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  1. Meet the team – The fifth in command, affectionately known as Bosley…

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    ‘Getting to know you, getting to know all about you’…… or so the song goes.

    People often ask us… ‘What’s so-and-so really like ? We speak with them on the phone all the time but we’ve never met them’.

    As a result, we felt it was time to publish a quick, informal question and answer session with all of our team individually, just as a bit of fun mostly but you never know, it might spark a conversation between others over mutual tastes.

    This month we speak with the office minion Rob (also known as Bosley on account of him being surrounded by angels, and no Rob didn’t come up with the moniker or the reason why…)

    So Rob, what’s your best trait ?

    I’d like to think patience but I’m sure both my family and my colleagues would have a word or two to say about that.

    What’s your most annoying habit ?

    Procrastination, or is it, I’m never too sure. Let me think about that one for a while and I’ll come back to you. 

    What hobbies do you have ?

    Still playing golf really badly (but I do enjoy our charity golf events we arrange in the Summer months). 

    Playing footie with my old team mates (but I’m at an age now where the brain is willing but the body is not !)

    Being out and about with my family and our dog Beau. Time is precious when you run a business so the ability to spend time with those precious to yourself becomes more and more paramount as you get older. 

    What three things would you take with you on a desert island ?

    My wife Dan, our daughter George… and some headphones…

    What’s your favourite ‘happy’ movie ?

    Anything from the old school 80’s like Ferris Bueller, Weekend at Bernies. Anything that’s not too taxing on the old grey matter.

    What’s your favourite ‘sad’ movie ?

    Tend not to watch sad movies, life’s too short to spend it in tears.

    Which two people (dead or alive) would you share a meal with ?

    My Grandparents – Enough said !

    Tell us a joke ?

    Patient – Doctor Doctor, you’ve got to help me, I think I’m a moth. 

    Doctor – You don’t need my help, you need the Psychiatrist next door.

    Patient – Yes I know, but your light was on !

    Thank you, I’m here all week.

  2. Meet the team – Everyone’s favourite ‘monster’ – Cookie.

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    ‘Getting to know you, getting to know all about you’…… or so the song goes.

    People often ask us… ‘What’s so-and-so really like ? We speak with them on the phone all the time but we’ve never met them’.

    As a result, we felt it was time to publish a quick, informal question and answer session with all of our team individually, just as a bit of fun mostly but you never know, it might spark a conversation between others over mutual tastes.

    This month’s victim (sorry, subject) is the staggeringly individual Cookie (yes, that is Cookie’s real name, ask her about the story one day).

    So Cookie, what’s your best trait ?

    Hopefully I have more than one!  Friendly, resourceful, caring and a good listener spring to mind.

    What’s your most annoying habit ?

    I’m not very patient with liars ! Always tell the truth no matter how bad it is.

    What hobbies do you have ?

    Playing Chess – Have a game every week, online with a pal in New Zealand.

    Zumba – Love it so much became a Zumba Gold Instructor which is an absolute joy.

    Reading, walking, yoga, hula hooping (yep, you read that right…) and going to live music gigs.

    What three things would you take with you on a desert island ?

    My three favourite M’s : My friends and family (one of them will bring a chess set !), Marmite and some music.

    What’s your favourite ‘happy’ movie ?

    High Society – Back from a time when movie stars were icons and not just famous !

    What’s your favourite ‘sad’ movie ?

    The Elephant Man – “My Name is John Merrick” Such a sad and heart breaking real life story.

    Which two people (dead or alive) would you share a meal with ?

    George Michael and Frank Sinatra – What a chat that would be, I’d be happy to just sit and listen !

    Tell us a joke ?

    How many dance teachers does it take to change a light bulb?

    Five! Six! Seven! Eight!

  3. Everyone’s saving save money but should we be spending ?

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    90’s pop chanteurs D’Ream once sang… ‘Things can only get better’.

