Tag: Best Practices

Automation can help streamline repetitive tasks, reduce errors and ensure timely responses, improving overall credit management. A recent eNews poll brought light to the fact that 65% of credit professionals do not leverage automation for their credit and collections processes. Surprisingly, of the 35% who do, only 21% are satisfied with their automation or technology vendors, leaving room for opportunity for improvement.

We all know the saying “cash is king” rings as a true statement in the credit world. It’s critically important to look closely at where and how a business generates its cash, looking no further than the Statement of Cash Flows. This statement provides information on a business’s cash during a specified period, helping credit professionals analyze its financial health. Understanding cash flow is critical for assessing risk and the financial outlook of a company.

In a year marked by innovation, resilience and dynamic shifts in the B2B credit profession, the National Association of Credit Management (NACM) has been at the forefront, delivering a wealth of insightful content and expertise. As we bid farewell to 2023, it’s time to reflect on the profound impact of NACM’s contributions—articles, webinars, podcasts, white papers and more—that have guided credit managers through challenges, uncovered opportunities and set the pace for success. Join us on a journey through the pivotal moments and top-notch insights from 2023.

New Year’s resolutions often symbolize a fresh start and a commitment to improvement—a chance to become the best version of yourself in both your personal and professional lives. As we approach the New Year, credit managers are presented with limitless opportunities for growth and success.

Credit management is a risky business. Every credit decision is directly influenced by ever-changing micro- and macro-economic factors. To better mitigate risk, credit professionals must be proactive in their credit limit assessments for new and existing customers. According to a recent eNews poll, most credit professionals review existing customer credit limits on an annual basis (64%), while some reassess credit limits as frequently as every six months (23%). Others reassess credit limits less often, such as 18 months (4%) or 24 months (10%) at a time. The frequency of reviewing credit li…

Due to supply chain challenges, more companies are seeking alternative suppliers, resulting in an increase in new customer credit applications. But even a well-established business that has been buying from other suppliers needs the same degree of risk assessment as a new company. How they abide by terms and pay other suppliers could be an indication of how well they will pay your company.

As the credit world continues to evolve alongside automation and technological advancements, there are many benefits: easier ways to receive payments, communication with customers and all around efficiency. However, with innovation comes vulnerability. Technological advancements in the past decade have made fraud a much easier crime to commit in the credit industry, especially through email phishing, forged digital documents, identity theft and more. And fraudsters are continuing to find creative ways to get away with their scams.

Public speaking—the ability to articulate ideas and topics to public audiences—is a skill that every professional should master. But the fear of public speaking is more common than you’d think. Even the most seasoned business professionals still get clammy hands or nervous sweats when presenting a speech. In fact, 75% of the population has a fear of public speaking; but, why?

As the next generation of credit professionals accepts jobs in the industry, they are using a different strategy to build customer relationships by leveraging new communication styles. However, the goals remain the same—create a strong sense of trust, improve customer service and mitigate risk.