Minutes can be a really serious business. Accurate minutes are vital but let's face it - minute taking isn't the most thrilling job. Even worse, it can be intimidating and scary when there's a lot of pressure on you to get it right. And then there's the human factor: Wafflers. Mumblers. Impromptu agenda items and wishy-washy chairpersons.

This course tackles the reality of minute taking and provides you with tools, processes, insight, and practice until you feel confident in any meeting situation. Learn how to take minutes like a pro, and stay awake while you're doing it.

A practical and hands-on course, you'll work through exercises and scenarios to reinforce your learning and prepare you for the demands of your next meeting.

Group Training only - minimum 4 attendees required to run this course. Please enquire for alternative training options at [email protected]

Minute takers, Administrators, Chairpersons, Anyone who wants an extra skill in their pocket.

None essential, but please bring your own minutes or minute templates to work on (if any)

Upon completion of this course the attendee will be a minute taking Ninja. The course has an emphasis on the practical so you can apply the skills immediately. In other words you'll learn and practice

• roles and responsibilities when taking minutes
• how to filter information and capture what's needed
• designing fit for purpose minute templates
• approaches to help you stay alert and focused
• a never-fail minute taking process

Roles and responsibilities

• who's responsible for what
• what can reasonably be expected of you
• responsibilities of the chairperson and minute taker
• relationship between chair and minute taker
• ideal roles in the planning/running/recording of meetings

How to filter information and capture what's needed

• getting familiar with the agenda
• knowing the right questions to ask
• understand what to listen for
• distinguishing between fact and opinion
• the importance and value of a good template
• appropriate non-emotional, unbiased writing-style
• Plain Language

Designing fit for purpose minutes templates

• start with a never-fail template
• knowing how to adjust a template
• making a template work for you
• how a template can make the meeting easier to manage
• translating notes to minutes
• making your minutes look professional

Approaches to help you stay alert and focused

• knowing what to listen for
• 'managing up' and 'facilitating from behind'
• tips and tricks
• jargon and new words
• environment

A never-fail minute taking process

• time and preparation
• focus and filter
• from notes to minutes
• proofreading