With teams distributed across the country and all around the world, it's no longer feasible to meet 'face to face' all the time. Conference calls offer the promise of quick and easy meetings, freeing up people from the time and expense of travel, but that's often not the case.
In reality, far from being the solution to the problem, conference calls have become a drain on time and resources.
Some of the problems I hear from project people include:
- 'No-one answers when I ask a question.'
- The calls start late and go on far too long.
- 'Often we can hear people typing their e-mails, sometimes even snoring!'
- Preparation just doesn't get done.
- 'I don't know who else is on the call or even what they look like!'
- Actions just don't get done, even when written up.
A Guardian journalist summed it up in a funny, but sadly rather realistic, article last year.
Joking aside, conference calls by telephone are a key tool for project people. At Making Projects Work, we have been slaving away for all hours recently to offer you a way to make them more effective. The result is a Master Class series - register now at www.conferencecallsmadeeasy.com to receive a bonus one to try it out. This is running on 11th March at 2pm and will be followed by the full series in April.