Business Administration

INTERNATIONAL TRAINING ON BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

COURSE BACKGROUND

Effective business administration is the backbone of any thriving organization, regardless of its size or sector. It encompasses the efficient coordination of day-to-day operations, meticulous management of resources, seamless communication, and systematic record-keeping, all of which are essential for an organization to function smoothly and achieve its objectives. In today’s competitive and fast-paced business environment, both local and global, strong administrative capabilities are crucial for maintaining productivity, ensuring compliance, and providing vital support to all functional areas, from human resources to finance and marketing. A well-administered organization is better positioned to optimize its processes, adapt to change, and ultimately drive sustainable growth and profitability.

ECAS Institute offers this “Business Administration” course to equip individuals with the foundational knowledge and practical skills required to excel in administrative and operational roles within any organization. This program is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices that ensure efficient business operations, preparing participants to contribute effectively to organizational success.

COURSE OBJECTIVES OF THE TRAINING

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Understand the fundamental principles and practices of effective business administration in diverse organizational settings.
2. Identify the key administrative functions and their importance in supporting overall business operations.
3. Develop practical skills in office management, communication, and record-keeping.
4. Grasp the basics of human resource administration, financial administration, and operations support.
5. Utilize common business software and technology tools for administrative tasks.
6. Apply problem-solving and decision-making techniques to administrative challenges.
7. Recognize the importance of professionalism, ethics, and customer service in administrative roles.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

This course will provide you with the essential administrative skills and knowledge to ensure the efficient and organized functioning of any business or department. You will learn to:

• Understand the structure and types of organizations and the role of administration within them.
• Manage office operations efficiently, including workflow optimization, resource allocation, and maintaining a productive work environment.
• Master effective business communication, both written (e.g., reports, emails, memos) and verbal (e.g., presentations, meetings).
• Implement robust record management systems for physical and digital documents, ensuring data security and accessibility.
• Handle basic financial administration tasks, such as budgeting support, invoicing, and expense tracking.
• Support human resource functions, including recruitment administration, employee record management, and basic payroll processes.
• Utilize widely used office productivity software (e.g., word processing, spreadsheets, presentation tools).
• Apply problem-solving techniques to address day-to-day administrative issues.
• Demonstrate high standards of professionalism, ethics, and customer service in all administrative interactions.

DURATION AND PROGRAM

This is a structured training course designed for hands-on learning and practical skill development. The program will incorporate a blend of expert-led lectures, interactive workshops, practical exercises using business software, case studies relevant to administrative challenges, and group discussions. Participants will engage in simulated administrative tasks to apply theoretical concepts and build confidence in their abilities. The specific duration of the course will be communicated upon registration, tailored to ensure comprehensive coverage and practical skill acquisition.

TARGET PARTICIPANTS

This course is ideal for individuals seeking to develop foundational administrative skills, those new to office environments, or professionals looking to enhance their operational efficiency. It will particularly benefit:

• Administrative Assistants and Office Managers
• Entry-level Business Professionals
• Secretaries and Receptionists
• Small Business Owners handling their own administration.
• Individuals aspiring to administrative or support roles
• Project Assistants and Coordinators
• Students looking to gain practical business skills.
• Professionals in specialized fields who need to manage administrative aspects of their work.

TRAINING MODULES

The course is structured into comprehensive modules, covering the essential aspects of business administration:

No	Module	Details
1.	Introduction to Business and Administration	This module provides an overview of different organizational structures and types of businesses, defining the critical role of business administration in ensuring smooth and efficient daily operations. Key Topics: What is business administration? Types of organizations and their structures. The administrative function and its importance. Core principles of effective administration.
2.	Office Management and Organization	This module focuses on the practical skills required to manage an office environment effectively, ensuring productivity, organization, and a conducive workspace. Key Topics: Office layout and ergonomics. Time management and productivity techniques. Managing office supplies and equipment. Scheduling appointments and managing calendars. Organizing meetings and minute-taking.
3.	Business Communication and Professionalism	This module emphasizes the importance of clear, effective, and professional communication in all business contexts, both internal and external. Key Topics: Principles of effective written communication (emails, memos, letters, reports). Verbal communication skills (active listening, presentations, phone etiquette). Professionalism and workplace ethics. Customer service in administrative roles.
4.	Information and Record Management	This module covers the essential practices for managing business information and records efficiently, ensuring data security, accessibility, and compliance. Key Topics: Importance of record-keeping. Physical and digital filing systems. Data privacy and confidentiality. Document control and versioning. Introduction to basic database concepts for administration.
5.	Introduction to Financial and HR Administration	This module provides an overview of the administrative support functions related to finance and human resources, enabling participants to assist in these critical areas. Key Topics: Basic financial terms and concepts. Supporting budgeting and expense tracking. Handling invoices and purchase orders. HR administration basics (employee records, leave management). Assisting with recruitment and onboarding processes.
6.	Business Technology and Tools	This module equips participants with practical skills in using common office software and digital tools that are indispensable for modern business administration. Key Topics: Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook). Introduction to collaboration tools (e.g., Google Workspace, Zoom). Using presentation software effectively. Basic troubleshooting for office technology.
7.	Problem-Solving, Decision Making, and Growth in Administration	This module helps participants develop critical thinking skills for addressing administrative challenges and considers pathways for career growth in administration. Key Topics: Administrative problem-solving techniques. Basic decision-making frameworks. Adaptability and managing change in the workplace. Continuous learning and professional development for administrative professionals

TRAINING STYLE

The modules will be taught through PowerPoint presentations, and lectures and will include a case study/field visit, breakout sessions, case studies and other interactive discussion components.

The course will also include a few guest speakers, both in person and via Zoom and other online learning platforms for overseas speakers. This provides useful real-world insights alongside the more theoretical aspects of the course.

The conference faculty shall consist of experienced decision makers, as well as practitioners and representatives from established educational and research institutions active around climate change, engineering and international development. Throughout the course, theoretical presentation of concepts will be moderated and more group discussions and plenary engagements will be optimized. PowerPoint presentations will be made by facilitators and resource persons, to highlight key concepts before embarking on group work.

GENERAL NOTES

• Training manuals and additional reference materials are provided to the participants.
• Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be issued with a certificate.
• We can also do this as a tailor-made course to meet organization-wide needs. Contact us to find out more: info@ecasiafrica.org.
• Payment should be sent to our bank account before the start of training and proof of payment sent to: info@ecasiafrica.org.

ABOUT ECAS INSTITUTE

The ECAS Institute designs and delivers independent and targeted training, research, and consulting services. Our work focusses on climate change and resilience building, carbon markets, renewable energy, nature-based solution, biodiversity conservation, agriculture and food systems, We are located in Nairobi Kenya and work across the African region. We have implemented training and research assignments in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Somalia, Malawi, Rwanda, Congo, and South Africa. Globally, we have supported our partners from the UK, Denmark, Italy, Sweden, Germany, and USA.