Assignment 1: Strategic Communications Plan Due Week 4, 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.

 

Instructions  Create a strategic communication plan for the professional communication challenge or opportunity of your choice. Your plan has to include the following components and may be written in a professional report format. See the formatting requirements for additional information.

 

1. Description a. What is your challenge or opportunity? b. Why is this professionally important to you? 2. Goal a. What goals or outcomes do you want to achieve with this communication? i. Is it clear, concise, and actionable? 3. Audience a. Who is your target audience? i. What are the professional positions of the audience members? ii. What demographic characteristics will the audience comprise? iii. What is your relationship to the audience?

COM 510 – Business Communications

 

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iv. What background knowledge and expertise does the audience have? v. What does the audience know, feel about, and expect concerning this communication? vi. What preconceptions or biases do you possess that might prevent you from building rapport with your audience? b. What information is available about your audience? i. What research/sources will you use to obtain information about the audience? ii. What conclusions have you been able to draw about the audience? c. What tone will you use to convey your message? i. Is the setting casual or formal? ii. Is the communication personal or impersonal?  4. Key Message a. What is the primary message you must convey to your audience?  i. Is the message compelling and memorable? ii. Is the message clear and concise?  iii. Is the message aligned with your audience’s goals and needs? 5. Supporting Points a. What three to four points, reasons, or justifications support your message? i. What research/sources will you use to obtain facts/data about your message? 6. Channel Selection a. What communication style will you employ (Tell/Sell or Consult/Join), and why? b. What channel(s) will you use to deliver your message, and why will they be the most effective? c. What purpose is served by each channel you have selected? 7. Action Request a. Is your call to action are you making to your audience clear, concise, and easily actionable?

 

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: ● Your document must be typed, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.  ● Resources must be cited using in-text citations and a reference list. ● Your document must include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, your name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date.  ● Professional report format may be used. This includes the use of headers, single spacing, no paragraph indents, and use of bullet point lists. It should be “skimmable.”

 

Grading for this assignment will be based on the following criteria and evaluation standards:

 

COM 510 – Business Communications

 

© 2017 Strayer University. All Rights Reserved. This document contains Strayer University Confidential and Proprietary information and may not be copied, further distributed, or otherwise disclosed in whole or in part, without the expressed written permission of Strayer University. COM510 Student Guide 1174 (03-24-2017) Page 14 of 26

Points: 150 Assignment 1: Strategic Communications Plan

Criteria Unacceptable Below 70% F

Fair 70-79% C

Proficient 80-89% B

Exemplary 90-100% A

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

 

Weight: 20%

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 wellaligned 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.

COM 510 – Business Communications

 

© 2017 Strayer University. All Rights Reserved. This document contains Strayer University Confidential and Proprietary information and may not be copied, further distributed, or otherwise disclosed in whole or in part, without the expressed written permission of Strayer University. COM510 Student Guide 1174 (03-24-2017) Page 15 of 26

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.  Tone is not professional.  Communication is wholly lacking in logic, clarity, and/or consistent formatting.  Contains many spelling, mechanical, formatting, citation, and/or grammatical errors.

Writing is satisfactory.  Professional tone is developing.  Shows moderate logic, clarity, and/or consistent formatting.  May contain more than a few spelling, grammar mechanical, formatting, or citation errors.

Writing could be improved, but meets acceptable standards. Tone is professional. Shows logic, clarity, and consistent formatting.  May contain few or no spelling, mechanical, and/or grammatical errors. There may be a small formatting or citations errors.

Writing is excellent. Tone is professional and sophisticated.  Shows logic, clarity, and consistent formatting.  Contains no spelling, mechanical, or grammatical errors, and formatting and citations meet standards.

 

 

 

Assignment 2: Written Communication Due Week 9, worth 200 points

 

Business managers use written communication every day. Opportunities for written communication in the business world include everything from reports, memos, and documentation to emails, instant messaging, and social media. Effective written communication can help build and grow business relationships, accelerate results, solicit input and feedback, and rally personnel toward shared goals. Your ability to write messages that are clear and concise, while positioned strategically and presented professionally, will distinguish you in your field.

