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Description

Note-Taking and Minutes: Capture, Structure and Write What Matters

Leave every meeting with usable notes and minutes drafted straight away

  • 2 days — 14 h
  • In-person or virtual
  • Foundation
  • Up to 6 participants

Trying to write down everything prevents you from listening and produces a document nobody rereads. The minutes are then written several days later, with gaps and approximations. They arrive too late, no one reads them, and the decisions taken in the room are left without a reliable record.

Two days to select a note-taking technique suited to the situation, filter information during the meeting, distinguish between the different types of minutes and draft a clear document under time pressure. Exercises are based on filmed meetings and then on the cases brought by participants.

Learning objectives

  • Select a note-taking technique suited to the meeting
  • Identify the useful information during the discussion
  • Distinguish between verbatim minutes summary minutes and a record of decisions
  • Draft structured and neutral minutes within a short deadline
  • Review and tighten your text before circulation

What makes this programme different

Note-taking on filmed meetings followed by comparison of the outputs
Timed drafting of complete minutes at the end of the session
Three minute-taking formats practised and compared

Programme

1Listening and Noting

Write less to understand more

  • Identify the structure of a spoken discussion
  • Select the information worth noting and set aside the rest
  • Use personal abbreviations and symbols
  • Choose between linear notes tables and mind maps
  • Record decisions at the moment they are taken

2Choosing Your Format

Minutes are written for someone

  • Identify the readers and the intended use
  • Distinguish between a record of decisions summary minutes and a report
  • Set the level of detail and the tone
  • Handle sensitive debates without distorting what was said
  • Respect the confidentiality of the discussions

3Writing Clearly

A text that reads quickly

  • Build an outline before writing
  • Write short sentences in the present tense
  • Remove judgements and approximations
  • Highlight decisions owners and deadlines
  • Pay attention to headings and layout

4Reviewing and Circulating

The final stretch

  • Review using a three-pass checklist
  • Remove repetition and tighten the text
  • Obtain approval without reopening the debate
  • Circulate at the right time to the right recipients
  • Archive so that an old decision can be found again

Who is it for

This programme is intended for administrative assistants and executive assistants as well as project officers and anyone responsible for writing meeting minutes.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites

Dates & locations

36 scheduled dates between November 2026 and December 2027. Seats are confirmed in the order enquiries are received.

November 2026

December 2026

January 2027

February 2027

March 2027

April 2027

May 2027

June 2027

September 2027

October 2027

November 2027

December 2027

None of these dates suit you? We open additional sessions on request, and any programme can be run privately for your team.

Practical details

Before the programme
Online positioning questionnaire. Your development objectives are shared with the trainer, who tailors the practical case studies to your context.
Teaching methods
Theoretical input, workshops and practical case studies. Digital course materials and method sheets provided.
Assessment
Multiple-choice tests and role-play exercises. Assessment of learning at the start and end of the programme, with immediate and 60-day follow-up evaluations.
After the programme
One year of access to the e-learning platform. Self-assessment of the skills acquired and a 30-day follow-up session with your trainer.
How to register
Registration online or on the basis of a quotation.
Lead time
11 working days after confirmation of registration.
Accessibility
Accessible to people of determination. Contact our accessibility coordinator to design a suitable solution: contact@mpf-academy.ae
Start dates
Rolling intake: in addition to the scheduled sessions, this programme can start on request.