Taking Minutes of Meetings - Couverture souple

Minutes are vital to the success of meetings. Attendees rely on them for information they may have missed and they serve as an essential communications tool for non-participants. In addition, the action points highlighted in minutes act as a timely reminder for the whole organization. Taking minutes involves listening skills, the ability to absorb information and to summarize it simultaneously. The minute-taker is one of the most important and powerful people in a meeting. Although the tasks can be daunting, it is an opportunity to develop knowledge, broaden horizons and build credibility within the organization. Taking Minutes of Meetings is an accessible reference guide following the whole meeting cycle. Starting with organising a meeting, it goes on to give reliable, hands-on advice about the sections of a meeting; the agenda; personal preparation; taking notes; accuracy; structuring notes; writing up the minutes and recording decisions and actions. It is aimed at anyone new to taking minutes and professionals looking to brush up their technique.

Joanna Gutmann is a freelance training consultant specialising in office communication. She has a background in secretarial work, and extensive experience in the design and development of courses for secretaries. She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD) and is also the author of I Hate Taking Minutes and I Hate Writing Letters, published by Kogan Page.