Compare Conference Call Services - Etiquette

What is conference call etiquette? Why do I need to know what it is? Conference call etiquette is basically having a conference call among several people to discuss business with professionalism. When you have a group of people that has gathered to have a conference call it is very, very important for everyone to have respect and etiquette during the conference. There are some do's and don'ts associated with conference calling. Here is a basic guideline for conference call etiquette:

• Do speak clearly. Speaking clearly can ensure that everyone can hear you and fully understand what you are saying. This is probably the most important etiquette of all because it is the only way for the other parties to know what you are saying. Conference calling is not the same as a face to face conference. Everyone is relying only on your conversation.



• Do not eat. When you are in a conference call, eating is just not acceptable. Trying to eat while a conversation is going on is just rude and you cannot communicate clearly while chewing or if your mouth is full of food.



• Do take notes. Note taking is another vital part of a conference call. Taking notes are good because you can keep track of the issues and possibly ask questions if need be on a topic.



• Do not multi-task. Multi-tasking can take your mind off of the topic. When you are on a conference call, you should be listening and note taking, not drawing pictures. This is another very important point to remember when attending a conference call to assure that you sound attentive and that you know what your are talking about when someone on the conference call asks you a question.



• Be open for suggestions. Having the ability to take criticism and/or give it is what a meeting is about. Be open for changes and allowing all parties to comment on what they think should be changed and listen to the reasons why. Who knows, you just might agree.



• Focus on the issue. Going off on another subject could be a bad thing. Everyone gathered for the conference call to discuss a certain issue. This is what should be discussed unless issues within the issues bring you to another subject.



• Do not interrupt. Interrupting can be very confusing to everyone involved with the conversation. There is nothing worse than trying to hear more than one conversation at a time. This is very frustrating not mention just rude.



• Do not joke around. Conference calling is supposed to be professional. Joking around and laughing could make some of the individuals uncomfortable and that will make the conversation uneasy.



• Do introduce yourself. Everyone needs to know who is in attendance and their purpose for the conversation.



• Do listen to others. Although you might have something to say in regards to what some else has said, be kind enough to wait until it's your turn. Focus on listening first then responding second.



• Turn off distractions. Cell phones, call waiting, alarm clocks and anything else that might interrupt the conversation should be shut off until the end of the call. This is just plain old manners.



• Do not play music. This is another form of distraction, not only because of the type of music, just because it is not professional to have anything playing in the background while others are trying to discuss important business.



• Do try to be on time. When you are late for a conference call, the others will have to recap what was already said so that you are not lost. Going back over something that you should have been there to catch up is wasting time.




Surely these dos and don'ts should be helpful in having a successful conference call. It even sounds like they are all things that people should just naturally know. You would be surprised as to the amount of people that don't know and think that there is nothing to it. Some of these things are just natural and you would just know not to do it but it is important to make sure you use all the manners that you would use if you were in a face to face meeting. Being able to do that will make for a better conference call.

Compare Conference Call Services - Etiquette




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