eNews Archive

Insurance is a form of protection and risk mitigation tool to protect against contingencies or unexpected loss. It serves its purpose in several instances—whether it’s your car, health or even your pet. Most people want to have a cushion to be prepared for unexpected circumstances, so, they pay for the protection. But how exactly does insurance function in the B2B trade credit industry?

NACM’s February Credit Managers’ Index (CMI) remains stubbornly close to contraction territory despite improving 1.3 points to 52.4. “We did not fall into formal recession in 2023 and we might not in 2024, but for many credit managers, it’s as if a recession is well underway,” said NACM Economist Amy Crews Cutts, Ph.D., CBE.

Artificial intelligence (AI), a machine’s ability to perform the cognitive functions we associate with the human mind, is being used to facilitate processes and improve efficiency in business. As different forms of AI gain popularity in the finance sector, credit professionals must become experts on how AI can support their role and simplify workflow. Why it matters: Even if your company isn’t utilizing AI, it’s critical to establish credit policies to safeguard against risk.

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.

Contractors are prohibited from filing mechanic’s liens on public projects like highways, schools or fire stations, as this would lead to public real estate foreclosure. Instead, they are offered alternative security in a performance bond as a guarantee against the failure of the other party to meet the contract obligations. Why it matters: Understanding the prohibition of mechanic’s liens on public projects and the role of performance bonds is important for contractors to secure their financial interests and ensure fulfillment of contractual obligations.

Four years after the start of the pandemic, many credit managers still work from home. But a growing number are back in the office five days a week. Why it matters: Understanding these labor market shifts and trends is key for credit professionals as it directly impacts their work environment, job security and workload management. Credit managers must remain aware of these pressures as workforce trends continue to change in 2024.

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.

Arbitration is an alternative dispute-resolution process that uses a neutral third party to make a binding decision. Disputes are inevitable in any business or partnership, but most do not expect future litigation against the other party. However, in the construction industry, the average value of disputes in North America increased by 42% in 2023, according to a report from Arcadis. And 70% of construction projects end up with claims.