If you’re in a one-on-1 call with a client, or in a conference with several participants, taking notes is essential to keep track of the information discussed. If you’re struggling with taking note-worthy notes, it may be difficult to keep up with the meeting as a whole or remember important details once you’re back at your desk. This article will help you improve your note-taking abilities, to ensure you attend more effective and well-organized meetings in the near future.
Pick a method of taking notes that works for you. There are a few common methods to try, including the Cornell method, which breaks your notes https://boardroomschool.com/the-best-practices-for-supporting-remote-workers/ into a smaller column on the left and a more extensive column on the right. The smaller column is designed to highlight the key points of the discussion while the larger one is focused on the details. At the bottom of the page, you can write some notes to tie it all up.
Keep your notes simple. You are likely to get caught in the details of taking notes. However, you should concentrate on what is important to ensure that your notes are useful to those who will be reading them later. Use shorthand or symbols instead of reciting verbatim. This will allow you to remember your notes when it comes time to go back to them and read them.
Ideally, your group should be able to communicate the agenda for the meeting ahead of time to allow you to prepare an outline prior to the meeting. This will spare you the trouble of recording key aspects of the meeting and help you stay on track throughout the discussion.