Skype trouble

Conference Call Anatomy™ →Go uptown A rare example of the Skype trouble gambit captured in the wild, yesterday. We 'think he got away with it. Index: Click ᐅ to expand: Conference call Office life Tell me more Sign up for our newsletter — or just get in touch: for ½ a weekly 🍺 you get to consult JC. Ask about it here.

An internationally recognised defence to conference call ambush. It is a common-enough scenario: some consultant has been warbling on about cost-cutting metrics for 45 minutes, you’ve drifted off completely and are searching Amazon for electric shaver lubricant and the question presently occupying your mind is “can I use sewing machine oil because that is, like, way cheaper” when the consultant rounds on you with a specific, direct and (for all you know) perfectly sensible question that only you can answer. You have to buy time; “sorry, I was on mute” only delays the inevitable because while it excuses your silence it will not excuse your lack of attention to the call.

The answer is “Skype trouble”.

Sorry, I was having Skype trouble and my audio was breaking up for a bit. Can you say that again?

See also

• Crazy Ivan
• sorry I was on mute
• Let's take it offline
• Conference call