Traditional Vs Web Conferencing

Posted on by

Most individuals involved in business have likely heard of conference calling, but fewer really know how many different conferencing options are available to them. Conferencing has been around for a long time, but advancements in the technology and in the type of conferencing available are happening all the time. This is great news for individuals who do business on the go because holding meetings, seminars, training sessions, and other discussions has never been easier.

With so many choices though, it is necessary to determine which conferencing solution works best for your particular business.

The two main categories of conference calling are traditional phone conferencing and web conferencing. Each type of conferencing has its merits, which is why the decision should come down to your business needs.

Pros of Phone Conferencing

The number one advantage of phone conferencing programs is the ease of use associated with them. Telephone conference calls can be implemented with very little notice and very little effort on the part of the callers.

Another advantage of telephone conference calls is the fact that almost anybody can join in on the meeting without having to have a bunch of fancy equipment. This allows businesses to have access to communication with multiple individuals involved in their business activities.

Finally, it is important to point out that there is usually no limitations to how many individuals can be involved in a telephone conference call. This is important because often there are multiple individuals involved in one single deal and being able to communicate with them all simultaneously helps to get the deal closed quicker.

Cons of Phone Conferencing

There are very few cons to telephone conference calling, the main one being that you are unable to see the faces of the individuals you are conferencing with. This is an important factor as reading people is a major part of business.

Another minor downfall of phone conferencing programs is the equipment involved is not always of the best quality. Although money can be spent on better equipment, there are still limitations to what a telephone can do.

Pros of Web Conferencing

The main advantage to web conferencing is the fact you can see the other people in a meeting with you. This is a great way to read people and determine how they really feel about a situation.

An additional advantage to web conferencing is that it is done on the computer, so the equipment is better than the typical phone used for telephone conferencing. For this reason the sound will likely be much better which is always appreciated.

Cons of Web Conferencing

The only real con involved with web conferencing is you have to have internet access to hold such a conference. This may make it difficult to hold a conference on the go, but you still have the advantage of being able to get to a hotspot in time for a meeting.

Conferencing programs are a great tool and an even better one when you choose the right type of program for you. Let these tips and common sense guide you in choosing, and you will find the right program to fit your needs.

4 Useful Qualities of the Conference Phone

Posted on by

A Bluetooth conference phone is perfect for the small or home office to make the hands-free calls or a proper conference call. By using this type of phone it is easier to connect with two or more people to conduct a meeting without needing to be in the same location. The Bluetooth technology is very versatile and makes it possible to talk to other people using a smart phone, tablet, or computer.

Benefits

A major benefit of making the conference call is the ability to save a significant amount of time and money. This mainly relates to saving on travel expenses, hotel costs, gas mileage, etc., because it is not necessary for every team member to be at the same location to conduct the meeting and exchange ideas. Also, this type of communication means there is only the need to make a single phone call instead of multiple calls to several different people.

Plus, this type of call can enhance productivity when an agreed agenda is followed by the participants. This helps to keep the call focused and can save time for the more useful meeting.

Types

The conference call is great in a variety of different situations. For instance, it can be used to conduct a large monthly meeting that makes it possible to exchange information with different team leaders or departments. Plus, it is useful for much smaller situations, such as a business communicating with a potential client and manager. A further option with these types of calls is to make it more personal by adding in a video screen which means both parties on the call can see each other.

Geography

For the business that is looking to expand, the ability to make the conference call is certain to help and make it a lot easier to connect with the overseas markets. Rather than sending resources and multiple employees to a different country, it is more cost-effective to conduct this type of business using a standard or video conference call. This is certain to help with cutting operation costs and makes it possible for a business to expand into other areas that wouldn’t normally be open to them.

Security

The technology used when making a conference call has seen a lot of advancements in recent years which gives extra security and privacy. Whether it is a VOIP or phones used to conduct the call, there is the option on several systems to password-protect the call to prevent others from listening in.

Real Estate Tips

Posted on by

When looking into buying real estate, either for your primary residence or for investment, with prices down now is a great time to invest. What prices are in one city does not mean that they will be the same in another city.House prices change from one area to another due to a variety of factors including: inventories, climate, crime rate, economy and population growth. The best performing zip codes within a city or area have low crime rates, good school districts along with the hospitals, malls and police stations. You should drive around in the neighborhood you are considering buying in at different times of the day just to get a good feel of the area. If you are near or on water and you are new to the area be sure to check and see what water levels are after heavy rains or in the spring if it is area where there is run off from snow.At this time with so many foreclosed homes on the market, in almost all areas of the country, your real estate agent should be able to advise you of the best deals in your area. If you are buying investment property you should stay within your general area as it best not to be an absentee landlord, even if you have a good manager. Another tip is do not buy from the selling agent of the property, and that is because they represent the seller. You need to get someone, another agent, to represent you.A good mortgage can also play a role in your investments. Always read your loan application carefully before signing it. Avoiding a prepayment penalty can save you thousands when selling. Understanding what your credit report says is essential. Do not order your credit report online. Most people do or they order their free report. What they don’t realize is by doing this they worsen the score, every time a report is pulled your score will lower. The lender will be pulling your report. You should order your credit report directly through the credit bureaus by calling their 800 numbers. Be careful, they will try to get you to order it online, be persistent, stay on the phone and ask for a written copy to be mailed to you. This is true copy and what the mortgage company or bank will receive.Consider using a mortgage broker, the fee you will pay will be worth it because they represent several companies. They will have options available and you can choice the one right for you. Make sure that the bank or mortgage company does not sell you a higher interest rate than you qualify for. Don’t be afraid to negotiate with your bank or broker, you negotiated for the price of your home, you can do the same with the mortgage. Every fee on the mortgage is negotiable, the only things not, are the taxes, insurance and filing fees. When you use a broker, tell him you are willing to pay a half point origination fee, but you don’t expect to pay any back end fees.Always read your closing documents very carefully and have an attorney present. It is better to spend a few hundred dollars now, on an attorney to save the possibility of a few thousand later to avoid a serious problem.