eNews Archive

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.  

As economic uncertainty rises and markets lose stability, many companies anticipating cash flow issues will be looking for areas of the budget to slash to soften the blow. Discretionary funds, which can cover a variety of professional endeavors, from education to customer visits to professional development, are often the first on the chopping block when the economic outlook looks bleak.

It’s okay to ask for help sometimes—like when you’re short on lunch money and a friend covers you. Eventually, though, they’ll expect to be paid back. Business credit works the same way: it’s a relationship built on give and take.

Every month, credit managers from across the United States complete a survey reporting the conditions of their last monthly business cycle, looking at their sales, credit applications and the accounts placed for collections. The survey is compiled into the Credit Managers’ Index (CMI), a monthly forecast that shows how the current economy and business environment are impacting customer behavior and, consequently, the day-to-day work of credit managers.