Toll-free conferencing has been in existence since the 1960s and has been a game-changer in most companies’ communication processes. Through conferencing, multiple parties are connected seamlessly through a call bridge. The conference calls can get reserved, scheduled, or operator-assisted. In most toll-conferencing, providers offer VOIP conferencing, allowing individuals to use the internet to make calls. Besides providing affordable means of communication, this call service has other benefits, as explained in this article.
1. It offers clear communication between members
Traveling from one area to another to hold conference meetings is slowly getting outdated, mostly due to the coronavirus pandemic and innovation. People are also trying to save traveling costs and time. On the other hand, emails do not deliver the desired tone of the message, and sometimes it does not convey the reality of the situation, making calling very important. Toll-free conference call service enables parties to exchange ideas, get quick responses to their questions, and allows participants to exchange ideas there and then. Through conferencing, leaders can give their juniors instructions on what it’s required and can set and determine things for the rest of the employees with ease. Although emails can offer such services, they don’t provide direct commands and tone to the message, making calling more appropriate.
2. It Introduces all players Involved
It is easier to establish communication between departments through toll-free conferencing and instill cooperative efforts between departments located remotely. Such departments could be working alone if such communication never existed. Through these calls, everyone understands their responsibilities and those of others on a real-time basis and enables the company to nip departments that aren’t cooperative. It helps companies create detailed action plans for the departments involved and allows everyone to catch up with what each department is doing.
3. They offer quick response and convenience
Due to technical hitches and other inconveniences, one can take an hour to reply to an urgent email. During board meetings, not everyone arrives on time. You can waste a whole half an hour or more waiting for everyone to settle before starting a discussion. With toll-free conferencing, there is a set time for every call, allowing members to continue working as they wait the call time. Everyone will be busy working either in the office or at home until it’s time to have the conference. Other than setting time, calls can be on short notice without disrupting workflow or creating other inconveniences, making them speedy and convenient. Another good thing about toll-conferencing is that every member can participate regardless of where they are. Whether you are on leave, in the hospital bed, at the gym, in the office, or driving, you can still participate in the meeting and have your voice heard. It helps everyone participate in decision making, making the company implement new ideas without wasting time on decision-making meetings.
4. It prevents the ‘follow chain emails’
Communicating through emails can take longer since you have to send an email, wait for the other party to read, digest, and then reply. Having chain emails tend to be annoying, too, especially where many participants are involved. It becomes even worse when some members make suggestions without getting others’ replies or taking more time to reply to the urgent message. Some members also fail to follow the consequences set in this type of communication. With toll-free conference calls, everyone gets tasked to give their suggestions and views at the same time when everyone is reading the same page. It keeps everyone on track of what they are supposed to contribute.
5. Calls don’t get lost in the process
Most company emails get ignored or are never replied to, especially in disorganized management with communication breakdown. Some members will claim they never saw the email, while others ignore and delete in a ‘don’t care attitude.’ While you can ignore emails and messages, you cannot ignore calls and the questions imposed through them. Toll-free conference calls require participants to have an aural and vocal presence. It holds people accountable, regardless of their rank or state, and everyone has to acknowledge what’s on the discussion table. The calls add peer pressure to participants to deliver on their sides and helps leaders and other employees deliver results to avoid questioning and bashing on subsequent call meetings.
Toll-free conference calls help solve many organizational problems through a button’s touch and enable distant, non-physical communication, especially in this era where social distancing is paramount. It gives voice to everyone involved, avoids lost contact, reduces confusion between parties, and lastly, it helps companies save time and money on traveling and holding physical meetings.