    Sadly, if you apply this in a business sense, they’re wrong !

    Inflation is at a record high. Interest rates are rising. Petrol is ever fluctuating. Utilities are going up again with the upcoming increased price cap. This all means that supplier costs continue to increase to cope with the demand for more business capital and there’s no immediate end in sight.

    Unfortunately now it’s more apt to chime… ‘things are only going to get more expensive’, but what can we do to mitigate these increasing costs and maintain business continuity ?

    Cutting costs is one option but the general rule of thumb is that you can only cut costs by around 20% but as a well-known supermarket brand does say… ‘every little helps’.

    Increasing sales generates greater long term returns, especially if they’re recurring but revenue growth can take time, which a lot of businesses simply don’t have.

    But what about maximising the situation at present ?…

    Many businesses have a cash life-line hidden within their ledger, they just don’t have either the knowledge, the skills or perhaps the time to release it. Unpaid monies sat on a client’s invoicing can hold the key to survival. It’s simply a matter as to how you recover those monies to both the client’s  AND the customer’s benefit.

    Business owners recognise the risks ahead and are looking for solutions to provide them with the tools and the bi-product, cash-flow to navigate the tricky waters ahead.

    We normally get recommended within ONE LinkedIn discussion a week as the ‘go-to guys’ when it comes to effective and professional debt recovery solutions. At the point of writing, this week alone we’ve been included within FOUR separate LinkedIn posts.

    But why choose to spend more money when times are tough ?…

    Well we recently conducted a bi-annual review of one of our creative clients and ascertained that for their monthly investment of only £300.00, we had recovered for them the total of around £245,000.00. An eye watering return of investment of approximately 7000 % !

    Now more than ever….

    Is the time to keep control of your exposure and risk.

    Is the time to maintain and continue your essential business cash-flow.

    Is the time to invest in business continuity, business growth and business survival.

    Now more than ever, is the time to invest in the gang at Corp & Comm.

  4. Meet the team – ‘Our Lady Friday’ – Rosie

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    ‘Getting to know you, getting to know all about you’…… or so the song goes.

    People often ask us… ‘What’s so-and-so really like ? We speak with them on the phone all the time but we’ve never met them’.

    As a result, we felt it was time to publish a quick, informal question and answer session with all of our team individually, just as a bit of fun mostly but you never know, it might spark a conversation between others over mutual tastes.

     

    This month’s victim (sorry, subject) is our affectionately known ‘Lady Friday’ (given that she’s the business’s right hand lady) otherwise known as Rosie.

    So Rosie, what’s your best trait ?

    I’d like to think I have a few. I’m honest, reliable and empathetic. All good traits to have when you’re working in credit control.

    What’s your most annoying habit ?

    Probably overthinking things and taking things too personally. Often people need to vent and somehow it always seem they want to vent at me but honestly I wouldn’t say boo to a goose so I don’t know why they always want a crack at me !

    What hobbies do you have ?

    Genealogy (studying people’s family trees), reading and knitting. I’m currently (March 22) knitting baby stuff for an upcoming great niece.

    What three things would you take with you on a desert island ?

    Any book with lots of pages, matches and a pan. (Believe it or not I can be very sensible at times)

    What’s your favourite ‘happy’ movie ?

    7 brides for 7 brothers. You’ve got to love an old throw-back movie, back to your childhood when life seemed just that little bit easier.

    What’s your favourite ‘sad’ movie ?

    Don’t have one in particular, most movies can make me shed a tear…

    Which two people (dead or alive) would you share a meal with ?

    Any of my Grand-parents. Like most of us, I miss them daily.

    Tell us a joke ?

    Why don’t you want to start a conversation with the maths Pi ? ?……     because it goes on and on and on…….

  5. Which industries are predicted to suffer most from no-deal Brexit?

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    A government spokesman said: “The UK will be leaving the EU on 31 October and our top priority is supporting consumers and businesses in their preparations for Brexit.

