February 1, Research Focus

My supervisor's mother passed away in January so we rescheduled our first meeting for Feb 1, 2013. We had a 3 hour discussion at the University Club off of Grand Avenue to brainstorm an area of focus for my literature review. I've decided to research internal communication in relation to an organization merge. I would specifically like to analyze the government and non profit sector. I want to identify communication challenges that surface during this transition. By identifying challenges I can recommend navigation techniques for internal communication to better prepare and organization that may face merging in the future.

I may investigate the history of how the Three Rivers Park District evolved if time allows. They are similar to the department I work for and have benefited from consolidation and collaboration. I've always been boggled by their success. I also wonder what challenges they face and are faced with today.

Depending on what I find in my research my focus may redirect so that it can be narrowed.

Notes to reference during research:

Reasons to merge (should we? communication considerations before doing so?)

Merging non profit differs from corporate and private - how? Who needs to know and by when? How do different groups effected by this change prefer to be notified? <-- interview individuals that are facing/faced merge.

Reading between the lines - CEOS - Jocking

What are the challenges of communicating a merge? Lessons learned by other organizations that went through it?
*Know the challenges to navigate them

How does the message of merge transition *Communication channels
and what does that look like on a timeline?

Explore models in the Twin Cities (Three Rivers Park District/MN council of non profits)
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At the next meeting I will report in with my supervisor regarding my research progress. I can use email to report in to her and we are also going to tele communicate. I will contact her to schedule our next meeting after I've had my 'ah-ha' moment. Currently still researching and reviewing journals for common themes.