Minute-taking: efficient and results-oriented course

Minute-taking is a skill in its own right: you cannot write everything down, so you have to make choices. In this course you learn how to hold on to the main thread, summarise clearly and turn your notes into a clear report with concrete agreements.

Description

Taking minutes calls for sharp choices: you simply cannot write everything down. This course gives you a grip on that selection, so that afterwards you are not left with a jumble of words but with a report that captures the essence and sets out the agreements made clearly.

You work on techniques for grasping the main thread of a meeting, separating main points from side issues and turning your notes into a structured report. You also practise selective and active listening, good preparation, drawing up an action list and writing up your minutes clearly and attractively. The course alternates theory with exercises based on audio material, reflection and the exchange of experiences, so that you notice straight away what works for you.

Afterwards you take minutes with more confidence and produce reports that are useful for everyone around the table.

Topics

• Various techniques for taking minutes effectively
• Selective and active listening
• How to prepare properly for a meeting
• What good minutes should contain
• Drawing up a clear list of actions and decisions
• Practising separating the essentials from the side issues
• Writing clearly and engagingly
• Making clear notes and writing them up quickly
• Taking minutes during in-person and online meetings

Result

After this course you can set out the main thread of a meeting clearly and turn your notes into a well-organised report. You know how to separate main points from side issues, draw up a usable action list and formulate your minutes in an attractive and clear way.

You prepare for a meeting in a focused way, listen selectively and actively, and apply various minute-taking techniques that suit you and the situation. The result: you take minutes with more confidence and produce reports that colleagues really benefit from.

Target audience

This course suits you well if you are about to take minutes for the first time, if you already take minutes but would like practical tips to sharpen your skills, or if you mainly want to work on the presentation and write-up of your minutes. Colleagues who regularly report on online meetings also get a great deal out of this course.

Teaching method

During the course you alternate between experiencing, reflecting, practising with audio material and exploring theory. As a result, the programme suits a wide range of participants. There is plenty of action: you notice straight away what effect your way of taking minutes has.

By exchanging experiences you sharpen your approach further. Sticking points are put on the table, but you also recognise what is already going well. In doing so, we emphasise that you own your own development process.

Prior knowledge

No specific prior knowledge is required for this course. Whether you are about to take minutes for the first time or already have experience, you can join straight away. A little writing ability and a willingness to practise actively are enough.

In-company

Would you like to organise this training for a whole group or several groups? This can be cost-effective. For example, we can tailor the content entirely to your organisation, and training a whole group is also cheaper.

Are you looking at large numbers of participants or a complete academy? That involves a great deal. Consider planning and communication, for example, or identifying and agreeing the objectives and content of the training. Or differences in level, feedback mechanisms and safeguarding. Fortunately, Learnit has extensive experience in this field (more than 25 years) and we are happy to help you through this process.

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Language

The training is given in Dutch as standard. The trainer has a good command of English. English-language course material can be used. With a minimum enrolment of 3 participants, the training can also be given entirely in English.