English Training Course - Chairing a conference call

Today will will learn how to chair a conference call. It involves how to start a meeting, how to control a meeting and how to end a meeting. Let's get started.
To chair a meeting is to lead the meeting. The one who is to chair the meeting is called chairperson.

There are many ways to open a meeting. It depends, obviously, on the type of the meeting and the situation. But there are six key points that you will always need to consider when starting a meeting:
1) Getting everybody's attention.
2) Welcoming and thanking attendees
3) Introducing any new colleagues.
4) Explaining the objectives
5) Looking at the agenda, and ..
6) Asking someone to start.
Let's look at how a chairperson handles each of these steps.
1) Getting everybody's attention
-All right. Is everybody here? Great. I think we can get started.
What else could the chairperson say?
-Okay. Let's get down to business.
-All right then. Can we get started?
-Okay folks. Let's get started, shall we?
-All right. Can I get everybody's attention? I think it's about the time we got started.
-All right everybody. We need to get this show on the road. (informal)
-Right, I think everybody's is here. Let's get started.
2) Welcoming and thanking attendees
-Well, good morning everyone. I'm sorry I had to call this meeting at such short notice.
-Well, good afternoon everybody. It's good to see you all here.
-Great! Thank you all for coming.
-Hello everyone! I'm glad to see you all here. I know it's a long way for some of you to come here. I really appreciate your being on time and already to work.
3) Introducing any new colleagues
-First of all, I’d like to introduce George from the Hong Kong office. Would you like to say a few words about yourself, George?
-Everybody say hello to Kerumi. She’s visiting us from the Japan office.
4) Explaining the objectives
-As you know, the main objective of this meeting is to agree on ways to …
-The reason we’re meeting today is to …
-The primary purpose of this meeting will be to start a discussion on …
-The main problem that we are facing is …
-The main thing I’d like to accomplish today is …
5) Looking at the agenda
-Let’s first go over the agenda. As you can see, we have a lot to cover.
-Let’s take a quick look at the agenda. As you can see, it’s broken down into five main parts.
-I’ve divided up the meeting today into three parts.
-I’ve prepared some figures to help us compare the two options. I’ll distribute them now.
6) Asking someone to start
-Good. Okay, let’s move straight to the first point on the agenda. Sandra, would you please kick off?
-Great. Well, we have a lot to cover, so let’s get down to business. George, could you start by explaining the background of the first item?
-All right then. Let’s start then, shall we? Katy, why don’t you tell us what you’ve being thinking on the advertising issue?
-Right. Suanne, would you be so kind as to begin?