Just launched: Enterprise Change Management Platform

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Creating a Communication Strategy

Are we prepared to manage the flow of ideas and information surrounding the change?

This module explains how a communication strategy is a crucial element in defining the overall approach and tone of change management communications. It demonstrates how the goal of change communication is to convert the need recognized by a change ‘visionary’ and convert it into meaningful, appropriately pitched messages. The module also describes the specific elements that a communication strategy includes.

BUY THIS WORKSHOP TRAINING MODULE

INCLUDES

10 page facilitator guide
3 engaging training activities
21 slide presentation deck
03:15 min summary video
6 handouts
8 resources in reading guide

$495.00

$247.50

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Materials included

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Summary Video

DURATION: 03:15 MINS

Explains concepts in a concise, memorable manner. Includes a bulleted summary at the conclusion and matching job-aid handout PDF.

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Facilitation Guide

PAGES: 10

Comprehensive yet easy-to-follow instructions for facilitating workshops with the above training activities. Includes useful tips and sample answers to questions. No expertise in the topic area is required.

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Presentation Slide Deck

SLIDES: 21

For use during workshops in both PDF & editable PPT formats. Slide numbers for each activity are referenced in the Facilitation Guide.

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Reading Guide

RESOURCES LISTED: 8

Useful for participants wishing to deep dive into the module topic with links to the web's best articles, books and tools. PDF format.

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Activity Handouts

Everything you need to facilitate successful training activities.

  • Commitment to change postcards
  • Guess who stakeholder cards
  • Job-aid summary
  • Planning a communication strategy worksheet
  • Terminology flash cards

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Tools & Templates

Used during training activities. These can also be used for change implementation.

  • ‘Planning a communication strategy’ worksheet

Benefits

This module will activate your organization to:

  • encourage change leaders to take a strategic approach to communications during change, investing time and effort in creating a guiding strategy document prior to change activity implementation and the bulk of the day-to-day communications occurring
  • brief change leadership groups prior to the creation of a change communication strategy in order to contextualize how the strategy fits within the overall change management initiative and underline its importance
  • demonstrate how those individuals who recognize the need for an organization to change may not necessarily be best equipped to communicate that need within the organization, and offer them support to ensure that the message is passed around the organization in the most adaptive manner
  • help managers and supervisors understand that although change communications are carefully coordinated, there may be some ambiguity and uncertainty from time-to-time during a change initiative

This module will empower your teams and individuals to:

  • understand that communication is a key activity of change management leaders, sponsors, managers and supervisors during change initiatives
  • recognize that the manner in which messages and information flows during a change initiative is one of the most important success factors for that change
  • be aware of the benefits of creating a clear communication strategy for a change initiative that guides the creation of the communication plan
  • appreciate that as change initiatives inevitably transform over time, the detrimental effects of ambiguity are partially mitigated by having a well-understood communication process and change vision

This module is ideal for use at this stage of change implementation:


Pre-implementationDuring ImplementationPost-implementation
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Training Activities

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Summary Video & Discussion

TARGET AUDIENCE: All learners SUGGESTED TIMING: 15 - 30 minutes

The module subject-matter is introduced using a short animated video. The knowledge-check and personal reflections questions are then used to explore learners’ understanding and experience before moving on to other connected activities.

Facilitators can make us of a range of techniques such as brainstorming or debates to explore the knowledge check questions.

Use examples of learners’ experiences in the supplementary activity which follows.

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Creating a Stakeholder Communications Grid

TARGET AUDIENCE: All learners SUGGESTED TIMING: 25 - 45 minutes

This activity involves identifying the key communication themes for a change initiative and understanding which stakeholders will be interested in these themes through the creation of a Stakeholder Communications Grid.

[NB: If the module Change Stakeholder Analysis has been completed, this activity builds on the stakeholder identification work in this module.]

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Writing a Communication Strategy

TARGET AUDIENCE: All learners SUGGESTED TIMING: 40 - 60 minutes

This activity completes the remainder of the communications strategy.

Learners should work in small groups and the activity should end with each group presenting their strategies to the other groups and receiving feedback from their fellow learners.

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Compatibility Guide

This module will boost engagement levels during the following change methodology stages:


Change Management MethodologyStage / phase
AIM (Accelerated Implementation Methodology)Communication
Kurt Lewin’s Three Stage Change ModelUnfreeze: Create the need for change
Prosci Enterprise Change Management ModelImplementation: Create change management plan
Prosci Change Management LeversCommunications lever
Bridges Leading Transition Model for ChangeLetting Go: Communicate during transition
Beckhard and Harris Change Management ProcessCommunicating and engaging
John Kotter Eight Step Model for ChangeCommunicating the Vision for Buy-in
ADKAR Model for Change ManagementAwareness
The Change Leader’s Roadmap modelPhase VI – Plan & Organize for Implementation
LaMarsh Change Management ModelImplement the Change
People Centered Implementation (PCI) ModelPowerful Engagement Processes
Viral Change Roadmap ModelEngagement
General Electric Change Acceleration Process (CAP)Creating A Shared Need