When you work in an office, the conference call is inevitable. Sooner or later you will be called upon to participate. It is important when do you, that you use proper conference call etiquette. First of all, keep background noise to a minimum. Whether the call is being held in your personal office or in a conference room, keep control over the noise level. Though it may be tempting to use the mute button to block out extra noise, it’s not a good idea to use, since you and others will not be able to respond to your colleagues on the other end of the line.

To help you minimize extra noise, make sure you use high-quality conference equipment. A good conference phone will prevent feedback and static from coming through on the call. Since you are conducting business with this phone, take care to get top quality. Once you make a purchase, make sure that you are familiar with the use of the conference phone. Technical difficulties are very distracting to the other participants on the call.

It will also benefit you to be considerate of the other participants on the conference call. When scheduling the call, make sure you aware of the time zone they are in so that you can speak at a time convenient for all. Also, be prepared for your conference call. It is very distracting to get up and walk away during the call, so make sure that you have all pertinent information at your fingertips before the conference begins. Everyone in your office who will be participating in the call should have access to this information ahead of time.

While you are on the call, remember that the people on the other end cannot see you, so it is vital that you speak clearly and slowly enough to be understood. When you begin to speak, introduce yourself by name so as to prevent confusion.

Address the person to whom you are speaking by name as well. When you follow all these steps to prepare for your conference call, you will have a much increased chance of successful communication. Always keep in mind that a conference call is truly a business meeting, and should be treated as such.