Flat Rate Conference Calls

Flat rate conference calls are a great tool for gathering information and distributing work in a group setting.  Be careful though, these calls are not always absorbed completely by participants.  Studies have shown that the average person is likely to remember only 20% of what they hear, 50% of what they have heard and seen at the same time, and 80% of what they hear, see and do.  Tips for flat rate conference calls include:

Silence and the Golden Rule:  The quality of the call is only as good as the worst connection on the line.  With many callers involved there is a large chance that unwanted background noise or poor connection quality can spoil a call.

Try to avoid any background noise on your end by making sure the door is shut, that you are alone in your office and that there is no noisy machinery is nearby.  If all else fails you may try shielding the phone with your jacket.

Connection quality can be degraded by the sound of cell phones, cordless phones, speaker phones and headsets, so try to avoid these if possible.  Remember the Golden Rule!  Try to avoid activities like eating or drinking, turn off your pager and disable the call waiting function on your phone.

Try to speak slowly and clearly, as your listeners will have no visual cues to help them get your meaning.  Be patient and wait until others have finished before you speak.  Not only is it polite but also some flat rate conference calls only allow one person to speak at a time and you may cut the other person off.