Some conference calls can seem like they drag on endlessly. To silence the chatterboxes and get things moving, avoid scheduling calls during slow, wide open time periods in the day.
Photo by Geoff Stearns.
Just like with any other meeting, if you schedule your conference call to take an hour, the participants will probably find a way to fill that hour. You can help this by keeping the time slot shorter and inviting fewer people, but John Boitnott at Inc. suggests you schedule the call right before other events. If everyone goes to lunch at noon, don’t schedule the meeting for 11. Schedule it for 11:30 or 11:45. Everybody wants to get to lunch, so everyone is more aware of the time, and they feel a little pressure to cover everything more efficiently. Meetings don’t have to be a waste of time if you plan them out right.
5 Ways to Quiet the Crazy Chatterboxes on Your Conference Call [Inc.]
Comments
One response to “Keep Conference Calls Short By Scheduling Them Right Before Other Events”
I’d disagree on scheduling a conf call at 11.45, most of your attendees just aren’t going to turn up, and it makes you look like an idiot to those who do.
The easy way to keep conference calls in control – issue out an agenda to all parties and stick to it.
Learn to interrupt people who are waffling on, even if it’s a manager. Even if it’s your manager
It’s your conf call, not a conversation opportunity, take control of it !
Whilst it make take some people aback with your frank manner of running the meeting, most will appreciate it and you can expect a better attendance if you have the reputation of managing your conference calls.
If it’s a long conference call – an hour or more, have the respect to release people who do not need to be there for the entire duration.