Sleeping on a conference call is pretty bad, but that's not the end of the story. Turns out people do all kinds of things on conference calls—some might seem normal and some you probably wouldn’t expect. Here is a list of the top 10 things people admitted to doing while participating on conference call and some tips to avoid them.

3. 1. DOING OTHER WORK
No one was surprised by this one. One of the big advantages to a
conference call is the opportunity to multitask. Almost two-thirds of people
said they do other work while on a conference call.
While we applaud the multitaskers and overachievers, it can also be
dangerous to become so distracted with other work that the conference call
becomes ineffective.
Pro Tip: If you can't keep up with the conversation on the conference
call, there's no need to be on it. Make sure your call is the #1 priority.

4. 2. SENDING EMAILS
This isn't a shocker either and may sometimes even be necessary. More
than three out of five people send emails during a conference call.
This isn't always a bad thing, especially if it is related to the call. But, keep in
mind that if you can't type and pay attention at the same time, you might
want to put a hold on the emails.
Pro Tip: Only send out emails that are requested or are necessary for
the call you are on. If you are a loud typer, put yourself on mute while
you compose the email so the other attendees aren't distracted by
the constant 'clack, clack, clack'.

5. ((
3. EATING OR MAKING FOOD
The survey found that 55% of people eat or prepare food while on a
conference call. They must not be contributing much if their mouths are full.
It isn't unusual to keep snacks at your desk, but no one wants to hear you
chomping your cheese curls while everyone is in a heavy discussion about
budgets.
Pro Tip: Just don't eat during a call; you won't starve. But, if you have
to, put your line on mute before you dig in.

6. 4. GOING TO THE RESTROOM
(a.k.a. The Stall Call)
The last thing anyone wants to do is picture a conference call participant
going to the restroom while talking on the phone. Nevertheless, nearly half
of people admitted to doing just that while on a conference call.
Gross. Not only does this have the potential to be extremely embarrassing
for you, but how about the people in the bathroom with you? They really
don't want to hear your to-do list for the upcoming week.
Pro Tip: Hold it!

7. 5. TEXTING
This one is pretty predictable. When are people these days not texting? It's
become so normal to see someone shoot off a quick text that we almost
don't think twice about it, no matter where or when it happens. But that
doesn't mean it's acceptable.
Even in the modern world, some manners will take you a long way. A simple
rule of thumb: If you wouldn't do it in a face-to-face meeting, you probably
shouldn't do it during a conference call.
Pro Tip: Err on the side of caution and only text during your
conference calls if it's an emergency. If you're relying on your cell
phone to attend a meeting, the last thing you need is to push the
wrong button and accidentally disconnect.

8. 6. CHECKING SOCIAL MEDIA
It should come as no surprise that more than four in ten people surveyed
said they use social media during a mobile conference call. Social media has
permeated our society. That being said, it can be very distracting while trying
to pay attention to something important.
Social media has become intertwined with the business community, so it may
not be a bad thing to use social media during the work day. But, like most
things, there is a time and a place to tweet or post a status. A conference call
is rarely one of them.
Pro Tip: Unless your job title has the words "social media" in it, play it
safe and limit your status updates while you're working.

9. 7. PLAYING VIDEO GAMES
There is just something strange-and almost offensive-about a client or
coworker playing Call of Duty or Madden while the team is trying to discuss
quarterly budgets and program strategies. But alas, a quarter of our
respondents claimed that they have played video games during a
conference call.
Pro Tip: Don't risk yelling at the virtual football player and then
realizing that your phone isn't muted. Or try to withstand the need to
play Candy Crush until lunchtime. The other people in your meeting
will appreciate it.

10. •
8. SHOPPING ONLINE
More than one in five of those surveyed fessed up to shopping online during
a conference call. This isn't so surprising. Most people browse the web while
working. But, again, when you're on the clock and on a call, you should
probably be giving 100 percent of your attention to the conference call.
Pro Tip: Unless it's Cyber Monday, those online deals will be there
when your call is over. Park the cart until after the call.

11. 9. EXERCISING
So, almost one in ten people admit to getting a sweat on while on a
conference call. It's possible that their version of 'exercise' is squeezing a
hand grip instead of running on a treadmill or trying to set a new world
record for a bench press.
Either way, no one wants to hear your heavy breathing while you are trying
to give a status update.
Pro Tip: If your schedule is so packed that you need to overlap your
workout and your conference calls, hire a personal assistant to
optimize your schedule or consider hitting the gym after work

12. 10. TAKE ANOTHER PHONE CALL
With just six percent of respondents admitting to taking another call while on
a work conference call, this has likely never happened to you. But, as anyone
who has ever tried to call customer service about your cell phone bill will
attest, being on hold is one of the more maddening things in the world.
Pro Tip: If you are expecting an important phone call, make sure you
announce that fact at the beginning of a conference call so people
aren't surprised or put off when you take the call. That way, too, when
they ask for your feedback and there's only silence, they won't
wonder if you're sleeping.

14. What can you do to make sure people
on your calls are engaged?
STOP STRIVING FOR INCLUSIVITY
Change the idea that all attendees should be on a conference call
from start to finish. Stagger invitations so people are only on the call
for the portion they are needed. Even better, don't invite everyone
and their brother just because you can-just get the people who
really need to be there on the call.

15. What can you do to make sure people
on your calls are engaged?
WARM UP TO VIDEO
Include video conferencing in your meeting toolkit. It helps to facili-
tate interaction when people can see others' reactions to their ideas
and feel connected to their remote co-workers.
.--·.---.---.--·.---

16. What can you do to make sure people
on your calls are engaged?
KEEP UP WITH THE PHYSICAL
CONFERENCE ROOM
Make your remote meetings more like being in a conference
room. You can do this by implementing web conferencing so you
have a whiteboard available to illustrate a concept or a screen
to show a presentation.
I 71 ~sMEEfl~
~ ~
IREPUCE '
I
I AVOIP I
-·

17. t' lnterCalr
(i) intercall.com/bettermeetings
e 800.820.5855