BUSINESS COMMUNICATION – MINUTES AND REPORT WRITING

2^nd-3^rd February, 2026                                                                                                     12^th-13^th May, 2026

14^th-15^th September, 2026                                                                                             10^th-11^th November, 2026

Introduction

Business communication relies heavily on minutes and reports for formal record-keeping and decision-making, with minutes serving as concise official summaries of meetings (attendees, decisions, actions) and reports providing in-depth analysis, findings, and recommendations for specific business problems, both requiring clarity, accuracy, and strategic structure for effective organizational communication and accountability. 

This course develops learners’ ability to communicate effectively in business environments through accurate
minute-taking and professional report writing. It emphasizes clarity, conciseness, correctness, and corporate standards in documentation.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

·       Understand principles of business communication.

·       Take accurate and professional meeting minutes.

·       Write clear business and technical reports.

·       Organize information logically.

·       Edit and format documents to professional standards.

·       Communicate persuasively and formally in business contexts.

·       Apply ethical standards in documentation.

Course Content

Module 1: Introduction to Business Communication

·        Definition and functions

·        Verbal vs written communication

·        Professional tone and language

·        Communication barriers

Module 2: Fundamentals of Effective Writing

·        Clarity and conciseness

·        Grammar and sentence structure

·        Business vocabulary

·        Editing and proofreading

Module 3: Meeting Minutes

·        Purpose of minutes

·        Types of minutes

·        Anatomy of meeting minutes

·        Role of the minute-taker

·        Common errors in minute writing

Module 4: Practical Minute-Taking Skills

·        Listening techniques

·        Identifying key points

·        Using abbreviations and symbols

·        Writing during meetings

·        Transcribing notes into minutes

Module 5: Business Report Writing

·        Types of reports

·        Report structure

·        Writing formal reports

·        Writing executive summaries

Module 6: Research and Information Gathering

·        Sources of information

·        Data collection techniques

·        Note-taking skills

·        Referencing and citation

Module 7: Formatting and Presentation

·        Page layout

·        Headings and numbering

·        Style guides

·        Use of templates

Module 8: Language and Style in Reports

·        Objectivity and tone

·        Cohesion and coherence

·        Persuasive writing

·        Technical vs business writing

Module 9: Ethics and Professional Practice

·        Confidentiality

·        Accuracy and integrity

·        Plagiarism

·        Corporate documentation standards

Duration: Two (2) days                                                                               Fee: N180,000

For Whom:

This training is suitable for corporate staff, tertiary institutions, professional secretaries, administrative
officers, and management staff and others.