Leadership Archive

In an industry where decisions can have significant financial implications, mere competence is often not enough to inspire confidence. Credit managers must strive to cultivate a unique brand of “credit”-ability—a combination of expertise, integrity and professionalism that sets them apart as trusted partners in risk management.

One-on-one meetings offer a special forum for detailed discussions and personalized support. However, few organizations offer comprehensive guidance or training for managers to hold these individual employee meetings.

Leadership serves as a catalyst for change, knowledge and growth. Leaders are individuals with a wide range of expertise providing guidance to those around them—and in the workplace, it’s crucial to earn the respect and trust of your employees. But this doesn’t happen overnight. Mutual trust and respect develop over time. Several layers exist to get to the core of how your team functions both together and individually, which is why psychology plays a significant role in leading effectively.

Credit scores reflect how likely or unlikely a person is to pay any loaned amount of money back. Three digits, typically between the range of 300 to 850, can decide your fate in a multitude of purchases from vehicles to mortgages or student loans, for example. These scores are used by companies to determine the interest rates and credit limits you should receive.

Conflict is unavoidable. It can arise at any moment in your personal life and professional settings, whether between peers or even within yourself. But what do you do when conflict crosses over the line of leadership?

In today’s workplace culture, staff needs to know they matter and that they make a difference. Every member of a company wants their voice to be heard and more importantly, want their work and their presence to be valued. It can be a challenge to make everyone on the team feel appreciated, especially in larger teams, as everyone has their own way of feeling appreciated. Why it Matters: By learning about the different ways you can show appreciation for others, you not only improve your employee’s confidence, but make for a more efficient credit team.

Leadership is not just a title; it’s a commitment to steering the course of an industry that is ever evolving. The National Association of Credit Management (NACM) proudly introduces its newly appointed chair, a seasoned professional with a proven track record of excellence … JoAnn Malz, CCE, ICCE, director of credit, collections and billing at The Imagine Group LLC (Shakopee, MN). As a dedicated credit professional and NACM member, Malz has big plans and a strategic vision for the future of the industry and our association.

Learning a new language requires patience and practice to fully grasp its nuances. It is a form of communication with words, abbreviations and symbols to relay meaning. Even simpler abbreviations such as EOD (end of day) or WFH (work from home), acronyms simplify communication and present a sense of belonging when using the terms correctly—especially in your workplace. Credit professionals across all industries have their own abbreviations or terms to use relative to their department and customers, but some terms are universal—and every credit professional should have an idea of what they m…