Use pen and paper

It might seem old fashioned, but taking notes using pen and paper is the most productive way to keep track of what’s being said during a meeting. Laptops and tablets set up physical barriers between participants, with the temptation to check email and tend to other work instead of listening to what is being said. Using this traditional method is good meeting etiquette too, allowing you to engage eye contact rather than staring at a screen. That said, some technological tools are worth investing in. Wacom’s Bamboo Folio smartpad allows you to take notes in ink, which you can then digitize and save to the Wacom Inkspace app at the press of a button. These can then easily be shared via a smartphone or tablet.

Try mind maps

Rather than writing out lengthy notes across multiple pages, try mind maps instead. This more visual method requires you to study the agenda of the meeting beforehand. Place each topic at the center of its own page, drawing branches outwards depending on what is discussed. If items are related, they can then be connected by different lines. Try to use larger paper for this task so you don’t run out of space. When the meeting is over, you’ll have a graphic, easy-to-follow reminder of what has been agreed and action points that need to be taken.

Save notes to your computer as soon as you get back to your desk

Whether you use shorthand, draw mind maps or break a meeting down into categories, it’s essential to read and then save notes as soon as you get back to your desk. Ideas will still be fresh and the notes and drawings you’ve taken will still make sense. Start by digitizing your notes via a Bamboo Ink stylus and the note taking app Wacom Inkspace, then categorize and condense them in a new document so that the key points from the meeting are emphasized. These files can then be saved in a shared folder or distributed among colleagues via email.