Planning a Communication

With the rapid changes in today’s business climate no one can afford to be complacent about communication strategies. Like all successful activities, better communications are built on advance planning. The communication plan is your route map between what you want to say and how your message reaches it destination.

It has three key stages and will include at least one opportunity for face-to-face communication. The plan helps you to identify communications channels that best suit your needs and those of your audience and includes built-in checks for listening and talking. Its aim is to provide clear, concise, accessible messages or information, sensitively delivered to the right people at the right time.

Stage One asks:

WHO do I need to speak to?

WHAT do I need to say?

WHY do they need my message or information?

Stage Two asks:

HOW will I deliver my message or information?

WHERE should I deliver it?

WHEN should I do it?

Stage Three

The third stage involves feedback, monitoring and review. Spend time clarifying your message and testing it before you give it to the intended audience. This is time well spent. It will give you valuable information to help inform future decision making. Be genuinely interested in feedback - good or bad - because it all leads to getting the right message across the first time and providing that competitive edge.