Jane Watson

Grammar – The Changing Rules

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Although they may not like it, people are now aware that nothing remains the same. Everything changes. That’s why I find it amazing when some people appear stunned to hear grammar rules and writing styles change.

But why shouldn’t they?  Grammar and writing style rules were invented to meet a specific need. When the need changes or no longer works, shouldn’t the rule?

For instance, periods did not exist until the 4th century. At that point, St. Jerome decided he needed them to make his translations of the scriptures easier to understand. I am sure he probably got complaints about the strange mark in his writing style.

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Jane Watson

The Key to Productive Meetings: The Cardinals Know It

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The cardinals in Rome have much to talk about as they participate in closed-door, pre-conclave meetings. In fact, some of them have so much to discuss that they have had to set up a 5-minute time limit. When the green light flashes, the speaker must halt.

It’s the best way to run a productive meeting. Time allowances for speakers prevent one person from monopolizing a meeting and encourages the speaker to organize his or her thoughts in a logical manner.

Why don’t more meeting chairs do this? Oftentimes, it’s because they don’t feel comfortable dictating to their members – some of whom may be higher ranking than themselves. But in the long term, the chair looks more capable, meetings finish on time, and more work gets done.

How do you set up the time limits? In the agenda. A good agenda doesn’t just list the topic for discussion. This would make the agenda just the chair’s grocery list. Effective agendas include the name of the person who will lead the discussion and the purpose for the discussion – update, decision required, or action needed. It also assigns a time limit for each topic. Obviously, if the topic becomes heated or more time is needed, the chair can make some adjustments during the meeting.

When in a meeting, do what the Romans do.

By Jane Watson

Colin Watson

Taking Minutes at Meetings now on YouTube

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Minute Taking Online web-based Course

Web-Based training – Taking Minutes at Meetings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YouTube link or click on the image above

This web-Based Training is Offered through the “Udemy” training portal.

Udemy-Minute TakingThe online course costs just $149… but for a limited time, use the coupon code “otn” and get the course for only $129!

Click HERE to get this special offer now!

 

Colin Watson

Web Based Training – Taking Minutes at Meetings

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Ontario Training now offers a web based courses through Udemy on Taking Minutes at Meetings:

Web based training by Jane Watson

Jane Watson has been involved in the meeting process — both as a minute taker and as a chair — for many years.

In fact, she has written one of the first books exclusively on minute taking — The Minute Takers Handbook — now in its 4th reprint. Since then she has taught minute taking to all sorts of groups. And Jane has learned even more techniques to help you.

Whether you are taking minutes for boards, committees, weekly meetings, volunteer groups or your condo association, this workshop will  make you more confident and enable you to produce professional minutes.

Participants will learn how to write effective minutes quickly, how privacy legislation impacts minutes, and how to improve their listening skills. The course includes templates, exercises and quizzes.
Once you sign-up for the course you will have unlimited access, including any updates I make to it in the future!

Minute Taking at Meetings

Whether you are taking minutes for boards, committees, weekly meetings, volunteer groups or your condo association, this three-hour workshop will make you more confident and enable you to produce professional minutes.

If you prefer the conventional classroom lead instruction, OntarioTraining.net offers both a half-day and a full-day of training on Minute Taking.

Minute Taking and Privacy Legislation – FIPPA & MFIPPA

Minute Taking & Listening Skills

Minute Taking: Take Minutes, Not Hours (half-day workshop)

Tim Watson

5 Ways to Become a Better Manager

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Recent studies show employee engagement is down, and that many employees are looking for new opportunities — or they intend to — as soon as the economy picks up steam. A number of studies have also revealed what these employees are looking for, and what can motivate them to stick around – good management. This means a manager who understands personal motivations and who is looking out for their employees’ best interests and development.

Work now to improve your relationships with your employees and to provide tailored learning, training and development opportunities for them. This can help stem future job losses – as well as build a more productive and motivated team today. The best way to strengthen workplace relationships is to study your employees’ behaviour profile. If you understand the strengths of a person, you will understand what motivates them.

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