Communications training program for Kudler Fine Foods

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)

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)

The work of Simmeroth-Nayda et al. (2011) reports a study that analyzes a communication course and whether this course "measurably improves the communicative competence of third year medical students at a German medical school. The results of the study show that "Our communication course measurably improved communication skills, especially for female students. These improvements did not depend predominantly on an extension of the interview time. Obviously, "technical" aspects of communication can be taught better than "emotional" communication skills." (p.1)

Summary and Conclusion

This work has set out the precise steps in a communication planning and training program including identification of audience, identification of messages, methods of delivery and acquiring feedback on effectiveness. In addition, this study has reviewed previous research which indicates that communication training programs are effective in bringing about improvement in the communication skills of individuals who receive the training.