Tips & Tools

Much like a carpenter, an entrepreneur needs a toolbox. A real workhorse, filled to the brim with the essential tools to do a quality job. An easy to tote, practical, and always-on-hand toolbox.

Consider this yours. Each week, we offer practical tips and tools to help grow your business. (If you have other tools or services to suggest, please email Jo Ann at JoAnnFore@msn.com.)

TIP:

Teleconferencing is a big part of today’s entrepreneurial culture. We can conduct virtual meetings, training seminars, coaching calls, or leadership sessions with others across the globe without any special equipment, at any time of the day, with digital recordings for follow up—an awesome tool for today’s leaders.

To conduct a successful teleconference, make it painless for others to participate, share valuable information, and allow for feedback. Consider these steps:

• Plan ahead. Write out an agenda. Don’t wait until you are on the call to decide what topic will be covered, or how the call will flow.
• Also, make sure you have the call-in information distributed in advance and that you remind participants. In today’s rushed world numbers are easily misplaced—avoid a low turn-out by making your call-in info easily accessible.
• Always respect the time of others. Start and stop on time. And consider utilizing a question and answer format to allow for group interaction.
• Prepare for follow-up by recording the event. Let callers know exactly how to gain this information.

TOOL:

There are several choices for free teleconferencing (we love free). Determine your particular needs and check out some of these resources (listed randomly):

• http://freeconferencepro.com
• http://freeconferencecall.com
• http://freegreenconferencecalls.com
• http://freeconference.com
• http://freeconcall.com

What do you think?

Do you use teleconferencing? What do you like/dislike about it? What services have you been most pleased with?

Jo Ann Fore is a certified Life Coach and freelance writer. Visit her at www.JoAnnFore.com.