Office Practices

There are 6 lessons in this course:

1. The Modern Office
   • scope of office work
   • procedures
   • the home office vs commercial premises, etc.
2. Communication Systems
   • using the phone
   • business letters
   • faxes
   • couriers
   • postage, etc.
   • Interpersonal Communications
   • Phone Skills
3. Writing Letters and Other Documents
   • writing Letters and Reports.
   • structure of a report
   • memos
   • business letters.
4. Computer Applications
   • scope & uses of computers
   • types of computers
   • software types
   • peripherals
   • word processing
   • CD Roms
   • modems
   • setting up and care of a PC.
5. Office Organisation and Procedures
   • Stationary
   • office furniture
   • paper specifications
   • filing
   • record keeping etc.
6. Health and Safety in the Office
   • Office layout and organization
   • security.

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

• Determine the price range of different items of equipment and materials.
• Determine the upper and lower limit of what it might be likely to cost you to set up a new office.
• Design a memorandum form.
• Explain postal systems used in a business.
• Create a MS Access Database.
• Design a filing system.
• Design a work schedule suitable for a specific workplace.
• Design a security system that can be implemented in a work situation.
• Design a layout for an office situation.

• Make a list of essential equipment, stationery and other materials.
• Visit an office supply company.
• Collect catalogues or price lists for different products available.
• Compare the implications of having an office at home with leasing, buying or using a serviced office.
• Explain applications to use and apply the following office equipment:
  • computers
  • mobile phones
  • printers
  • email
  • fax
  • scanners
• Report on the range of systems covering:
  • couriers
  • postage
  • scanners
  • electronic banking
  • mobile phones
  • rail services
• Write a letter applying for this job.
• Write a letter from an organisation (real or imaginary) to another organisation.
• Ask your local computer supplier about virus removal software and hardware.
• Compile a table comparing features of different computer systems.
• What roles can computers play in business?
• Contact or visit various stationery supplies to find out about what materials are available.
• Write a report about how to design a filing system suitable for your area of work.
• Inspect various offices to see how they are utilising space and storage.
• Contact various suppliers of office furniture to see what furniture is available.