Conference calling can result in significant savings of both time and money. Going to a customer’s place of business or one of your own company’s locations involves more than the financial cost of airline tickets, ground transportation, and overnight lodging. The investment in time can be even more costly, since you are not generating additional revenue standing in line to clear airport security, lines that seem to get even longer and slower by the day. You’ve already wasted several hours, even if your flight is on time–and that has become a big “if”. Using conference calling can help you to avoid the inconvenience and expense of physically traveling to another location, which means an improvement in productivity.

Conference calling lets you bring up to a hundred (sometimes more) people into the same telephone call. Conference calling requires only the same telephone the participants have at their desks; there is no requirement for a computer or access to the Internet. Whether you need to present a proposal, iron out the specifications for a new project, or obtain reports on current status, conference calling lets you handle your tasks from your desk.

Conference calling can bring a hundred or more individuals into the same conversation. Information is relayed simultaneously to all participants and therefore does not have to be delivered second hand. Participants can ask for clarification while the call is in progress as well as offer comments. This allows ideas to be communicated and discussed in real time and helps eliminate any misunderstandings.

Once, conference calling meant that someone from your office had to contact the phone company well ahead of time to make all of the arrangements. Now, however, there are Internet providers who let you initiate conference calling with ease. Some providers let you set up your call at the last minute, while others require reservations which can often be made within hours of the call.

Not all participants in conference calling are aware of the polite protocols to be followed, or they may get vocally enthusiastic during the call. The host can use several different options to keep things under control. For example, he can block input from all of the other callers. Or he can choose to hear a tone that lets him know when a caller has entered or left the conversation. Participants can also choose to mute their own environment to block out background noise or if they need to quickly consult with a coworker.

Sites that arrange conference calling can offer provide transcripts and playbacks of the call. Some provide telephone numbers that participants can call to review the conversations, while others allow the recorded call to be downloaded for distribution or transcription. Many can provide a professional written transcript for you. Not all sites offer all services, and there may be additional charges for these options.

Costs associated with conference calling will depend on the company selected and the options that are selected. Many have toll free calling and set their fees on a per minute basis. Others set their fees according to how many people participated in the conference calling and for how long. And while some offer conference calling only within the US, others can accommodate international participation.

Video conferencing is not the same as conference calling, although the purpose–letting multiple people participate in a real time conference–is the same. But conference calling only requires a telephone, while video conferencing requires the Internet and a computer for all participants.

Going to another location involves a considerable investment of both time and money. Conference calling slashes expenses and serves to provide greater productivity. No matter who you choose to arrange it, you are sure to appreciate the substantial savings, both financial and of time.

Mary T. Decker has been using Conference Calling for many years. For more insights and information, go to http://www.conferencecalling2day.info

Comments are closed.