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Conference call dos and don’ts

Admin 27th March 2014

Video and voice conferences are fairly common these days. They are quite affordable to individuals and businesses of all sizes and there are even free conference call services available to those who want it.

Many conferencing service providers offer a bouquet of conferencing solutions which will fit budgets of all sizes. Phone conferencing may be as simple as being able to hear and talk to many people at the same time, or highly advanced web and video conferencing with the facility for file sharing among participants online.

Though telephone conferencing is one of the most cost effective and efficient methods of keeping in touch with a large number of people situated across the globe, if it is not conducted in the right manner there is every chance that your call may end up as a damp squib. Many a teleconference has failed to be effective because of loud background noises, constant interruptions and the participants not taking the call seriously enough.

Your teleconferencing service provider will give you a number and PIN to dial into the conference bridge and start the call. To be successful in call conferencing, there are a few dos and don’ts to follow.

Conference Call Dos

Before you even start teleconferencing, ensure that you are well prepared on the subject matter at hand.
Start the call well on time, be punctual and show respect for others’ time.
Join the call from a room where the background noise is at a minimum and there are no constant interruptions.
Speak clearly into the microphone.
During the call, particularly if it is not a video conference, state your name before you say anything.
Remember that other participants cannot see you during a voice conference. Therefore, your verbal expressions must be precise and communicate what your body language and facial expressions cannot.

Conference Call Don’ts

Do not put the call on hold. This will start playing the hold music which will disturb others.
Do not get side tracked by others coming into the room and do not engage in conversations with them.
During a call, try to keep unfamiliar acronyms out of the way.
Just because others cannot see you during a call, you should not be joining the call with a bag of munchies by your side. Eating during a call is an absolute no-no.
Do not read, type or otherwise be distracted by matters that are not pertinent to the call.
Follow the above dos and don’ts and rest assured you have a successful conference at hand.

Should you hold conference calls or a video calls?

Admin 12th March 2021

A lot of us often wonder about whether to choose conference calls or video calls. There are big benefits on both sides, and some shared across the two. After all, there’s no doubt that advancements in call technology have paved the way for new communication methods at work. They allow us to host keynote presentations from across the world, offering inclusivity to those with accessibility needs. Any type of group phone call also provides a sense of connection when teammates are working apart – something particularly valuable through COVID-related lockdowns and social distancing.

But while jumping on a video call has become a knee-jerk reaction for many, it’s not without its drawbacks. Video brings some complications that traditional conference calls simply don’t have. If you’re wondering whether to organise a conference call or video call, don’t forget that sometimes just picking up the phone is the better option.

How do you make a conference call more fun?

Admin 11th February 2021

It’s Tuesday afternoon and you’re already four conference calls into the week. Of course, conference calls are important for so many businesses. But making conference calls more fun should be a bigger priority. Otherwise, they can become tedious and repetitive, and morale and productivity will drop.

Whether you’re working from home and need to catch up with colleagues, or you’re calling clients, these tips will help to make your next conference call more fun.

Conference Call Tips, Remote Working

How to improve unspoken communication on a conference call

Admin 3rd February 2021

Verbal signals are an important part of all communication. But conference call communication depends on verbal and non-verbal signalling. In the age of teleconferencing (and seemingly its glory year!), they’re vital signs into how successful an interaction is. You may be pitching to a prospective client, it may be your weekly team catch up, or you may be a director presenting to an entire department. No matter the purpose of the call, if you are trying to deliver an engaging conference call, getting clued up on non-verbal and verbal signals is crucial. They can indicate that somebody is losing interest. Picking up on these feelings gives you the chance to try and improve things.

Read through our guide about some of the ways to improve communication on a conference call, by reading signals that call participants aren’t invested. We’ll also advise on what to do to turn things around.

Business Conference Calls, Business Tips and Advice, Conference Call Tips