Do you agree that there is a need for conference call energizers and ice breakers?

If you do, you agree with Shaun Parker, who has been at the forefront of conference call energizers and ice breakers for several years now, including music, acting, magic, art and many other forms of entertainment. In fact, Parker believes there are three necessary times to implement popular, fun and effective energizers and ice breakers during a conference call.

The first is at the start of a conference, "With many companies having offices all over the country and with working from home becoming increasingly popular, many of the delegates attending a conference call will not have met each other before. So if people don't know each other, how on earth will you get them to effectively communicate with each other?" Parker believes you need to encourage your delegates to "speak with each other…feel at ease in the company of their colleagues."

The next time one's needed is for the "graveyard hour," the hour directly after lunch. Perhaps you are attending a conference call after having a quick bite or even a large corporate lunch, Parker says, "It's the time of the nodding dogs, as your delegates struggle to keep awake as a direct result of a good lunch and a comfy seat.” Choosing the correct moderator or leader for your conference call is key. He or she needs to be charismatic and exude energy to keep the momentum going.

The third time is just before the conclusion of the conference call. Parker emphasizes, “Energize them and they'll go away on a high, they will be full of self, team and company belief. And most importantly, they will have a positive recollection of the conference call when they leave.

Use your ice breakers and energizers effectively though at the appropriate time, the key is to motivate not distract. As TMC’s (News - Alert) Tammy Wolf wrote, “We all know that two’s company, three’s a crowd – and anything beyond that has potential for confusion and interruptions, especially when it comes to a conference call.”

Many of us have taken part in a conference call, whether it’s for a meeting, presentation, or just a casual conversation among colleagues. Luckily, conferencing solutions provider Eagle Conferencing brings new and innovative ways to the table for today's competitive business environments and organizations to get the most of their meetings. So, before your next conferencing experience, read up on the latest tips provided by InterCall (News - Alert) University to get the most of your meetings, as well as how Eagle Conferencing can help you and your colleagues avoid potential issues before your meeting begins.