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What to avoid when choosing a conference call service

Admin 14th July 2014

Teleconferencing needs vary according to the individual and the nature of businesses one handles. Being a great, green way to avoid unnecessary expenditure of time, energy and money call conferences are increasingly sought after by everyone from large families to international businesses. With such a great potential for bringing diverse people together and great market demands, teleconference service providers, too have multiplied.

Today, one is spoilt for choice with every new provider coming up with cheaper and varied customisations designed to suit individual needs and personal taste, but you must bear in mind that great freedom comes with great pitfalls. Tapping into an easy market, many services are suited for one particular need. How can you make the right decision? Generalisations are impossible since every situation and business calls for unique inspection of facts, but a few factors must be taken into consideration before one commits with one particular teleconferencing service provider.

Does the service favour one’s specific need?

There are many choices you can make while conducting a call conference, from holding the extremely efficient webinars and telephone seminars to making presentations and sales analyses. The first thing to avoid when choosing a service provider are the plans and payment options that may not suit you. Consider the plans carefully (a fixed flat-rate or a monthly subscription). Does it suit your budget? Plans that advertise great claims priced at great prices might be perfect for large businesses with offices scattered across the globe, but consider if it overstrains your budget. Make sure that the connection is not time-consuming. Check with other customers if the connection bridge is robust enough, since that alone could make all the difference between an effective call and an unproductive one, no one wants bad call quality.

Another thing you might want to check when opting for a teleconference service provider is the number of participants they allow. Some providers have a set limit in the number of participants and if you are not careful, you might have a connection which favours a too large meeting size or even a too small one. Some service providers make allowances for informal calls at really short notices. If you are into tourism and sightseeing business or marriage-bureau, then this plan might suit you perfectly. Also make sure that the audio quality of the call is competent. Take references whenever necessary. If the service provider offers a FREE calling plan, make sure they explain the probable disadvantages along with the benefits.

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.

Business Conference Calls, Remote Working

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.