{"id":5091,"date":"2024-08-22T12:57:13","date_gmt":"2024-08-22T10:57:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.talkyoo.net\/the-introductory-round-in-the-conference-call-more-than-just-an-icebreaker\/"},"modified":"2024-08-22T12:57:14","modified_gmt":"2024-08-22T10:57:14","slug":"the-introductory-round-in-the-conference-call-more-than-just-an-icebreaker","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.talkyoo.net\/en\/the-introductory-round-in-the-conference-call-more-than-just-an-icebreaker\/","title":{"rendered":"The introductory round in the conference call: more than just an icebreaker"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><em>Meetings don&#8217;t always have to be face-to-face.\nThe meeting of the future is the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.talkyoo.net\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">conference call<\/a>.\nBut this also has its pitfalls: Since the t\u00eate-\u00e0-t\u00eate is no longer necessary, ambiguities and misunderstandings quickly arise.\nWho is talking right now?\nThe consequence: not only does the atmosphere of the conversation suffer, but the results of the conference are also more difficult to understand.    <\/em><\/p>\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<p>But there is another way.\nA round of introductions at the start of the conference call doesn&#8217;t clear up every misunderstanding, but it does clear up some. <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.talkyoo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/eine-vorstellungsrunde-in-der-telefonkonferenz-erhoet-die-produktivitaet.jpg\" alt=\"A man takes part in a productive telephone conference.  \" class=\"wp-image-3308\"\/><figcaption>Conference calls with introductions can produce better results  <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<p>A first overview<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>What are the advantages of a round of introductions during the conference call?<\/li><li>Which conference calls are suitable for an introductory round?<\/li><li>Tips for a successful round of introductions<\/li><li>Introduce rounds of introductions &#8211; even if you are not the moderator of the conference call<\/li><\/ul>\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-welche-vorteile-bietet-eine-vorstellungsrunde-bei-der-telefonkonferenz\">What are the advantages of a round of introductions during the conference call?<\/h2>\n\n<p>The introduction round is a blessing for every conference call &#8211; in two ways.\nFirstly, it encourages the participants to speak.\nSecondly, the listeners can follow the course of the conversation better.\nAfter all, they have heard the voices before.\nThis makes it easier to bring voice and speaker together.    <\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-vorstellungsrunde-sanfter-eisbrecher-bei-telefonkonferenzen\">Introductions &#8211; a gentle icebreaker for conference calls<\/h3>\n\n<p>The round of introductions is like an icebreaker.\nIt gently reduces the distance between the participants.\nIt is immediately easier for the individual to get actively involved in the discussion.\nAfter all, they have already made an initial contribution at the beginning &#8211; and without much effort.\nAfter all, introducing yourself is not rocket science.\nYou know your own name and profession without much preparation.\nIt&#8217;s not quite as easy with complicated technical questions, but thanks to the gentle ice-breaker at the start of the conversation, the next contribution will come a little more easily.      <\/p>\n\n<p>In addition to the icebreaker function, the small introductory round also checks the technical basis.\nIs everyone being heard and understood?\nAfter all, smooth communication cannot be taken for granted.\nIt is not uncommon for technical faults to creep in &#8211; and these are particularly common:   <\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Muting by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.talkyoo.net#tastaturkombinationen\">subscriber<\/a><\/li><li>Muting by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.talkyoo.net\/en\/conference_call_manual\/\">moderator<\/a> in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.talkyoo.net\/en\/conference_call_webcontrol\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">web control<\/a> or with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.talkyoo.net#tastaturkombinationen\">phone keypad<\/a><\/li><li>Muting by the subscriber&#8217;s terminal device<\/li><li>Unfavorable position of the microphone<\/li><\/ul>\n\n<p>During a round of introductions at the start of the conference call, any technical shortcomings can be quickly and easily identified and rectified.\nThis immediately reduces the risk of misunderstandings. <\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-gezielte-sprecheridentifikation-wissen-wer-wann-spricht\">Targeted speaker identification &#8211; knowing who is speaking and when<\/h3>\n\n<p>One or two different voices can still be easily distinguished.\nBut what about five to ten different voices?\nIt&#8217;s easy to lose track.\nAnd it is precisely this loss of control that the introduction round at the start of the conference aims to avoid.\nIf you have heard a voice before, it is easier to recognize it.    <\/p>\n\n<p>An example: Various price proposals are made during a telephone conference.\nNow it is important to correctly assign the voice behind the proposal.\nThis is because a salesperson&#8217;s price proposal is usually more binding than that of a customer.  <\/p>\n\n<p>However, speaker identification is not only useful for price proposals, but also for other information.\nFor example: If I find out about a participant&#8217;s professional qualifications at the start of the discussion, I can better assess their level of knowledge and experience.\nHow much professional expertise can I expect from them without overburdening them?  <\/p>\n\n<p>A round of introductions is also useful for technical terms and abbreviations.\nEssential terms can be explained and important abbreviations introduced right at the beginning.\nThis can clear up many a misunderstanding.  <\/p>\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-f-r-welche-telefonkonferenzen-bietet-sich-eine-vorstellungsrunde-an\">Which conference calls are suitable for an introductory round?<\/h2>\n\n<p>If the individual participants are only slightly familiar with each other, a round of introductions is a good idea.\nIf the participants already know each other, you can dispense with the introductions with a clear conscience.\nThe ice has already been broken and the voices can be easily assigned to the speaker.  <\/p>\n\n<p>If there are many listeners and only a few speakers, the round of introductions is usually limited to the parties who are to speak.\nA so-called <a href=\"https:\/\/www.talkyoo.net\/de\/in-telefonkonferenzen-erfolgreich-informieren\/\">feedback island<\/a> reveals how well the content is received by the audience.\nThis gives participants the chance to give feedback to the speakers.\nWhat is going well, what could go better?   <\/p>\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-tipps-f-r-eine-gelungene-vorstellungsrunde\">Tips for a successful round of introductions<\/h2>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-wie-moderiere-ich-eine-vorstellungsrunde\">How do I moderate a round of introductions?<\/h3>\n\n<p>Moderating a round of introductions is an organizational challenge.\nThe form and content must be right.\nOnly then can the objectives of the conference call be achieved quickly and easily.\nBut that&#8217;s not all: social aspects such as respect, empathy and consideration also play an important role in moderation.\nThis is how a good moderator skillfully juggles organizational and social factors.    <\/p>\n\n<p>The list of speakers &#8211; one after the other<\/p>\n\n<p>If everyone speaks in confusion, there is a risk of chaos.\nThe moderator must therefore ask each participant to speak individually.\nIt is best to compile a list of names before the conference call and work through it step by step.\nThis way, no one is left out.   <\/p>\n\n<p>If the moderator does not know the participants by name, he uses their telephone number as a guide.\nAnd this can be found in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.talkyoo.net\/en\/conference_call_webcontrol\/\">web control<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n<p>A plus point: With landline numbers, the moderator always knows the location from which the number is calling.\nThis allows them to address callers from the same region in a targeted manner.\nFor example: &#8221;  <em>I think I have two participants here from Munich.\nServus!\nWhich of you would like to speak first?  <\/em>&#8220;<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-auch-auf-die-inhaltliche-gestaltung-kommt-es-an\">The design of the content is also important<\/h3>\n\n<p>In terms of content, the moderator aligns the round of introductions with the conference topics and objectives.\nAnd this is what it could look like: <\/p>\n\n<p><strong>Company, location, department, position, project role<\/strong>: the participants immediately know what information is important in the conference call.<\/p>\n\n<p>Technical and organizational issues:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Time<\/strong>: Say the planned end of the conference call.\nThen ask the participants whether they are available until then. <\/li><li><strong>Room<\/strong>: Ask the participants whether they have a quiet room available for the conference.\nYour recommendation for participants who dial in while on the move: Use your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.talkyoo.net\/#tastaturkombinationen\">telephone keypad<\/a> to alternately mute and unmute yourself. <\/li><li><strong>Questions about the project<\/strong>: How did you get involved?\nWhat expectations do you have of the project?\nWhat is your motivation?  <\/li><li><strong>the expectation question<\/strong>: &#8220;What results do we need to achieve today to make the conference call worthwhile for you?&#8221;<\/li><li><strong>the mood question<\/strong>: Use a so-called <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bpb.de\/lernen\/grafstat\/grafstat-bundestagswahl-2013\/148861\/blitzlicht\">&#8220;flashlight&#8221;<\/a> to check the mood of the discussion group.\nOpen questions that remain uncommented are ideal.\nFor example, &#8220;What excites you about the project?&#8221;, &#8220;What are you most looking forward to?