Minute Taking That Creates Clear Decisions and Action

A one day, face to face programme that shows Executive Assistants and Personal Assistants how to capture meetings properly and turn discussion into clear, trusted records that drive action.

This course reflects how meetings actually happen today, including Microsoft Teams, hybrid meetings and fast moving discussions.

Delivered face to face by a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional with decades of real world Executive Assistant experience.

Meetings have changed. Minute taking must change with them.

Most meetings now happen in Microsoft Teams or in hybrid formats.

Conversations move quickly. Decisions are made verbally. Actions are implied rather than stated. Chat messages, shared documents and recordings sit alongside the meeting itself.

Yet minutes are often still treated as an afterthought.

Executive Assistants and PAs are left trying to reconstruct what mattered after the event.

This programme fixes that gap.

This is not about typing faster

Minute taking is not a typing skill.

It is a judgement skill.

You need to know what to listen for, what to challenge and what to record while the meeting is still happening.

This is even more important in Teams meetings where conversation can fragment between voices, chat and shared content.

This programme teaches how to capture clarity in that environment.

Why face to face delivery matters

Minute taking requires practice, confidence and feedback.

Face to face delivery allows you to practise listening, intervening and capturing information in real time with expert guidance.

You work through realistic meeting scenarios including Teams style discussions, interruptions and unclear decisions.

This depth cannot be achieved through templates or recordings alone.

What this programme changes

This programme is not about formats.

It is about how you think in the meeting.

By the end of the day, you will be able to:

• Identify decisions as they happen in Teams and in person meetings
• Capture actions with clarity, ownership and deadlines
• Distinguish between discussion, chat commentary and real outcomes
• Structure minutes so they are easy to read and act on
• Reduce time spent rewriting notes after meetings
• Feel confident clarifying vague discussion during the meeting

You do not leave with notes.

You leave with a clear, repeatable method.

Working effectively with Microsoft Teams

This programme reflects how Microsoft Teams is used in real workplaces.

You learn how to work alongside Teams meetings, chat, recordings and transcripts without becoming dependent on them.

Technology supports your judgement.
It does not replace it.

This ensures your minutes remain accurate, professional and trusted, even in fast paced virtual meetings.

What this looks like in practice

This programme shows you how to:

• Prepare for Teams meetings so you know what to listen for
• Capture decisions and actions during live discussion
• Use Teams features appropriately without losing focus
• Structure minutes for senior leaders and boards
• Follow up actions confidently and professionally

Minute taking becomes a professional strength, not a source of stress.

Part of the five day Executive PA programme

This one day programme also forms part of the five day Endorsed Executive PA Training Programme.

It can be taken as a standalone day or as part of the wider five day development pathway for Executive Assistants and Senior PAs.

Within the five day programme, this day strengthens governance, clarity and confidence across meetings and follow up.

Why this programme is different

Most minute taking courses focus on templates.

This programme focuses on judgement in modern meetings.

Everything is grounded in real Executive Assistant and PA experience, real Teams meetings and real workplace pressure.

You learn how to listen differently, clarify professionally and produce minutes that reflect what actually matters.

This is the difference between notes and records.

Immediate impact

Within days of completing this programme, you will:

• Spend less time rewriting minutes
• Feel more confident in Teams meetings
• Produce clearer records with stronger follow up
• Be trusted as the person who captures what really matters

This is practical.
This is applied.
This works in real EA and PA roles.

Led by a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional

This programme is delivered by Paul Pennant, a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional.

The content reflects decades of real world experience supporting Executive Assistants, Personal Assistants and leadership teams, including how Microsoft Teams is actually used day to day.

For learners, this brings confidence and clarity.
For organisations, it delivers better decisions and accountability.

Who this programme is for

This programme is designed for:

• Executive Assistants and Personal Assistants
• Senior PAs supporting directors and boards
• Office professionals responsible for meetings and follow up
• Organisations operating in Teams and hybrid environments

In house delivery for organisations

This programme can also be delivered privately for organisations.

In house delivery allows the content to be aligned to your meeting culture, governance requirements and Microsoft Teams environment. It is particularly effective for teams of Executive Assistants and PAs working together.

To discuss in house delivery, contact
info@todayspa.co.uk

Dates and booking

This face to face programme is delivered at scheduled times with limited places to ensure quality and depth of learning.

Select your preferred date below to secure your place.

Your trainer

Paul Pennant

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional

Paul Pennant has over two decades of experience training Executive Assistants and office professionals to work with confidence, clarity and structure in modern meeting environments.

Founder and Owner of Today’s PA.