Strategic Communications
You understand professional, goal-centric communication practices.
You follow research and news on communication, culture and change.
You are a communicator and work closely with leaders and managers.
You build, rollout, assess, and report on communication plans, goals met.
You follow the communicator's code of ethics and believe these standards matter.
This is a six-week online course with free multi-media learning resources.
Learn at your own pace. Try not to rush as stress can block learning and retention*.
Aim for a maximum of ten hours per week.
Two hours every other weeknight plus two hours on Sat and Sun. is ideal.
- MWFSS -
*Source: Science of Learning
Validation
The Government of Canada has identified nine essential skills for employment, one of which is communication skills. Here's why -- "Strong communication skills help you share information in a way that others can clearly understand. You also need strong communication skills to listen to, pay attention to, and understand others. In all jobs, communication skills are important for developing good working relationships to work effectively in a team, understand a variety of viewpoints, and to gather and share information while problem solving..."
The Government of British Columbia equally embraces the federal government's nine essential skills. Their division of Government Communications and Public Engagement is home to many professional communicators and describes its role as "the strategic communications partner to B.C.'s executive council (cabinet). We specialize in people-first communications, content development, media relations, advertising, multi-language services and more."
A well-educated communicator can enable business success. Recruiters seek out employees who have a solid understanding of professional communication practices. That's because communicators understand how to generate, measure and assess results. They also routinely report on progress in reaching target audiences and fulfilling goals.
What you will learn
Perspective on professional practices and ethics
- Learn how globalization has changed communication and culture.
- Access knowledge, skills and tools for organizing and assessing effective communication plans and campaigns.
- Discover the ethics and codes of conduct adopted by professional communicators and why professional standards are so important within this work world.
How to write a strategic communications plan
- Learn the step-by-step process of researching and building a solid strategic communications plan.
- Gather information and prepare an outline, then a first draft, showing how your plan aligns with the client's organizational goals, target audiences, key market areas and media channels.
- Discover ways to ensure communications connect target audiences with the organization’s purpose and services.
- Delve into the rationale, the strategies, and the impact of effective positioning, messaging and branding.
