Small Business Collections

9 mistakes your business may be making when collecting debt

Collecting debt is just something a business of any size will have to do. It would be nice if all consumers paid their bills on time but the reality of running any business means you’ll have to deal with late and nonpaying customers.

The topic of customers who do not pay can also be emotional, especially for small businesses. Many operating businesses just like you have developed deep relationships with customers over the years and when the payments do not come in, that strikes an emotional tone.

Not getting paid on time for many businesses can create an environment where that business makes mistakes in collecting that debt.

If you are concerned you may be making mistakes in […]

2023-09-06T07:47:52-04:00September 6th, 2023|Categories: Accounts Receivables, Small Business Collections|

Being proactive with your accounts receivables is a must

By Greg:

Is it me, or did this summer fly by?

I was blindsided the other day by my wife and daughter going school shopping.  I mean, already?  It never ceases to amaze me how quickly the summer goes by.  You can easily become overwhelmed by all the yardwork projects you haven’t started and all the fun family activities you talked about all winter but have not done yet.  Summer starts and you think you have all the time in the world to do these things.  Then, of course, reality sets in.

I have learned (that is, my wife has said to me a million times) that you must plan, or things will not get done.

Compliance continues to be mission critical here at American Profit Recovery

One aspect of debt collections that is mission critical and an area here at American Profit Recovery that we place a lot of resources behind is compliance. Staying compliant with all the rules and regulations that govern debt collections is just another area of our culture that carries immense importance.

Recently our own Bruce Beegle achieved the designation of credit and compliance officer through ACA International.

After many educational sessions conducted by ACA international and of course rigorous testing, Bruce received this accreditation which will only further our ability to enhance our compliance strategies in debt collections. It’s an important milestone. […]

2023-08-17T08:32:48-04:00August 17th, 2023|Categories: Advice for Businesses, Small Business Collections, Team APR|

These words help define the future of debt collections

There have been many shifts in the debt collection industry over the past several years. And the trends and updates that many in the collection industry have worked hard on, are moving the industry in a positive way.

Everything from enhanced technology, a better understanding of the career opportunities in the collection industry as well as forward progress in the collaboration between industry leaders and government at all levels.

However, one significant shift is the industry’s determination to make communications between debt collectors and consumers much more dignified and respectful.

When a debt collection professional can earn a consumer’s trust through effective communication and empathy, what may have been a negative interaction years ago is now a positive […]

Is there a way to tell if my customer is not going to pay my business?

We speak to business owners and other decision-makers all the time when it comes to debt collections and there is one question they ask repeatedly.

Are there any warning signs a customer is not going to pay?

And the answer is a definitive yes!

There are unquestionably signs that a customer is not going to pay and we have assembled these below. And while that is not always the case, our experts have found these are the more apparent signs of a customer not paying you in the future. You may have customers that are just disorganized at home which includes paying their bills but it’s important to keep an eye out for these warning signs.

If your business […]

Common questions a business asks before using a collection agency

Deciding to use a debt collection agency can be a big step for a business. Many business owners and other decision-makers have a number of questions they want answered before deciding to take that next step with an accounts receivable program.

They want to know that they made the best decision possible for their organization. Of course getting late and non-paying customers to the table is a top concern, there can be other concerns that a business of any size wants to address before taking the next step in debt collections.

Here are some common concerns a business may have regarding using a debt collection agency and how a reputable agency can assist in these areas.

Will we […]

Household debt just exceeded $17 trillion-is your small business ready?

It’s June 2023 and household debt just set an all-time record. And it could affect every business in the country.

The New York Federal Reserve issued a report in May 2023 that indicated a new record in household debt. Americans have racked up over $17 trillion in debt. And that should concern every business owner, entrepreneur and anyone responsible for accounts receivables.

From rising inflation to a changing job market, there are many factors that have contributed to this record number.

There has never been a better time for your business to hit the pause button and thoroughly analyze your entire accounts receivables program. That also includes the debt collection process your business has implemented and the partners […]

2023-06-11T14:29:58-04:00June 11th, 2023|Categories: Accounts Receivables, Small Business Collections|

The pros and cons of different debt collection methods

No matter the size of your business, your organization will always encounter consumers that have challenges meeting their financial obligations. For a whole host of reasons, consumers can either be late in paying you, or stop paying your business altogether.

We always advise the organizations we work with to have an internal debt collection strategy prior to issuing accounts to a collection agency. That allows your business to conduct due diligence in trying to resolve the matter internally.

There are many ways to get your customers to pay before handing that account over to your debt collection agency. And there are benefits to doing so but there are also some issues to keep in mind.

Check out our […]

2023-05-02T08:23:45-04:00May 5th, 2023|Categories: Accounts Receivables, Small Business Collections|

Cash flow basics for a changing economy

Cash flow is the lifeblood of any business, and your small business can be vulnerable to cash flow issues. And economic conditions can be a major driver, whether it be negative or positive cash flow.

Without a steady flow of cash, your small business could struggle to meet your own financial obligations, attend to basic expenses, meet payroll, invest in growth and so much more.

If you are worried about cash flow in your small business this year, it is time to revisit some ways that can affect positive cash flow. While using a debt collection agency is one strategy, many more factors affect positive cash flow.

Economic conditions are going to affect your cash flow

Our changing economy […]

5 things your business should never do when trying to collect a debt

One of the more frustrating parts of running any type of business is when customers pay late or do not pay at all. We’re confident you would agree with that statement.

As a debt collection agency that works with small business and large organizations, we hear the disappointments regularly from people just like you we are consulting with.

When we conduct our free consultations for debt collections, it’s one of the first things we hear. Business owners, and others that are part of the accounts receivables process continue to experience the aggravations of getting certain customers to pay.

While there are endless reasons why customers become delinquent on their financial obligations to your business, business owners tell […]

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