Communication training plan for virtual organizations: Kudler Fine Foods case study

Communications Training Program

Kudler Fine Foods & Wine

The objective of this work in writing is to develop a communications-training plan for Kudler Fine Foods & Wine. The communication-training plan will improve the virtual organization's communication process.

Communication Training Program Objectives

The communication-training program that is effective is one that is well planned and one that understands the objectives of the training program. The first step in an effective communication-training program is being clear about the company's overall communication objectives and understanding what the company wants to achieve, when they want to achieve and why they want to achieve. (Mindtools, 2012, paraphrased) The second step in an effective communication-training program is understanding the audience therefore, the audience should be identified, and various audiences listed. Audience groups include any groups that the company needs to communicate with. (Mindtools, 2012, paraphrased) The third step in an effective communication-training program is that of drilling down into the company's communication objectives and state clear objectives for each audience. This includes what each audience needs, what each audience needs and what each audience wants to know from the company. (Mindtools, 2012, paraphrased)

II. Communication Channels

The next step is to identify the various communication channels that can be utilized. Some of these include: (1) email; (2) newsletter; (3) teleconference; (4) notice boards; (5) CEO briefing; (6) posters; (7) lunchtime meeting; (8) intranet article; (9) launch event; (10) team meeting; and (11) podcast on intranet. (Mindtools, 2012, paraphrased)

III. Planning the Messages

It is reported that the next step is to plan the message for each audience and that the place to start is "by thinking about the broadest audience groups first." (Mindtools, 2012, p. 1) The following questions should be asked:

( 1) What does the audience need and want to know?

( 2) When do we need to communicate?

( 3) What is the regular or preferred channel for reaching this audience?

( 4) For this specific audience and message, what is the most effective way to get your message across? ((Mindtools, 2012, p.1)

Stated is that it may require "Several messages over time [to] meet the objectives of each audience." (Mindtools, 2012, p.1) The next step is to monitor the effectiveness of the messages. This can be done through acquiring feedback from the different audiences on how the company is doing with their messages. Timely feedback enables the company to "tune any future communications…planned to better meet people's needs or fill any gaps." (Mindtools, 2012, p.1) The communication-planning template is shown in the following table labeled Figure 1.

Figure 1 Communication Planning Template

Source: (Mindtools, 2012)