eNews Archive

As a credit professional, conflict comes with the territory of credit management; you can’t always avoid it. It becomes even more challenging when customers are being uncooperative or responding with aggression. In these situations, credit professionals can either react emotionally or take a strategic approach to work toward a solution that benefits both the customer and the business. 

NACM’s seasonally adjusted combined Credit Managers’ Index (CMI) for June 2025 deteriorated 0.6 points to 54.1. “The CMI continues to show resilience in the face of great economic uncertainty in the U.S., and globally,” said NACM Economist Amy Crews Cutts, Ph.D., CBE.

A new law in California went into effect July 1, increasing regulations on business-to-business transactions by broadening consumer protection laws to include the commercial debts of small businesses. While credit professionals with customers in California are familiar with the RFDCPA, the newly expanded scope of the law places commercial creditors in unfamiliar terrain, prompting the need to reconsider California debt collection practices.

Years ago, while working for an electrical wholesale supplier, Shane Inglesby, CCE, corporate credit manager at Geneva Rock Products (Salt Lake City, UT), was required to attend an industry trade group meeting. Inglesby, who was new to the profession, had not yet been introduced to NACM, but after attending the meeting, he developed a relationship with the organization that would span his decades-long credit career.  

Artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed how the world operates, integrating itself into nearly every facet of business. For credit departments, AI is being used to enhance email communication, draft demand letters, review contracts and even predict collection trends. As AI continues to evolve and expand across industries, many organizations are developing formal policies and procedures to guide its use. 

In a profession as data-reliant as credit management, it can be easy to get lost in a mess of spreadsheets. With so much data to consider with every credit decision, it is vital that credit managers have a dashboard that clearly presents pertinent data not just for them, but for their companies.  

The construction industry is a layered ecosystem where giants and startups share the same job site, each with unique risks and rules. In a highly competitive industry, the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program provides marginalized businesses with a fair opportunity to compete and thrive. However, rising fraud, such as firms posing as DBEs or using certified DBEs as pass-throughs, undermines the program’s purpose.  

Construction projects can be a lot like building a sandcastle at the beach. You start with a vision, the right tools and a solid plan, only to have an unexpected wave crash in and wash it all away. In the world of construction, those waves can come in many forms: permit delays, supply chain disruptions or even a sudden shift in ownership.