Unclear emails, rambling reports and vague minutes cost organisations time, money and credibility, because people act on what is written down. Across five days, participants learn to plan, draft and edit workplace documents so the reader understands the point and the next step on first reading. Sessions teach audience analysis, plain language, structure, tone, grammar and punctuation, and the layout of emails, letters, memos, short reports and proposals.
The second half is devoted to meetings. You prepare notices and agendas, understand the roles of chair and secretary, take notes in real time with shorthand and templates, and turn them into minutes that capture decisions, responsibilities and deadlines without recording every remark. Resolutions, matters arising, action trackers, confidentiality and records filing are all covered. Executive assistants, secretaries, administrators, office managers, board and committee secretaries, junior officers and anyone newly responsible for correspondence will benefit. Sessions run in classroom, online or in-house formats, and the CPD-accredited certificate recognises completed exercises. Afterwards you can produce polished documents and circulate minutes within a day of a meeting.
Most workplace communication is written, and most of it is read quickly on a phone or between meetings. Messages that bury the request, use unnecessary jargon or contain errors prompt follow-up questions, delays and sometimes disputes. Meeting minutes carry extra weight, since they become the formal record of what was agreed and who is responsible.
The programme begins with the basics of effective writing: knowing the purpose and the reader, organising ideas before drafting, choosing simple words and building short, correct sentences. Participants then apply those habits to the documents they handle most, from emails and letters to briefing notes and reports. Editing and proofreading techniques ensure a final check is part of every routine.
The remaining sessions concentrate on the secretary's role in meetings, including preparing the agenda and papers, listening for decisions, structuring notes and writing minutes in a neutral, concise style. Participants practise on recorded and role-played meetings and receive individual feedback on their drafts, so they return to work with templates and confidence they can use immediately.
Participants will be able to:
By the end, participants will have:
Sessions are hands-on, and participants write throughout. The approach includes:
Day 1: Foundations of Clear Business Writing
Day 2: Emails, Letters and Memos
Day 3: Reports, Proposals and Editing
Day 4: Preparing and Supporting Meetings
Day 5: Writing and Managing Minutes
This course is suitable for anyone who writes for work or records meetings, such as:
Attending every session and completing the writing and minute-taking exercises earns a CPD-accredited Certificate of Completion from Vision Reach Global Consultancy.
Upcoming cohorts
CPD-Accredited
Official invoice & confirmation letter provided
Team discount for 3+ seats
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Everything you need to know about this course before you register.
By the end of the Fundamentals of Business Writing & Minute Taking programme, you'll be able to plan a document around its purpose, reader and required action, write in plain, correct and professional english, using appropriate tone and structure, draft effective emails, letters, memos and short reports, and edit and proofread their own and others' writing for errors and clarity. The full breakdown of topics is covered session by session in the Course Outline tab above.
This course is suitable for anyone who writes for work or records meetings, such as: Executive assistants and personal assistants, Secretaries and administrative officers, Office managers and front office supervisors, Board, committee and company secretaries, Junior managers and team coordinators, Programme assistants in NGOs and development projects, Records and registry staff, and Recent graduates and interns entering formal workplaces.
Fundamentals of Business Writing & Minute Taking Training Course typically runs as 5 Days. It's available as in-person classroom, live virtual, and in-house corporate training — every course can also be delivered on-site for your team on dates that suit you.
Fundamentals of Business Writing & Minute Taking Training Course is scheduled in-classroom in Nairobi, Kenya, Mombasa, Kenya, Naivasha, Kenya, and Kisumu, Kenya, and 14 other locations, plus a live interactive virtual classroom you can join from anywhere. Check the schedule panel above for exact upcoming dates and fees in each location.
The next live virtual cohort of Fundamentals of Business Writing & Minute Taking starts November 2, 2026, with new classroom cohorts also running on a rolling basis. Pick a date and location in the schedule panel above, then click "Register for the Course" — it takes a few minutes and your seat is confirmed once payment or a signed purchase order is received.
Yes — delegates who meet the attendance requirement receive a Certificate of Completion for Fundamentals of Business Writing & Minute Taking Training Course from Vision Reach Global Consultancy, issued in the name you register with, so double-check the spelling at checkout.
Fundamentals of Business Writing & Minute Taking Training Course is pitched at beginner professionals. If you're unsure whether it's the right fit for your current role or background, message our training advisors before you register and they'll help you confirm.
Fees for Fundamentals of Business Writing & Minute Taking Training Course vary by delivery location and format and are shown in real time in the schedule panel above once you pick a date. Register 3 or more delegates on the same course together and a 5% team discount is applied automatically — larger cohorts can request a custom corporate quote.
Yes — Fundamentals of Business Writing & Minute Taking Training Course can be delivered on-site at your offices (or virtually for distributed teams), with case studies and examples tailored to your industry and the specific challenges your team is working through. Switch to the "In-House" tab in the schedule panel above to request a proposal.
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