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Knowing Your Audience

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Knowing Your Audience

BCOM 275

03/03/2013

When tragedy strikes, normally the common good in mankind comes to the aide of those who need help the most. Support from charity groups, the Red Cross or donations, all the way to something as simple as saying a prayer for those people before dinner. When the Chilean mine incident happened it was a national news story. It touched people and it helped people to realize how life could possibly slip by us in an instant. It is incredible that they were able to survive, let alone for more than 2 months. How did they do it? "The reason those guys stayed alive so long is that they were extremely disciplined” (Perry, 2010). When things like this happen, action must be taken right away from company officials to reach out to families and other members within the company, not to mention media liaisons, and other outlets for information. How do we know what to say to other individuals, and will our message change depending on our audience? What are some considerations to remember given the different roles and people in the audience? Everyone is different, and everyone reacts, thinks, analyzes and remembers information differently. As an effective communicator you have to try to reach all of those people when in one big setting, such as a speech or a public talk. This is also different than let’s say a company meeting versus the families of those miners trapped. You have to know who you are talking too, and really what part of your message you want them to understand. What would be the potential needs of the families of the miners in receiving a message about this incident? The families were no doubt in agony those days while their family members were trapped. The company had a delicate task on their hands to console and to help relieve any burden this accident caused. When a tragedy hits a family, and a company is involved, the family will automatically turn to them for answers on why this happened. That is what they should get. Answers and constant updates on the rescue mission as well as any other needs they may have. If the company was at fault in any way, then it is up to them to make sure they do what they can to make things right. Miners and their family’s know that accidents can happen, and this is a risk of the job, but when it does happen, the company must come forward and do what they can to help those families in need. The conversations should be direct yet sensitive, and it should always be done face to face. What would be the potential needs of the company’s employees when receiving a message about this incident? Most of the employees are aware of the day to day operations in the mining industry. They understand the dangers that come with this job. The information that you convey to them should be as accurate and as formal as possible. Updates on how the rescue mission is going, as well as the confidence that other mining operations are safe and that there is no other immediate danger. More than likely they are friends with those trapped, so while effectively communicating that all is going to plan, and stay sensitive to what they may be feeling toward the situation. They care about their fellow workers, but care for their safety as well. What actions must you take before and after the message is delivered to ensure that it was received as intended? You as a messenger want to make sure that exactly what you intend for your audience to hear, is exactly what they get. Not only that, but you want to make sure that they understand what you said. The correct body language such as eye contact and poise is important, so that your audience and you see confidence in your message. Ask questions, or ask if they have questions. Reiterate the main points and make sure they understand them. Documentation may be helpful in making sure an employee understands of your message. According to "How Good Are Your Communication Skills" (1996-2013), “If you want to be an expert communicator, you need to be effective at all points in the communication process – and you must be comfortable with the different channels of communication”. This is very true, especially if you want your message to be effective and the listener to understand what you are saying. We know that when our audience changes more than likely our message may have to change as well. The "Know Your Audience" (2013) website says “There is a world of difference between a generic speech and one that reaches out and touches the audience, making everyone think you almost know them personally”. What is good for one person or a group of people may not be the right message for another group. We always have to keep in mind who our audience is and how exactly we have to change our message to adapt it to them. Situations are different, as is how one person will take news versus another person. It is important to gauge and be able to give an accurate message to a certain audience. Here are a couple examples of how a message would change when delivering it to different people that are involved in this accident. There are those who work for the company and those family members affected by the incident. Not only the message changes, but also how we deliver the message. With the family we want it to be personal. It should be face to face, rather than by email or phone. Communication to the family: Face-to-Face It is with strong regret that your family member is one of the thirty-three people who are currently trapped due to cave in at the mine. We understand this is a difficult piece of news to hear. There are rescue workers currently doing everything they can to make sure your family member and other workers are as safe as possible. We will update you personally when more information is available. Unlike the family’s message, those in the company would be a little different. While still being sympathetic, they may understand the severity of the situation more and would also be likely asked questions about it. We would want to make sure it is understood that they do not speak to people in the media; that the appropriate company individual would handle that in order not to misguide any family member that may be watching. Communication to the company: Company Meeting and Company Memo This is to inform you of a cave-in in our Chile copper mine. There are thirty-three miners total that are currently trapped. We have a rescue mission in effect right now, which is going around the clock. There is currently no word nor confirmation that any or all miners have survived the cave-in. They are at an approximate level of 300 meters down, with a limited amount of oxygen and water. Some rescue efforts have been delayed due to another cave-in. We are asking that you do not share any information with people outside of the company. Please do not speak to any media, news or radio. We must keep the family members of those trapped in mind as well as updated first before we speak out of line. Information is vital to obtain first before we make any other statements to anyone. We will be sending follow up emails to all employees as we get new information. Remember this is confidential; anyone who speaks to any media will be subject to disciplinary action including termination. Thank you for your efforts and your attention to this matter.

References

Perry, W. (2010). Chile Mine Collapse: Facts About the Amazing Survival Story. Retrieved from http://www.livescience.com/11169-chile-collapse-facts-amazing-survival-story.html

How Good Are Your Communication Skills. (1996-2013). Retrieved from http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newCS_99.htm

Know Your Audience. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.changingminds.org/techniques/speaking/preparing_presentation/know_audience.htm

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