In business, time really is money. It may be a cliché but new research backed by the UK‘s business leaders reveals climate shift in ’new business‘ response times.

Suppliers have a crucial two-hour window to respond to a sales enquiry or one in three companies say they just take their business elsewhere, according to the Vodafone ‘s latest mobile working research.

The poll of more than 1,000 Managing and Company Directors, business owners and corporate decision-makers reveals the cost to business of failing to communicate with customers. Businesses expect their suppliers to be available around the clock yet the survey revealed that only 20% of sales staff have any form of mobile communication with their offices.

It also reveals the average value of each lost sales call costs £18,000. However in the high-stakes business of professional football and talent management a delayed response can cost many times that amount…

In this exclusive WebTVshow for Newbusiness.co.uk, top sports agent and CEO Jon Smith, and Vodafone mobile working expert Bryony Clow warns British businesses not to let complacency replace competitiveness and offers experienced advice for businesses looking to refresh their responsiveness. Smith knows how important it is to keep in touch with your clients at all hours and how failure to respond can cost a business dearly.

Jon Smith is CEO of AIM-listed First Artist Corporation and represented the England football squad for over a decade. His company looks after top stars from the world of football such as Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp and Arsenal‘s Alexander Hleb.