Learning Lync Conference Call Commands: An All-Inclusive Handbook for Moderators

Microsoft Assistance

Effective communication tools are absolutely vital in the hectic corporate scene of today. For many companies, Microsoft Lync—now known as Skype for Business—has been a pillar since it allows flawless virtual meetings and team projects. For moderators, ensuring efficient and orderly meetings depends on knowing and applying Lync’s conference call instructions. This reference explores the key commands and best practices for moderators to maximize their Lync conference call experience.

Knowing the Part a Lync Conference Moderator Plays

Managing the flow of the meeting, guaranteeing that attendees follow the agenda, and handling any technical or behavioral problems that might develop fall to a moderator in a Lync conference call. Important tasks include:

• Managing Participants: Filtering who can show up for the meeting, mute or unmuffle people, and kick disruptive attendees if needed.
• Leading Discussions: Ensuring discussions remain on topic, motivating involvement, and making sure every voice is heard.
• Managing Technical Elements: Screen sharing, recording sessions, and troubleshooting any technological problems participants could run over.

Simple Lync Conference Call Commands for Moderators

Moderators can effectively run a Lync conference call using a series of Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF) commands. Entering these touch-tone commands from the phone’s keypad gives moderators control over many facets of the meeting:

• *1: Play the DTMF instructions that are accessible.
• *3: Act as each conference participant’s private agent.
• *4: Give participants mute control or mute the audience to minimize background noise.
• *6: Turn on or off your microphone.
• *7: Lock or unlock the conference to control participant access.
• *8: Welcome all attendees presently in the conference lobby.
• *9: Turn on or off alerts for participants entering or exiting the conference.

These instructions enable moderators to keep control over the conference room, ensuring a flawless and quick meeting experience.

Lync Conference Call Moderation Best Practices

Apart from familiarizing oneself with the technical commands, moderators should follow certain best practices to improve the success of their meetings:

• State Clear Meeting Objectives: At the start of the call, outline the goals, agenda, and expected behavior.
• Encourage Active Participation: Ask direct questions, challenge participants for ideas, and facilitate discussions while ensuring equal participation.
• Control Background Noise: Use the mute and unmute commands to eliminate distractions, and ask participants to mute when not speaking.
• Utilize the Lobby Feature: Control when attendees join, especially for sensitive conversations.
• Lock the Conference When Necessary: Secure private sessions by locking the conference once all intended attendees have joined.

Managing Common Moderator Problems

Moderators on a conference call could run across several difficulties. Here are some common issues and solutions:

• Background Noise: Use the mute all command and advise participants to unmute only when speaking.
• Echo or Feedback: Ask participants to disconnect from multiple devices to reduce interference.
• Unauthorized Participants: Use the lock command to prevent additional access and address unauthorized attendees.
• Participants Talking Over Each Other: Encourage the use of the “raise hand” function or a structured speaking order to maintain order.

FAQs About Moderation of Lync Conference Calls

How do I initiate a Lync conference call?

1. Choose the contacts you want in the Lync main window.
2. Right-click and select “Start a Conference Call.”
3. Choose “Lync Call.”
4. Your contacts will receive a notification to join.

How do I add extra people to an ongoing conference call?

1. Move your cursor over the “People” icon.
2. Click “Invite More People.”
3. Select the intended contacts and click “OK.”

Should members of the conference call not be able to participate, what should I do?

• Ensure participants have the correct conference ID and dial-in information.
• Check that the conference isn’t locked, preventing new participants from joining.

By mastering these commands and best practices, moderators can facilitate productive and organized Lync conference calls, ensuring a seamless communication experience for all participants.