|
I was on a teleconference recently that, on a 10-point boredom scale, was about a 9. Five minutes into the call, I started hearing a rhythmic sound but couldn't quite place it. It grew louder and more distinct until finally we realized that someone was asleep - and snoring - on the call.
The teleconference is ravaging the business world. Each day, millions of people meet remotely for calls that are tedious and to a large degree, ignored.
And they're not going away.
There is, however, hope. Below are tips to running a teleconference that grabs your callers' attention, gets them involved and keeps them interested.
Rules for Leading a Worthwhile Teleconference
1. Give them a Hook
Make people care about the call immediately. Start with the most interesting, funny, urgent, positive or disastrous item on your agenda. Make your callers pay attention and buy into the need to engage in the call.
2. ASK for their attention and participation
Acknowledge the fact that everyone is busy and most people multi-task (email) during calls. Encourage them to stay off email and take responsibility for the call. Their incentive is a better quality, more productive and shorter call.
3. Call on people early
Get people involved in the call right away by calling on them. Ask them for their input on a subject; mention a comment they made previously and have them share it on the call; solicit ideas from the quieter people who wouldn't speak up unless called upon. Call on people by name to emphasize, just like in school, the need to pay attention.
4. Use your voice well
Nothing will bore your callers quicker than a monotonous voice. Vary your volume, pitch and pace <i>so that your voice sounds interesting</i>. Your most useful presentation tool, your body language, is out of commission. This means you have to rely on your content and voice to carry the call.
5. Create strong visuals
If you are using virtual presentation software like WebEx, NetMeeting or Acrobat Connect, you MUST have compelling slides. Just like showing a PowerPoint presentation, the visuals should be interesting, easy to grasp and visually appealing. Know your tools you use to move through the slides and lead your callers through them as you go.
6. Ask for their reactions
Like the flight attendants do to the people in the emergency exit seats, make your callers respond to you. Say, "If you think this is a good idea, say 'Good idea!'" Or, "If you're confused, say, 'Robert, I'm confused.'" Force them to respond.
7. Plant someone for Q&A
The most unsettling thing for leaders of teleconferences is the silence on the other end. Give someone a question prior to the call to get the Q&A session started. Contrived? Sure. Effective? Definitely.
8. Stay focused
Don't let the lack of participation rattle you. The silence doesn't mean that nobody is listening, people disagree, think you are boring or are asleep. It just means there is silence. Stay focused.
Keep those callers awake on your next teleconference!
Robert Graham
Robert Graham is the Principal of GrahamComm (www.grahamcomm.net), a consulting and training company that helps clients increase their sales and deliver outstanding presentations. He can be reached at 415-652-0763 or Robert@grahamcomm.net.
Re-Print Conditions
We offer this article on a nonexclusive basis. You may reprint or repost this material as long as Robert Graham’s name and contact information is included. Robert@grahamcomm.net, 415-652-0763, www.grahamcomm.net.
Back to Articles |
