Conference call participants, I’m going to let you in on a little secret: Conference calls and games can mix, and it’s sometimes in the form of a game we all know as “B-I-N-G-O.”

The lighthearted folks at Australian conference call service provider HotAirConferencing.com have supplied us with a list of activities meant to keep conference call participants awake at the helm. Of course, these suggestions are to be used at appropriate times (if it all) and may get you in trouble with your boss – but it’s fun to think you may be able to get away with them.

How many buzzwords do you think you can conveniently, and unnoticeably, slip into a meeting? Well, Conference Call Bingo is your go-to game for helping you pass the time. On the HotAirConferencing site, words are randomly selected and placed into a B-I-N-G-O-formatted board. A random board could feature words like “best practice,” “user experience,” or “pushback.” The aim of the game, of course, is to cross out as many words as possible before the conference call concludes. Just make sure you don’t yell out “BINGO!” during the meeting.

This next game involves a bit of musical talent, and, most importantly, a mute button. Using the number buttons, HotAirConferencing suggests playing a song, such as “Happy Birthday” to a colleague on a separate phone line. If you can’t figure out the rhythm, press: 112163 – 112196 – 1108663 – 008121.  

Other ideas worth trying out during a drawn-out conference call is to make up movie star names for the people in the conference room, read the newspaper online (for quiet reading purposes), search eBay (News - Alert) for the most obscure items, or even make a start on that novel. Or, you can always be productive and respond to and clear out emails in your inbox.

Conference call moderators, have no fear – there are ways for you to get distracted conference call participants to focus. Before going into a conference call, and especially if you’re hosting, preparation is key to conducting a successful and interactive meeting that guarantees participants are fully invested in the discussion, as reported by TMCnet. 

Moderators can take steps to prevent distractions from interrupting the flow of a conference call. This can start before the meeting even begins by being direct with said participant, or sending a questionnaire that will give attendees a preview of the agenda. Or, you can allow the participants to think of one question to bring to the table during the call.

According to CorporateConferenceCalls.com, the action of conference call attendees submitting questions forces them to focus on the topic at hand rather than their personal issues. In addition, this provokes and sparks more interaction among those present, while also allowing the conference call host insight into what team members feel is important.

Conference call hosts can also take advice from conference call expert Shaun Parker, who has been at the forefront of creating call energizers and ice breakers for several years. Parker possesses a wealth of experience in improvising activities into calls, including music, acting, magic, art and more, to get attendees energized and focused.

Tammy Wolf is a TMCnet copy editor. She also writes articles for TMCnet on a wide range of topics, including IP communications and information technology. To read more of her articles, please visit her columnist page.

Edited by Janice McDuffee