Imagine this…
You have what seems to be one of the most productive meetings ever; everyone is on the same page, tasks are being delegated and things really seem to be moving in the right direction for a change.
You sit back down at your desk and start working on your list of tasks, one of which you can only complete with input from Audrey. However, even though in the meeting Audrey agreed to help you, she's now saying she's not aware of this project and won't be able to assist you until next week.
You speak to your manager but now he is putting pressure on you to meet the deadline agreed upon in the meeting, but he seems to think the project is due a week before you do. You've written down the project's due date and show him, but he also wrote down what he thought he heard and it's just your word against his (and bosses always win these fights…).
The next meeting you have is disastrous. Virtually nothing that was agreed upon in the last meeting has been achieved and everybody is arguing amongst themselves about who was supposed to do what and by when. Utter chaos.
The same situation can happen with poorly recorded minutes, taking what should be a productive and collaborative event and turning it into a confusing argument that wastes time and leads nowhere.
Conversely, well-minuted meetings leave those who attend them with a clear purpose and mission in mind. Everyone knows what needs to be done, who is tasked to do it, who else is involved, and by when it needs completing. There is no room for confusion, and once the minutes have been circulated to those who attended the meeting we are able to hold ourselves and others accountable for what needs to be done.
Taking effective minutes is the difference between chaotic, argumentative meetings where little is accomplished, and structured, productive meetings which are a pleasure to attend - which ones do you have?
Staff Training offers Minute Taking Training across South Africa, contact info@StaffTraining.co.za for more information or call (021) 839 3021