Audio Conference Services

Audio Conference Calls Vs. Video Conferencing

admin — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 17:57:40 +0000

Video conferencing is a popular way for colleagues to speak to one another and for businesses to communicate with clients, customers or other businesses. In many cases, video conferencing has surpassed audio conferencing as the favoured way to conduct conference calls. Principally, this is because human beings prefer to communicate face-to-face. However, this does not mean that audio conferencing is obsolete or unnecessary.

In fact, in some ways, audio conferencing has advantages over its video equivalent. If you are trying to choose between audio conference calling and video conferencing for your business or for personal use, the following information and advice may help you reach a decision.

Beware Embarrassing Moments

During video conferencing, there is a very real potential for embarrassment. For example, you may not think the connection is working, but your fellow conference callers can see you. As we all know, people act very differently when they are alone compared with the way they behave in public. With audio conferencing, on the other hand, there is not the same risk of embarrassment.

Don’t Worry About Location

When participating in an audio conference call, you only need to be concerned with selecting a quiet place for your call. However, with video conferencing, you may be concerned about the mess in your living room, kid’s toys all over the floor or the pet dog in the background.

Too Much Emphasis on Appearances

One of the problems with video conferencing is that participants may be too preoccupied with their own appearance or the appearance of others. For example, if you are running a little late for a video conference call, you are more likely to be concerned with the way you look rather than preparing by reading relevant documents and other information.

Substance Over Style

It is natural for human beings to make instant judgements based on appearances. Although this is not an attractive feature of human nature, it is a fact nonetheless. If you would like to ensure that clients choose your business based on substance rather than the physical appearance of your employees, then audio conferencing may be the better choice.

Professionalism

When conducted in the correct way, audio conferences can be extremely productive and professional. A video conference, on the other hand, can promote a friendly atmosphere, which is fine, but in turn that may encourage a more laidback, less professional approach to the meeting.

Of course, there are many other factors that you may like to consider when choosing between audio and video conferencing. However, those listed above are some of the most common concerns.

What is Teleconferencing and How Could it Benefit You?

admin — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 09:29:50 +0000

Teleconferencing, or conference calling as it is also known, is a process which allows several people to engage in a single telephone conversation. Of course, this is useful in a great number of situations for both businesses, non-profit organizations and individuals.

Thanks to the internet it is now easier than ever before to register with a conference call service provider and setup your teleconferencing session. In fact, the whole process can be achieved in a matter of seconds.

How to Start Using Conference Calling

In order to begin using teleconferencing, first you will need to register with a provider that will enable your callers to log into the same line. As you may already know, there are a large number of conference call providers available. However, these services will differ in reliability, clarity and ease of use. Therefore, it is wise to do a little research and ensure that your provider of choice offers all of the services you require.

Once you have selected a provider, you will need to register by giving your name, email address and the phone number that will act as host to your conference calls. This process, should take no more than a minute and you will immediately receive a conference ID number and password via email. Now, you can schedule your conference call and enjoy the benefits of the service.

What are the Benefits of Conference Calling?

You may think that teleconferencing is a poor substitute for a face-to-face meeting. However, there are a great number of advantages to using conference call technology. Additionally, you may be surprised by the number of instances that teleconferencing can prove useful. For example:

As the cost of travel, particularly fuel, is on the rise, it makes good sense to save on these expenses whenever possible. Therefore, if you are a business owner or manager, why not try using teleconferencing to speak with a group of clients or your employees.

Similarly, where business is concerned, time is money. If your employees spend hours travelling to and from customers and clients, you may find that a conference call is a much more productive use of company time.

During rail or airline strikes, making face-to-face meetings may be impossible. Therefore, teleconferencing technology can be used to ensure that industrial disputes do not disrupt the running of your business.

However, teleconferencing is not just for businesses, if you are an individual who works away from home, you may find it comforting to keep in touch with family members.

Alternatively, you or other members of your family may have emigrated, in this situation, conference calling can be used to ensure that distance does not prevent you from enjoying the conversation and laughter of your loved ones.

Obviously, there are many other reasons for using teleconferencing, but these are some of the most common.

How Conference Calling can be Used During Strike Action

admin — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 08:20:43 +0000

Due to the current unstable financial climate, the threat of strike action is never far away. From flights to rail, the tube (subway) and everything in-between. Of course, this can have a devastating impact on businesses. However, thanks to the wonders of technology, it is possible to communicate with customers, employees and business partners throughout this kind of strike action.

Regardless of where in the world your clients or employees are, as long as they have access to a landline or mobile phone, it is possible to communicate with them via a conference call. These calls can connect up to 50 people and allow each one of those individuals to listen to, and participate in, the discussion.

Many people will have experienced the frustration of recent strike action in the travel industry. If your company is not equipped with a reputable conference calling service, it may have been the cause for great anxiety, too.

Benefits of Teleconferencing

Obviously, as mentioned above, conference calls can be used to great effect in times of strike when it may be impossible for your employees to make it into the office or reach a customer or client. However, there are further advantages to using the conference call system, not least of which is that it allows you to save money in travel costs and labour (the time your employee would have spent travelling could be spent much more constructively).

Moreover, the lack of dependence on public transport or airlines allows you to conduct your business in a much more environmentally friendly fashion, which will produce savings for both the company’s purse and the planet.

Additionally, teleconferencing is designed to be flexible, as it offers 24 hour access 365 days per year. In a worldwide economy, it is important for businesses to be able to communicate with employees and clients with immediacy.

Prevent Strike Disruption Now

As you are probably aware, the threat of more strike action is looming, so it is a good idea to be prepared. If your business has been badly affected by recent industrial disputes, it is advisable to register with a reputable conference call provider. To ensure that you, your customers and your business are not inconvenienced by strike action in the future, register today. The process takes just a few minutes and you will gain the peace of mind in knowing that you will still be able to communicate freely despite the action of the unions.