Great America Networks Conferencing Blog

Audio Conferencing Meeting Controls

GANC's QuickConnect audio conferencing service allows you to meet your instant on-demand needs. Its available 24/7 reservationless service is ready and available for you to use anytime, anywhere.

To make sure you are getting the most out of our QuickConnect service, we want to ensure you know about the features we offer during our meetings. Our audio meeting controls give you and your audience the ability to adjust and modify settings accordingly to fit the needs of the specific call. So the next time your hosting or attending a meeting, try out these features.

*0- Operator Assistance (Moderator & Participants)

*1- Moderator Dial-out (Moderator only)

*2- Start/Stop conference record (Moderator only)

*3- Participant count (Moderator only)

*4- Conference help (Moderator & Participants)

*5- Entry/Exit chimes (Moderator only)

*6- Mute/un-mute (Moderator & Participants)

*7- Lock/unlock conference (Moderator only)

*8- Toggle presentation mode (Moderator only)

*9- Roll Call (Moderator only)

61# - Mute all participants (Moderator only)

62# - Un-mute all participants (Moderator only)

Matt Auriemme 
Marketing
Great America Networks Conferencing
mauriemme@ganconference.com
www.ganconference.com
http://blog.ganconference.com/
Twitter: @ganconferencing

PowerPoint Presentation Tips

Great, another PowerPoint presentation. You're not the only one who finds PowerPoint presentations boring. It is extremely difficult to create a presentation that is engaging, interesting and informative to your audience, especially creating a presentation to give over a conference call.

When I was in college I loved presentation days because the lights were off and the professor couldn't see me. So, you guessed it, I was sleeping in the back of the room, and Im sure you did the same. Unfortunately, now you cant do that because the information is too important to miss, although the slides at times are worse than they were in college.

After researching this topic for a bit I've compiled some tips for you to keep your audience engaged and awake.

Do NOT read right off of your slides.

Please don't do this. At this point in our lives we are all capable of reading for ourselves, so don't read whats on your slides word for word. Only put key phrases on your slides that you'll be able to go into more detail on.

Keep it simple.

Every slide in your presentation should consist of a max of 5 lines/ bullets. Use easy to read and understandable charts, and use images/ graphics that reflect and support what you are discussing.

Never restrict yourself to what PowerPoint offers.

You can go outside the PowerPoint Box. Bring in your own graphics/ images or upload a video of yours you can show.

Slide Designs.

As a designer this is a huge one for me. I have seen all types of slides that make me want to go blind. When you begin designing your presentation make sure you choose one layout style and keep it consistent throughout. Also make sure you keep your color schemes, and typeface and size consistent. And now for the part that really bothers me. If you have a low res image, PLEASE DO NOT enlarge it and make it a whole slide. It is going to be extremely blurry and impossible to make out.

Double check your work.

Always double check your work and make sure all of the slides are in the correct order. If there are videos or links within the presentation make sure they work. Also put yourself in your audiences seat, if the information isn't detailed enough or if something is confusing add to it or take it out. Last but not least check for TYPOS! There is nothing more distracting on a slide than a typo. It really does stick out like a sore thumb. So make sure you read through every slide multiple times.

Hopefully these tips will help you improve your future presentations. If you have anything to add that I might have missed please leave me a comment as I might have missed it while I slept through that presentation.

Matt Auriemme 
Marketing
Great America Networks Conferencing
mauriemme@ganconference.com
www.ganconference.com
http://blog.ganconference.com/
Twitter: @ganconferencing

QuickConnect's Live Conference Viewer

 
 Available anywhere at anytime GANC's Live Conference Viewer allows leaders to view and manage their QuickConnect audio conference call on a web-based interface.

Included free with every account this incredibly intuitive interfaceallows you to control your calls announcements, muting/unmuting of individual attendees, put the call into Question and Answer mode, or dial out to additional attendees, all from a web based graphical user interface.

Some of the key features that will come with our Live Conference Viewer are:

- Completely branded to your company and able to be branded down to your clients.

- Ongoing free training and support for your company and client end users.

- Allows the moderator/ administrator to view audio conferences in real-time.

- Allows for the naming of participants for both security and archiving purposes.

- Graphical interface allows for interaction within conference call without having to remember DTMF commands.

If you have any questions about GANC's Live Conference Viewer or our Audio Conferencing services please contact us and we will be glad to help.

