The Business Advantages of Conference Calling Using the Internet

The Internet provides a convenient space for a conference call. With its low cost and ability to accommodate many listeners it is now practical to open a conference call to almost anyone (at least to listen). Many companies now do. For example, a recent article in The Wall Street Journal related how IOMEGA it as an effective way to control the irresponsible babble on Internet bulletin boards. People posting idle chatter now attract accurate responces from others who have heard the story of an actual conference call. As a result, the irresponsible postings under control.
Naturally, investment professionals complain that this allows the novice to access raw information that needs interpretation of someone more knowledgable -. namely, as a professional

, however, companies such as the ability to make a public statement, and then be free of government restrictions on how investment information must be disclosed. And individual investors like it too, as access to the information given them access to information that once only slowly reached the average investor. Even Chairman Levitt of the SEC with the theory of greater access for the masses. According to an article in the 24th May 1999 Number of Wall Street Journal, the NASDAQ has even funded a pilot program to pay for public access to conference calls. Companies such as Dell and Cosco are early participants.

Using the Internet has many advantages than the current international release that results. It is possible to store audio files, so the call can be accessed later in a more convenient time. Plus it would be possible to edit out meaningless portions to provide a sort of "Cliff Notes" of each conference. Of course, there are some limitations. If everyone could ask a question, real brawls could result as the conferences became uncontrolled. So most Internet systems limit who can ask a question.
an outstanding advantage for the average investor is to witness directly to the company management in action. Although data may be the same, the investor gains confidence in management that presents a virtuoso performances over the one that is defensive, hesitant and obfuscative. Details aside, the reaction rate and other things that would not be included in the report the analyst may add a lot of one's understanding. Before that, a small investor is just such an approach could be the company's annual meeting.

Several companies are open to providing investment-related conference call services in one form or another over the Internet. Some require membership and user fees, but it seems that the trend toward company funding of low cost services and free or very low cost access to the public. According to the WSJ article mentioned above, some companies now provide access to include Vcall (Philadelphia), broadcast.com (Dallas), c-call.com (Street Fusion, (San Fransisco), and CCBN.com (Boston). Expect that more and more companies will offer public Internet conference call. Encourage the company you are interested to do it. This form of communication is another form of ultimate corporate democracy.