     

    Are you preparing?

    In a previous blog we talked about reviewing your due diligence processes to ensure you know who you’re dealing with. So we thought it would be useful to also be aware of which industries are predicted to be most effected, in a no deal outcome.

     

    Which industries are likely to suffer most from a no-deal Brexit?

    The cross-party Exiting the EU Committee has warned that a no deal could mean “damaging consequences” for sectors such as:

    • Car industry
    • Food industry
    • Services businesses
    • Farming
    • Pharmaceuticals
    • Chemicals
    • Technology
    • Higher education

     

    Consider

    With pressure on cash-flow it is essential that you stay on top of your credit limits and watch our for repeat late payments. Don’t just assume customers can and will pay you eventually. No matter how big their name is. If you have clients in these industries extra vigilance or communications maybe needed.

     

    Using an independent third party such as ourselves to create and implement and end to end credit control function or chase one off late payments can often be the most effective option. Get in touch we are happy to talk through options.

     

     

  6. Will regulation force businesses to name & shame themselves for late payments?

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    The Government continue to acknowledge the devastating impact late payments have on SME’s in their Spring Statement:

     

    Philip Hammond said “I announced a year ago that we would take definitive action to tackle the scourge of late payments for our small businesses. A full response to last year’s call for evidence will be published shortly, but I can announce today that as a first step we will require company Audit Committees to review payment practices, and report on them in their Annual Accounts. We will announce further details in due course. “

     

     

    This seems to be the Government’s grand idea to make larger companies more self accounting. By having them publish the typical time taken to pay suppliers. Also requiring them to employ a non-executive director to be responsible for this and to hold them to account.

     

    Is this another government white elephant initiative just in time for the launch of Dumbo in the cinemas or will it really help tackle late payments?

     

    The Facts

    Late payments continue to negatively impact small enterprises in the U.K. The Chancellor of the Exchequer has stated that larger firms should have a director in place to help reduce delays. Elsewhere, late payments impact contractors focused on emergency repairs in the U.S. Virgin Islands after the 2017 hurricanes.

     

    Any company dealing with the larger UK companies know they often dictate their own payment terms. So what’s to stop the firm simply extending the payment terms. As long as they adhere to the extended terms, then will they be deemed as late ?

     

    Also how effective is a non executive director going to want to be in holding the company to account that is paying their wages ?

     

    Another challenge is whether the larger companies will adhere to the request, or will it be another ‘toothless tiger’, akin to the Government’s voluntary Prompt Payment Code?

     

    Recent surveys by the BACS payment scheme showed the direct cost of late payments to small businesses is currently valued at around £2 billion. With the FSB have commenting  that a typical SME is owed on average £6,142. It is estimated that as many as 50,000 firms go out of business each year because of problems related to late payment.

     

    What can you do?

     

    It’s not enough to allow the larger businesses to regulate themselves, it is imperative that all SME’s manage their exposure and risk in a prompt and pro-active manner.

     

    Where possible invoice little and often.

    Not only does this remove the spectre of having your cash flow tied up in one big invoice, should a smaller invoice be paid late, it alerts you to the payment practices of the customer and allows you to react to same for the future.

     

    Be proactive and not reactive.

    Have a set, robust credit control procedure that ensures that you are pursuing invoices as and when they become due (and before if possible). The sooner you are aware of a late payment, the quicker you can resolve same for the sake of your business and your sanity.

    For more ways to manage your exposure to risk take a look at our Blogs or Contact Us.

     

     

  7. New Year’s Business Resolution…. Always Keep an Eye on my Exposure and Risk !

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    The New Year is always full of promise. The challenge is whether we can continue to stick to our well intentioned promises.

     

    We often make promises to alter ourselves, our lifestyles, our environment but how often do we promise to alter the way we look at our business

    Sadly running a successful business can be a drain on your time. Often the clamour to service clients and fulfil orders takes over the opportunity to really look at your business. Including analysing your exposure and your risk.

