Audience Paper and Communication Release

An important aspect of effective communication is to know who is receiving sending the message to be sent. Some agree that the best way to communicate a message is to sit down and write as it were written for a personal reference. This could result in a creative message but may not result in an understood or accepted message. The audience should be a consideration from the beginning. A good message should have a goal whether it is to inspire, give information, give direction, or persuade the audience. If the goal of the message is not clear, the audience will not understand the message, thus an ineffective message.
On August 5, 2010 in northern Chile, a San Jose copper mine collapsed, encasing 33 miners underground. When the news of this collapse spread, every person around the world was captivated with the story. In early communications, it was unclear how long it would take to bring the miners up and was estimated to be approximately four months. The reaction to this communication brought a human frenzy as people pondered the thought of underground and buried alive.
A total of 69 days had passed before the first miner saw the daylight giving the world a sigh of relief. The chances of survival for these miners were in the hands of those planning and strategizing over the rescue. It was the communication of the Chilean Government, who realized their limitations, to quickly recruit the assistance of organizations that could fill the gaps of those limitations to rescue the miners.
NASA, who has experience in testing and training crews for extended periods of isolation, was called in to help. The Chilean people quickly learned the communication link between the miners and the outside world was of great importance. After 17 days with no way of knowing what was happening or how the miners were doing, a bore hole was created to reach the miners. This bore hole would prove to be the lifeline for those underground. The opening was small in size be large in its purpose. It became the channel for supplies, air, and communication with the miners. The rescue team could send down a camera to give an additional aspect of communication – sight. The communication link satisfied the miners as well family members and rescue teams trying to get them out. It was a brilliant and effective goal in keeping the situation calm as well as giving hope to those directly affected by this event.
In this event, there were several audiences that needed to be evaluated to send effective messages regarding the situation. There was the world audience, the family members and most important group, the miners. The Chilean Government showed enormous transparency in giving minute-by-minute updates to the world audience where it was important to give the details of the rescue. Once the identities of the miners were known and family members were notified, evaluating this audience was done daily. As the family members gathered at the site, those communicating with them could see the atmosphere and could evaluate how they needed to communicate on any given day. The family members were onsite to observer the strategy, collaboration, and innovation efforts in rescuing their loved ones. When the communication link was established with the miners, the rescuers, and the world could “see” the miners. Another aspect of knowing the audience is visual evaluation. Along with the written messages, the visual messages played a large part in establishing what was needed and how to communicate with the miners in keeping their hopes alive. The dedication displayed by the rescuers grew deeper when the visual communication was established as it put a face to “the miners” that enhanced the human emotion to get them out safely.
The communication of this event provides a clear recipe for success in knowing the audience receiving the messages. The Chilean president was familiar with communicating as he once owned a media company. This could be another reason the communication of the event was successful. If the Chilean Government had decided to refrain from communicating this event to the rest of the world, the outcome would have been different. The collaboration, innovation, dedication, and transparency resulted in a heroic rescue that captivated the world.

References
HUGHES, H. (Aug. 22, 2010). 33 Trapped Chilean Miners Found Alive, But Could Be Stuck 4 Months. Retrieved from http://abcnews.go.com/International/33-trapped-chilean-miners-found-alive-stuck-months/story?id=11457872#.UKempcVZWSp
The New York Times. (November 17, 2012). Chile Mining Accident. Retrieved from http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/c/chile_mining_accident_2010/index.html
WEIK, J. (August 6, 2010). Over 30 workers trapped after Chilean copper mine collapse. Metal Bulletin Daily (224), 65.
YAXLEY, H. (October 14, 2010). An international view of crisis management of the Chile mine disaster. Retrieved from http://www.prconversations.com/index.php/2010/10/an-international-view-of-crisis-management-of-the-chile-mine-disaster/

Communication

The communication to the family members would be a hand delivered letter. Representatives from the company would deliver and sit with each family for as long as needed. This will show each family that the company is concerned and cares for them. Each family will be invited to the site to share the experience with other families affected.
The communication to the employees would be a memo along with an invite to a face-to-face meeting delivered by the Chairman of the company. This will give the employees not directly affected the opportunity to ask questions as employees of the company.

TO: Family
FROM: President
DATE: August 5, 2010
SUBJECT: Mine Collapse

We have come to your home to inform you that your loved one has been identified as one of the missing miners in the recent collapse. The company is doing everything possible to reach and rescue all the miners involved. This effort is our top priority and we will assist and provide everything you need during this time. We invite you to the mining site where you will be joined by other families. Every effort is being utilized and we expect to have your loved one home to you as soon as possible.

MEMO
TO: Employees
FROM: PRESIDENT MINING COMPANY

On August 5, 2010, we have had a terrible accident at the site. The mine suffered a cave-in leaving 33 or our employees trapped underground.
Officials and rescue workers have been notified and are on site now in an attempt to rescue your co-workers. The families of the miners are personally being informed by representatives of the company and will be arriving on the site later today.
You are required to attend a meeting where more information will be given as well as the opportunity for you to ask any questions. All questions will be answered. The meeting will begin in one hour at the conference center. Please be prompt.