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Bossies and other outside participants had a conference call last week and recorded it. I've been asked to transcribe it. Should this be like meeting minutes, or should it be a word-for-word transcription? I will only recognize some of the voices, so pinning down who said what will be difficult.

To be most accurate, you'd have to ask Bossie what he's wanting.  Most of the ones that I've had to do, all they wanted were minutes of the call and therefore it was done that way.  Occassionally I've had to actually transcribe a call, and that is difficult when you don't know all the participants.  Check with Bossie and see what he really was expecting as an outcome.

CountriGal
Peer Moderator

In our organization, the trend of conference call is relatively new. Though I haven't recorded any such proceedings but have seen such written correspondence done by one of secretaries in country office who is a friend of mine. The proceedings are recorded in the form of minutes and not word-by-word transcription. All the suggestions/views are listed in bullet points under respective agenda item without referencing it to the person floating the suggestion/view (due to the non-recognition of voice) and then at the end of suggesitons, comes the decision.

mnaeempk
Naeem in Pakistan

We hold weekly conference calls, across 2 or 3 countries.  I do not transcribe the call verbatim, but record any decisions that have been made. Once I have wriitten the minutes/actions, I circulate round the team.  It is probably easier for me as I recognise the voices of the people who are speaking - however, if it is the same people you will also soon get to recognise them.  But I agree that the best thing to do is check with you boss.  

Good luck, it will get easier - I promise!

Ruth

Thanks, everyone, for your ideas. Bossie did NOT want to be bugged about this so I transcribed most of the notes verbatim, then highlighted the discussion points to create something similar to meeting minutes and gave him just those. Since I had NO clue what they were talking about, I figured I did a subpar job, and he's pretty demanding. However, Bossie had only one correction on the draft and later told me, "Great job on the meeting notes!" Since he gives compliments even more rarely than smiles, this was notable.

I have a feeling I'll be doing it again this month since the next meeting is the day after I have to be sedated during a medical procedure and I'm betting I won't feel like driving all the way to the meeting facility to take notes--might be home resting, who knows...

Congratulations on the compliment.  Sounds like you were expecting a lot more of yourself than Bossie was.  Way to wow him.  And best of luck on the medical procedure and minutes afterwards.  (Definitely do not drive in just for minutes after something like that!)

CountriGal
Peer Moderator

If it's a regular thing why not ask "Bossie" if each of the people as they begin to speak, gives their name - that way you will learn to connect their voice and name -- in time!!

Congratulations on your first set of "minutes" and good luck with the next Conference Call.