     

    We all know that there is ‘no better time to start something new than the present’ but the New Year also brings us a ready-made opportunity for change.

     

     

    Take a little time during the holiday period to study or analyse your customers payment habits. Is there a particular customer who has taken longer and longer to pay ?

     

    If so, make a note on your accounts system to flag them up as a concern. Then make them your priority when you’re conducting your credit control, contact them first. The quicker you action a concern, the speedier you are to get paid.

     

    Is there a particular customer who has consistently ordered more goods than your suggested credit limit ? Now is the time to conduct some credit and diligence checks on that customer. Make sure that they are worthy of the extended credit limit that you are giving them ?

     

    If they are, then write to them to extend their credit limit. Your customer will appreciate the vote of confidence and may even provide further orders. If they are not worthy of additional credit, flag them up on your system and every time they go past their limit, contact them immediately and ask them for payment to bring them back in line.

     

    New year is the time for new starts and new beginnings, so let’s all start putting best practice into our businesses.

     

    If we can be of help with recovering outstanding debts or remove the time you spend chasing payment by taking on your credit control please get in touch>>>

     

    Happy New Year !

  8. How do you make sure you receive a treat and not a trick ?

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    Halloween…  a time for ghouls and ghosts, tricks or treats, but also due diligence.

    Oh no…more late payments

     

    We all dress up pretending to be other, often ‘un-worldly people’. The aim being to remain unknown, to scare or maybe trick the unsuspecting and hopefully to escape  with a bag of loot. All in the name of fun of course.

    But…

    If you consider this in a business context, it’s not so fun, especially when you consider the real aim is to trick you out of your hard earned money!

     

    It may sound harsh even far fetched but we all know that there are companies out there who don’t need Halloween season as an excuse to try to pull the wool over people’s eyes.

     

    Remember in most cases October’s invoicing is Christmas’s cash flow.

     

    Doing all that you can now to ensure that your customers are true and valid, will go some way to ensuring that the invoices you raise this month have a chance of being paid in the future.

     

    What action can I take?

    • Check up on the liquidity of both your new customers and also your bigger value customers.
    • Check that the account details you hold are correct and that you’re billing the correct company.
    • Check that there aren’t any pending insolvencies raised against the customer.
    • Check that the people running the company, are who they say they are.

     

    How do I do that?

    Use these FREE web-links to aid in your investigations :

     

    www.companieshouse.gov.uk/beta

     

    www.biz.gov.uk/insolvency

     

    www.thegazette.co.uk

     

    As you know, our mantra is… ‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of the cure’… so being forewarned is forearmed.

     

    In this season of pranks and high jinks, no matter how tempting it may seem to chase that quick buck, that big invoice, it is imperative your do your diligence first.

     

    Don’t get fooled into accepting a trick, concentrate your time on receiving those treats !

     

    Are you owed money?

    Why spend valuable time chasing for payment when we can do it for you? Submit details of owed invoices quickly and easily online , or simply give us a call 01535 654 594. On occasion you can even add our fee and interest to the total amount we aim to collect.

     

  9. The Friendly Golf Society – Your chance to do something for yourself……. whilst helping others.

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    If Covid has taught us anything, it’s taught us to appreciate life

    Wasn’t it strange that the moment freedom was taken away from us, we just wanted to get out more, and didn’t we all realise how fantastic Mother Nature can be when we take a little time to take it all in.

    After the year we’ve all had, it’s now time to set a little time aside for you, to reward yourself for all your extra endeavours over the year, to re-set and re-charge and to enjoy the simple things in life that we’ve learned to appreciate just that little bit more.

     

    The Friendly Golf Society

    Now in it’s eighth year, the society is a growing group of local business men who get together six times a year to generate local business, support charitable causes and enjoy a round of golf or two. Who said ‘Men can’t multi task?’

