When it comes to dealing with B2B clients, it's important to approach any potentially negative situation with a proactive mindset. When you understand why clients may ask for more than your agreement, you can better anticipate and prepare for potential roadblocks. Whether it's negotiating with clients to find a mutually beneficial solution or knowing when it's time to end the relationship, there are strategies you can use to ensure a successful project outcome.
When you're growing a business, a late-paying client can be frustrating. You have to dedicate time and resources to figure out what happened and why. You have to pull yourself together enough to have a conversation about money - something that's not easy for many people. The most important thing to remember is that your business fulfilled its part of the deal, and now your client owes your business.
A typical services contract requires a retainer or ongoing payments. Businesses selling software-as-a-service (SaaS), or anything else "as-a-service," rely on monthly or annual fees from subscribers. If those subscribers fail to meet their obligations, their accounts can be sent to collections for recourse.
Every industry has its own share of jargon, acronyms, and special terms. There's a level of trust that's gained when a business partner understands your industry or "speaks your language." When companies seek out debt collection agencies that they can trust, they also want to work with those who understand their industry.
When your business has a late-paying client, follow-up calls must be handled quickly and with conviction. Late or non-paying clients cause your business to write receivables off as bad debt, and they could cause the deterioration of your business relationships. Or you could escalate to a professional B2B collections agency that values your business relationships and your cash flow.
Does it actually cost more to attract new clients than keep current ones? That can only be decided when you consider the cost of your time and the value of your clients. Nevertheless, happy clients are usually your most loyal clients, and they'll likely recommend your goods and services to others. Let's identify strategies for keeping your existing B2B clients happy so you can maintain a strong, long-lasting business relationship and save money along the way.
As a business that works with other businesses, the expectation is that they'll pay for the goods and services you're providing. Unfortunately, delinquency and debt in business relationships is a very real, all-too-common problem. If you pay attention, there are glaring red flags that could provide clues that some clients could be problematic.
Losing a client after establishing a relationship and putting in work efforts can be disruptive to any organization. It's especially painful if you're working as an independent contractor, freelance, or as a growing business. The loss in revenue may mean that you need to find another client immediately. There are some practical steps you can take to bounce back.
While we typically write about the end-of-the-year processes for accounts receivable, year-end brings about its own stress for the sales and marketing teams. With quotas to meet and budgets to assess, the challenges can weigh on even the most seasoned professional.
When it's your job to collect past-due invoices, what you say matters. And what you say will depend on your state of mind when you type the email or get on the phone. How you come across to your clients, especially when they're long-term business-to-business relationships, will determine how they react to you, your demands, or any negotiation tactics. It's important that you're well-prepared.
