Knowing Your Audience Paper and Communication Release To know your audience would be an extremely significant mark at any time a company was to communicate material to a group or organization. Knowing your audience proves to be even more significant when a company has to deal with the outcome resulting from a disaster. The disaster of the Chilean copper mine in South America is one example of where knowing your audience was a very significant issue.
In a Chilean copper mine, a disastrous downfall in one of the shafts of the mine has left 33 miners trapped 310 meters (1017 feet) below the ground. The outcomes of the company and their reaction to the disaster would eventually define how the world, their audience, would see them. It turns out to be very imperative that the representatives of the company who issues updates and information to the public know their audience well. The audience the company would be reporting to would be made up of the news correspondence, the victim’s families, and the media.
Not only would the company representative have to keep the prestige and point of view of the mining company in one piece, they would have to issue precise and straightforward information that would not always be in the greatest interest of the company’s standing. The collapse would not only have emotional impact on the 33 miners trapped underground, the family members of those miners would be distressed as well. The family members of those 33 men would have to wait in suffering before they would receive word of their family member’s fate.
When a disaster of this extent occurs, the company has the obligation to keep the family members knowledgeable every step of the rescue progression, above the news bulletin and media. Even though in the beginning the company may not have much information, it is essential for them to inform the loved ones with as much information as soon as possible. This would consist of any information as to what is taking place in the rescue attempts. The employees of the company would be the next in line as to being informed.
Despite the fact that they may not have been directly embroiled in the collapse, they are employed for the company and may know some of the victims directly. Keeping the employees up-to-date helps take pressure off the minds of other coworkers and lessen the stress in the midst of the employees. Alongside keeping them updated, the company can also let the employees and family members know what information is acceptable to disclose with the media. The news organizations would stop at nothing to pursue employees, previous employees, love ones, and the victims of the disaster to humiliate the company, and they were victorious.
The international stage was another audience of the disaster. The company accountable for the collapse was on the world platform because they were a worldwide establishment. They operated and owned mines all over the world not including South America. Whether it was a truthful or not, the internet, television, and news organizations were flourishing with gossips. While monitoring gossips was a main concern for the company, it was difficult to stop a moving train. Stockholders, owners, and investors of the company were audiences who were not so openly.
This audience was tremendously significant to the company; holding back material from them could cause a frightened. In case of a fluster, investors could pull their funds, sell off assets, and leave the company in bankruptcy. Investors are only involved with their money and the information they receive either good or bad can regulate how they respond. Instead of this group learning of something on the television, it was important for them to be up to date on all information just the like families, in order to guarantee the company’s future.
Not only should it be current information, it should also be honest information. Any indication of dishonesty of untruthfulness could lead to the company’s decease when the investors withdraw funding. There are two kinds of communication that can be used to deliver information from the company. One method would be a customary issue of information to everyone. This can also be deemed as a general blanket statement. A media release letting everybody know that all attempts to rescue the men from the mine are in progress is an example of a general blanket statement.
Another method would be communications specific to the needs of each group. Speaking with the victim’s love ones and letting them know if there has been any communication from the victims would be an example. With the information they have, the company should think through the information and let the appropriate crowd know about the information first. In this case, the victim’s families would have been right of way number one in the distribution of information; they do not need to get an update on what was occurring on the television.
The best way to communicate to the families would be a face-to-face conference. This approach of communication let the family members know that they are significant in the circumstances. A telephone call would be considered soulless and can make a victim feel like he or she is not vital. When it comes to a face-to-face conference, the use of body language and tone of voice can express sympathy and care. The person delivering the news must also proceed in this way. The mining company found that dealing with the families was the difficult complication of the accident.
The company soon discovered that many family members not even known to the company came out of the shadows when monetary damages were to be paid (Prengaman, 2010). Juan Weik wrote a general information memo that was suitable for release to the public as a memo only. The memo was short and straightforward just like any business communication should be. The article pointed out the four main “W’s”, who, what, when, and where. Juan also revealed how the mining company has been previously involved with accidents in the past. However, they failed to mention further information needed to substantiate the claims made.
Without supporting facts, the claims were not verifiable and credible (Weik, 2010). The most significant aspect in any communication is the target audience. The communication needs to be suitable for the audience. Communication needs to always have as much facts as possible and be given in an appropriate fashion. The best way to assure the communication is effective is to deliver it in the best format to the audience (Cheesebro, O’Connor & Rios, 2010). References Cheesebro, T. , O’Connor, L. , & Rios, F. (2010). Communicating in the Workplace. Prengaman, P. 2010). Chile mine disaster exposes old family feuds. MSNBC/Associated Press. Retrieved from http://www. msnbc. msn. com/id/39016751/ns/world_news-americas/t/chile-mine-disaster-exposes-old-family-feuds/ Weik, J. (2010). Over 30 workers trapped after Chilean copper mine collapse. Metal Bulletin Daily, (224), 65. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. Communication for the Miner’s Families (in person communication example) At the moment the company has had a disastrous encounter of a tragic accident. One of the tunnels located around 300 meters down the mine has buckled.
Some of the miners were blessed enough to escape, regrettably 33 miners have not been located. However, we do believe that they are alive and in good health. At this existing time we do not thus far know the location of your loved ones. It appears they were working in a section of the mine away from the collapse, but the collapse had prevented any chance of escape that they may had. Our upmost main concern is to start drilling operations within a couple of hours in an attempt to offer them a supply of fresh air. Our company will be pleased to furnish you and any family members with a continuous update of information we learn.
We will also be giving a sum of one month wages in advance for each of the trapped miner’s family. Along with financial benefit, donations of groceries from local businesses will be given to you at no cost. Furthermore, stress and guidance counselor will be here to help as needed. Please take reassurance in knowing that numerous mining companies as well as other countries have already arranged and donated equipment and staffs to assist in this rescue plan. We will do all that is probable in order to get back your family members as quickly as possible.
Communication to the Mine Workers (in person communication example) An ill-fated accident has transpired today. 33 of your fellow coworkers have been trapped within the mine due to this ill-fated accident. We have focused all of our sources to the rescue procedure, and all mining operations will stop until the miners have been set free. We are pleading that employees please offer as much time as possible to the recovery determination. We are sure if the roles were swapped; those that are trapped would put out the same determinations and do the same for each one of you.
We are also asking that you please do not communicate with any media sources; they will be updated with information about the rescue dealings as needed. On site mine inspectors from the government will also be nearby to help us in any inquiry. Please, considerately cooperate and answer questions they ask of you. Counselors will be obtainable to all employees as well as the victim’s relatives. Those who feel they want their services, please feel free to use them. The counselors will remain onsite for as long as they are needed.
