The British Academy for Training and Development offers this training program in Administrative Skills and Etiquette for Secretaries and Public Relations Officials, aiming to enhance the administrative, communication, and protocol competencies of professionals working in executive offices and public relations departments.

Executive secretarial work and public relations represent the public face of any organization and reflect its image to clients, partners, and visitors. This role therefore requires a balanced combination of precise administrative skills, professional communication abilities, and a solid understanding of modern etiquette and protocol practices.

This program covers all the practical aspects that enable secretaries and public relations officers to perform their duties with a high level of efficiency, starting from time management and correspondence handling, through interpersonal communication skills, and concluding with professional etiquette standards in meetings, official events, and hospitality settings.

Who Should Attend?

• Executive secretaries and administrative assistants.

• Public relations, protocol, and ceremonial officers.

• Employees working in executive offices and senior management departments.

• Professionals seeking to develop their skills for work in a professional administrative environment.

Knowledge and Benefits:

After completing the program, participants will be able to master the following:

• Acquire modern administrative and organizational skills relevant to secretarial work.

• Develop effective communication skills for internal and external interactions.

• Apply professional etiquette standards confidently in various work situations.

• Manage meetings and organize correspondence and records efficiently.

• Enhance the ability to handle pressure and formal situations with professionalism and confidence.

• The Concept of Secretarial Work and Its Role in the Workplace

  • Differences between general and executive secretarial roles.

  • Key characteristics of a successful secretary.

  • The importance of confidentiality and discipline at work.

• Fundamentals of Public Relations within the Organization

  • The role of public relations in enhancing the corporate image.

  • Coordination between public relations and other departments.

  • Essential skills required for public relations officers.

• Time Management and Priority Setting

  • Principles of daily and weekly planning.

  • Time management tools and the use of calendars.

  • Handling urgent and important tasks effectively.

• File and Information Management

  • Manual and electronic archiving systems.

  • Document classification and ease of access.

  • Methods for protecting sensitive information and data.

• Professional Business Correspondence Writing

  • General structure of administrative correspondence.

  • Use of clear and professional language.

  • Standard responses to inquiries and complaints.

• Administrative Report Writing

  • Preparing meeting and follow-up reports.

  • Clear and concise presentation styles.

  • Final formatting and printing of reports.

• Effective Communication in the Workplace

  • Elements of effective communication.

  • Listening skills and understanding non-verbal messages.

  • Dealing with different types of colleagues and clients.

• Telephone and Digital Communication

  • Etiquette for answering telephone calls.

  • Managing emails and electronic correspondence.

  • Handling formal electronic inquiries professionally.

• Preparation for Formal Meetings

  • Agenda preparation and meeting scheduling.

  • Coordinating attendees and preparing required materials.

  • Recording and distributing meeting minutes.

• Receiving Visitors and Organizing Visits

  • Etiquette for welcoming official guests.

  • Arranging meeting venues and hospitality.

  • Coordinating with other departments for visit organization.

• Administrative Etiquette within the Organization

  • Etiquette in dealing with managers and colleagues.

  • Respecting organizational hierarchy.

  • Standards of appearance and behavior in the workplace.

• Etiquette in Dealing with Clients and Visitors

  • Greeting and introduction etiquette.

  • Formal courtesy and polite conversation.

  • Handling sensitive situations tactfully.

• Organizing Official Events and High-Level Meetings

  • Managing attendance and seating arrangements.

  • Coordinating welcome speeches and presentations.

  • Arranging flags and logos in accordance with protocol.

• Protocol for Hospitality and International Visits

  • Receiving delegations and international guests.

  • Respecting cultural differences.

  • Dress codes and formal communication in official events.

• Emotional Intelligence in Administrative Work

  • Self-awareness and emotional control.

  • Managing work-related stress.

  • Building positive relationships within the team.

• Time Management Under Pressure

  • Techniques for working under multiple task pressures.

  • Avoiding common mistakes caused by haste.

  • Maintaining performance quality during peak periods.

• Building a Positive Organizational Image

  • The role of public relations staff in representing the organization.

  • First impressions and their impact on clients.

  • Effective handling of complaints and feedback.

• Coordinating Activities and Media Relations

  • Writing press releases and liaising with media outlets.

  • Organizing conferences and seminars.

  • Strengthening relationships with external stakeholders.

• Work and Appointment Management Software

  • Using Outlook and Google Calendar.

  • Task management tools such as Trello and Asana.

  • Utilizing cloud computing tools.

• Digital Public Relations Applications

  • Professional use of social media platforms.

  • Automating responses and inquiries.

  • Designing visual and formal content for publications.

• Core Competencies of a Professional Secretary and Public Relations Officer

  • Initiative and responsibility.

  • Self-organization and discipline skills.

  • Continuous self-development and learning.

• Achieving Balance Between Appearance and Substance

  • Professional appearance and elegance.

  • Precision in timekeeping and punctuality.

  • Commitment to institutional values and professional conduct.