Matt Auriemme 
Marketing
Great America Networks Conferencing
mauriemme@ganconference.com
www.ganconference.com
http://blog.ganconference.com/
Twitter: @ganconferencing

Keep Your Audiences Engaged with QuickVisuals

Successful conferences and meetings take a great detail of planning and organizing, something that can be made much easier for you by GANC. There's nothing more relaxing when you are planning a conference than knowing everyone will be on the same page, and all of your information is easily accessible, and neatly organized.

But what about your audience? How do you keep their attention through a 15, 30, or 45 minute meeting?

GANC's QuickVisuals web conferencing service offers many applications to keep your audiences engaged and entertained throughout your meetings. Not to mention that with interaction your audiences have a better chance of processing and retaining the information your covering.

Applications to increase your Interaction.

Screen Sharing- Collaborate on content as you view, annotate and enlarge documents or graphics.

Presenter Controls- Give your audience the permission to take control of the meeting.

Whiteboard- Brainstorm, diagram and share ideas just like you were in a conference room.

Set Emoticon- Your audience can provide instant feedback to you using a variety of emoticons.

GANC's QuickVisuals applications allow you and your audiences to interact with each other just as if you were in a face to face meeting. Be engaging, check for questions, receive instant feedback, and brainstorm together. With QuickVisuals you can accomplish all of these! 

Matt Auriemme 
Marketing
Great America Networks Conferencing
mauriemme@ganconference.com
www.ganconference.com
http://blog.ganconference.com/
Twitter: @ganconferencing

Step by Step Customer Assistance

You can count on GANC's QuickAssist service to deliver a wonderful audio conference that your audiences will enjoy. We have highly trained operators that are on call to provide you with top of the level concierge service. There is no need to feel like you are alone while planning your conference; GANC will guide you every step of the way.

Before you Session

Caller Admission: Get instant pass code entry with automated participant data collection, or an operator is available that will personally screen and greet each caller.

Dry Run: Dry run is available for speakers to get a hands on practice session.

Conference Production Services: Specialists are available to organize timing, provide rehearsals and help with techniques.

Pre-Meeting Consultation: Shortly before start time, the lead operator will consult with speakers and review the outline of the meeting.

Reservations: The conferencing staff will assist with making reservations and coordinating.

During you Session

CommLine: Open phone communication between client contact and assigned operator.

Dial-Outs: Personally introduce and enter important attendees into the call through an operator.

Professional Announcer: Begins the call and introduces the speakers.

Q&A: Interactive discussion with operator assistance.

Sub-Conferences: Minimized sessions or private conferences with selected participants.

After you Session

Attendee List: Post call attendee list.

Audio Production: Professional grade recording and editing that enables us to produce high-quality recordings used for playback, feedback and reproduction.

Audio Replay: By phone 24/7 after the live call is completed.

Post Conferences: Private sessions for speakers to discuss the preceding conference confidentially.

Recording Duplication: Professional grade recordings for single or multiple copies.

Contact us today to see how GANC can help guide you through your conferences every step of the way!

Matt Auriemme 
Marketing
Great America Networks Conferencing
mauriemme@ganconference.com
www.ganconference.com
http://blog.ganconference.com/
Twitter: @ganconferencing

GANC's Upgraded Billing Platform

GANC is pleased to announce the launch of our upgraded billing platform.

Have you wanted to view your conferencing traffic in real-time, or find a specific detail in your invoice?GANC's new platform is loaded with features that allow you to customize the way you view your invoices and get the details you want.

Our new billing platform is a value-added feature that has been made available to all clients at no additional charge. Say goodbye to the static PDF images that you have received in the past. You now have full control of your billing data. If you are a current client your new invoices are making their way to your inbox.

At GANC we believe in providing more for less, and this is another example of our business focus and philosophy. Contact us today to learn more about our upgraded billing platform!

Matt Auriemme 
Marketing
Great America Networks Conferencing
mauriemme@ganconference.com
www.ganconference.com
http://blog.ganconference.com/
Twitter: @ganconferencing

You Can't Beat QuickVisuals

QuickVisualsis leading the way that professionals collaborate online and conduct web conferences. With QuickVisuals, your administrator has the ability to invite anyone to join a conference quickly and easily. It supports MAC, PC and Linux platforms and uses the Adobe Flash player, currently installed on over 98% of web connected computers. QuickVisuals gives you the quality, flexibility and control of your business with an easy to use interface. With the integration of our QuickConnect service, you have a cost effective package allowing your employees and customers to meet and collaborate easily.

