1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:00,480 [MUSIC PLAYING] 2 00:00:00,480 --> 00:00:02,772 NARRATOR: We are all likely involved in more conference 3 00:00:02,772 --> 00:00:04,270 calls these days. 4 00:00:04,270 --> 00:00:06,210 But conference calls can be clunky 5 00:00:06,210 --> 00:00:09,000 awkward and inefficient if the participants don't 6 00:00:09,000 --> 00:00:11,100 follow some best practices. 7 00:00:11,100 --> 00:00:13,740 Lucky for you, we've put together some guidelines 8 00:00:13,740 --> 00:00:16,140 so that you and your co-participants 9 00:00:16,140 --> 00:00:20,010 can enjoy a successful, problem-free conference calls. 10 00:00:20,010 --> 00:00:23,340 Calling in a few minutes ahead of time is a good practice. 11 00:00:23,340 --> 00:00:24,900 It's better to wait for other people 12 00:00:24,900 --> 00:00:27,000 to show up on time than for them to wait 13 00:00:27,000 --> 00:00:28,770 for you to show up late. 14 00:00:28,770 --> 00:00:31,020 The meeting organizer should supply an agenda 15 00:00:31,020 --> 00:00:32,910 before the call begins and should 16 00:00:32,910 --> 00:00:36,420 lead the call by keeping people on schedule and on topic. 17 00:00:36,420 --> 00:00:39,900 Save specialized conversations for another time. 18 00:00:39,900 --> 00:00:42,030 Make sure to mute the microphone when you're not 19 00:00:42,030 --> 00:00:45,150 speaking to prevent background noises from coming through. 20 00:00:45,150 --> 00:00:47,160 Try to conduct your call from a room that 21 00:00:47,160 --> 00:00:49,300 is free from background distractions. 22 00:00:49,300 --> 00:00:51,870 And if noise will be an issue, be upfront about it 23 00:00:51,870 --> 00:00:53,940 at the beginning of the call. 24 00:00:53,940 --> 00:00:56,010 It's not always easy for people on the call 25 00:00:56,010 --> 00:00:58,800 to identify you based on your voice alone. 26 00:00:58,800 --> 00:01:01,050 Be sure to state your name before speaking 27 00:01:01,050 --> 00:01:04,870 or have someone on the call introduce you before you begin. 28 00:01:04,870 --> 00:01:06,690 Most small microphones aren't known 29 00:01:06,690 --> 00:01:08,910 for their superior audio quality. 30 00:01:08,910 --> 00:01:11,490 So be sure to sit close to your phone or computer 31 00:01:11,490 --> 00:01:14,280 and speak loudly and clearly. 32 00:01:14,280 --> 00:01:17,190 It can be hard to know when to speak up on larger conference 33 00:01:17,190 --> 00:01:17,850 calls. 34 00:01:17,850 --> 00:01:20,940 To avoid participants all talking at the same time, 35 00:01:20,940 --> 00:01:23,550 the organizer should leave space between topics 36 00:01:23,550 --> 00:01:26,790 and ask if anyone has comments or questions. 37 00:01:26,790 --> 00:01:28,740 Before ending the call, the organizer 38 00:01:28,740 --> 00:01:31,230 should recap everything that was accomplished. 39 00:01:31,230 --> 00:01:35,580 If there any action items, these should also be reiterated. 40 00:01:35,580 --> 00:01:37,650 Lastly, sign off with a goodbye. 41 00:01:37,650 --> 00:01:39,750 Don't just hang up and leave the remaining people 42 00:01:39,750 --> 00:01:41,400 on the call in a strange silence, 43 00:01:41,400 --> 00:01:43,920 unsure if the call has ended or not. 44 00:01:43,920 --> 00:01:45,810 With these tips, you'll be sure to have 45 00:01:45,810 --> 00:01:48,180 the smoothest and most successful conference calls 46 00:01:48,180 --> 00:01:49,730 yet.