Comments on: Tuning in to a Conference Call

By: Feeling “Conferenced Out”? « PLUS 360 News

Feeling “Conferenced Out”? « PLUS 360 News — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 18:36:21 +0000

[…] here for the full scoop from Ron McMillin, Leadership Consultant and cofounder of VitalSmarts. Share […]

By: Mar

Mar — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 20:11:14 +0000

In the company I work for, the projects include employees located in different office locations ( different states). It infuriates me to read this article. If you are in IT and cannot deal with using technology – get out of IT. If you are a slacker and cannot bother acknowledging remote workers in a phone conversation or the remote worker cannot pay attention – you are not doing your job and deserve whatever consequences that come upon you if your caught. And if the company needs face time and the only way is a conference call – pony up – there are video options. If you don’t like dealing with remote workers – go find another job where the company doesn’t have any. Why such a strong reaction? Although the article does focus on some ways to handle a conference call more effectively it promotes more not having them. In my situation this is not a possibilty. Rather than others in the company taking away the pointers on how to be more effective at using the technology, this article is spurring a lot of unhelpful remarks for the remote workers in the company. It is really sad that people are so lazy or feel so entitled that they can’t be bothered to respond to an IM or email or acknowledge a coworker on the phone.

By: Jenny Giezendanner

Jenny Giezendanner — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 12:20:47 +0000

I’ve been wondering what the maximum number of parties for an effective conference call is, even with good video and a reasonable agenda. Seems to me, every time you add one more station you lose more of the sense of connection with the others. A conference with people in two or three venues seems to work, but as you add the fourth, fifth and more the meeting seems increasingly irrelevant and a waste of time. It seems it’s not the number of participants, but rather the number of locations from which they are reporting that makes the biggest difference. How do you others feel?

By: SLCCOM

SLCCOM — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 23:56:25 +0000

Even more importantly, realize that people with hearing loss are not going to be able to participate easily, if at all.

By: Sharon Hamersley

Sharon Hamersley — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 14:59:06 +0000

I realize that some additional expense is involved, but when you need to have a Crucial Conversation long-distance, consider using a web conferencing system. It allows participants to see the speaker using a web cam, and for everyone to “raise their hand” virtually or use chat to raise/respond to discussion points. Hope this is helpful! Sharon

By: Bill

Bill — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 14:20:00 +0000

If this is becoming the norm – time to invest in Video Conference equipment.

By: Kevin Crenshaw

Kevin Crenshaw — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 14:13:29 +0000

It doesn’t have to be that way. (I’m a telecommuting pioneer and workflow consultant.) Teleconferencing can be more effective then typical in-person meetings.

Here’s my secret recipe for engaging everyone, all the time:

1) Insist on video. With the new Skype (based on excellent Vidyo technology), WebEx and GoToMeeting, there’s no excuse for not having great video connections for your meetings.

2) Use collaborative, real-time note taking to keep it interactive. Google Docs (now Google Drive) or similar. Everyone sees the notes together, everyone takes notes together, everyone can see where everyone else’s cursor is in the document. Make sure the notes are on the/a main screen much of the time.

3) Use the right kind of agenda. I don’t know who said “prepare the agenda well in advance,” but they’re dead wrong, at least nowadays. The world changes too fast. However, you still need a solid list of burning issues to address. Use an “agile agenda”, interactive approach that naturally emphasizes essential topics, focuses the meeting from the get-go, ensures engagement, and limits droning. (Contact me if you want details, there’s too much information to share in a comment.)

4) Audio, audio, audio. You’d think video would be the hard part. It’s not. The audio is where most teleconferences fail. Buy the most effective conference microphone/speakers for the room you can find and test, test, test before the meeting. Let the IT dept know that it’s very important to you. Use tools that allow you to control sound both ways, so you can inject comments more naturally.

5) Do ask engaging questions as you describe above. Fortunately, its automatic if you use a collaborative, agile agenda approach (above).

6) Score/rate the meeting quality each time, as a group, scale of 0-100 (How Interesting was it? Quality of Engagement? How effective?) “What we measure, improves.”

By: Linda

Linda — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 13:03:01 +0000

We have recently had organizational changes at my employer and in the new responsibilities of my position I am often involved in conference calls and webinar (screen sharing) sessions. Our practice is for the lead of the call to afterword send a brief summary via e-mail to the participants as a confirmation of what was discussed and next steps/responsibilities.

While this does not go into vast detail, it is extrememly useful, especially if( as you noted) I’ve had to step away from the call for a few moments. It not only gives me the opportunity to ask questions on any item listed but to see where I was ‘volunteered’ during my absence.
Verifying discussions in this manner takes a only a few moments and can increase understanding and efficiency in follow through. I have found it very helpful.

Thank you for the opportunity to respond ~ have a blessed day,
Linda