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Most people do not realize that when they are on a teleconference they need to use the same manners and behaviors they would use at a social gathering or a professional meeting. The individual should show the behavior they were taught as being socially acceptable. There's just something about no one being able to see you that may lead to a false sense of casualness that then creates inattentive behaviors and communication that the other members of your meeting are more aware of than you realize. Actually, inattentive participants on a teleconference call are so very easy to identify and disrupt the flow of the meeting; while being completely unaware due to this perceived distance with the other members of the teleconference. We've already said that it's vital to be informed about the ins and outs of teleconferencing, now let's apply those rules to the face-to-face meeting. Picture yourself interacting in an in-person meeting. Now contrast that with your behavior during a teleconference. If you took your behavior during a teleconference and placed it in an office meeting setting, would you be satisfied? If you think that your actions might be a little embarrassing, then here are a few tips to keep in mind. The first step is the most important, and that is to be on time. While easy to run to the phone while grabbing your coffee and a bagel with the phone wedged between your chin and shoulder, don't. Make sure you're seated at your desk just as you would if you were physically at the office. Rushing about and getting settled in comes across in an amplified way to the other members of your teleconference. Second, all the necessary files, papers and any other important worksheets need to be organized on your desk. Have them in the order which you will need them and be sure they are easy to access. The operator will call you while he/she has the other participants connecting. This is a good time to get your thoughts in order and review your paperwork to be sure all is in order for the conference call. Third, be aware that you will listen to the rules of communication, the format of the conference call, as they are usually laid out by the host of the call. A critical one to remember is to not speak over someone else and to allow them ample time to finish speaking. This one is sometimes a bit more challenging, since the visual clues are not there. But, with a bit of practice, this teleconferencing skill develops just fine. Fourth, it takes a little time to get communication flowing smoothly during your conference call. Once it does, you can judge when it is appropriate to enter the conversation and interject your ideas, without anyone feeling that you're dominated the conversation or interrupting. When you're teleconferencing, the most important thing is that the other participants hear your ideas and remember you as a valuable player who brought a lot to the meeting. In conclusion, whether you are at an on site meeting or a teleconference, the objectives are the same: to make a significant contribution to the meeting, to make a difference, and have a beneficial impact on the goals and results of that meeting. Proper etiquette is expected at all times and any manner other than the accepted norm will not be acceptable. This norm can be achieved by applying the knowledge of professional etiquette expected at a teleconference. After all, you are not just on a telephone call, you are attending a meeting.
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About the Article Author
Daiv Russell is a marketing and management consultant with Envision Consulting in Tampa, Florida. To learn more about teleconference etiquette, check out audio-conference-calling.info. While organizing your team check out our Team Building activities.
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