The Journal

15 July 2026

Every Unanswered Call Is a Decision

When your phone rings and you can't get to it, a decision gets made. Not by you — by the customer, who simply dials the next name on Google.

For years, that was just the cost of being a busy trade. Everyone missed calls. It was a level playing field.

It isn't level anymore. The businesses using AI to catch every call have quietly removed themselves from that gamble. The rest compete with one hand tied behind their back — without knowing it.