Posted by Kathleen S on Thu, Feb 04, 2010 @ 07:38 AM
As the demand for audio conferencing continues to intensify throughout the global marketplace, one of the key elements that stands out in the list of benefits of this communications strategy is the ability to record the conference. This is one area that stands out as an advantage audio conferencing has over face-to-face communications for the small- and medium-sized business (SMB).
Ease of Recording
A robust audio conferencing solution should allow the recording of the conference with the simple click of a button. This can be implemented within corporate strategy to make it standard that all audio conference sessions are recorded for archiving, or it can be simply used on-demand whenever recording is necessary. This option is important as some industries must abide by regulations that demand recordings of conversations, while others record only those that must be available for recall.
Ease of Access
The ability to recall the audio conference must be as easy as the recording process itself. Many solutions will provide an email to the moderator automatically after the conference has ended. This email will contain all information necessary to access the recorded call. The file is often provided as a digital recorded file and should be supported by standard applications. Call participants can also receive a link to the digital audio file that can be kept indefinitely.
Ease of Call Playback
Simply gaining the ability to listen to a recorded audio conferencing session is only half of the benefit this feature should provide. The application should also allow you the ability to skip backward and forward throughout the content of the call to find specific information. Certain applications may also provide a text version of the call, which can then be searched for specific information.
Value of Recorded Information
Whether the SMB operates in an industry that demands call recording or not, simply archiving such calls can be an important step for a number of reasons. If the audio conference involves a sales professional and his or her customer, capturing the exchange ensures the company delivers exactly what the customer expects.
If the audio conference involves a supervisor and subordinate, it captures the direct dialogue to ensure there is no confusion later. If a conflict were to arise over information exchanged during the audio conference, the information can be recalled later to easily settle the dispute.
The applications for recorded audio conferencing sessions far exceed the few explored here, but even those mentioned above can make a substantial impact for the SMB. As companies operating in this sector all over the world continue to demand roust audio conferencing solutions, recorded information is soon to be established as a standard.
Posted by Kathleen S on Thu, Aug 27, 2009 @ 01:50 PM
Web conferencing has many advantages, but it also has many pitfalls. Just like in-person meetings, there are some rules of etiquette that must be followed and other behaviors to avoid.
What you Should Do
Be sure to prepare your presentation well in advance of the conference time. This allows you to take the time to edit out any errors and ensure all the information necessary is included. Email necessary materials to attendees or post them online where they can be accessed easily before the presentation. Give attendees a day or two to read and absorb the material before the conference.
Being late to a web conference is just as embarrassing and unprofessional as showing up late to a face-to-face meeting. Show the attendees that they matter to you by arriving a few minutes early. You should already be on the line when attendees begin calling in.
Just as you would not want to hold an office meeting in a noisy cafeteria, avoid holding a web conference in your noisy living room. Be sure you have a separate room in your home where background noise is at a minimum.
What Not to Do
Try not to squirm around in your chair during the meeting, especially if it is made of leather. Your agitation and restlessness will be heard by others and may be distracting. Be still and keep a calm demeanor throughout the presentation, setting the tone for everyone else.
You would never go to a meeting chewing gum or eating, so don't do it in a web conference. While a glass of water is fine for keeping your throat moist, do not pop open soda cans or let yourself be heard snapping gum.
Avoid the temptation to make attendees "hold" during a meeting. Be well prepared in advance and there will be no reason to disrupt the conversation. By avoiding the use of hold, you are making the web conference as close to an in-office meeting as possible.
While web conferencing offers great benefits for long distance meetings, it is important to follow the rules of etiquette. By doing so, you take best advantage of this time and money saving technology.
Posted by Kathleen S on Tue, Jul 07, 2009 @ 03:58 PM
Web meetings and teleconferences are a communication tool important to any business. They
give you the chance to hold important training sessions and discussions
with coworkers at any location. You can meet with your clients at any
time and any place or train staff in several offices at one time. You
can make your web meetings and teleconferences even more useful by recording them for your
clients.
Why Record a Web Meeting or Teleconference
When you record a web meeting,
a few things happen. Attendees, aware they are being recorded, suddenly
become their most professional selves. They speak civilly and politely
and ask good questions about the material presented. They are less
likely to ramble and more likely to put their best foot forward in
contributing towards the outcome of the meeting.
Recorded Web Meetings for Sales
All
this serves to make a much more productive web meeting. Recording such
a meeting gives you a professional training tool that can be used to
education clients about your company and your products. Product vendors
may find this especially useful in rolling out a new product. You can
take the web meeting that was used to train sales staff and distribute
it to clients. Your clients can watch these web meetings on their own
schedule or whenever they need a refresher on the topics discussed.
Recorded Meetings for Customer Support
These
recordings can be especially helpful for software vendors in supporting
clients in employee training. When showing employees the new features
of your latest upgrade, you can record the session and use it to train
clients, saving time and money for your business.
Web meeting
recordings can be used in any number of ways to support your business
and communicate with clients. It makes sense to improve meeting quality
by recording them and then capitalize on the feature by distributing
these copies anywhere they might be useful. For more information web meetings,