World at Work

Certification Seminar T4
Communicating Compensation and Benefits

Course Overview
 This course provides an introduction to strategic communication, focusing on total rewards communication. It begins by establishing the purpose and value of strategic communication along with discussing how behaviors can be influenced by communications. In addition, an eight-step process is detailed providing guidance for creating an effective and efficient communication campaign. Case studies provide participants an opportunity to apply the eight-step process. Furthermore, specific communications related to each of the total rewards elements are highlighted, as are suggestions for communicating special situations, such as a merger or acquisition.

Who Should Attend
Course T4 is designed for those experienced in the employee compensation and benefits fields or for those who would like to broaden their total rewards perspective. Participants who have mastered the concepts in WorldatWork Courses T1, C1, C4, B1, B2 and B3 would benefit most, as the course is highly participative and discussion-oriented.

This course is strategic in nature and is designed for participants who need to focus primarily on the design and direction of communication.

What You Will Learn

Communication Strategy and Total Rewards
Introduces participants to the total rewards model, explains the rationale for strategically planning a communication campaign and discusses how effective communication can influence behavior.

  • Total rewards concepts and components
  • Value and purpose of strategic total rewards communication
  • Effective communication
  • Management’s role in communication

Communication Fundamentals
Presents communication fundamentals, discusses characteristics of effective communication and introduces the eight steps of the communication process.

  • Fundamentals of communication
  • Characteristics of effective communication
  • The strategic communication process

The Strategic Communication Process: Steps 1-4
Details the first four steps in the process, including analyzing the situation, writing objectives, identifying and defining your target audience and determining key messages.

  • Step 1 – Analyze the situation
  • Step 2 – Define the objectives
  • Step 3 – Conduct audience research
  • Step 4 – Determine key messages
  • Case study

The Strategic Communication Process: Steps 5-6
Discusses selecting appropriate communication channels to deliver your message along with developing the communication campaign.

  • Step 5 – Select the communication channel
    • Face-to-face
    • Paper-based
    • Technology-based
  • Step 6 – Develop the communications campaign

The Strategic Communication Process: Steps 7-8
Reviews the last two steps: implement and evaluate. This module also discusses how to manage the communication campaign so that all the process steps come together effectively and efficiently.

  • Step 7 – Implementation
  • Step 8 – Evaluation
  • Case study
  • Managing the communication campaign

Total Rewards Communication and Special Situations
Details specific total rewards communications considerations and special situations.

  • Total rewards communication
    • Compensation
    • Benefits
    • Work-life
    • Performance and recognition
    • Development and career opportunities
  • Total rewards statements
  • Special situations
  • Working effectively with external vendors and internal communication departments

PEBA members: $950

WAW members: $1080

Nonmembers: $1,585

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