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Description

Outlook — Professional Email and Calendar Management: Sorting, Planning and Regaining Control

Regain control of an overloaded inbox and a calendar that fills up on its own

  • 2 days — 14 h
  • In-person or virtual
  • Intermediate
  • Up to 6 participants

The inbox doubles as a to-do list, a memory aid and a filing system. Important messages get lost between courtesy copies and endless reply chains. The calendar fills up with meetings booked by other people and genuine working blocks disappear. Everyone compensates by clearing messages in the evening.

These 14 hours start from the participants' actual working habits. Inbox sorting is automated through rules and categories. Messages that call for action are converted into dated tasks. The calendar is rebuilt block by block and notes are linked to the relevant meetings and files.

Learning objectives

  • Set up sorting rules and a filing structure for the inbox
  • Convert a message into a dated task with visible follow-up
  • Build a calendar that protects blocks of focused work
  • Organise a meeting using shared availability
  • Structure meeting notes and link them to the related messages
  • Retrieve an old message using the search tools

What makes this programme different

Each participant works on their own inbox throughout the session
Sorting rules are created and then tested live on real messages
A weekly email-processing routine is written and scheduled before the end

Programme

1Regaining control of the inbox

From a constant flow to organised processing

  • Identifying the habits that feed the overload
  • Sorting rules and destination folders
  • Categories and follow-up flags
  • Batch processing at set times

2Turning messages into actions

What calls for a task and what simply needs filing

  • Distinguishing information from a request for action
  • Converting a message into a dated task
  • Tracking outgoing requests and follow-ups
  • Archiving and searching for older messages

3Mastering your calendar

Protecting time for focused work

  • Reserved time blocks and recurring appointments
  • Organising a meeting using shared availability
  • Calendar delegation and access rights
  • Managing invitations and travel time

4Meeting notes and follow-up

Keeping a record of decisions

  • A notebook structured by project and by meeting
  • Linking a note, a message and an appointment
  • Recording decisions and assigning next steps
  • Sharing notes with attendees

Who is it for

Regular users of professional email · administrative support staff · managers and team members who wish to organise their message flow and their calendar.

Prerequisites

Day-to-day use of email and calendar in a professional environment.

Dates & locations

36 scheduled dates between November 2026 and December 2027. Seats are confirmed in the order enquiries are received.

November 2026

December 2026

January 2027

February 2027

March 2027

April 2027

May 2027

June 2027

September 2027

October 2027

November 2027

December 2027

None of these dates suit you? We open additional sessions on request, and any programme can be run privately for your team.

Practical details

Before the programme
Online positioning questionnaire. Your development objectives are shared with the trainer, who tailors the practical case studies to your context.
Teaching methods
Theoretical input, workshops and practical case studies. Digital course materials and method sheets provided.
Assessment
Multiple-choice tests and role-play exercises. Assessment of learning at the start and end of the programme, with immediate and 60-day follow-up evaluations.
After the programme
One year of access to the e-learning platform. Self-assessment of the skills acquired and a 30-day follow-up session with your trainer.
How to register
Registration online or on the basis of a quotation.
Lead time
11 working days after confirmation of registration.
Accessibility
Accessible to people of determination. Contact our accessibility coordinator to design a suitable solution: contact@mpf-academy.ae
Start dates
Rolling intake: in addition to the scheduled sessions, this programme can start on request.