Notetaking in business is vastly different from the same activity in other settings. Notes taken at home are usually simple reminders to get daily tasks done. And unlike academic settings, at work there is no test, so notes are strictly for your own benefit. It is sometimes tricky to figure out when notetaking should be done. Meetings certainly come to mind. So do seminars and webinars. In this blog post, we’re going to detail 6 notetaking tips for business.
1. Know when to put the pen down.
Every office has a “Janet” who never stops taking notes. She takes notes when the VP tells her to get an espresso. You needn’t be like Janet. Knowing when it’s appropriate to take notes is half the battle. Take notes that directly relate to the reason why you’re having the meeting in the first place.
2. Find something that works for you.
If you prefer to write short, undetailed notes just to remember certain things, stick with it. But if you need something more powerful, think about using EZnet Scheduler® Along with appointment scheduling, EZnet Scheduler enables you to enter notes related to meetings and appointments. This will enable you to keep your desk clutter free.
3. Stay organized.
There’s nothing that will hurt you more than looking back at your notes and you having no idea what you’re looking at. Use lists and bullet points for easy readability. Don’t write sideways in upper corners and down every inch of the paper. Organization is one of the keys not only of notetaking, but also of being efficient in business and productive in business.
4. Use pen and paper.
If you’re not ready to invest in an appointment scheduler like EZnet Scheduler and you don’t want to fiddle with Microsoft Office during a meeting, use good old fashioned pen and paper and to take notes. You can always scan and digitize them later.
5. Highlight.
Word-for-word notetaking is the biggest mistake workers can make. Design your own shorthand and highlight the things YOU find necessary to take away from meetings, conferences, webinars and seminars.
6. Draw.
Sometimes the best way to demonstrate something is by drawing. This may sound a little childish, but if it helps get the job done in a better way, then draw your way to success. Graphs and charts are pictures that can truly “paint a thousand words.”