Is This Thing On?

Web Conferencing, can you see it now: Is This Thing On?

Many years ago, I recall being on a web conference for a project cut meeting with a small group of approximately fifteen people.  I’ll never forget the meeting because of what happened.  The moderator was sharing his desktop which meant that all participants could see his entire screen.  He must have been a great multi-tasker because while he was doing the presentation, he was also instant messaging his girlfriend.  We saw all of their private messages, and you can imagine what they said!  I hinted to him several times that the messages could be seen, but he didn’t pick up on it.  I finally had to say, “it appears that you have rather interesting plans for this evening.”  Bewildered and embarrassed, he responded, “you can see that?!”

With more and more people using web conferencing as a business tool, you would think that we would have this all figured out by now: how to look professional regardless if we are on the road or working in our pajamas.  Even though the software has become more sophisticated, we have remained in the dark more than ever.  In the past year, I’ve seen dogs, cats, kids in tubs, parents (including my own), credit card numbers, and all sorts of private information.  To avoid these problem situations, here’s some advice: before jumping on a conference, make sure your desktop is clean of clutter.  Clean out your browsing history.  Take a quick look in the mirror to check for stray hairs and other sorts of strays (spinach in the teeth, etc.)  Make sure that the lighting is good.  Most importantly, RELAX!  Do a trial run.  I have found this to be quite helpful.
 
With all that said (after all, there had to be a point, right?!): Welcome to Together Talk Web! Click here for more information. Together Talk web provides you with all of the tools and features you need for hosting engaging webinars at any time.  Your attendees can simply sign into Together Talk web from their browser or smartphone via our free mobile app.

Contact me today for a demo!
Caroline Rogers 302-530-1666
caroline.rogers@conferencegroup.com

Video Conferencing Etiquette

Video Conferencing is a cost cutting tool for businesses. It's being used for remote workers, product demo's, HR seminars, tech support, Educational seminars, Telehealth and even now in law offices and court rooms. With that said, there are common mistakes that your business may be making.

Not prepared

Video conferencing requires more preparation then the average phone call. It's good to let your client know this will be a video call in order to make sure they have the proper equipment. For remote workers, businesses need to let them know this is the preferred method of communications. It becomes second nature.

Moving during the video

Being stable produces a clear, HD video experience. Any form of shaking is going to create a blurry image that may distract viewers from your message. If you are traveling, pull over and find a location that you can use your hand-held device. Same is true with a laptop

Bad lighting or setting

If you want to be the focus, you need to get rid of as many distractions as possible. You will want to be in a well-lit room with a solid background behind you. You also want to make sure you are not back lit. A common mistake is having a window behind you. Your viewers can see the outside, but you will show up as a dark figure.

Not using it enough

As said above, one you start using video conferencing, it become second nature. Once you are set up you will want to use video conferencing as much as possible. Many business spend unnecessary time and money on travel. On average, US business spend up to 384 billion dollars a year on travel. For remote workers, video conferencing allows them to still meet in person, but allows them to get right back to work, saving time, money and increasing productivity. For customer meetings, video conferencing allows you to get in front of the customer quicker without having to arrange for travel.

Relying on computer speakers and mic

For those of you that have done video conference with me, you know I am either on a head-set or ear buds. There are two reasons behind this. 1) it reduces feedback and 2) it reduces background noise allowing the speaker to be heard.
In closing, video conferencing does take more time and thought when it comes to planning, scheduling and technology, however once you get that down, it's a highly effective method of communication. If you are interested in learning more about our Together Talk product, you can find it here Together Talk Video.

You can also contact me at 302-530-1666 or
caroline.rogers@conferencegroup.com

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It could happen to you!!

Often times I come across mishaps in the telecom industry and have a “that’s standard operating procedures” or more of an “I’m not shocked” attitude. Why? I’ve spent 20 years in the industry and things happen. Lines get cut, hunt groups get disruptive, and FOC dates get moved. After moving over to conferencing, I tell everyone I am so “relaxed” that I just don’t have those problems. Conferencing works! You pick up a phone; you dial an 800 number and presto! I don’t get the Friday afternoon calls that were cut over a pizza xyz company and dropped two lines in the hunt group at 5 pm…. I’m not at the Clemson game on my cell because the problem still isn’t fixed. (Go TIGERS, 7-0 btw and yes, this is a true story). In Sales, I do everything I can to make sure problems don’t occur. In telecom sales I was taught how to “spin” the bad. It’s all been “normal” for me until the other day when it actually affected me.

