COURSE OVERVIEW

Welcome to the Manage Meetings Effectively course. This program will equip you with the knowledge, structure, and practical skills required to plan, conduct, participate in, and follow up on meetings that support communication, decision-making, and organisational performance. You will explore the importance of business meetings, the different types of meetings used in workplaces, and the principles that guide effective meeting management. This course also highlights the role meetings play in information-sharing, management control, collaborative problem-solving, and strategic decision-making across teams and organisations.

This course begins by examining the importance of business meetings and the methods used to manage group meetings productively. You will explore the characteristics of formal meetings, meetings designed for communication, meetings focused on management control, and meetings intended for decision-making and problem-solving. This section helps you understand why different meeting formats exist, how they support organisational functions, and how purpose influences agenda structure, participant involvement, and required outcomes.

You will then explore how to prepare effectively for meetings. This includes learning how to organise a meeting, determine who should attend, and select an appropriate time and venue. You will examine what information participants should receive in advance, how to clarify your role in the meeting, and how to prepare your own contribution so you can participate with clarity and confidence. This section also examines strategies for anticipating issues, gathering supporting information, and ensuring that all attendees can contribute constructively.

A further learning area focuses on participation and chairing skills. You will explore how to take part in a meeting professionally, how to contribute ideas effectively, and how to support constructive dialogue. This section also examines how to chair a meeting, including the chairperson’s key responsibilities such as guiding discussion, ensuring participation, managing time, resolving conflict, and achieving meeting objectives. You will learn techniques for maintaining control of the meeting while fostering engagement and collaboration.

The next component of the course examines the importance of follow-up actions, ensuring that meetings lead to meaningful implementation rather than unfulfilled intentions. You will explore how to follow up on meetings through clear communication, tracking action items, and confirming responsibilities. This section also examines the role of documentation and how accurate, timely records strengthen accountability, support decision-making, and improve long-term outcomes.

Another major focus of this course is note-taking and minute-taking, essential skills for anyone involved in meetings. You will explore the purpose of notes, the importance of minute-taking, and how minutes contribute to transparency, legal compliance, and organisational memory. You will also examine how to take minutes effectively, including capturing key decisions, responsibilities, deadlines, and agreed-upon actions.

You will then explore practical techniques of note-taking, learning how to structure notes in a clear and logical format that enhances recall and supports future action. This section covers layout methods, summarisation strategies, and ways to capture critical points without being overwhelmed by unnecessary detail. You will also learn how structured note-taking supports active participation, helps maintain focus, and provides a reliable record of meeting content.

By the end of this course, you will be able to organise meetings with confidence, contribute effectively to discussions, chair meetings professionally, take accurate minutes, structure clear notes, and ensure that follow-up actions are implemented. You will understand how meetings function as a strategic tool for communication and decision-making, and you will be equipped to lead or participate in meetings that are focused, productive, and aligned with organisational objectives.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of this course, you will be able to understand:

• The importance of business meetings
• How to manage group meetings?
• Formal meetings
• Meetings for communicating information
• Meetings for management control
• Meetings to make decisions and solve problems
• How to prepare for meetings?
• How to organise a meeting?
• How to identify who should attend the meeting?
• When and where will the meeting be held?
• What information should participants receive in advance?
• What will your role be in the meeting?
• How to prepare a contribution to the meeting?
• How to take part in a meeting?
• How to chair a meeting
• The chairperson’s chief responsibilities
• How to contribute to a meeting?
• How to follow up on meetings?
• How to take notes in meetings?
• The purpose of notes
• The importance of minute-taking
• How to take minutes in meetings?
• The benefits of note-taking
• Practical techniques of note taking
• How to structure your notes?

COURSE DURATION:

The typical duration of this course is approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.

ASSESSMENT:

A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.

CERTIFICATION:

Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.