It is obvious that conference calls save money, and are convenient. You don’t have to get everyone in your company together from various faraway destinations. Several telecommunication services offer the following options: Conference calling cards, no minimum time allotment, no signup or monthly fees, no time limits on your calls, no per conference fees, no contracts, no required reservations, international calls, access day and night all week (including weekends), a permanent toll free number and a pass code, help 24 hours a day 7 days a week, built in security, and user-friendly accessibility.
Telecommunication services typically offer two types of conference calls: Flat Rate, and Toll-Free Reservationless. If you are using conference calls to advertise or have a sales presentation, then Toll-Free is better for you. Flat Rate is better for companies that frequently use conference calls. The company makes a monthly payment, and then can use unlimited minutes.
Another potential source for teleconferencing services is through your cell-phone company. These companies offer six-way calling. If you are in the middle of a conference call and need to talk to one of the others on the call privately, cell phones allow you to put everyone else on hold. Payment for these types of calls depends on your plan, but you will usually be charged roaming or airtime, plus long distance for each other phone used in the conference call.
No matter what telecommunication services or type of conference calling plan you use, there are steps you can take to keep your conference call private.
- You are able to choose entry and exit tones. These tones notify you when a participant joins or leaves the conference call.
- At the end of the call make sure you disconnect all lines. This step helps you know that everyone leaves at the same time.
- Give your passcode to only those who need it.
4. Change your conference call passcode on a regular basis, or when you think it is being misused.
5. Shred any paperwork used during the conference call that contains information you want to keep private.
6. Call roll to make sure only those who are supposed to be on the conference call are on the conference call.
To help your conference calls be a success you will want to chose somewhere that is free from interruption and noise. If you can not find somewhere quiet and interruption free, then use your mute button so that everyone listening in on the conference call doesn’t hear what you hear. Test your speakerphone BEFORE you make the call. Doing so will help to make sure that everyone can hear you, and that you aren’t so loud as to be annoying. Remember to not put your line on hold during a conference call–unless of course, you want everyone to listen to your on hold music. To avoid an interruption, make sure you take your phone off call waiting. Telecommunication services provide an operator with their conference calls, so if you have any problems, give them a call.
By Clint Hunter