Minute-Taking Skills

Minute-Taking Skills

No matter who you are or what you do, whether at work or in the community, you are involved in meetings. And meetings are costly, even if they are held in a company boardroom. Learn how to keep your meetings as precise as the details on this butterflies wings by including the necessary ingredients to make them successful.

If people cannot remember or agree on what actually occurred at a meeting, how can the group effectively accomplish its objectives? This workshop helps minute-takers understand their role and the best techniques for producing minutes that include all the essential information needed.

Course Outline:

SECTION 1: The Role of the Minute-Taker

  • What is a minute-taker?
  • The importance of the Minute-Taker
  • The purpose of Minutes

SECTION 2: The Skills of a Minute-Taker

  • What it takes

SECTION 3 Meeting Arrangements

  • Purpose of the Meeting
  • The Chair
  • The Minute-Taker
  • The Meeting Participant

SECTION 4: Agenda

  • Template

SECTION 5: Minutes

  • Action Minutes
  • Template
  • What to Record
  • Sample Minutes

SECTION 6: Preparing Minutes

  • Top Techniques

SECTION 7: Editing Minutes

  • The Four C’s
    • First C – Clear
    • Second C – Concise
    • Third C – Complete
    • Fourth C – Correct
  • The Fifth C – Courtesy
  • Word Agreement
  • Active vs Passive Voice
  • Punctuation
  • Spelling
  • Common Spelling Errors
  • Proofreading
  • Practise

SECTION 8: The Minute Book

  • It’s your Responsibility
  • The Minute Book Index

SECTION 9: Developing your Skills

  • Appearance and Professionalism
  • Listening Skills

SECTION 10: Handouts

  • Maintaining Focus and Concentration
  • The Golden Rules
  • Important Points to Remember
  • Common Questions
  • Personal Preparation Checklist

Course reference: MIN115

Duration: One Day (1 Day)

Time: 09h00 - 15h30

Type: Onsite at your work premises, Open (Public) Course, E-learning (Online) course, Online via Google Meet


Fact: A meeting loses its value and wastes time if it is not documented in the correct manner.


Register for this training course

Register for this course


Enquire about this training course

Send enquiry


Training Methods: This workshop includes dynamic trainee/trainer interactions and discussions, written and oral exercises, role plays, case studies, reflection, quizzes and a workbook for each participant to take back to the workplace.


Target Audience: This workshop is designed for administrative staff – Administrators, Secretaries, Clerks, Assistants, Sales Assistants, Sales Staff, Call Centre Agents, Professionals who work as Technical Support, Hot Line, or Help Desk, Customer Service Representatives, Operators, Receptionists, and everyone who needs to be effective in taking minutes.



  • This was a great learning curve, showing how important the interview process actually is and how we can improve it.

    Nomfundo: Recruitment & Selection Training

Our mission

'Empowering others to help themselves through training, education & motivation.'