Can you pick up, please?

I know how wonderful voice mail is... I'm old enough to remember the days before answering machines. If you weren't home, well, the caller had to try back later. But it's gotten to the point where it's impossible to get a live human being on the phone.

I just listed a free desk on CraigsList. Got lots of responses. I called 10 people before I found someone who would answer the phone, so he got the desk.

I remember hearing that a business can set itself apart from its competitors by just answering the phone and responding to callers immediately. Now I see why.