&#8221;  <\/li><\/ul>\n\n<p>Good to know: Sometimes it even makes sense to have two rounds of questions.\nIn the first round, the participants introduce themselves; in the second, they answer technical or organizational questions. <\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-soziale-aspekte-nicht-vergessen\">Don&#8217;t forget the social aspects<\/h3>\n\n<p>It&#8217;s an open secret: quieter participants quickly get lost in conference calls.\nThey find it difficult to speak up. <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.anjaschreiber.de\/wie-sie-eine-telefonkonferenz-erfolgreich-fuehren\">Anja Schreiber<\/a>, experienced specialist journalist and author on education, careers and studies, provides the proof.\nThis makes the moderator all the more important.\nRespond to the quieter ones, ask questions, get their opinion.\nThis way, even the quieter ones will feel valued and respected as discussion partners.    <\/p>\n\n<p>If you don&#8217;t respond to quieter participants, you often end up with a rude awakening &#8211; at the latest after the minutes have been sent out.\nHere it becomes clear that the quieter participants do not feel sufficiently involved in the voting and decision-making process. <\/p>\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-vorstellungsrunden-einleiten-selbst-wenn-sie-nicht-der-moderator-der-telefonkonferenz-sind\">Introduce rounds of introductions &#8211; even if you are not the moderator of the conference call<\/h3>\n\n<p>Good news: It is not only the moderator who can invite participants to introductions during conference calls.\nOther participants also have the right to do so.\nThis way, you can make your concerns clear:  <\/p>\n\n<p><br\/>&#8220;<em>My name is Claudia Musterfrau.\nI would like to find out more about the other participants.\nWhat do you think of a short round of introductions at the start of the interview?\nPersonally, it would help me a lot to get to know each other   <\/em>.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n<p>One or two of the participants in the conversation will certainly feel the same way, so they will appreciate your suggestion.\nThe first points of sympathy are guaranteed. <\/p>\n\n<div style=\"height:72px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-kommuinkations-kompetenz-im-der-telefonkonferenz\">Communication skills in the conference call<\/h3>\n\n<p>Please also read our other articles:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__list wp-block-latest-posts\"><li><a class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.talkyoo.net\/en\/activate-detailed-statistics-see-unabridged-phone-numbers\/\">Activate detailed statistics &#8211; see unabridged phone numbers<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.talkyoo.net\/en\/the-web-control-of-the-conference-call-is-personalized\/\">The web control of the conference call is personalized<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.talkyoo.net\/en\/dial-insidesave-dial-in-number-and-room-number\/\">Dial, inside!\nSave dial-in number and room number.<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.talkyoo.net\/en\/one-click-full-controlwithout-logging-in-to-web-control\/\">One click, full control!\nWithout logging in to web control<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.talkyoo.net\/en\/inform-successfully-in-conference-calls\/\">Inform successfully in conference calls!<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Meetings don&#8217;t always have to be face-to-face. The meeting of the future is the conference call. But this also has its pitfalls: Since the t\u00eate-\u00e0-t\u00eate is no longer necessary, ambiguities and misunderstandings quickly arise. Who is talking right now? The consequence: not only does the atmosphere of the conversation suffer, but the results of the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":3309,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[1094,375,1095],"class_list":["post-5091","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-communication","tag-conference-call","tag-introduction-round"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.talkyoo.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5091","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.talkyoo.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.talkyoo.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.talkyoo.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.talkyoo.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5091"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.talkyoo.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5091\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5092,"href":"https:\/\/www.talkyoo.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5091\/revisions\/5092"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.talkyoo.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3309"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.talkyoo.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5091"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.talkyoo.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5091"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.talkyoo.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5091"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}