We’ve all been in them, some of us may even dread them, but likeit or not, the conference call is a permanent fixture in thebusiness communication arsenal. When it’s time for you to host oneof these telephonic roundtables, there are some easy steps you cantake to ensure the call is productive.Step 1: Plan ahead. Make sure the call has a point and apurpose. Establish outcomes you hope to achieve, and identify whatit is participants should take away from the call.Step 2: Determine who the participants should be. Invite onlythose who can provide valuable input, or those affected by theoutcomes. Inviting someone just so they feel included is a waste oftime.Step 3: Create an agenda. Sending out topics ahead of timeallows participants to organize their thoughts before the actualcall. Share the c