{"id":5848,"date":"2024-01-02T14:39:22","date_gmt":"2024-01-02T10:39:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.matsh.co\/en\/?post_type=course&#038;p=5848"},"modified":"2026-05-19T22:43:37","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T18:43:37","slug":"secretarial-and-office-management-course","status":"publish","type":"course","link":"https:\/\/matsh.co\/en\/course\/secretarial-and-office-management-course\/","title":{"rendered":"Secretarial and Office Management Course"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"background:var(--bg);border:1.5px solid var(--border);border-radius:16px;padding:36px 40px;margin-bottom:32px\">\n  <p style=\"font-size:1rem;color:var(--text);line-height:1.85;margin:0 0 24px\">The role of the secretary and office manager has changed fundamentally in GCC, African and Asian organisations. Today's administrative professional manages complex information flows, coordinates senior executives, handles sensitive communications, represents organisations to external stakeholders, and maintains the operational systems that allow everyone else to do their work. In GCC organisations, where administrative professionals often bridge between Arabic and English, between local and expatriate staff, and between senior leadership and external parties, the skills required are significant and the consequences of doing the job poorly are real. This course builds those skills comprehensively, for the actual demands of professional administrative roles across the Gulf, Africa and Asia.<\/p>\n  <div style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:14px\">\n    <div style=\"background:#fff;border:1.5px solid var(--border);border-radius:12px;padding:16px 20px;flex:1;min-width:130px;text-align:center\"><strong style=\"display:block;font-size:1.6rem;font-weight:800;color:var(--prof);line-height:1\">35%<\/strong><span style=\"font-size:.75rem;color:var(--muted);line-height:1.5;display:block;margin-top:5px\">of a senior executive's effectiveness depends on the quality of their administrative support<\/span><\/div>\n    <div style=\"background:#fff;border:1.5px solid var(--border);border-radius:12px;padding:16px 20px;flex:1;min-width:130px;text-align:center\"><strong style=\"display:block;font-size:1.6rem;font-weight:800;color:var(--prof);line-height:1\">Online<\/strong><span style=\"font-size:.75rem;color:var(--muted);line-height:1.5;display:block;margin-top:5px\">delivery available for this course, including scheduled June online cohort<\/span><\/div>\n    <div style=\"background:#fff;border:1.5px solid var(--border);border-radius:12px;padding:16px 20px;flex:1;min-width:130px;text-align:center\"><strong style=\"display:block;font-size:1.6rem;font-weight:800;color:var(--prof);line-height:1\">300+<\/strong><span style=\"font-size:.75rem;color:var(--muted);line-height:1.5;display:block;margin-top:5px\">administrative professionals trained by Matsh across the Gulf, Africa and Asia<\/span><\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"som-pain\">\n  <p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:1.05rem;margin:0;color:var(--navy)\">The administrative challenges this course addresses:<\/p>\n  <ul>\n    <li>You are managing your executive's diary, correspondence and priorities reactively rather than proactively, always catching up, never ahead<\/li>\n    <li>Your written communication, emails, letters, reports, does not yet reflect the professional standard required for your role<\/li>\n    <li>You are managing sensitive information without a clear protocol for confidentiality, and you are not always sure what should and should not be shared<\/li>\n    <li>Meetings you organise are not running efficiently, late starts, no clear agenda, no action follow-up<\/li>\n    <li>Your filing and records management system is a source of chaos rather than efficiency<\/li>\n    <li>You interact regularly with senior external stakeholders and are not always confident that your manner and approach reflects well on your organisation<\/li>\n  <\/ul>\n  <p style=\"margin:16px 0 0;font-weight:700;color:var(--prof);font-size:.97rem\">This course builds the professional administrative skills to address every one of these challenges, adapted for GCC, African and Asian administrative contexts.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"som-sh\">Who Should Attend<\/h2>\n<div class=\"som-cards\">\n  <div class=\"som-card\"><div style=\"font-size:1.8rem\">\ud83d\udccb<\/div><h4>Secretaries and Executive Assistants<\/h4><p>Administrative professionals providing direct support to senior executives in GCC, African and Asian organisations.<\/p><\/div>\n  <div class=\"som-card\"><div style=\"font-size:1.8rem\">\ud83c\udfe2<\/div><h4>Office Managers<\/h4><p>Office managers responsible for the operational systems, facilities and administrative functions of their organisation.<\/p><\/div>\n  <div class=\"som-card\"><div style=\"font-size:1.8rem\">\ud83c\udf31<\/div><h4>New Administrative Professionals<\/h4><p>People entering administrative roles for the first time who want a strong professional foundation.