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Hi All, Hope your all well.

How do you join an audio call when:

- It has just started
- It has already started

How do you leave an audio call when:

- The call has ended
- You must leave early

Also, I always join early... do you make or avoid small talk?

thaGUma's picture

There have been several casts involving conference calls. Do a quick search and you will get better advice … however,

When a Ccall has started. There is usually a beep everyone heard to say there is a new party. Wait until there is an appropriate gap say Hi and your name. Some systems get you to record your name and they announce you. Do not ask to be brought up to speed – you were late.

Before the Ccall gets going. Same process.

Leaving at end of call. OK guys, thanks. I’m off. Wait for a couple of seconds before you hang up in case anyone wants to give you a parting message
Early. During a pause announce you have to go. Unless the call over-runs you should have advised everyone at the beginning of the call or earlier that you need to ring off at a certain time.

Small talk at start. I would avoid starting it as usually folk are at their desk and appreciate being allowed to knock off a few emails while waiting for the start. If there is small talk going on feel free to join in.

Chris

jhack's picture

If you're late, apologize tersely. ThaGUma is right: don't ask to be brought up to speed.

Why not start the small talk? If they'd rather do email, they'll do email. The weather is a favorite of mine, especially since many of our calls include folks from around the globe. It's a nice way of making the world a bit smaller.

John

bflynn's picture

Before - wait for the conference call to start. When the leader arrives and says "lets get started", stop the small talk and get going. When you speak the first time, say who you are so they can associate your voice with you, even if you think everyone knows you. "This is Brian, blah blah, blah."

If you're late, wait for the intro pause. I find that the leader or speaker will usually stop what they're saying and ask who joined. I hate this behavior, if you're talking and hear a beep, unless you're saying something absolutely confidential, please finish your sentence before asking who joined.

Brian