Effective Conference Calls

Most of us who are fortunate enough to still be working, are now working remotely. In attempts to keep communication clear between team members, conference calls and webchats are becoming a daily occurence. Here's a few tips to make your weekly (or daily) call a bit more palatable:

• When you're not speaking, please mute yourself. We don't need to know that fluffy wants to go outside or that you're instant messaging on facebook.

• Start on time and finish on time. If you have 10 people on a call, and you're 2 minutes late... you just wasted 20 minutes!

• Nix the corny icebreakers. Your coworkers aren't interested in your favorite animal or weekend plans. They want to get back to Netflix once the workday is over. Skip right to the good stuff (the meeting).

• Send out a clear agenda in advance. While this doesn't seem like rocket science, it's an easily forgotten step. If your team forgets to cover a few points, you'll end up with even more conference calls.

• Check yourself before you wreck yourself (technologically). Make sure everyone has downloaded or tested the software you're using prior to the meeting. Thinking about rolling out a new software? Try it with your coworker buddy before you roll it out to the team.

• Pump up the positive language. If you are not on a webcam (video chat), other people in the meeting cannot see your affirmative body language. Try "that's right", "I agree", or "good idea" to let others know you support their ideas. Nodding during a telephone call just comes across like awkward silence to everyone who can't see you.

• Take things offline when they don't apply to the majority of the group. We understand the work you're doing is important, but it may not be necessary for everyone to be involved.

• Stabilize your video camera. If you're video conferencing, keep your camera on a stable surface. While it's tempting to video-in from the couch with your laptop, you may give your coworkers vertigo from your video feed.

• Laugh it off when you speak at the same time. "I. Would. Just. Like." "No, go ahead." "No, it's ok, you go ahead." We've all been there. Instead of making this common event more serious than it need to be, laugh it off. Offer a virtual match of rock/paper/scissors. Yes, it exists.