<\/p><\/div>\n  <div class=\"som-card\"><div style=\"font-size:1.8rem\">\ud83d\udd04<\/div><h4>Experienced Administrators Upgrading Skills<\/h4><p>Administrative professionals who have been working in the role for some time and want to systematise and extend their skills.<\/p><\/div>\n  <div class=\"som-card\"><div style=\"font-size:1.8rem\">\ud83c\udfdb\ufe0f<\/div><h4>Government Administrative Staff<\/h4><p>Administrative professionals in government ministries and public bodies across the Gulf, Africa and Asia.<\/p><\/div>\n  <div class=\"som-card\"><div style=\"font-size:1.8rem\">\ud83c\udf0d<\/div><h4>NGO and International Organisation Admin Staff<\/h4><p>Administrative professionals in NGOs, UN agencies and international organisations wanting professional development.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"som-gains\">\n  <h2 style=\"font-size:1.45rem;font-weight:800;color:var(--navy);margin:0 0 6px\">What You Will Leave With<\/h2>\n  <p style=\"color:var(--text);margin:0 0 24px;font-size:.95rem\">A complete professional administrative skills toolkit.<\/p>\n  <div class=\"som-gain-grid\">\n    <div class=\"som-gain\"><span class=\"som-ck\">\u2713<\/span><span><strong>Executive support framework<\/strong>, proactive diary, correspondence and priority management<\/span><\/div>\n    <div class=\"som-gain\"><span class=\"som-ck\">\u2713<\/span><span><strong>Professional written communication templates<\/strong>, email, letter, report and memo formats for GCC and African professional contexts<\/span><\/div>\n    <div class=\"som-gain\"><span class=\"som-ck\">\u2713<\/span><span><strong>Meeting management system<\/strong>, agenda design, logistics, minutes, action tracking<\/span><\/div>\n    <div class=\"som-gain\"><span class=\"som-ck\">\u2713<\/span><span><strong>Records and information management framework<\/strong>, physical and digital filing systems that work<\/span><\/div>\n    <div class=\"som-gain\"><span class=\"som-ck\">\u2713<\/span><span><strong>Confidentiality and information security protocols<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n    <div class=\"som-gain\"><span class=\"som-ck\">\u2713<\/span><span><strong>Stakeholder communication guide<\/strong>, telephone, in-person and written communication with senior external stakeholders<\/span><\/div>\n    <div class=\"som-gain\"><span class=\"som-ck\">\u2713<\/span><span><strong>Event and travel management checklist<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n    <div class=\"som-gain\"><span class=\"som-ck\">\u2713<\/span><span><strong>Professional presence and office etiquette guide<\/strong> for GCC, African and Asian professional contexts<\/span><\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"som-sh\">Programme Outline<\/h2>\n\n<div class=\"som-day\">\n  <div class=\"som-dh\"><div class=\"som-dn\">1<\/div><strong>The Modern Administrative Role and Executive Support<\/strong><\/div>\n  <div class=\"som-db\">\n    <p><strong>Why this module matters:<\/strong> Administrative professionals who understand their role strategically, as operational leaders, not just task-doers, perform at a fundamentally different level. Module 1 reframes the role and builds the executive support skills that distinguish excellent administrators from average ones.<\/p>\n    <ul>\n      <li>The modern administrative role: what it is now versus what it was ten years ago<\/li>\n      <li>Proactive executive support: anticipating needs rather than waiting for instructions<\/li>\n      <li>Diary and calendar management: prioritising, protecting the executive's time, managing competing demands<\/li>\n      <li>Correspondence management: filtering, prioritising, drafting, following up<\/li>\n      <li>Managing confidentiality: what information should and should not be shared, and how to handle sensitive material professionally<\/li>\n      <li>The administrative professional as organisational representative: how your manner and communication reflect your organisation<\/li>\n    <\/ul>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"som-day\">\n  <div class=\"som-dh\"><div class=\"som-dn\">2<\/div><strong>Professional Written Communication<\/strong><\/div>\n  <div class=\"som-db\">\n    <p><strong>Why this module matters:<\/strong> Written communication is how administrative professionals are most visible, and most judged. Module 2 builds the specific writing skills for every format an administrative professional uses regularly.<\/p>\n    <ul>\n      <li>Professional email: structure, subject lines, tone, length, what to copy people on and what not to<\/li>\n      <li>Business letters in GCC and African professional contexts: format, language, protocol<\/li>\n      <li>Minutes of meetings: what to capture, what level of detail, how to make them actionable<\/li>\n      <li>Reports and briefing notes: structure, language level, executive summary<\/li>\n      <li>Writing across Arabic and English: managing professional communication in bilingual environments<\/li>\n      <li>Workshop: participants rewrite real examples of poor administrative writing<\/li>\n    <\/ul>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"som-day\">\n  <div class=\"som-dh\"><div class=\"som-dn\">3<\/div><strong>Meeting Management, Records and Information Systems<\/strong><\/div>\n  <div class=\"som-db\">\n    <p><strong>Why this module matters:<\/strong> Poorly managed meetings waste senior leadership time. Dysfunctional records systems produce risk and inefficiency. Module 3 builds the systems for both.