LONDON, July 21 /PRNewswire/ --     New research from PowWowNow finds that businesses waste GBP55m of the
GBP210m spent each year on conferences-by-'phone, according to a new study.

There's no doubt that 'phone conferencing is an important aspect of
mobile working. Workers at all levels need to be able to reliably stay in
touch with co-workers and clients. And it's a powerful indication of how
important it has become, particularly to people running small and medium
sized enterprises (SMEs - typically up to 100 staff), that British business
now spends a staggering GBP210m on conference call charges every year!

In a world where technology moves at amazing speed and new opportunities
are created every few months, many voice conference users are shockingly
unaware of what's out there and the cost savings offered.

Maybe this is why it's reported that SMEs are wasting GBP55m a year
simply by not being aware how to be more efficient - both in terms of
opportunities and deals that are available. Now, we're all painfully aware
how much effort is required to actually earn GBP55m, but taking that amount
of cost out of the business can be much simpler!

But now, innovators such as PowWowNow are offering simple dial up voice
conferences where each invited participant calls a central number and, using
a PIN, joins the conference. This way there are no bills for organisers, no
contracts, and each participant simply pays for their own 6.7p per minute
call. That's one heck of a difference and it's no wonder that users of this
service have risen from an initial 500 to now 50,000 every week!

Ten Top Tips for effective voice conferencing:

    - Meetings should be shorter than face-to-face discussions.
      They are more efficient but be aware that greater concentration is
      needed.
    - Don't make agendas too long - hold shorter meetings more
      frequently.
    - In an ideal world, initial meetings are better face-to-face if
      those involved haven't met, but if this isn't possible, appoint a
      chairperson and get them to briefly introduce those involved, to break
      the ice.
    - Think about agreeing and observing an end time for the call as
      well as a start time - it's courteous and it helps participants to plan
    - It's helpful for a chairperson to cut in at intervals to
      summarise and check for views, since there's no body language or eye
      contact to observe
    - Arrange not to be interrupted during the period of the call.
    - Call from a quiet location if possible - you need to concentrate
      and background noise from your 'phone will disturb the other conference
      members
    - Don't put your 'phone on hold during a call if you have on-hold
      ads or music on your system - you will be broadcasting to everyone - not
      a way to be popular!
    - If you have a 'call waiting' facility, turn it off - the beeping
      will be heard by all participants
    - Make sure that you have all the necessary papers and references
      with you before the starting time.



Notes to editors

Powwownow was founded in 2004, offering customers low-cost conference
calling facilities with the ethos of no booking, no billing, no fuss (the
customer does not need to book a conference room, never receives a bill from
Powwownow, just the cost of an 0870 call added to their bill). Turnover for
2008 is expected to reach GBP5m. The company operates in 12 countries
including the US and major European markets.

Powwownow employs 25 people and is based in Richmond, Surrey.

Contact: Louise Rowlands +44(0)207-4205065