QucikVisuals is a powerful tool that can assist your company in effectively communicating and meeting. Your employees will not have to worry about travel time and constraints; with no geographical troubles and budget expenses it creates the perfect solution. QuickVisuals, gives your business the ability to connect with any customer, colleague or potential client at any time of the day necessary.

Regardless of the nature of your business meeting, QuickVisualsweb solutions allows for flexibility, easy planning and versatility. It can easily bring people together from anywhere in the world quickly, simply, and cost effectively. Pitch ideas, demonstrate products, present powerpoint slides, and share applications without ever leaving your office.

For more information on how GANC's QuickVisuals web conferencing service can benefit your company visit us on the web at www.ganconference.com.
 

Matt Auriemme 
Marketing
Great America Networks Conferencing
mauriemme@ganconference.com
www.ganconference.com
http://blog.ganconference.com/
Twitter: @ganconferencing

Conference Call Etiquette

As more and more businesses start adapting to conferencing the question arises as to what the proper etiquette for conferencing is. After meeting with our sales team and doing some research on the topic I have complied a list of some of the do's and dont's of conferencing with GANC.

Do's:

- Do introduce yourself before you begin to speak.

Before you begin to speak make sure to always announce yourself. It allows your audience to be able to refer to you later on in the meeting.

- Do Consider others first.

Interrupting someone on a conference call is just as rude as when you do it in person.

-Do thank your audience for attending.

Take the time to thank your audience for attending your meeting. Doing this will make them feel good about attending another meeting. 

-Do follow the basics.

Speak clearly and loudly. Make sure you make eye contact with everyone whether they are in the room or on the monitor.

-Dont's

-Don't hold your conference with background distractions.

Before you begin the conference consider your surroundings. If there is anything that can disrupt the meeting, Move!

-Don't deviate from your agenda.

The idea of conferencing is to increase you companies productivity. Make sure you prepare and stick to your original agenda; start your meeting on time, and end your meeting on time.

-Don't make distracting noises.

Don't shuffle through the papers on your desk, tap your pencil, continuously type or make other distracting noises. 

 -Don't cram.

Make sure you are prepared for your meeting. If there are presentations and files you will be sharing make sure you have them ready. It's always better to be over prepared then under.

Hopefully these do's and dont's give you a better idea and understanding of how to run a successful conference with GANC.

Matt Auriemme 
Marketing
Great America Networks Conferencing
mauriemme@ganconference.com
www.ganconference.com
http://blog.ganconference.com/
Twitter: @ganconferencing

Conference Anytime, Anywhere

Today we live in a world that is always moving forward at an incredibly fast pace. GANC's QuickConnect service is no exception. QuickConnect is a fully unassisted service that allows you and your colleagues to conference instantly at anytime without a prior reservation. Available 24/7, 365 days per year, you have the maximum flexibility.

With the little time that you have you should never have to worry about your conferencing services; your focus should be on the meeting itself. All you need to initiate your call is your QuickConnect dial in number, and your conference code. And with pay as you go usage plans, QuickConnect allows you to schedule meetings within your business' budget and convenience.

From smaller everyday meetings to instant worldwide conference calls, our GANC audio solutions give you on-demand availability with multiple features that can be designed to fit your specific needs. QuickConnect gives you the ability to control all of the conferencing commands from your keypad, adjust and modify settings accordingly to fit the needs of the specific call. You can also manage your account and conference calls online through GANC.

With QuickConnect always available, you have a cost effective solution. Schedule an audio meeting worldwide, and get your business done quick and easy, anytime, anywhere.

Matt Auriemme 
Marketing
Great America Networks Conferencing
mauriemme@ganconference.com
www.ganconference.com
http://blog.ganconference.com/
Twitter: @ganconferencing

Social Media Week

Today is the beginning of Social Media Week, an event that takes place around the world to increase the awareness of how social media is now playing a vital role in how we communicate. The events will take place simultaneously in New York City, Berlin, London, San Francisco, Toronto and Sao Paulo. Over the course of the week the six participating cities will cover a variety of formats, ranging from presentations and panel discussions, to interactive workshops, seminars, and networking events.

As the social networking community continues to grow everyday, GANC has realized its popularity and how it continues to assist companies with communication. Although we are new in the networking society we are expanding our networks to give our clients easier ways to communicate with us. Feel free to check us out at our social networking sites.

twitter.com/ganconferencing

facebook.com/GANConferencing

linkedin.com/in/rprovine

Be on the lookout for more to come as well!

Matt Auriemme 
Marketing
Great America Networks Conferencing
mauriemme@ganconference.com
www.ganconference.com
http://blog.ganconference.com/