AS I’m sure you are aware, postal workers are due to go on strike later this week over pay, working conditions and modernisation.

It would appear though that little thought has been given to the fact that in this economic climate, the inability to get goods to market, or a delay in the receipt of an important cheque will have an even more significant impact on business, in particular the smaller entities.

I’m sure that these problems will form the catalyst for some to become more technically savvy.

This will include introducing automated forms of banking such as BACS, together with still further use of email for communication (a number of solicitors now send all letters as scanned attachments), and a move to more automated sales and ordering systems.

These are changes which larger firms will have already implemented, but which smaller businesses will now need to devote time and money to survive.

Businesses success in this will be a long-term cost to the Post Office.

It is interesting to note that the number of nonbusiness letters and parcels is reducing year-on-year by ten per cent (this currently equates to £170m of income).

The theory was that business use from online retailers would offset this.

Unfortunately, given the impact on service arising from these strikes, larger retailers are reviewing their postal strategies, not only on price, but also service.

The postal services second largest customer, Amazon, has already switched providers for all packages weighing more than 500 grams. For the smaller business, including eBay entrepreneurs, this simply will not be an option.

We all need a modern, efficient and reliable postal system and while I do not pretend to understand all the issues involved in this current dispute, I know the timing for business is extremely poor.

For the Post Office to retain its iconic status, it will have to adapt as other businesses have, and have greater respect for its customers, who now have even more alternatives, either directly from other providers, or alternative forms of communication.

■ Chris Beaumont is chairman of Tees Valley NECC.