As Today’s Caregiver Magazine celebrates its 10th anniversary, families will hear from this year’s featured guest speaker, popular musical artist and American Idol superstar, Clay Aiken, who has been involved in care giving issues himself and founded Bubel/Aiken Foundation.

Use these techniques to hold a more effective meeting by phone.

1) Begin with a quick round of self introductions so that everyone can find out who is present and hear everyone else's voice.

2) Enforce rule of "one speaker at a time." Multiple conversations ruin a teleconference.

3) Insist that people announce when they join or leave conference.

4) If people must leave during meeting, gain closure on any issues that they participated in before they leave. For example, "Pat agreed to prepare a cost estimate by next Monday. Is that correct, Pat?" Make adjustments in agenda (if appropriate) based on remaining participants.

5) Keep everyone focused on issue being discussed. If someone introduces an idea that seems unrelated, say, "That sounds interesting. How does that relate to issue?"

6) Record conference. First, this will help you prepare minutes. And second, it encourages people to make meaningful comments. Of course, you should announce that you are recording meeting before you start.

7) State your name each time that you speak. This helps everyone know that you are speaking.

8) If you are speaking on your desk phone, use handset instead of speakerphone. A speakerphone, while useful, distorts your voice, picks up background sounds (like office equipment), and makes a poor impression on listener. If you must have both hands free while you talk, obtain a headset. Note: It is more courteous to speak to people through handset (instead of speakerphone) on any phone call.

9) Speak clearly to make sure that you are understood. Take extra effort to enunciate carefully and speak slowly. Of course, you want to sound natural.