I was on my way to ATL for our son’s huge “Scout Focus” basketball program.  Our son has a torn shoulder and taking steroids until the season is over. I kept trying to call the orthopedist for the steroids but all lines were busy. “Your call can’t be completed as dialed”. So finally at 3:00 pm, momma bear hopped in her car and drove an hour to the orthopedist to raise some heck. I get there and they are shut down. They’re normally open on Fridays so I did what any momma would do…. I found my way through their surgery center into the business office and found a Dr. Needless to say, he was rather surprised to see me. His first question was “how did you get in here”? A word of advice to you men, don’t ask a woman, especially a mom, how she does anything… Just know “we have our ways”.

I explained to him that I needed a hand written script right away.  He said that their entire VoIP (you know, that super duper thing we hear about in the cloud) system wasn’t operational and they had to shut down. They had no way of making calls and major conferences were canceled because the XYZ Hospital Group systems were down, etc. At the time, I really didn’t care what his problems were… I just knew what mine were and what I needed. I asked a simple question. “Do you not have an iPad or a cell phone?” He was like “well yes”.   I said, “Then call his doctor and find out what you need to get it done”. Net/net- I left with the prescription I needed.

Driving down the road I started thinking about the missed opportunity I had. So many times agents tell me that their client “ has conferencing”, it’s built into the phone system or it’s in the Cloud with their super duper SIP trunking system they put in. Needless to say, a call was made to the agent working on this opportunity and I stressed the importance again of “why” this particular orthopedist group NEEDED US. If they had our services, the major conferences wouldn’t have been canceled. Why?  Because we aren’t in his “XYZ Hospital Group system”… Any cell phone or land-line (which by the way, I always suggest you put a land-line in for this exact reasoning) can get you to an 800 number. Any iPad with Wi-Fi can get you to our video conferencing platform. So as agents I have to ask you, why do you put all your eggs in one basket? Think outside the box. Make sure you have redundancy built in, even with conferencing.

Caroline Rogers 302-530-1666
Caroline.rogers@conferenegroup.com

You asked for it…. It’s HERE!!!

Words can’t describe my partners and friends how excited I am to see this listed on our webpage! Most of you know we’ve been working on this fantastic product for a few years now and you all have been so patient with me!

Please visit https://www.conferencegroup.com/

In the middle you will see a 30 day Together Talk Trial. Sign up! Use it for 30 days so that you know the ends and out of this fantastic product!! In setting up your clients, call me! I can help you set this up as it does get a little tricky. I want to make sure you, my awesome agent gets credit for the sale and of course, we need to go over pricing/commissions. Over the next few weeks, we will have all the marketing material out there for you to provide to your clients. Meanwhile, USE IT!

Caroline

Connection Lost

Peeps, Geeks and Techies, we HAVE arrived!!

Did you see it?

Modern Family dedicated an entire show on what it is we do!  

RTC!  (Real time communications). In the Episode Connection Lost, Claire is at the airport and opens FaceTime to connect to her daughter.  From there, the comic value kicks in even with  the choppy connections like some may get in RTC. 

The entire hour long show was filmed using video chats and messages. For some, this may be a redflag in that the technology isn’t ready for life in real time, but I disagree.  With business class products like our MegaMeeting and Vidyo, we are ready for RTC! 

 Give me a call today to discuss how you can provide your clients with a trial run. 

Caroline Rogers 302-530-1666
Caroline.rogers@conferenegroup.com

White Glove Services!

The Art of Channel Managers

 Recently I attended ITEXPO in Miami and the CVx expo. Peter Radizeski of RAD-INFO INC. did a seminar on The Art of Channel Managers. It’s always a great idea for us who have been doing this for a while to check ourselves and our temperature. Peter made an excellent point on how many of us do not talk about our “sweet spot”. Today, I’m going to do just that!

Why The Conference Group?

Outside of our 24x7 customer service (that is not outsourced, btw), the fact we pay commissions every two weeks, and we have an excellent support staff for our agents.. did you know that we are highly recommended and are LOVED by our clients who need that white glove touch? I’m talking about the high touched, executive operator assisted calls, or as we call them Event or Event Answered.

What types of clients need these services?

