How to Conduct a Conference Call

Conference calls are vital when not everyone can be physically present at a meeting. Instead of missing out on the meeting, those who are physically unable to attend will be able to call in. By allowing conference calls, everyone can participate in company brainstorming sessions.

Things You'll Need

• Conference call service
• Speakerphone

Instructions

Conducting a Conference Call

1. Find an audio conferencing service on the Internet or in a phone book. AT&T offers toll-free conference calls for 14 cents per person per minute and also offers operator-assisted conference calls for 29 cents a minute. Genesys offers toll-free conference calls at 26 cents per minute. Sprint and Verizon offer conference calls at 18 cents per minute.

2. Provide the service provider with the number for the speakerphone that will be at the meeting. Each individual not attending the meeting will be given a local or toll-free number to call when the meeting starts.

3. Place the speakerphone on a table in the conference room.

4. Have each individual not attending the meeting call the local or toll free number provided by the audio conference call service.

5. Conduct the meeting as usual. Those calling in will be heard through the speakerphone.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep the room quiet. Ask the conference call service provider to provide pin numbers for increased security. Assign a leader to the conference. This leader will determine who has the floor to speak during the conference. When calling in on a conference call, make sure to state your name. Stay focused on the main topic of the meeting. Try to keep conference call meetings small. If this is impossible, make sure that the meeting is well organized.

• Wait your turn before speaking.