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Note Taking for Business Meetings
I need to compile a reference which will allow an end user to effectively take notes at meetings, and then transcribe them into a legible, professional report. The problem I'm running into in my search is; results are returned which describe either academic note taking (Cornell system), technological systems, short hand systems or meeting minute how-to's. I've found a reference on structuring a newspaper article, and another on how to write in active voice, which is exactly what I'm looking for in the end state. What I need is the beginning. Meeting minutes are close, but not in depth enough. I have my own system, but I can't teach it to others because my brain thinks in spirals. My question to the group is; what resources have you used to make you better note takers in the business world?
Requirements:
- It must be simple to learn (no complex short hand).
- It must be easy to implement (if the system is difficult no one will use it).
- It must provide a logical process.
- Pre-printed forms are fine, but they tend to become doctrine around here. However, if you have specific headers you use to keep information straight, I would be interested to know.
- The system can't rely on technology. It must be usable with pencil and paper.
- It must be acceptable to barely literate, knuckle dragging neanderthals, who also have college degrees.
I'm looking for specific references I can point to and cite. There is no problem with appealing to authority, it's actually the preferred method, and would help me sell it. However, at this point I will take any advice I can get. So, if you've read a book or an article which has helped you, I could use the reference. If not, any tips you have will be greatly appreciated.
tl;dr
How do you take good notes in a business meeting?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Liam S. on -
I'm useless in this arena, and rely on a mix of typing on my laptop, audio recording, and my own language of visual (drawn) cues - arrows/brackets/flowchart type.
I'll be curious to see what suggestions come in.
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Permalink Reply by Shane on -
Might have to wait til tomorrow when the lawyers and businessmen log in.
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Permalink Reply by Ian Wilson on -
i just write keywords that i know will trigger a fuller memory recall for me. and like Liam, i am visual and will draw diagrams and arrange the words in a visual pattern.
also curious to see what others say.
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Permalink Reply by LShieldes on
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This. I've never been to a business meeting that was so involved that I couldn't recall what little actually happened with some keywords and at most whatever material was passed out or presented.
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Permalink Reply by JonEdanger on -
What type of content are you trying to capture? Restricting to paper/pencil makes it tough. Why not Cornell?
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Permalink Reply by Shane on
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eh
As much content as possible, and I mean that in the very broadest and literal sense. Paper and pencil because technology isn't reliable. The Cornell system is fine, but designed for academic note taking during lectures. Not the same forum.
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Permalink Reply by JonEdanger on
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I learned the Cornell system in my undergrad program (before the laptop was ubiquitous). I used it though grad school and continue to use it in my day to day business meetings now.
Maybe the lawyers have a system that will work for you.
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Permalink Reply by Shane on
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How do you modify it for business meetings? Do you turn your notes into reports or archive them as is?
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Permalink Reply by JonEdanger on
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I use a large Moleskine grid notebook for meeting notes. I use the right side for notes and the left side for cues. I don't do a summary section.
I don't report on the meetings I attend. One of my engineers, project managers or developers will typically take the official minutes if there are minutes to be taken. That being said, I'll survey my guys tomorrow and see what methods they are using.
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