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International Conference Call Connecting Worldwide Attendees
Technology has shrunk the world, creating a global village where people are no longer isolated by mountain ranges,
oceans, deserts, jungles, and long distances
Though the technology has been in place for decades, only recently has the international conference call become
affordable globally.
Now that calling rates have declined to affordable levels, connecting a worldwide audience via phone bridge technologies
opens the door of opportunity around the world.
Teleconferences, Workshops, and Classes
Using international conference calls to host conferences, workshops, and classes is becoming a popular way to educate,
inform, and network with likeminded professionals.
Not only is the 'international conference call' a cost effective alternative to holding physical conferences, the
call recordings can be used for other purposes.
For example, companies often host live teleclasses with participants calling in from around the world. Later, the
call recordings are then repackaged and sold.
Because it's less expensive to host a teleconference via an international conference call than it is to coordinate
a live physical conference, participants can also expect lower registration fees and other expenses.
For example, attending physical conferences in Hong Kong, London, Australia, the U.S., or any other country typically
requires travel, lodging, local transportation, and conference registration fees. Global conference calls completely
eliminate travel and lodging expenses. As far as registration fees go, a two-day conference costing hundreds or
thousands of dollars in person typically costs a fraction of that when presented as a teleconference.
Physical attendance at international conferences also impacts productivity with attendees having to devote several
days just getting to and from their destinations. The only time spent on teleconferences is the time actually conferencing
with others.
International Corporate Team Building
International conference calls can also be used to connect employees located around the world. While often used
to coordinate projects and update one another with the latest sales figures and status reports, global conference
calls are important in building a culture of teamwork. Being able to interact with the group, hear voice inflections,
and build rapport helps employees who might otherwise feel disenfranchised engage with the team on a more personal
level.
International Sales Presentations
Whether your organization has an international customer base or team of sales representatives stationed around
the globe, international conference calls can plan an important role in sales. You can use global conference calls
to host question and answer sessions, new product launches, and press conferences as well as conduct sales training
to your team of overseas salespeople.
International Conference Calling Considerations
Depending on the purpose for your conference call, you'll want to select the right calling plan. For example, toll
free international conference calls are appropriate when you do not want attendees to have to pay for their time
on the call such as when hosting a conference call for potential customers to learn more about buying your product.
On the other hand, if your conference call is answering questions from contractors soliciting work, set up the
international conference calls so that each caller pays his own tolls.
How International Conference Calling Works
Setting up the international conference call is a simple matter of scheduling the call with the attendees and advising
the date and time to dial-in, and providing attendees with instructions such as the call's time (expressed in each
attendee's local time and date format), call number, and access code.
Because international conference calling rates and phone numbers vary by country, you may need to dial some attendees
directly as doing so may be less expensive or the only option. Fortunately, this step can be preprogrammed with
most global conference calling plans. Once the time and date of the event arrives, all attendees dial in, enter
the conference access code, and begin connecting.
International conference calling is cheaper than ever, with numerous
possibilities
From holding conferences and workshops to building international teams and communicating with geographically diverse
customers, connecting worldwide attendees over the phone lines makes the world a smaller place.
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