How to Setup an Internet Conference Call

It seems with the invention of the internet, everything is changing. The way we send information has been changed dramatically. People use to write a letter, stick it in an envelope, place the stamp on it, and mail it away. Now that letter has been turned into an instant telegram, compliments of your computer and the internet. Photos that took an hour or 2 to get developed, can now be transfered to you computer, digitally enhanced, and then printed with high quality, in a matter of minutes. It is no surprise that conference calls that were done over the phone, can now be done online.

An internet conference call is done via your computer. Luckily for you, you do not need a college "how to setup an internet conference call" course. Then again, you can't jump right in and be a professional at it either. First you are going to need software that allows you to conduct a conference call over the internet. This part is not very hard considering that there are a number of companies that have software that let you host a conference call at little or no cost to you. The software you have setup will have a different overall view, and may be more complicated or less complicated then others.

Here is a basic example of creating a conference call on the Skype software.

# Bring up the skype user window and find the tools area and click on it.
# Find "Create Conference"
# Click on it a new box will open.
# A new box has just appeared, titled "Start a Skype Conference Call" Type in the topic of the Call, in the box.
# Select up to 4 people who you wish to participate in the conference call.
# After having them selected click the add button.
# Once all names are listed in the "conference Participants" box click the start button. The participants will join in a few seconds.
# Discuss what ever you need to during the call.
# If finished press end call button.
# Confirm that you want to end the call.

As you can see, it is quite simple to set a call up over the internet. During the call you can share information, files, video, and audio. Each program is different. Some may restrict the amount of information you send, while others may have no barriers on such things. It is true that these types of programs are similar to chat rooms and such, but they offer many more features and the ability to share sound and video. The best thing to do is try a few, before settling down with a specific type. Although you may be happy with your current internet conference call setup, one may be just around the corner that could be even better.

Making Effective Conference Calls

Many executives and workers alike secretly believe that all meetings are actually a waste of time. Interestingly enough, several independent surveys in business periodicals have confirmed that, in fact, meetings are the single largest time waster at large firms—or at least at firms that regularly conduct meetings. This is due in part to the use of conference calls.

Since many business transactions are accomplished through various forms of conference calls it necessary for your business to conduct a professional conference call each and every time one is required. Now, more than ever, technology is available that can make a professional conference call the industry standard. Due to a glut of telecommunications companies offering teleconferencing services, there are many companies that provide a professional conference call at an affordable price.

Now that businesses of all sizes can purchase a conference call services for a relatively inexpensive price, nearly anyone can communicate with clients and employees via the medium of a conference call meeting. This means that it is easier to communicate, but is it always good to communicate when there is very little to communicate? Here's where the need for effective conference calls comes in: if you can effectively use conference calls, then you absolutely should use conferencing technology.

To begin with, you will want to ask yourself whether or not “effective conference calls” can possibly be a reality at your firm. For instance, do you have a lot of employees who are out of the building, but are able to access a computer? If not, can you make effective conference calls to employees in their cubicles while they work? If so, you may want to consider doing this. Employees may become slightly less productive while conferencing, but at least they will be able to work while at a meeting.

The next question you will want to ask is exactly what you need to communicate in the conference call. If your conference call is a set of detailed instructions, rather than an open discussion, why not simply send an email, rather than telling them via conference? Using a conferencing will only dampen productivity, distract them while they work, and leave them half-confused about what you want.

Conversely, if you must discuss a given topic with your employees, you should setup an outline, so that you can make clear and effective conference calls. For instance, you can start by determining the topic of the conference calls—and can then develop it into a list of tasks that must be done or delegated. Or you could separate your outline into tasks that must be delegated and topics that must be discussed. This will make for much more effective conference calls.