 

In this assignment, you will develop a written communication for the challenge or opportunity scenario you have identified. The written message needed to fulfill this assignment will depend on your scenario.

 

Instructions  Compose a written communication based on your Strategic Communications Plan.

 

Part 1 1. Develop Your Written Communication a. State your key message clearly i. Do not “bury the headline” — the main point should be presented directly ii. Your key message must be clear and concise

COM 510 – Business Communications

 

© 2017 Strayer University. All Rights Reserved. This document contains Strayer University Confidential and Proprietary information and may not be copied, further distributed, or otherwise disclosed in whole or in part, without the expressed written permission of Strayer University. COM510 Student Guide 1174 (03-24-2017) Page 16 of 26

b. Provide the necessary information and build credibility i. Provide an appropriate amount of background information for the audience, given the type of communication ii. Get to the point without unnecessary verbiage iii. Build your position as an expert or trusted colleague c. Support your key message with three or four supporting points/reasons i. Supporting points should be appropriate for the context and needs of the audience ii. Reasons should be compelling and relevant d. Employ either the Consult/Join or Tell/Sell techniques e. Clearly relay to the audience an actionable request 2. Write Professionally a. Communication should be clear and concise b. Communication should build logically c. Sentences should flow smoothly, using appropriate transitions and varying sentence structure d. Employ appropriate formatting for ease of reading and clarity of message (headers, bullet points, etc.) 3. Demonstrate Professional Presence a. Be authentic and genuine in your communication b. Use the appropriate tone and vocabulary for your audience c. Establish rapport to connect with your audience and grow the relationship

 

Part 2

 

4. Channel and Style a. Explain why you chose the specific channel you used for the written communication b. Explain what style you employed in your written communication and why (Sell/Tell or Consult/Join) 5. Use Feedback to Refine Your Communication a. Describe or list the feedback you received on your written communication from the week 6 Discussion Board b. Explain how you used the feedback to revise and improve your message

 

 

Professional and APA Formatting Requirements Your assignment must follow these general APA formatting requirements: ● Your document must be typed, double-spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with oneinch margins on all sides. ● Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, your name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date.  ● The business written communication portion should be consistent with professional standards. For example, a business memo will have a subject line, does not indent paragraphs, etc. A business email will have a relevant subject line and will include a greeting, paragraphs, perhaps a bulleted list, a signature line, etc.

 

Be sure each of these areas is addressed.  Grading for this assignment will be based on the following criteria and evaluation standards:

 

COM 510 – Business Communications

 

© 2017 Strayer University. All Rights Reserved. This document contains Strayer University Confidential and Proprietary information and may not be copied, further distributed, or otherwise disclosed in whole or in part, without the expressed written permission of Strayer University. COM510 Student Guide 1174 (03-24-2017) Page 17 of 26

Points: 200 Assignment 2: Written Communication

Criteria

 

Unacceptable Below 70% F

 

Fair 70-79% C

 

Proficient 80-89% B

 

Exemplary 90-100% A

1. Develop Your Written Communication

 

Weight: 25%

The author does not include or does not state clearly and concisely, the key message.   The author does not offer or offers insufficient support for the key message.  The author does not provide all necessary information or fails to build credibility.  The request made of the audience is unclear, or action cannot be taken based on the communication.

The author’s key message is reasonably clear and concise, and offers one or two supporting reasons.  A minimal amount of necessary information is provided.  Some attempt has been made to build credibility.  The request made of the audience is fairly clear, but may not be actionable.

The author’s key message is sufficiently clear and concise, and three or four supporting reasons are sufficiently compelling, appropriate, and relevant.  The author provides a moderate amount of necessary information and makes a reasonable attempt to build credibility.  The request made of the audience is sufficiently clear and is actionable.

The author’s key message is clear and concise.  Three or four supporting reasons are compelling, appropriate, and relevant.  All necessary information has been provided and successfully builds credibility.   The request made of the audience is thoroughly clear and easily actionable.

2. Write Professionally