Minute Taking

The ability to distil key points in order to document decisions and actions is vital in many organisations. This course provides a variety of best-practice frameworks and helps delegates adapt them to their individual needs. Rather than relying on speedwriting the course focuses on drawing out key points and making notes relevant to the needs of stakeholders in the room. It will show you how to compile concise meeting notes covering all key points without wasting words or time.

Stage 1 - The course

• Understand the purpose and various types of minutes
• Writing styles and what to avoid
• The duties and responsibilities of the Chair and minute taker
• Working in partnership with the Chair
• Devising an agenda - where to start and what other people will expect
• Using the agenda in practice
• Improving your listening skills
• Note taking - what could go wrong and different methods to make note taking easier
• Note taking - practical exercises
• Being selective and sorting information effectively
• Minuting workshop and practice excercise
• Defining a good set of minutes
• Re-writing badly done minutes
• Bad minutes - feedback session
• Overcoming the passive voice
• Correct tone and professional language
• Questions and answers with our experienced trainer
• This course is mapped to the QCF unit 'Take Minutes'

Stage 2 - MP3 Learning bites

Stage 3 - e-learning
After you have attended the course, a modular e-learning programme will be delivered to your inbox. These interactive, bite-sizd follow-ups can be completed in your own time, and will cement the learning from the course with further practical exercises on minute taking.

• A checklist of what should be included in minutes
• An understanding of the important dynamic between the minute-taker and chair person
• Listening Techniques to enhance concentration
• Skills to present minutes clearly, accurately, and professionally
• Detailed knowledge of what makes a great set of minutes
• The ability to filter and summarise large amounts of information
• A blended learning experience allowing you to continue to develop skills in the workplace

• Clearly documented meetings will have more chance of achieving their objectives
• Trained minute-takers can champion best-practice in the organisation
• Better communication across the organisation and in meetings will mean less wasted time and better performance

All of Reed Learning's courses are delivered in an active and engaging way to help delegates create real change. We use a robustly-designed and independently-accredited competency framework to ensure each course is delivered in a way suitable to a variety of learning styles. Minute Taking uses a mix of theory, roleplay, practice meetings and exercises to give delegates all the practical skills they need to take effective minutes in any situation. Like all of our courses, it follows our Do-Review-Learn-Apply Model:

Our training doesn't begin and end on the day. We have a five-stage evaluation model that means delegates are challenged to set real objectives before and during the course. Every delegate uses the personalised training and insight from the facilitator to create meaningful actions that will help them make a difference at work. We follow-up eight weeks after the course to make sure that these actions have been implemented, and all delegates are entitled to re-attend the course for free as a refresher. Our process is so robust we've received accreditation from the ISO and the Matrix Standard.

All of Reed Learning's trainers are part of our faculty. Entrance to our faculty is thoroughly assessed through our training competency framework, and all of our trainers are constantly challenged to continuously develop their knowledge to deliver training of the highest standard. Trainers who deliver this course include:

Wendy Reed: Wendy is part of our training faculty and regularly delivers our PA courses. As a trained actress and coach she brings a fresh energy, enthusiasm and expertise to all the courses she delivers. Wendy’s extensive knowledge of all of her subjects is combined with her passion for supporting PAs and secretaries in their development. Her varied career means she has personally encountered many of the issues delegates face. Wendy’s common sense approach, engaging style and positivity ensure every delegate comes away from her courses feeling totally equipped to make a real difference back at work.

Dawn Smart: Dawn Smart is a part of our training faculty and regularly deliver this course. She specialises in communication and presentation skills, customer services and training for new managers. She recognises that no two managers are exactly the same, and is experienced in adapting courses to the specific needs of her delegates. She helps anyone attending the course develop their own managerial style by providing advice tailored to the individual challenges they face.

• First Capital Connect
• RWE
• HM Revenue and Customs
• Experian
• West Midlands Police
• Specsavers
• OFSTED
• Pfizer
  
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This course is suitable for anyone who is required to take factual records of meetings and distribute action points afterwards.