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Certification Learning Path: Plan

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Certification Learning Path: Plan

Elevate your strategic communication skills to drive measurable outcomes.

This two-day intensive course empowers communication professionals to develop and execute initiatives that are firmly anchored in business needs, maximizing stakeholder value and driving business outcomes. By learning to analyze the business environment, identify needs, segment audiences, and achieve measurable results, you'll acquire the skills and insights needed to establish yourself as a highly credible and in-demand communication expert.

$1600 USD

Two Days

Virtual or Face-to-Face

What to Expect

  • Enhance your ability to plan and implement communication strategies that align with business needs and deliver measurable results.
  • Learn how to synchronize your communication efforts with broader business objectives to maximize impact.
  • Develop the skills to create effective measures and demonstrate the return on investment (ROI) for your communication initiatives.
  • Strengthen your perceived value by mastering the elements of strategic communication and becoming a trusted communication professional within your organization.
  • Gain insights into what drives value for stakeholders and how to leverage this knowledge to increase your influence within the organization.
View Course Outline

Who Should Attend

This course is designed for communication professionals in strategic, corporate, internal, external, corporate affairs, or public relations roles. It is ideal for individuals at various career stages who seek to enhance their strategic communication skills and drive business results.

Career Level

Foundation, Generalist/Specialist, Strategic Advisor

What People Are Saying!

I have nothing but positive things to say about the course. I really enjoyed all of the activities that allowed us to apply the learnings throughout the two days. The small group environment gave each of us an opportunity to participate. I think the course was worth every penny – thank you, Sia, for arming us with the tools, resources and best practices to be more strategic communications professionals!
I thought the course was very in-depth and eye-opening. I came in with a baseline knowledge of strategic communication and this course helped identify gaps in my knowledge as well as tools that I and my communications team should be using to be better strategic advisors. This course offered many ways for me to improve my strategic communication skills and become a better communications professional. I also liked the opportunity to role play and learn not just from Sia, but my colleagues.
Thank you so much, Sia! I can easily say this was the most valuable, relevant and in-depth training I’ve ever taken part in. These resources are fantastic. The thorough module on measurement was much appreciated. The exercises in each module were extremely helpful. They helped me work out challenges I wouldn't have otherwise known I had. I’m looking forward to implementing them in our work.

This Training Has Upcoming Dates

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GCCC Study Guide

Our official study guide, “Mastering Strategic Communication: A GCCC Study Guide,” is written by past chair of the GCCC, Sia Papageorgiou, FRSA, FCSCE, SCMP. This guide is an essential resource for candidates preparing for the CMP and SCMP certification exams, providing in-depth insights into strategic communication practices and ethics.

Available Now for $50 USD

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The 118-page study guide covers key areas of strategic communication, including ethics and professionalism, measurement and evaluation, audience analysis and segmentation, message development, resource and budget management, building and maintaining trust, and crisis communication and reputation management. It also offers extensive preparation tips and links to further resources. Each chapter features practice exam questions, case studies, and ‘reflect and assess’ sections to help reinforce learning and apply concepts effectively.

The guide provides valuable insights and practical advice to help you succeed in your certification journey. It aligns with the GCCC’s rigorous standards, ensuring you are well-prepared for the CMP and SCMP exams.

Certification Learning Path: Plan Course Outline

Day 1

Overview of the strategic communication planning process

  • Understanding the needs of the business
  • Aligning communication strategy with business goals
  • The steps in strategic communication planning

Defining business needs

  • Why alignment with business needs matters
  • How to take a brief from an internal stakeholder
  • Converting a business need into a communication outcome

Setting SMART objectives aligned with business needs

  • The difference between goals, objectives, and tactics
  • Understanding output vs. outcome objectives
  • Aligning objectives with business needs
  • Setting measurable objectives

Defining your measurement approach

  • Output vs. outcome measures: what to track and why
  • Quantitative, qualitative, and observational research: choosing the right approach
  • Building a measurement framework to assess impact

Audience segmentation and analysis

  • How to define, segment, and analyse audience groups
  • Why audience insights are critical and how they shape strategy

Day 2

Developing key messages

  • The importance of key messages in strategic communication
  • How to develop clear, compelling key messages
  • Using message mapping to bring communication to life

Strategic tactical implementation

  • Leveraging audience insights to inform tactical planning
  • Choosing the right channel mix to drive engagement and results

Measuring impact and demonstrating ROI

  • Evaluating success: measuring results against objectives
  • Exploring communication dashboards and reporting best practices

Demonstrating value and driving business impact

  • Providing strategic insights at every stage of the process
  • Using a time/value audit to assess where you add the most value

Building your personal brand and influence

  • The essential qualities of a high-impact communication professional
  • Understanding your influence and the power of collaboration
  • Positioning yourself as a trusted advisor within your organisation

GCCC Certification Learning Path – Plan
Course Dates

Register Now
North America Europe, Africa, and Middle East
Tuesday & Wednesday, March 3–4, 2026
9:00am–5:00pm PDT | 10:00am–6:00pm CST | 12:00pm–8:00pm EST 		Tuesday & Wednesday, March 17–18, 2026
9:00am–5:00pm GMT | 10:00am–6:00pm CET | 10:00am–6:00pm SAST
Tuesday & Wednesday, May 26–27, 2026
9:00am–5:00pm PDT | 10:00am–6:00pm CST | 12:00pm–8:00pm EST 		Wednesday & Thursday, July 1–2, 2026
9:00am–5:00pm BST | 10:00am–6:00pm CEST | 10:00am–6:00pm SAST
Tuesday & Wednesday, August 11–12, 2026
9:00am–5:00pm PDT | 10:00am–6:00pm CST | 12:00pm–8:00pm EDT 		Tuesday & Wednesday, September 15–16, 2026
9:00am–5:00pm BST | 10:00am–6:00pm CEST | 10:00am–6:00pm SAST
Tuesday & Wednesday, December 1–2, 2026
9:00am–5:00pm PST | 11:00am–7:00pm CST | 12:00pm–8:00pm EDT

2026 training dates for the Certification Learning Path Plan will be released soon.

Register your interest to receive updates and priority access when enrolments open.

GCCC Plan Interest Form

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