing or speaking, consider your objectives. What do you want your listeners or readers to remember or do? To achieve an objective, you need to be able to articulate it.
2. Consider your audience. How receptive will it be? If you anticipate positive reception of your message, you can be more direct.
3. Consider your credibility in relation to your audience. Also, consider the organizational environment. Is it thick or flat, centralized or decentralized? Each will have communication implications.
4. How can you motivate others? Benefits are always your best bet. And if you can establish common ground, especially at the opening of a message, you can often make your audience
   more receptive.
5. Think carefully about channel choice, about the advantages and disadvantages of your choice, and the preferred channels of your audience.
6. If you want to have a permanent record or need to convey complex information, use a channel that involves writing. If your message is sensitive, email may not be the best choice; the immediacy of face-to-face communication can be preferable, especially when you would prefer not to have a written record.
   
   (Adapted from research on communication strategy by Mary Munter of the Tuck School at Dartmouth and Jane Thomas of the University of Michigan)