Assistance with Paper

Resources: Use the Communication Plan form provided in the ‘About Week 5’ posting.

Complete theChange Communication Plan & Proposal (This assignment allows you to practice using the Communication Plan tool for a large or small event.)

First, select an organization and communication event familiar to you – past, present or future. Or write a plan for a fictitious organization and select a change from the list below.

You are a communication professional inside that organization and the VP has asked you to create and present a communication plan that will inform, educate and/or engage employees in such a way that they will adopt the change and accomplish a goal with minimal resistance. Use the Communication Plan form provided in the ‘About Week 5’ posting.  The form was introduced in the Week 2 discussion question, used in the brainstorm of communication vehicles in the Week 3 discussion question and supported by additional resources provided in Week 5.

Write the proposal to the vice president. Your goal is to influence this person to follow your plan – so this person is one of your audiences. Cite at least 2 peer-reviewed references to provide meaty arguments that will help your argument.

NOTE: DO NOT use the Communications Themes Matrix provided on the Classroom page for this course. USE, instead, the Communication Plan tool provided in the ‘About Week 5’ posting.

Optional change situations:

• New, major software change           

• Merging with another company                    

• Moving to a new location

• Closing half of the plant                 

• Changing the health care plan

• Switching to a shared services model

• Phasing out a product line

• Requiring new computer skills to stay employed

• Any big change you suggest

Use the Communication Plan to help you think and jot notes. Then write the Proposal to the VP. Remember, your goal is to influence the VP to do a thorough communication process.  Include:

1)     Introduce the proposal.

2)     A paragraph or so that describes a) the characteristics of the organization (see DQ Week 2) and the structure of the organization (DQs Week 3 and 4). The characteristics and structure will help you choose the messages, audiences and vehicles for your plan.

3)     State the goal of the communication plan.

4)     Describe in a paragraph or so the key audiences and explain what information they are likely to want/need.

5)     In a paragraph or two, list the messages needed to explain the change from both the organizations point of view and the employee’s point of view.

6)     In a paragraph or two describe the vehicles (methods) you suggest, the timing and who the presenter/author of the information should be. Remember the wide variety of ways communication can take place in organizations.

7)     Also remember, communicating about change requires multiple communications prior to, during and after the change to ensure that people have the information and support they need to succeed and for the organization goals to be achieved.

8)     Identify ways you will check to see that the messages are being heard, understood and are having an influence.

9)     Finish with a conclusion that reminds the reader of the goal and key points of the plan. You may incorporate the communication plan form into the proposal if you wish or submit it separately.

Post your 750-1050 word Communication Plan & Proposal in the Assignment tab.

APA format