Project Guidelines

  1. Project: Analyze a company department according to principles of integrated communication.
    1. Use the course as your development guide:
      1. Choose your department early and use weekly class exercises to help you get your analysis done.
      2. Save copies of weekly notes to help build your verbal and written presentation.
      3. Choose your department wisely. Take a small, manageable department. Do not choose a large department because it is likely that:
        1. You will not have the time to research and fact-gather.
        2. You will fail to complete your analysis
        3. You will fail to complete the project.
    2. Content:
      1. Use an outline.
      2. Concentrate on:
        1. developing facts
        2. presenting facts logically and persuasively.
      3. Make a compelling case for your analysis and recommendations.
    3. Tools: Integrating Corporate Communications presents a number of tools that you may use. They include:
      1. A map of effective corporate communication, p. 311
      2. Input/output model of communication, p. 313.
      3. Diagram of informational and effective communication, p. 8
      4. Diagram of translation of meaning, p. 39
      5. Cultural communication networks, p. 44.
      6. Options on communication networks, p. 50
      7. Eight guidelines to corporate communication, p. 56
      8. Knowledge in business diagram, p. 91
      9. Message decision sheet, p. 95
      10. Corporate communication and MIS diagram, p. 107
      11. Strategy: stated and real. P. 120
      12. Strategy: proactive and reactive, p. 122
      13. Six steps of corporate communication diagram, p. 134.
      14. Market segmentation diagram, p. 138
      15. Folkways listing, p. 146 and 147.
      16. Individuals and importance to corporate communications diagram, p. 160
      17. Primary message and translation diagram, p. 193
      18. Strategic message scenario (Harvey’s House of Hats), p. 196.
      19. Assumption checking, p. 200-204.
      20. Media characteristics chart, pp. 210-215
      21. Audience stage in communication chart, pp. 224-227
      22. Measurable components of corporate communication diagram, p. 250
      23. Internal/external corporate communication matrix, p. 278.
      24. Audience-centric data model, p. 285
    4. Presentation:
      1. You may present your analysis as a:
        1. a slide presentation
        2. a written outline.
      2. You will present your analysis verbally to your classmates and written as your final project.
      3. We will rate your presentation on:
        1. Accuracy:
          1. Typos and poor grammar will result in direct deductions.
          2. Facts and support for them: If you say that such-and-such is the case, provide proof that it is. Failure to do so will result in direct deductions.
          3. Language use: Use simple, indicative sentences. Excessive use of passive tense will result in direct deductions. Eschew adjectives and adverbs.
        2. Logic: How well you put together your case for the changes that you recommend.
          1. Extraneous points that do not directly support your case will result in direct deductions.
          2. Failure to present your case in an orderly manner will result in direct deductions.
          3. Failure to connect your points to the initial conclusion will result in direct deductions.
        3. Concision: Your report may not exceed 10 pages single-spaced typewritten 12-point type or 30 pages as a large-type slide presentation.
      4. Format: Your presentation should:
        1. Have a title page identifying the department, company and activity that you are analyzing.
        2. Begin with a single indicative sentence conclusion about what should be done written from the message-receiver’s perspective.
          1. List specific recommendations for action based on the conclusion.
          2. Give savings or other economic returns as the result of the proposed actions.
        3. List facts and sources of facts supporting the conclusion
        4. Discuss facts in relation to the conclusion. Positive, negative and neutral.
        5. Provide a timeline and deadlines for action
        6. Provide a budget.
        7. Provide staffing needed to get the job done.
          1. If you are recommending deletion of a communication medium, provide recommendations for individuals who produced the medium and for budget that is freed.
        8. Summary: Conclude your presentation with a summary that ties back to the initial conclusion.
    5. Sharing work: You are encouraged to share your thoughts and analyses with each other before the verbal presentation and final written report. You are encouraged to:
      1. Work together to develop your reports.
      2. Work in teams.
      3. Rehearse together your verbal presentations, including likely questions that you will get from fellow students and your answers.
    6. Usefulness: You are encouraged to choose a department that you know well and to perform an analysis that has a direct benefit to your company.

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