“How on earth am I going to make notes of everything that is said? What if I miss something important?” Don’t worry; we are here to help you. We have created a list of 5 tips you can use to become a master of taking minutes in future meetings!
If you start applying these tips all at once, it might seem a bit daunting. Start applying each of these tips slowly. And take heart – every little bit of effort eventually pays off. So let’s jump straight into it:
TIP 1: Be prepared for the meeting:
Make sure that you are ready for the meeting. The last thing you would want is to arrive late and without the necessary documentation. So make sure you arrive early, so that you can set up your writing station before the meeting starts. Also ensure that you have all the correct writing tools (extra pens and highlighters), enough writing paper, and relevant documents (such as the agenda, if available).
TIP 2: Keep it simple:
Remember that your notes do not have to consist of a word-for-word record of what everyone says in the meeting. For example, if you are in a brainstorming meeting or creative session, you don’t have to jot down every idea – just focus on the ones that are agreed upon, and make a note of who suggested it. In this context, an article on Business Management Daily says that “Meeting minutes are a summary of the actions taken and the discussions that are had in the meeting.”
TIP 3: Listen before writing:
Listen to each point first before trying to write everything down. This way, you will be able to figure out what needs to be recorded, and to summarise what was said. The minute-taking process does not have to feel like a “do or die” process. If you have missed something important, simply make a note on the side so that you remember to ask the relevant person after the meeting.
Tip 4: Use bullet points and keywords:
Instead of using full sentences, make use of bullet points to write down lists of suggestions and comments. Using keywords is a lot quicker and easier than writing out full sentences.
TIP 5: Use a comfortable method:
If you are comfortable using your laptop to record your minutes, then do that. Do not make things complicated for yourself by writing everything down on a notepad if you are comfortable using a different recording method.
If you are still nervous about taking the minutes of a meeting after reading this post, then it might be a good idea for you to enrol for the following courses at Oxbridge Academy to develop your skills:
Click here to view the Business Administration courses
Click here to view the Secretarial courses
Thanks for suggesting the tips for mastering your minute. The skills of the mastering your minutes help many of us to build the future of the business and many of it.