Many people who don't know how to make international long-distance calls use the operator to place the call instead of learning how to do it themselves. If your firm needs to make international calls, teach employees the right way to dial them. Watch for unnecessary conference bridges. Sometimes conference bridges are scheduled for a meeting that is later cancelled - unbeknownst to the carrier. Make sure your colleagues who arrange conference bridges know your firm will probably have to pay for unused conference calls unless the bridge is cancelled 12 to 24 hours in advance.
Many firms use specific conference bridge providers to obtain a good overall rate.
If your company falls into that group, make sure employees arrange conference bridges through the provider and not through the LEC at standard rates. Review calling plans for cost efficiency. If you do keep one of these plans, review it at least every three months. The plans are often forgotten, and sometimes companies don't even come close to using the minimum number of minutes for which they're paying each month. Keep an eye on miscellaneous charges.