“Strategic communication” has become a popular buzzword over the last few years. According to Simpplr, strategic communications means “communicating the best message, through the correct channels, to the right people, at the right time and using feedback from this process to stay focused on company goals.”
Effective communication — both external and internal — is vital to creating a consistent and trustworthy corporate image. It can help an organization create a unique connection with its consumers, employees and investors to stimulate sales and growth. Companies seek out communicators with a knack for fostering this connection.
A Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a Concentration in Strategic Communication program can jumpstart a career in the field for those seeking to put their communication and analytical skills to use in an exciting profession. Moreover, Southeastern Oklahoma State University offers this specialized MBA program 100% online, providing students with a flexible and convenient path toward earning their high-value degrees.
What Is the Role of a Strategic Communicator?
Strategic communication specialists guide a company’s external and internal messaging. They craft communication strategies that further a business’s mission and enhance its reputation. They also ensure that a company’s external communications stay consistent across channels and that internal communications align with what the public is hearing about the company. Through their work, communication specialists help foster the trust of consumers, employees and investors alike.
Developing a corporate persona is now almost as important as developing the product itself. Thanks to social media, everyone is communicating — constantly. Companies that find meaningful and interesting ways to engage with customers can direct the conversation for mutual benefit.
Strategic Communication: An Exciting Future?
The corporate world holds powerful new roles for skilled communicators. Gone are the days when a company’s communications department was a minor player in an organization’s success. While business leaders once shunned the importance of branding and creating an active dialogue with consumers, they are now clamoring to hire talented communicators.
Sword and the Script summarized several surveys that demonstrate how much modern organizations value strategic communication processes, professionals and results. For instance, 74% of respondents to a PRWeek survey “believe that at least 20% of a company’s valuation is impacted by non-financial factors.” Nearly 50% of respondents believe this figure to be 30% or more of a company’s valuation.
These “non-financial factors” largely surround strategic communications and public relations (PR). Over three quarters of respondents cited the following as critical non-financial factors driving organizational success:
- “Perceived credibility of management team”
- “Clearly articulated strategy and business plan”
- “Quality of communication”
This reflects the growing value placed on strategic communications of various kinds. Employees who have excellent analytical communication skills and knowledge of strategic messaging through diverse communication channels will be increasingly indispensable in entry-level positions through upper-level management and C-suite roles.
What Do Students Learn in an MBA in Strategic Communication?
In response to the growing demand for communication experts, many universities are now offering specialized MBAs. Southeastern’s comprehensive MBA in Strategic Communication program provides future executives with tools to meet modern market demands.
MBA candidates at Southeastern take eight core courses that cover foundational business subjects like managerial economics, data analysis, research methods, accounting for managers and marketing management. Students pursuing the strategic communication specialization take four courses in their focus area:
- Strategic Communication. Students learn how to create and implement effective campaigns consistent with an organization’s mission, goals and strategic initiatives. They also study communication tactics that apply to for-profit and non-profit organizations. The course highlights the use of proactive and reactive communication strategies for effective communication with internal and external audiences.
- Effective Crisis Communication. Students gain tools to plan, design, evaluate and properly deploy risk and crisis communication through a message-centered approach. The course features competing theoretical perspectives and rhetorical strategies for risk and crisis communication to the public and media.
- Persuasion and Leadership. Students examine persuasion as a cooperative act that is crucial to effective leadership. Students focus on messaging to persuade teams, networks and decision-makers. Students also study how message structure and form, request strategies and audience factors contribute to messaging effectiveness.
- Strategic & Organizational Communication. In this course, students investigate how organizational-level strategic messages develop, influence and control internal and external structures, networks and teams. Students explore this type of strategic organizational communication from the perspective of leadership communications and strategy.
Strategic Communication MBA graduates gain critical-thinking and analytical skills that equip them to strengthen brands and manage crisis messaging.
The Benefits of an Online MBA
Not only does Southeastern offer MBA candidates relevant and interesting coursework, but it also provides students with flexibility to manage their own education. The online MBA program is ideal for working professionals and time-strapped students with other commitments.
Students can complete the online Strategic Communication MBA in as few as 12 months. Furthermore, even though students learn online, they have opportunities to interact with faculty and fellow students through online networks and forums. MBA students have full access to Southeastern’s library and electronic resources. Online MBA candidates also receive remote technology support.
Why Southeastern Oklahoma State University?
Southeastern’s John Massey School of Business holds accreditation from AACSB International (AACSB) and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Southeastern’s MBA candidates receive an academically rigorous, well-respected degree that helps them compete for sought-after jobs.
With the right skills and training, aspiring leaders can become top-notch communicators who develop thought-out, proactive communication strategies. Their contributions to effective communications plans and practices will be essential for overall company success, no matter the industry.
Learn more about the Southeastern online MBA with a Concentration in Strategic Communication program.