Commentary on "Planning and Information Foraging Theories and their Value to the Novice Technical Communicator"    

Gattis should be applauded for finding cognitive theories that might be of use to the field, for describing them well with current resources, and for applying them to technical communication with an example. The two theories, however, are too intuitive to provide much value for describing existing behavior or for novices to use as tools.

Eaton, Angela. Journal of Computer Documentation (2002). Articles>Communication>Planning

Creating an Effective Business Plan  

A business plan describes your business’s future, including your vision for your organization, your competition, your products and services, markets you’ll compete in, how you’ll sell yourself, and your financial prospective. A successful plan conveys an organization’s exciting prospects and growth potential. Its overall purpose is to “sell” the business to management and possible backers.

Hansen, Lauren Y. STC Proceedings (1999). Articles>Business Communication>Planning

Developing Mission Statements, Objectives, and Goals  

This workshop will help managers develop a department mission statement, define long-term objectives, and develop a set of goals that define what needs to be done to meet the objectives.

Ruenzel, Charlotte J. STC Proceedings (1993). Articles>Business Communication>Planning

Eight Steps for Successful Events

In today's competitive environment the event remains one of the most powerful tools available to communicators. Events are powerful because they provide a physical connection between you and the people you need to reach. You can use an event to raise awareness of your services or products, generate support for a cause or introduce employees to work practices.

Crawshaw, Bob. Communication World Bulletin (2006). Articles>Business Communication>Planning

Planning and Information Foraging Theories and Their Value to the Novice Technical Communicator    

Two complementary cognitive theories help to explain how novice technical communicators learn effective search methods: information foraging theory, a model of information-seeking behavior that combines human-computer interaction with anthropological constructs; and strategic planning theory, a communication model of how humans plan and achieve social goals. The paper includes an extended example of how a new communicator might learn to use both models on the job.

Gattis, Lyn. Journal of Computer Documentation (2002). Articles>Communication>Planning

Planning and Information Foraging Theories: Social Implications and Extensions    

Information foraging theory and strategic planning theory can help technical communicators think about effective research methods. A broader understanding of social theory can complement Gattis's approach by adding considerations related to underlying ideological assumptions and to how research practices are situated in the larger contexts of organizations, communities, and cultures.

Jack, Jordynn. Journal of Computer Documentation (2002). Articles>Communication>Planning

Resources for Writing Business Plans

A business plan is a document used to start a new business or get funding for a business that is changing in some significant way. Business plans are important documents for business partners who need to agree upon and document their plans, government officials who may need to approve aspects of the plan, and of course potential investors such as banks or private individuals who may decide to fund the business or its expansion.

McMurrey, David A. Illuminati Online (2001). Articles>Business Communication>Planning>Writing

Streamlining the Phases of Disaster Recovery

All too often, companies either rely upon personal knowledge and skill to recover from emergency situations, or they write a multi-volume encyclopedia of recovery procedures. When disaster strikes, neither approach lends itself to rapid response.

D'Amico, Vin. Writing Assistance (2006). Articles>Management>Planning>Risk Communication