Is Conference Calling Replacing Face-to-Face Meetings?

Conference calling and web application sharing conference calling are the rage right now and becoming the new technology of choice for many businesses. Businesses who are either focused on going "green" or those who are trying to leverage profit to the bottom-line by saving on travel expenses are flocking to use these services, but can and will conference calling ever actually replace face-to-face meetings?

Our business is conference calling and web conferencing. We're technology experts at helping you to use and implement teleconferencing and web conferencing in your daily business strategies effectively. You could say that we're "bullish" on conference calling, but even we realize that face-to-face meetings will never be totally replaced by these exciting new technologies.
Why won't conference calling replace face-to-face meetings? Sometimes the deal is all about people, the nuances of bargaining, negotiation, and deal brokering, is based on a subtle give and take, psychology, non-verbal cues, sometimes even demeanor, and your own presence and personality. Although conference calling and even web conferencing with video can do many things to move selling, a deal, or the negotiation process forward, the culmination of these efforts will most likely still be done with a final face-to-face meeting.

So why use conference calling at all? Conference calling can definitely replace many of the initial meetings and conversations held to nail down important aspects of a deal, saving a business time and money. Conference calling can still bind a geographically separated team together that is working on a project, and enhance communications between team member and clients. But most importantly, the use of conference calling can save money typically spent on travel expenses for these preliminary meetings making a deal or project much more lucrative in the long run.

So when should you use conference calling? Here are some of the times that you may want to consider using conference calling instead of a business trip to a client or prospect:

1. Team and member meeting introduction. Early contact with a client can certainly be done with conference calling. Having your team member hear from the client themselves what is important on a project can be done on the telephone effectively and can be highly valuable to all members providing support and services on a project. This communication can help everyone to keep and maintain the proper focus when working on the project.

2. Selling presentations using PowerPoint slide shows and even software demos can easily be done with web conferencing; a new twist on phone conferencing that introduces the computer screen, video, and application sharing using the Internet as the exchange medium.

3. Action planning, strategic planning and follow-up meetings can be effectively done with conference calling. A spontaneous or quickly scheduled meeting is perfectly suited to the use of conference calling; helping to connect everyone on a project for a quick status check or an important change of direction.

4. There are endless other scenarios in your own personal business dealings when conference calling would save you time or money, increase employee productivity by not having to leave the office, and not hurt the deal or negotiation.

When should you not use conference calling? There are a few situations where face-to-face communication is crucially important and may even be demanded. These situations can change for each project but below are a few examples that illustrate when personal contact is really better than conference calling.

1. A face-to-face meeting will be best to negotiate or bargain on a deal or project or to close a deal and get the contract signed. In any meeting where there is a high give and take exchange factor, conference calling may not be the best way to handle the situation.

2. When there is a contentious problem that really must be resolved to move the selling process or project forward. When tempers have flared due to a missed deadline, missed benchmark, or change in a deliverable, a face-to-face meeting is best. Clients may actually perceive your face-to-face visit as assigning their project more "value", in their eyes, and may actually demand this action especially if the project has a high dollar value.

The bottom-line is that conference calling can easily replace planning meetings or "feel good" visits, but conference calling will never replace the personal touch that only a face-to-face meeting can provide in hard situations or where a strong give and take between participants is expected in advance.

Listed below are more articles related to the above article from the "Conference Call" article category.

People interested in the above article "Is Conference Calling Replacing Face-to-Face Meetings?" are also interested in the related articles listed below:

7 Tips To Manage Conference Call

Conference call is one of the effective mediums for communication at par with the clients and other professionals. There are many companies have their own conference call facilities to deal with their foreign clients or local clients. Some major projects also need conference calls among the planning and execution department to know the status of the projects as well as solve the technical difficulties.

Technology Makes Our Business Communications Faster

Technology today can be quite overwhelming. There are a lot of new devices, systems, and equipment that are changing the way we live now. New technology brings about new ideas, and with a fast paced lifestyle, many people are becoming more dependent on technology, for it can make the way we do things faster.

Video Conferencing

Whether you are looking to invest in a video conferencing solution or want to know how to get the most out of your current system, you need to know some of the key components that make video conferencing calls successful every time. The first challenge is to understand your business' needs. Your goal may be to reduce costs, improve productivity, run a training program, or implement a distance learning program. Once you determine the particular application, you are ready to select and implement your system.

800 Conference Calling: What Its Uniqueness Is

Advanced communication is inevitable for business growth. Yes, a successful expansion of a venture is very much dependable on proper communication. An irregular liaison with various branches is unhealthy for the entire business. Under such circumstances, 800 conference calling facility can be a boon for individuals. Such facilities let others be connected with various offices at a time.

Using Technology to Advance the Green Mission

The Green movement often occupies conflicting and difficult terrain. By way of example, throughout this year, the Congress will be debating a carbon cap and trade system designed to reduce carbon emissions in an effort to combat global warming.

Unified Communications Is Becoming an Important Part of Business Strategy

In today’s business world it is important to integrate different methods of communication to improve performance. Unified communication should be part of every company’s business strategy as this can help get your business to the next level. As technology in communications continues to grow this becomes even more important.

Businesses Are More Often Starting to Choose Online Conferencing Over Travel

The cost of business travel can be very expensive when you incorporate the flights, hotels and meals. With video and web conferencing alternatives these business costs are now not always necessary. Online conferencing can help you keep in touch with clients and employees.