| Hosting an international conference call is far less | | | | that works best for the majority of the people or for |
| expensive than arranging an in-person conference with | | | | the key people involved in the call. Don't forget that the |
| participants located around the world. Not only that, | | | | International Date Line may come into play. For |
| conference call set up is easier than you may realize. | | | | example, if the call takes place at 11:00 AM in Los |
| Before you schedule the call, you'll need to select a | | | | Angeles on May 10th, your Chinese participants will be |
| telecommunications provider that supports international | | | | calling at 2:00 AM on May 11th. Optionally, you may be |
| conference calls as well as do a little pre-call | | | | able to set up call recording so that attendees who |
| organizing. | | | | missed the international conference call can listen to it |
| Start by listing the participants along their countries. For | | | | later. |
| example, if your international conference calls will | | | | Once you've set up the international conference calls, |
| involve participants from countries such as China, | | | | you'll need to communicate with attendees. Not only |
| Australia, Philippines, Canada, and the United States, | | | | will the attendees need to know the time and date, |
| you'll need to find an international conference calling | | | | ideally expressed in local time, they will also need to |
| plan that supports those countries or offers "dial out" | | | | know what phone number to dial and the international |
| to those countries. The way international conference | | | | conference calling conference PIN code. Because |
| calling works, participants from other countries dial a toll | | | | international conference calls feature different phone |
| free number for their countries in order to connect to | | | | numbers based on the callers' countries, a single |
| the phone conference. | | | | generic mass email won't do. You'll need to provide |
| If a country is not supported, or if toll free access from | | | | participants with information relevant to them. |
| that country is more expensive than expected, you | | | | In addition, if the conference call set up has been set to |
| can optionally dial out to those participants. For | | | | dial out specific participants, you'll need to let those |
| example, toll free international rates in the Philippines | | | | participants know that you will be dialing them directly. |
| may be higher than you're willing to pay per minute. | | | | Make sure to specify which phone number you will be |
| You may be able to get a better rate for your Filipino | | | | dialing so that the attendee is available at the correct |
| participants by dialing out to them directly. Ideally, you'll | | | | phone at the stated time. |
| want most participants to call with international toll free | | | | When sending the information about the international |
| access. Not only is this easier for you, it's easier for | | | | conference call, you may also want to include an |
| participants to dial a toll free number at the appointed | | | | agenda. This will help attendees prepare for their roles |
| time. Look for a provider with an extensive list of | | | | in the teleconference as well as help you to better |
| international countries. | | | | control the cost of international conference calls. For |
| Because rates do vary by country, you'll want to | | | | example, if you need your sales manager in Australia |
| research rates and make your conference call set up | | | | to present a ten minute presentation on the latest |
| decisions with rates and dial out options in mind. | | | | regional sales figures, let her know exactly what you |
| Depending on the international conference call service | | | | expect and how many minutes have been allotted. |
| provider, you may be able to pre-program dial out | | | | International toll free access and set up aren't overly |
| instructions into your account. If so, schedule your call | | | | difficult, but the more organized you are, the better. |
| and enter the phone numbers of the participants that | | | | Take the time to research international conference |
| you'd like to dial directly. | | | | calling rates for your call's participants and pre-program |
| Another important set up step involves scheduling the | | | | dial out options if it makes financial sense to do so. |
| call. Since you'll be teleconferencing with attendees | | | | Host the international conference calling meeting at a |
| from around the world, everyone will be in different | | | | time that works best for the bulk of your key |
| time zones. Business hours for your teleconference | | | | participants. Finally, communicate with attendees |
| may be the middle of the night for your participants. | | | | beforehand so that everyone knows which toll free |
| Use a time zone map to determine the time of day | | | | number to dial and their roles during the teleconference. |