<\/p>\n    <ul>\n      <li>Meeting organisation: agenda design, logistics, technology, participant management<\/li>\n      <li>Facilitating productive meetings: keeping meetings to time and on topic<\/li>\n      <li>Minutes and action tracking: capturing decisions and following up on actions<\/li>\n      <li>Records management: physical and digital filing systems that are logical, consistent and retrievable<\/li>\n      <li>Digital records in GCC organisations: SharePoint, Google Drive, document naming conventions<\/li>\n      <li>Information security: what good digital hygiene looks like for administrative professionals<\/li>\n    <\/ul>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"som-day\">\n  <div class=\"som-dh\"><div class=\"som-dn\">4<\/div><strong>Stakeholder Communication and Professional Presence<\/strong><\/div>\n  <div class=\"som-db\">\n    <p><strong>Why this module matters:<\/strong> Administrative professionals interact with senior external stakeholders on behalf of their organisations. The quality of that interaction reflects directly on the organisation. Module 4 builds the communication skills and professional presence for these interactions.<\/p>\n    <ul>\n      <li>Telephone communication: answering professionally, taking messages accurately, managing difficult callers<\/li>\n      <li>Reception and visitor management: greeting, protocol, cultural considerations in GCC and African contexts<\/li>\n      <li>Managing senior stakeholder relationships: communication protocol with high-profile visitors and callers<\/li>\n      <li>Professional appearance and conduct: the standard expected in GCC corporate environments<\/li>\n      <li>Cross-cultural communication for administrative professionals: navigating nationality differences in GCC workplaces<\/li>\n    <\/ul>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"som-day\">\n  <div class=\"som-dh\"><div class=\"som-dn\">5<\/div><strong>Event Management, Travel and Personal Development Planning<\/strong><\/div>\n  <div class=\"som-db\">\n    <p><strong>Why this module matters:<\/strong> Event and travel management are high-visibility, high-stakes administrative functions. Doing them well builds professional reputation; doing them badly damages it. Module 5 covers both and closes with each participant's professional development plan.<\/p>\n    <ul>\n      <li>Event planning and management: from brief to execution, checklist, suppliers, logistics, contingency<\/li>\n      <li>Travel coordination: booking, visa, itinerary, accommodation, the details that matter<\/li>\n      <li>Managing travel for senior executives across GCC and African markets: specific protocol and practical considerations<\/li>\n      <li>Budget management for administrative functions<\/li>\n      <li>Personal professional development plan: the specific skills each participant commits to developing in the 60 days after this course<\/li>\n    <\/ul>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div style=\"border:1.5px solid var(--border);border-radius:14px;overflow:hidden;margin-bottom:44px\">\n  <div style=\"background:rgba(58,95,196,.08);padding:18px 24px;border-bottom:1px solid var(--border)\"><strong style=\"color:var(--navy)\">Course At a Glance<\/strong><\/div>\n  <table style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;font-size:.9rem\">\n    <tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid var(--border)\"><td style=\"padding:14px 24px;font-weight:600;color:var(--navy);width:35%\">Locations<\/td><td style=\"padding:14px 24px;color:var(--text)\">Riyadh, Dubai, Nairobi, Online (June cohort available)<\/td><\/tr>\n    <tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid var(--border);background:var(--bg)\"><td style=\"padding:14px 24px;font-weight:600;color:var(--navy)\">Methodology<\/td><td style=\"padding:14px 24px;color:var(--text)\">60% applied, writing workshops, meeting simulation, records system design, role-play<\/td><\/tr>\n    <tr><td style=\"padding:14px 24px;font-weight:600;color:var(--navy)\">What's Included<\/td><td style=\"padding:14px 24px;color:var(--text)\">Workbook, writing templates, meeting management toolkit, records system guide, event planning checklist, certificate<\/td><\/tr>\n  <\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"som-sh\">Common Questions<\/h2>\n<div style=\"margin-bottom:44px\">\n  <div class=\"som-faq\"><p class=\"som-fq\">Is this relevant for both new and experienced administrative professionals?<\/p><p class=\"som-fa\">Yes. New administrative professionals build a comprehensive foundation. Experienced administrators systematise skills they have developed through experience, fill specific gaps, and update their approach for the modern administrative role. The self-assessment on day one helps each participant identify where to focus.