Course Overview

This course helps those wishing to learn how to communicate more effectively within the office environment and uses examples of letters, reports, presentations etc. to help maximise your value within the workplace. This course is suited to those in an office administration position.

Aims and Objectives

• To learn the most successful and proven ways that all forms of business communications should be handled i.e. letters, emails, reports, presentations, telephone conversations etc.
• This course offers flexibility with the added-value of self-study, designed to enable you to work at your own pace.
• On completion of the course you will get a personalised workbook to use as a reference guide and the widely recognised Pitman Training Certificate.

Target Audiences

Those wishing to work, or currently working, within an Office Administration position.

Prerequisites

Experience of using Windows and Microsoft Word. Some experience of using email and the Internet.

Course Content

Lesson 1: Become familiar with the course content; learn about different kinds of communication; construction of a sentences; sentence structure; subject and verb agreement; correct use of punctuation; learn common errors; including use of the apostrophe.

Lesson 2: Using the appropriate tone in letters; know how and when to use positive words and phrases; using non-sexist language in writing; avoiding cliches and jargon; know about the plain English Campaign.

Lesson 3: Learn styles of writing including short words; sentences and paragraphs; know the correct layout for letters; writing letters from draft through to final copy; know how to proof read effectively; learn about proof-reading symbols.

Lesson 4: Writing a letter of complaint; a letter of apology; a circular letter and a thank you letter.

Lesson 5: Be familiar with the format of a curriculum vitae; know how to write a job application letter; learn how to write notes; notices; memos and fax forms; know how to design and about the use of leaflets; learn about envelope sizes and uses of different paper.

Lesson 6: Learn about email; learn about net acronyms; netiquette; how to set out a business email and how to format and present web pages.

Lesson 7: Effective telephone communications; learn about non-verbal communication such as body language and dress; learn about video conferencing and the advantages of personal networking.

Lesson 8: Understand how to alleviate fears when doing a presentation; learn how to structure and prepare a presentation; know how to use your voice for effective communication an learn about non-verbal communication in a presentation.