publications

Core Communication

Core Communication: A Guide to Organizational Assessment, Planning and Improvement

by Brent D. Ruben, Ph.D., and Stacy M. Smulowitz, ABC

Reinvigorate your organization with an intelligent and scrutinizing look at the best strategies for improvement. This two-book set includes a guide and a step-by-step workbook to conduct an assessment in your own organization, department or work group.

Specifically, you'll learn:

• Components of the Core Communication framework.
• Dimensions of leadership effectiveness.
• How to identify and build relationships with beneficiaries and constituencies.
• Strategic planning imperatives.
• Steps to develop an integrated assessment process.

Core Communication draws on the framework of the Malcolm Baldridge Program of the National Institute of Standards and Technology. One of the most influential organizational assessment models ever developed, this approach stresses the importance of leadership, effectiveness, assessment, continuous improvement, strategic planning, performance and outcomes measurement.

About the authors:
Brent Ruben, Ph.D., is professor II of communication and the executive director of the Center for Organizational Development and Leadership at Rutgers University. He conducts research, teaches, publishes, and provides professional consultation nationally and internationally in the areas of communication and higher education leadership and assessment, planning and continuous improvement.

Stacy Smulowitz, ABC, is president of Smulowitz Communications, a communication consulting firm specializing in public relations, web site development and design, employee communication, marketing, special events, and strategic planning.

Details: Two-book set
©2007

Listen to an interview with co-author Stacy Smulowitz on Cafe2Go.

Table of Contents—Book

Preface
Introduction

1. An Integrated Approach to Assessment, Planning, Continuous Improvement and Leadership
   
2. Components of the Core Communication Framework
   
3. Communication Organization Overview and Profile 0.0
   
4. Leadership 1.0
   
5. Strategic Planning 2.0
   
6. Beneficiaries and Constituencies 3.0
   
7. Products, Programs, Services and Associated Processes 4.0
   
8. Employee Satisfaction and Workplace Climate 5.0
   
9. Assessment and Information Use 6.0
   
10. Outcomes and Achievements 7.0

Works Cited and Suggested Readings
Glossary
About the Authors

Table of Contents—Workbook

1. Challenges Facing Communication Organizations
2. The Core Communication Process
3. The Evaluation and Scoring Process
4. Forms and Guides

Form A: Percentage Rating Guide
Form B: Core Communication Rating Sheet
Form C: 3.0 Beneficiaries and Constituencies Scoring Form
Form D: 1.0 Leadership Scoring Form
Form E: 2.0 Strategic Planning Scoring Form
Form F: 4.0 Products, Programs, Services and Associated Processes Scoring Form
Form G: 5.0 Employee Satisfaction and Workplace Climate Scoring Form
Form H: 6.0 Assessment and Information Use Scoring Form
Form I: 7.0 Outcomes and Achievements Scoring Form
Form J: Core Communication Scoring Form