     

    Rob Lewis, MD of Keighley based business Corporate and Commercial credit solutions and society organiser said, “ It’s a great opportunity for local business to support each other and a great charity like Martin House. This year has had more resonance than most with Covid and it’s made us all appreciate the opportunities we have, not only for ourselves but for others also. Thanks to all of our members for their continued commitment”.

     

    Our Chosen Charity – Martin House Children’s Hospice.

    Martin House provides family-led care for children and young people with life-limiting conditions. They support families from across West, North and East Yorkshire, both at their hospice and in the community. They place families are at the heart of everything we do and value each member as an individual with their own needs. For more information about Martin House   Click Here >>>

  10. Credit Controller / Administrative Assistant Role

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    We’re a friendly bunch here at Corp and Comm. We share a passion for delivering high quality services to our Credit Control and Debt Recovery clients.

    As a growing small business who value and reward our people, we believe it’s an exciting time to work here. So if you’re a bright, motivated individual looking for flexible part-time work. Get in touch with your CV.

     

    Job Description

    Credit Controller / Administrative Assistant Role

    Job Title: ​Credit Controller and Administrative Assistant.

    Job Type: ​Permanent, primarily flexible part time hours, 4 hrs a day, 5 days a week.

    Location: ​Keighley.

    Reports to: Director.
    PRIMARY OBJECTIVES OF THE ROLE:

    • Assist in the efficient collection, control and administration of monies owed to clients within the agreed credit terms.
    • Maintain computerised and manual systems in order that payments are correctly allocated to each client.
    • Undertake routine / general administrative functions within a busy office, such as dealing with customers, filing, photocopying and mailing.

     

    BENEFITS :

    • ​Salary – £9.50 per hour ​​
    • ​Holiday – 25 days (pro rata)
    • Nest Pension Scheme

     

    KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

    • Assist in the setting up of the credit control system.
    • Ensure that debts are paid in a timely manner.
    • Chase overdue invoices by telephone, email & letter within agreed timescales.
    • Maintain accurate records of all chasing activity.
    • Provide regular updates to clients.
    • Identify changes in payment patterns and propose action to avert indebtedness.
    • Liaise with clients and customers regarding any disputed invoices. Where possible seeking relevant information in order that the query may be promptly resolved and payment received.
    • Provide accurate advice on billing queries.
    • Respond promptly and completely to both client and internal enquiries.
    • Other general office duties as delegated from time to time by Director or any other person designated in their absence.

     

    ESSENTIAL WORK SKILLS 

    • Able to demonstrate experience of working within a busy office. (Credit control experience is desirable but not essential).
      • Computer skills and experience of working with credit control systems and software such as Xero, Sage etc is desirable but again not essential.
      • Familiar with accounts procedures, client ledgers, disbursements and general office accounts.
      • Experience of legal practice and procedures is desirable but again not essential
      • Possess an excellent understanding of Microsoft Office.
      • Experience of dealing with clients and customers at all levels.
      • Ability to manage & prioritise an extensive caseload.
      • To remain confidential at all times and adhere to regulatory guidelines and practice.

     

    PERSON SPECIFICATION :

    • Excellent communication skills at all levels.
    • Calm, confident manner to handle potentially uncomfortable conversations.
    • Ability to establish and maintain good client relationships at all levels.
    • Good keyboard skills and competence of Word, Excel and Outlook are essential
    • Good standard of education with a high standard of numeracy and accuracy with attention to detail (minimum O level / GCSE Maths & English Grade A-C).
    • A team player with a flexible approach and a willingness to learn.
    • Outgoing and confident personality who is able to operate at all levels.
    • A self-starter who is pro-active and can set and achieve goals.
    • Strong organisational & time management skills.

     

    Please send your CV and covering letter to either :

    info@corpandcomm.com

     

    or our postal address :

     

    Corporate & Commercial Credit Solutions Limited

    Temple Chambers

    Russell Street

    Keighley

    BD21 2JT