We are discovering that all industries and various businesses need these types of calls. Clients including large industrial, multi-locational businesses, banks, legal and oddly enough construction. When you are on your next appointment, grabbing info on their telecom bills, ask about conferencing. Make conferencing separate from their normal telecom, even ask if they are using any type of operator assisted conferences, you may be surprised!

For more information on these types of services, you can contact me.
Caroline Rogers 302-530-1666
Caroline.rogers@conferenegroup.com

To all our Partners at the Conference Group

I want to wish all of you a great Holiday season! As we wind down our year, I thought it would be great to have a little fun. How many of us dread conference calls or have a slight anxiety before the call starts that all is going to run smoothly? Earlier in the year, I found this clip and laughed. Throughout the year, I’ve watched it over and over, especially when I needed the laughs. I think we can all relate to this scenario.

Watch Here.

Eliminate Headaches

At the Conference Group, it’s our hopes that we can eliminate as many of these headaches as possible. Did you know that the Conference Group offers services such as Event and Event Answered? Both of these services allowed for a more formal, structured conference call. More of a white glove service that impresses larger groups or high profile clients. A dedicated operator will help place callers into the conference with ease.

Event Answered

For event answered, the operator can stay on the call, monitor the call for interruptions such as cell phone background noise, dogs barking, static, etc. Event Answered also allows for polling, roll call, Q&A session. Both Event and Event answered conference can place the meeting into lecture mode so only the leaders can speak, at any time. The dedicated leaders can remove lecture mode for questions. Got everyone on the call or are ready to start without interruption for late arrivals? You can lock the call.

For more information on these types of services, you can contact me.

Caroline Rogers 302-530-1666
Caroline.rogers@conferenegroup.com

Together Talk Video

The Final Stretch

I can’t say how excited I am about the Conference Group's new video product, Together Talk Video. Over the past weeks, we have been doing demo’s with our clients, our agents and even have time to play ourselves.

What happens when you get two IT guys and a sales person? We learn about Google Glass! (and I thought it was just some funny type of glasses people like wearing for the attention)….

If you are an agent looking for a product that is easy to use, allows for video and web collaboration, then you need to call me! This product is launching soon, but I’m still taking on a few agents for the demo process. All I am asking for is feedback!!

Caroline Rogers 302-530-1666
Caroline.rogers@conferenegroup.com

Where has the time gone?

When we last left off,

I was headed to Vegas…. Well it’s that time again!!

 

Come see the Conference Group at ITEXPO August 12-15th at 

The Rio, Booth 244. This is your last chance to Win The
 Pebble Smart Watch we’ve given away at the previous shows!

 

Then come meet with me in the Big Easy during Cloud Partners, September 7-10th! Before you come see me, check out our new product, expecting to launch September!

 

 

 

 

Vegas Baby!!

It’s that time again for our annual business   fun show we know and love as Channel Partners!

What’s new this year for show?

You want to a chance to win the Pebble Smart Watch? Come by the Conference Group’s booth 8024 and see Caroline Rogers and Karen Stultz for a chance to win!

What’s required?

Check out our new Together Talk Video and let us scan you!

What is Together talk Video?

Many of you have heard me talk about a new product we are kicking out!

• Need a web conferencing product?

  Together Talk Video does that!

• Need a Video conferencing product?

  Together Talk Video does that

• Need a collaboration tool, file sharing and desktop sharing?

  Together Talk Video Does that too!!

For those interesting in becoming an agent with the Conference Group, we will be handing out our Special Agent T-shirts- new color RED!

Confession Time With Caroline...

I am a closet weather junkie.   Wait, who am I kidding?  If any of you follow me on Facebook or my personal tweets, then you know that I am always watching the weather.   My favorite time of the year is winter.  I love the cold, the snow (even though I never see it and beg for it weekly).  With that said, the Polar Vortex totally got me excited!  For the first time in 45 years I witnessed bone cold temps in the single digits and I was out in it like a Saint Bernard, which was rather silly considering this South Carolina gal doesn’t own the right clothing for 3 degrees, but I digress.  Now, we are looking at another polar vortex for the next couple of weeks (excited, right?) http://www.foxnews.com/weather/2014/01/04/polar-vortex-to-blast-frigid-air-over-much-us/

So, how does this all play into conferencing?   Easily, shh.. don’t tell anyone I said this, but this is the downside of my job.. I don’t get snow days, I don’t get the “I can’t make it to the office today” excuse because with our products, I am always able to work, and so can you.  Our state of the art equipment is monitored 24x7 by Conference Group team (whether blizzards, hurricanes or sunshine).  Which is why so many companies turn to us during times of disaster or emergency weather situations.   Luckily, I'm able to use our web and video conferencing products for the times I can’t get out.  When I do have to venture out, our voice audio conferencing coupled with the Group-e mobile app, make it super simple for me to conference on the go!   Can your clients do this?  If not, you definitely need to contact me!  And not just to talk about the weather...  :)

- Caroline Rogers
crogers@conferencegroup.com
877-716-8255 x78253

Calling all Special Agents!

