subject: The Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Guide To Conference Calling [print this page] When it comes to running a business there are many ways that certain things can be done. Much of business is concerned with choosing the best ways to do things in order to achieve the best results. Whether you provide a service or sell a product one very important aspect of business is communication in its many forms.
Regardless of with whom you must communicate on a regular basis, be it clients, associates, employees, or customers, you want to communicate in the most effective way possible. Effective means inexpensively, quickly, and in a way that you are able to get your point across to whomever you are trying to persuade.
It used to be that in order to do this you would have to have face to face meetings but there are many other options today, one being conference calling. But just as you have to choose the right form of communication you also have to choose the most effective way to use that form of communication.
To that end, the wisdom of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is as applicable today as it was generations ago. This article incorporates some of his insights and applies them to the practice of conference calling.
"The world is full of obvious things which nobody by any chance ever observes."
One of the biggest problems with conference calling is that some individuals do not maintain the same level of professionalism as they would in a face to face meeting. The person that you are speaking with may not be able to see you up close and personal but tone can say a lot about a person's attitude. Be sure to give the respect you would want in return even when you are on a conference call and it will work out much better for you in the end.
"It is a capital mistake to theorize before you have all the evidence. It biases the judgment."
Another common mistake regarding conference calling that can be avoided is having the call interfered with due to a lack of knowledge regarding the system. Many individuals begin using a conference calling system assuming that it will be a simple tool that requires little practice to use. While most systems are simple it is still important to practice using it before scheduling a highly important conference call.
"Unwelcome truths are not popular."
Another important thing to remember as that conference calling may not be suitable for every situation. You may decide on using a conference calling system and think that face to face meetings will never have to be held again but this is hardly the truth. In business many relationships are built on trust and meeting face to face is sometimes necessary to build that.
"What one man can invent another can discover."
Conference calling is no doubt a very useful tool that advancements in technology have made possible for the business owner but it must be used correctly in order to be effective. As long as you treat those individuals you are speaking to in the same manner that you would in a face to face meeting you will get the most out of this very useful tool. You may even discover that conference calling actually enhances your business, which is something any business owner can appreciate.
