SMEs that delay responding to an email or a phone call could miss out on thousands of pounds worth of business, a new survey shows.
The 2008 Bellweather survey of how UK firms compete for business found that they now have just half an hour to get back to people before they risk losing trade, this compares to two hours last year.
It also reveals that failing to respond in time costs firms an average of £18,840 in lost business.
Bryony Clow, mobile email expert for Vodafone UK, believes that is because email has made people more demanding.
She said: "There is no excuse these days for not getting back to someone within the hour just to say 'yep, got your email. I'll get back to you soon'."
Last month, a study by Office Angles found that 41 per cent of workers who are equipped with devices like BlackBerries and laptops by their bosses believe the gadgets make them more efficient.