This year TCG will be increasing our trade show exposure and will be attending not only Channel Partners, but also CvX in Miami and Las Vegas!   The Conference Group is still looking to add additional agents and resellers as partners.  If you are looking for competitive pricing,  commissions 2x a month, 24x7 award winning customer service and must have products, then come see us!   Four lucky winners will win the new Pebble Smart Watch!  Register to win at the Conference Group booth in the Exhibit Hall.

• ITEXPO / CvX show is in Miami -  January 29^th-31^st        Booth #928
• Channel Partners is in Vegas February 26^th-28^th                Booth #8024

See you there!

- Caroline Rogers
877-716-8255 x78253
crogers@conferencegroup.com 

Are We Having Fun Yet?

How time flies when we are having fun!!   It’s been a while since I’ve updated our “Coffee-break” blog, not because I’ve had nothing to say, but wow…. Lots are going on!!   2014 is going to be a fantastic year with big products coming!  Hang onto your hats cause the breeze is picking up!    What I’ve failed to tell you all is we’ve had some exciting things happen in our fourth quarter!    The new and improved Audio Console is out!

 

The new advance features of the console include instant Dial Out, the ability to call attendees from a saved or imported list of contacts.  “Sticky” Notes, a convenient place to document reminders or notes prior to or during a call.  There are enhanced recording features that will allow your client to pause a recording in progress and playback which will enable your client to easily incorporate recorded audio into a live conference.  The audio console is tablet and smartphone ready, which will make it convenient for your clients on the go.  

The console is free to your new and existing clients using our Reservationless services.   I can provide you and your potential client with a demo via our Lotus Live WebConferencing platform.  

- Caroline 

877-716-8255 x78253

crogers@conferencegroup.com 

Busy Times & Exciting Events

It seems the past few weeks have been extremely busy for me.   The Cloud Partners show in Chicago was a great show.  Lots of talk about the cloud and how you all are going to use it.  Most don’t think of Conferencing including a cloud product, but it does.  Our Video Conferencing and Web Conferencing products are cloud based and can fit nicely into your portfolio.   Last week, I had a great opportunity to see two of my favorite California based agents.  It’s always a great time when you get to talk to those that have been in this industry like I have and understand the importance of conferencing. 

This week the Conference Group will be a bronze sponsor at the TDM Summit in Indiana at the Horseshoe Hotel and Casino.  TDM recently purchased business from KeeneTel, so I am excited about meeting many new partners.   TDM is based out of the Louisville, KY area and I’ve had the pleasure of working with them for many years.  Master Agents are finding value in bringing their partners in and allowing round table discussions with their vendors.  It sets the stage for some upfront discussions, product training and development.  If your company is holding one of these events, please let me know!   

- Caroline Rogers

877-716-8255 x 78253

crogers@conferencegroup.com 

More Special Agents Wanted!

                Exciting things are happening at the Conference Group as they will be exhibiting at the Cloud Partners Show September 11th - 14th  in Chicago, IL.  Channel Manager, Caroline Rogers will be seeking out "Special Agents" as they are expanding their partners in the channel.  "We give our agents and resellers not only leading communications and conferencing solutions, but a dedicated support team!", says Caroline Rogers.   Whether it's Audio, Video or Web conferencing, the Conference Group is always striving to produce innovative tools and services that are going to challenge the competition!  New tools for partners and users are expected to be showcased during the expo. 

                 As usual, the Conference Group will be giving out lots of cool FREE stuff, so make sure to stop by their booth #526 and grab some TCG swag!  There will also be a chance to win a new state of the art infrared keyboard!  The first 10 agents/resellers that sign up with the Conference Group, will receive their very own special Agent T-Shirt!  If you are interesting in becoming an agent you may visit www.conferencegroup.com/partners for more information.

See you all there!! 

- Caroline

Direct:  302-530-1666

crogers@conferencegroup.com