Conference calls typically have several clumsy moments. There are times when a few people start speaking at the same time, leading to a weird back and forth. Team members forget to mute themselves and say something they did not want the whole group to hear. While conference calls can be awkward at times, they also provide several advantages, particularly when your team members work remotely.

While it is true conference calls are not as popular as they once were, they still provide an inexpensive and easy way to communicate with team members and clients all over the globe.  

Remember to use mute

Background noise (dogs, children, garbage trucks, etc.) can be a huge distraction on conference calls. This is why everyone should use mute, especially if there are more than 15 people or so on the call. This will help eliminate accidental noises that will help detract from the conversation.  

Reduce multitasking

While it is often tempting to check emails or finish up a project when you are muted and unseen on a conference all. As a result, leaders should gently remind their teams to stay focused on the call, even if they are not on camera. As multitasking increases, meeting usefulness and communication success is greatly reduced. 

Remain patient and encourage participation

It often takes more effort and time to keep the discussion going in conference calls. This is partially due to the mute button, the stability of the internet, and other reasons. It is a really good idea to give meeting participants more time to respond. You may want to consider direct questions to specific individuals to improve the efficiency of your conference calls. 

Make sure you are using the right platform

Generally, a conference call will suit your purposes. Yet, if you intend to use multiple visuals or if the social interaction of a video call would aid in your success, consider switching platforms. In the age of Zoom, you have many other options, such as Google Meet or Microsoft Teams. 

Conference calls allow you to easily connect with team members, clients, and vendors with just a phone number and a passcode. Attendees can jump on a conference call from anywhere, providing even more effectiveness. While webcams and video meeting platforms have largely replaced the traditional conference call, there are still many reasons to choose this communication method. 

Despite the many clumsy moments in conference calls, you should consider how to make the call more effective before sending out the next calendar invite. You can begin by encouraging participants to use the mute button if they are not speaking, gently remind everyone to stay engaged and give everyone ample time to join the discussion. And if conference calls just are not cutting it for your team, there are plenty of video conferencing tools to explore. And this will help you thrive.