Communication Plan Getting Baderman Island Resort through the Organizational Change Process

Introduction O The Scenario O The Challenge of Change O Launching the Communication Plan O The Pre-change Approval O Creating the Need for Change O Midstream Change & Communication O Confirming the Change O The Impact of Management’s Response O Addressing the Negative O The Importance of a Communication Plan

The Scenario The Organization - Baderman Island Resort The Change – Better quality control policies

The Challenge of Change “When implementing a change program, change leaders often find that misinformation and rumors are rampant in their organization…….....the challenge is to persuade employees to move in a common direction” (Spector, 2013 pg. 319).

Launching the Communication Plan The Four Stages – O The Pre-change Approval O Creating the Need for Change O Midstream Change & Communication O Confirming the Change

Laying out the Plan Planning for Each Stage O The Purpose O Necessary Technology O Testing Effectiveness O Generating Feedback

The Pre-Change Approval The Purpose - O To convince top management of the need for change Necessary Technology - O and presentations Testing Effectiveness - O Gauge the responses and questions Generating Feedback - O Encourage open communication

Creating the Need for Change The Purpose - O Create dissatisfaction with current policies Necessary Technology - O Presentations Testing Effectiveness - O Review the results of the pre-change approval meeting Generating Feedback - O Ask for questions, thoughts, suggestions, and concerns

Midstream Change & Communication The Purpose - O To positively create the change Necessary Technology - O updates, event timelines, company’s computer system, and progress reports Testing Effectiveness - O Have weekly meetings to assess how the change is proceeding Generating Feedback - O Weekly meetings to assess reactions

Confirming the Change The Purpose - O To confirm and celebrate the change Necessary Technology - O , company’s computer system, and social media Testing Effectiveness - O Organization-wide celebration Generating Feedback - O End of change survey

The Impact of Management’s Response On average only 27% of employees feel that management is in touch with their concerns (Spector, 2013).

Addressing the Negative O Treat people with respect O Provide specific information O Have no surprises O Provide participation O Respond positively O Weave the change into existing policies O Have honest and open communication

The Importance of a Communication Plan “The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” George Bernard Shaw

References O Fojt, M. (1995). Quality planning and the communication plan. The Journal of Services Marketing, 9(3), 27. Retrieved April 30, 2014 from: O Shaw, George Bernard (n.d.). Retrieved May 5, 2013 from BrainyQuotes.com: www. brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_communication.html #C6m0H3xWv7pchSrD.99 O Spector, B. (2013). Implementing organizational change: Theory into practice (3 rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. O Tupper, C., Deszca, G., & Cynthia, I. (2012). Organizational change: An action-oriented toolkit (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.