Life in the business world involves a lot of conference calls. They should be easy to handle because you are really just talking to a person/people; but they aren’t. This is largely because the people you’re conferencing with are not physically present in front of you (yet; just wait until AR/VR tech catches up!). The lack of a physical presence makes it difficult to know how one should project oneself. Luckily there are a few tips that can make conference calling a breeze!
1.Conference calls are all about presentation
A smile can be your biggest asset when you are on a call. Remember that being on a call is very much like being on a stage. People see what you want to project. Make sure you project confidence. A smile conveys positive energy. This positive energy can make or break the proposal that you are trying to put forward.
It is also important to use the smile at the right time. Smiling at the wrong time (i.e. during a serious conversation) could undo everything that you wanted to do.
The smile is the only part of the conversation that you need to be aware of as far as presentation is concerned. Your attire should be crisp and clean. Make sure to run a comb through your hair to ensure that it isn’t dishevelled. Remember first appearances matter!
2.There is much to be said about the energy that you display
Energy is very closely linked with passion. The more passionate you are about something the more energetic you are bound to be when talking about it. In fact, a conference call is very similar to public speaking. You present your case in front of a group of people and let them think about what you said.
Like public speaking, an enthusiastic and energetic person is more likely to get the crowd riled up in his/her favour. Dull and listless conversations are boring and hence unattractive.
3.It is all about the focus
While conference calls may seem to stretch out into eternity, they are really meant to be short and sweet. Nobody likes a person who beats around the bush. Find the point that you want to focus on and focus on it without deviating.
Avoid other distractions that could take your attention away from the focus. Mobile phones, pagers, tablets, etc. are a big source of distractions. Ensure that they are tucked away in a safe place before you start with your conference call.
4.The focus is on you
When the focus of the conference call switches to you, ensure that you are yourself. Presenting with your usual vivacity makes the presentation more interesting. The lack of emotions and beliefs stunts your ability to develop a rapport. The lack of a rapport, on the other hand, does not allow you to build relationships with co-workers and people who are higher up on the chain of command. This can be a major stumbling block in your career as everyone knows just how important relationships are!
5.Know all about your technology
Technology is important. There is no denying that. It is essential that you know how to connect to the conference call and that you don’t waste time. If you aren’t sure of what you are doing, then get someone to help you. Dial in early so that you don’t waste valuable time. Remember time is money and a company doesn’t take to kindly if you waste their resources!
The idea behind any conference call is to put your best foot forward. Ensure that people see what you want them to see. Sometimes despite all your hard work, you will find that people seem uninterested. What do you do then? Do you give up?
Giving up is never the answer! Focus … Ask questions … Even ask them if you are on the right track. This will spur them to start talking. If this still does not help, then direct your question to a specific person in the room. Remember not to target just a few people. Vary your questions a bit and try not to catch someone off guard.
Conference calls have helped speed up a lot of decisions in the business world. We no longer have to travel large distances just to speak to others. They help economize with both time and money. It is essential that everyone sees it that way and works towards ensuring that it is used optimally.
