Empowering Minutes-Taking and Presentation Skills for Professionals
This course is intended to provide learners with the skills and knowledge required to effectively write meeting minutes and present information in a business setting. The course will focus on critical listening, thinking, and writing abilities, all of which are necessary for delivering accurate and concise communications in the workplace.
By the end of this course, participants should be able to:
1. Understand the importance of effective communication in the workplace.
2. Improve your audience analysis skills for effective communication in the workplace.
3. Recall the purposes of the meeting minutes.
4. Identify key elements of effective meeting minutes.
5. Develop skills to take notes, analyse information, and organize information.
6. Recall the purposes of the presentation.
7. Identify key elements of an effective presentation.
8. Develop skills to analyse information, organize, and present information to target audiences.
At least 3 hours of your learning journey would be devoted to "Put Learning into Practice" and "Feedback Sharing", and 4 hours of exchanging tips on how to improve your communication abilities.
Course breakdown: (Morning Session)
I - Introduction (30 mins) - Course objectives review - Importance of effective communication in the workplace - What are the key ingredients of effective communication in a business setting? II - Audience Analysis in effective communication (30 mins) – Defining your target audience – Understanding your readers’ and your participants’ perspective – Defining tone, language, formatting, content expectation etc., according to readers’ or participants’ needs III – Preparing for Effective Meeting Minutes (30 mins) - Explain the purpose of meeting minutes - Share some examples of good and bad meeting minutes. - Discuss the preparation, role, and responsibilities of a minute taker before, during and after a meeting - Stress the importance of focusing on action items and choices made on the agenda and objectives of the meeting. - Explain how to avoid writing down everything or introducing personal ideas. - Make recommendations on how to record extra materials such as reports, presentations, or handouts. IV – During and after the meeting minutes (30 mins) - Applying Active Listening Strategies for information synthesis To Ensure Accuracy In Note-Taking - Developing Critical Writing Skills for Taking Notes Active vs passive voice - Use of Active vs passive voice, clear and unbiased language - Analysing Information Gathered During Meetings Using Critical Thinking Techniques - Identifying main points and distinguishing between fact & opinion - Organizing Information into Clear And Concise Meeting Minutes - using headings, bullet points, tables and numbering V – Put Learning into Practice (45 Minutes) Practice writing and editing meeting minutes for a mock meeting (from a voice recorder using a template) Participants will participate in a mock meeting and produce clear and concise meeting minutes that meet the needs of their target audience. The instructor will provide feedback on the participants’ written work. VI- Present and Receive Feedback (30 Minutes) VII -Wrap up Effective Meeting Minute-taking. (15 Minutes)
Course breakdown: (Afternoon Session) VIII. – Preparing for Presentation (45 mins) - Importance of effective presentations in a business setting - Key elements of an effective presentation – persuasive, influential and informative - Review the steps to create a compelling presentation with catchy introduction, body and conclusion. - Understand the power of story and emotion in presentation. - Use Facts and Data to Support Your Presentation
- Use of visual aids in presentation - Videos, images, charts, graphs, and other visuals to support message for the targeted audience. - Tips on presenting complex information clearly and concisely – put critical thinking in place - Instruct how to structure, summarize, and organize slides for accuracy, clarity, and consistency e.g. infographic. - Develop strong arguments using deductive reasoning - Techniques for engaging your audience with storytelling, data visualization, scenario and images X - Apply What You've Learned (60 Minutes) Use a described situation to practice presenting a presentation. Participants will provide clear and succinct slides that match the expectation of their target audience in a simulated presentation situation. The instructor will offer feedback on the presenting work of the participants. XI- Present and Receive Feedback (30 Minutes) XII -Wrap up Effective Meeting Presentation. (15 Minutes) |
SMF Members: $300
Non SMF Members: $350
*Course fees before GST
**Funding is subjected to approval
Note that purchases of goods and services from GST-registered businesses will be subject to GST at 8%.
Administrative Assistants, Executive Assistants, Project Managers, Team Leaders, and other business professionals.
It is recommended that participant meet the following:
- Minimum age requirement: 21 years old
- Able to speak, listen, write, and read English with Numeracy skills at a minimum proficiency level 2 of the Employability Skills System (i.e., Workplace Literacy and Numeracy, WPLN).
- At least 2 years relevant admin work experience.
1. All notice of transfer/withdrawal / deferment must be given in writing and submitted at least 2 weeks prior to course commencement.
2. An administrative fee of $60 (GST inclusive) will be imposed if notice is received less than 2 weeks.
3. If notice of withdrawal is received:
- At least 1 week before commencement of the course, a 20% of the full course fee will be charged. For government-funded course, a 20% of full course fee before funding will be charged.
- Less than 1 week before commencement of the course, a 30% of the full course fee will be charged. For government- funded course, a 30% of full course fee before funding will be charged.
- No show on the scheduled date, a full course fee will be levied. For government-funded course, a full course fee before funding will be charged.
3. For all government-funded programmes (WSQ & Non-WSQ), funding is only applicable to:
- Singapore Citizens or Singapore Permanent Residents.
- Participants who have achieved at least 75% attendance and passed all required assessments.
- Full course fee will be charged to participants who fail to meet the above-mentioned criteria.
4. Certificates or Statement of Attainment or Certificate of Attendance will only be issued to participants who have achieved 75% attendance and undergo assessment (if applicable).
5. When a course is cancelled, fails to commence or fails to complete under unforeseen circumstances, participant is allowed to defer the intake at no cost or withdraw from the course; under such situation, a full refund of the advance payment will be given.
6. Notice of change in participant’s name must be given in writing, no less than 5 days prior to course commencement.
7. SMF reserves the right to change the venue, cancel or postpone the event without prior notice and full refund will be given under such circumstances. Such modifications shall become effective immediately upon the posting thereof. Please approach your account manager for more queries.

Programme Key Information
- 8 Training Hours
- 350
-
Please ensure you have Singpass access readily available as all attendance taking will be via e-attendance. For foreigner participant, please ensure you sign up for Singpass before registration.