People Work Best develop an innovative test of minute taking proficiency

Have you ever taken notes in an interview and then found afterwards that youíve missed some important facts? Or maybe youíve taken notes in a meeting and afterwards wondered what was discussed or agreed? Taking notes or minutes can be challenging for the most attentive person. Itís so easy for our attention to wander during a meeting yet the note taker must ensure this doesnít happen to them.

One of People Work Bestís clients has a high volume of meetings that require minute taking and yet they have found it extremely difficult to recruit people with the ability to take accurate notes and then produce a professional set of minutes. The recruitment interview did not help them employ the right person, despite using a copy typing test, so they turned to us and we developed an exercise using a recording of a simulated meeting so it was as good as the real thing. Result? Ö another satisfied client with an accurate set of minutes after every meeting.

Many other organisations struggle with the same problem. One organisation actually has 2 or 3 people taking notes in the same meeting to ensure everything is being recorded accurately!

The answer to the problem is Every Minute Counts, a unique and innovative test that is easy to use as part of the recruitment process to test minute taking proficiency. The exercise offers organisations a simple way of identifying the following skills:

- Observation and listening skills
- Accuracy and attention to detail
- Written communication
- Word processing skills

Every Minute Counts is being launched on Stand C136 at the CIPD Exhibition in Harrogate between 24th and 26th October and there will also be a preview presentation in London on Thursday 21st September (10.30 am to 12.30 pm followed by lunch).

People Work Best is a business psychology and coaching consultancy working with organisations to help them select the best people and maximize their potential. This ethos is reflected in the Every Minute Counts assessment exercise.

For more information or to attend the preview presentation, contact Ian Matheson at ian@peopleworkbest.com or phone 0870 7551261.