As communication becomes easier and easier, we continue to search for the things that make life even more convenient for us. The television first, and the Internet later, have taken over our lives and are slowly but surely turning the entire world population into a species of couch potatoes. How many people today would actually dare to leave home without their mobile phones? At least that way, even if you have forgotten your house keys, you could call the neighborhood key-maker to break the locks and make you a new set of keys. Does that sound at all familiar?



And, as if the fact that communication conveniences are pervading our personal lives was not enough, technology seems to be in a conspiracy against the human species. The aim? To try and make us as idle as possible! And one of the manifestations of this conspiracy is the emergence of the conference call in the world of business.

Jokes aside, a conference call is integral to the smooth running of a business organization today.

Quite a few of my colleagues insist that a conference call is all floss and no candy. These colleagues are of the opinion that too much technology does little more than inspire awe in onlookers. To be fair, they are not against technology; only against an excess of it.

Would you agree with that?

I certainly would not. The way I see it -- and it doesn't take rocket science to reach this conclusion -- technology is meant to simplify our lives, and it is doing a darn good job of it.

I know quite a number of people who are of the view that using technological developments such as the conference call in places of business is just another way to throw away investors good money. But holding on to such a point of view merely suggests that you have been focusing on one extreme end of the coin.

Let us take a look at the flip side. To begin with, technological developments such as the conference call are utilized to make the most of any business. How so?

Well, you certainly cannot deny that a conference call is a super money saver. So the next time there is a client at Switzerland -- assuming that is not where you stay -- you could arrange for a conference call instead of sending an employee all the way there. Not only will such a move help your company reduce its expenditure, but it will also make business proceedings significantly quicker.