Conference calling is taking the business world by storm. Smart, technology savvy companies are saving time and money by replacing face to face business meetings with conference calling. Whether it be audio conference calling or video conference calling, companies the world over are discovering the ability of the medium to facilitate creativity, problem solving and open, collaborative discussion of issues.

Two trends are behind the growth of conference calling: the growth of the information economy, and the globalization of the economy. Globalization means that more business is being done over long distances, requiring communication across multiple parts of the world. Rather than spend a fortune on face to face business meetings, and take productive workers away from the office, conference calling offers a cost effective alternative. The information economy makes the sharing of ideas and information among employees paramount to the success of a typical company. Those companies that are using conference calling to improve their internal communication have found that it is a very effective solution.

Conference calling can bridge the gap created by distance, making it feel like someone across the globe is sitting right next to you. And many people can participate, making it feel like a real group meeting. It can also dramatically improve the cohesiveness of coworkers working in the same office. By encouraging teamwork and communication between employees, conference calling can dramatically improve the performance of virtually any company. Conference calling is not a fad, it is here to stay, and those businesses that embrace it will thrive in the new economy.