eNews Archive

Metrics are a key part of how credit managers track their company’s performance, from how many customers are paying late to the number of new credit applications. There is a lot of internal data to consider when working in credit, but how often do credit professionals look outside their own metrics?  Why it matters: When credit managers focus only on their own performance metrics, they risk missing larger trends in the economy until those trends start to impact their company. By reading economic forecasts, metrics surveys and the news, credit managers can maintain a strong awar…

When doing business, it’s easy to assume that our own cultural norms are universal, yet the truth is that what’s considered polite or professional in one culture can be completely misinterpreted in another. The world is vast, encompassing seven continents, 195 countries and 72 regions and territories, each contributing to thousands of unique cultures and subcultures. These cultures influence the way people think and behave, as well as how they conduct business.  Why it matters: Global trade presents opportunities and challenges for credit professionals. Understanding your customer’s…

For many credit professionals, burnout does not happen all of a sudden—it creeps in slowly, like a phantom in the shadows. The pressure of the job, from managing high-risk accounts to chasing down mounting receivables, can begin to haunt even the most experienced professionals.   Why it matters: If left unchecked, burnout can lead to reduced productivity, job dissatisfaction and loss of personal happiness. Recognizing the signs early and taking proactive steps to address them are the keys to escaping burnout’s grip and reclaiming control, because even when the phantom looms, it does…

Gathering job information for a construction project is critical to the work of a credit manager, collecting pertinent information on the customer and the key players in the project so that you understand the degree of risk incurred as you embark on a project. While this process is intrinsically tied to the work and concerns of a credit manager, the responsibility of gathering information can also fall on the sales team.   By the numbers: According to an eNews poll, 52% of credit managers find that gathering job information is a joint effort between credit and sales teams, foll…

With economic uncertainty mounting across the board, the agricultural industry continues to slump. With input costs rising and profits dropping, trade tensions add increased instability as they stifle previously high agricultural exports.   Why it matters: In the September Credit Managers’ Index (CMI) report, respondents noted that the agricultural industry is continuing to see stress with no relief in sight. The imbalance created by higher input costs and lower commodity prices is sinking the agricultural economy deeper, compounded with the unpredictability of international trade t…

In credit management, proper risk management begins with knowing your customer—from their legal name to their industry and risk tolerance. In global trade, it means digging deeper to understand who truly owns, controls and benefits from the customer.  Why it matters: International trade brings forth additional risks, driven by complex ownership structures, geopolitical tensions and regulatory scrutiny. A recent regulation from the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) introduces new layers of compliance, reshaping risk management and Know Your Customer (KYC) practices for global tra…

When most people think of a business filing bankruptcy, what they’re often picturing is a Chapter 7. This chapter of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code provides for liquidation, in other words, the sale or monetization of the debtor’s property and the distribution of any available net proceeds to creditors.   For businesses, Chapter 7 essentially means game over: a Chapter 7 trustee is appointed to take control of the debtor’s assets, and will then sell any tangible assets like inventory or real estate and pursue recoveries on account of intangible assets, such as preference claims and other …

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 440, or the Private Works Change Order Fair Payment Act, into law on October 10. The law, which goes into effect at the start of 2026, introduces a newly structured process of resolving change-order and time-extension claims on private works of improvement.   The law, which passed unanimously in the State Assembly and Senate, was championed by contractor advocacy groups that believed the restructuring of the claims process could reduce litigation and help more companies get paid on time. Contractors are praising SB 440 for the fair and…