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"som-sh\">Related Courses<\/h2>\n<div class=\"som-rel-grid\">\n  <a class=\"som-rel\" href=\"\/en\/course\/administration-skills-for-female-administrators\/\">Administration Skills for Female Administrators<\/a>\n  <a class=\"som-rel\" href=\"\/en\/course\/communication-skills-for-teams-training-course\/\">Communication Skills for Teams<\/a>\n  <a class=\"som-rel\" href=\"\/en\/course\/administration-skills-training-course\/\">Administration Skills Training<\/a>\n  <a class=\"som-rel\" href=\"\/en\/course\/advanced-administration-skills-for-experienced-managers\/\">Advanced Administration Skills<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"som-cta\">\n  <h3>Administrative Excellence Is Operational Leadership. Build It.<\/h3>\n  <p>Join administrative professionals from across the Gulf, Africa and Asia who have built the skills to perform at the highest level of their profession.<\/p>\n  <div style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:14px;justify-content:center\">\n    <a href=\"\/en\/register\/?course=Secretarial+Office+Management\" style=\"background:var(--prof);color:#fff;padding:14px 32px;border-radius:8px;font-weight:700;text-decoration:none;font-size:1rem\">Register Now<\/a>\n    <a href=\"\/en\/upcoming-courses\/?course=secretarial-and-office-management-course\" style=\"background:transparent;color:#fff;border:2px solid rgba(255,255,255,.6);padding:14px 32px;border-radius:8px;font-weight:700;text-decoration:none;font-size:1rem\">View All Dates<\/a>\n    <a href=\"\/en\/contact-us\/?type=inhouse&amp;course=Secretarial+Office+Management\" style=\"background:transparent;color:#fff;border:2px solid rgba(255,255,255,.6);padding:14px 32px;border-radius:8px;font-weight:700;text-decoration:none;font-size:1rem\">In-House for My Team<\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"scard\">\n                <div class=\"sdate\"><span class=\"sday\">01<\/span><span class=\"smon\">Jun 2026<\/span><\/div>\n                <div>\n                    <div class=\"si-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/matsh.co\/en\/course\/secretarial-and-office-management-course\/\" style=\"color:var(--navy);text-decoration:none;font-weight:700\">Secretarial and Office Management Course<\/a><\/div>\n                    <div class=\"si-venue\">\ud83d\udccd Online<\/div>\n                    <div class=\"si-badges\"><span class=\"badge bn\">Online<\/span><\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                <div class=\"sr\">\n                    <div class=\"sr-p\">USD 1,200<\/div>\n                    <div class=\"sr-d\">5 Days<\/div>\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/matsh.co\/en\/register\/?cn=Secretarial%20and%20Office%20Management%20Course&#038;cid=secretarial-and-office-management-course&#038;venue=Online&#038;date=01%20Jun%202026&#038;price=1200&#038;currency=USD&#038;duration=5%20Days&#038;sid=7950\" class=\"btn btn-a sm\" style=\"margin-top:8px\">Register \u2192<\/a>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div><a href=\"https:\/\/matsh.co\/en\/upcoming-courses\/?course=secretarial-and-office-management-course\"\n               style=\"display:inline-flex;align-items:center;gap:4px;margin-top:12px;font-size:.84rem;font-weight:600;color:var(--teal)\">\n               View all dates for this course \u2192\n             <\/a>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The role of the secretary and office manager has changed fundamentally in GCC, African and Asian organisations. Today&#8217;s administrative professional manages complex information flows, coordinates senior executives, handles sensitive communications, represents organisations to external stakeholders, and maintains the operational systems that allow everyone else to do their work. In GCC organisations, where administrative professionals often&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":5850,"template":"","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":""},"course_pillar":[],"class_list":["post-5848","course","type-course","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/matsh.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/course\/5848","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/matsh.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/course"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/matsh.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/course"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/matsh.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5850"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/matsh.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5848"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"course_pillar","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/matsh.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/course_pillar?post=5848"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}