Leadership Archive

One of the most defining aspects of a job is management—the people assigned to manage how, when and where their team should work. In business credit, they’re managing accounts, assigning tasks and reviewing portfolios. The most effective credit managers ensure their teams stay on task and perform at their best to accomplish departmental and organizational goals. 

Credit professionals play a vital role that goes far beyond managing accounts. Their decisions and insights influence cash flow, customer relationships, risk management and cross-departmental collaboration. Credit practitioners touch nearly every aspect of their organization. 

To those outside the industry, business-to-business credit management can appear cut and dry. Bound by a strict financial agreement, a company sells a product or service on credit terms to a company that agrees to make payments until the debt is cleared.

When a credit professional retires or leaves a company, the organization is not just losing a valuable team member—it is often losing unparalleled knowledge and expertise. Transferring what took years to learn requires time, patience and a willingness to share and receive. Although many will pass on this information, many do not—which can leave their successors at a disadvantage, trying to fill in the gaps while learning to take on the responsibilities of their new role. Why it matters: Without a proper succession plan, credit departments risk losing the ability to transfer valuable exp…

This week marks the start of Steve Shivak, CAE, as president of NACM National, succeeding Robin Schauseil. Shivak joins NACM with decades of experience leading national and global professional organizations, most recently serving as the CEO of the International Society of Explosives Engineers.   Shivak’s vast experience working with associations coupled with his passion for education, professional development and innovation has primed him to lead NACM into the future. Ahead of his first week, Shivak sat down with us and shared what brought him to NACM and where he hopes…

The National Association of Credit Management (NACM) is pleased to announce that Steve Shivak, CAE, will assume the role of President effective March 2, 2026. Following an exhaustive search led by a professional recruiting firm, the NACM Board of Directors selected Steve to lead the organization into its next chapter of growth and innovation. Steve brings more than 25 years of senior leadership experience guiding national and global professional associations through strategic transformation and operational excellence. As a Certified Association Executive, he has built a distinguished caree…

Business-to-business (B2B) credit management is a field rooted in tradition, shaped by the leadership and institutional knowledge of those who came before us. Much of what makes a credit professional successful—risk assessment, negotiation, relationship-building and sound judgment—is not learned in isolation. It is developed over time, often with the guidance of someone who has navigated similar challenges.   Why it matters: Credit professionals who invest in mentorship relationships gain more than technical knowledge. They develop judgment, confidence and strategic thinking that form…

Certifications build credentials. Webinars deliver focused learning. Conferences forge connections. Yet for many credit professionals, deeper understanding comes from everyday conversations with peers. When colleagues are spread across distances, continuing that dialogue between events can be a challenge. Why it matters: NACM’s monthly Thought Leader Forums bridge that communication gap, offering a space where practitioners discuss real-world challenges, share solutions and build lasting relationships. Thanks to our preferred payment processor, United TranzActions (UTA), Thought Leaders no…