Extra Credit

Tell us what you love about Extra Credit and what topics you want covered!Timing of payments during construction projects can be complicated as money flows through all the different parties involved. At times, slow payment can lead to customers paying late as they await their own payment from the general contractor. Connect with us on LinkedIn: @Nacm-National @FCIB

Tell us what you love about Extra Credit and what topics you want covered!AI companies are paying up for new AR hires—what are they looking for?AI is rapidly changing the future of credit, collections and accounts receivable. A recent $250K+ AR job posting from a leading AI company specifically sought experience using AI and large language models (LLMs) within finance operations.What does that mean for today’s credit professionals? Join us as we take on the topic with Jared Shulman, Co-founder and CEO of Daylit.Connect with us on LinkedIn: @Nacm-National @FCIB

Tell us what you love about Extra Credit and what topics you want covered!As new technologies give way to more advanced forms of check fraud, it is important that credit managers reevaluate fraud prevention measures. From learning the red flags to establishing a procedure to follow when a customer exhibits suspicious behavior, the strongest defense against fraud is a multifaceted one. Connect with us on LinkedIn: @Nacm-National @FCIB

Tell us what you love about Extra Credit and what topics you want covered!When it comes to construction credit, there is nothing more critical, or complex, than contracts. With so many unique terms and contract language shaping each project, it is important that credit professionals know what’s headed their way at the onset. Connect with us on LinkedIn: @Nacm-National @FCIB

Tell us what you love about Extra Credit and what topics you want covered!Construction credit managers know the importance of a completed job information sheet and the added protection the sheet offers by making the preliminary notice process easier. While the benefits are clear to those in credit, customers may not understand why they need to complete them. Connect with us on LinkedIn: @Nacm-National @FCIB

Tell us what you love about Extra Credit and what topics you want covered!Though immensely rewarding, business credit is fraught with hardship, from economic uncertainty to unforeseen crises. Without a clear path forward, people can feel disorganized to the point that they not only feel lost but adrift in their work. Like an anchor stabilizing a ship, credit leaders offer support and guidance to keep their teams steady in rough waters. Connect with us on LinkedIn: @Nacm-National @FCIB

Tell us what you love about Extra Credit and what topics you want covered!Rising global tensions are adding to existing challenges, including higher input costs and thinning profit margins. A surge in crop production in 2025 driving prices down combined with ongoing tariff pressure, has left the agricultural economy in a difficult position. Connect with us on LinkedIn: @Nacm-National @FCIB

Tell us what you love about Extra Credit and what topics you want covered!Mechanic’s lien laws are the bedrock of the construction credit field, offering credit managers protection as they await payment during long projects. As credit managers work in multiple states, they will encounter two distinct types of liens: full price liens and unpaid balance liens. While both offer protection, it is critical that credit managers understand what type of lien they are filing.Connect with us on LinkedIn: @Nacm-National @FCIB

Tell us what you love about Extra Credit and what topics you want covered!When a credit professional retires or leaves a company, the organization is not just losing a valuable team member—it is often losing unparalleled knowledge and expertise. Transferring what took years to learn requires time, patience and a willingness to share and receive. Without a proper succession plan, credit departments risk losing the ability to transfer valuable expertise. Having a continuity plan can ease the transition, allowing the next generation of credit leaders to step into their new roles with confidence and the knowledge they need to succeed. #credit #successsionplanning #leadershipConnect with us on LinkedIn: @Nacm-National @FCIB

Tell us what you love about Extra Credit and what topics you want covered!Artificial intelligence, or AI, has taken on a life of its own, integrating itself into almost every facet of our professional and personal lives. What started as a tool to research customers and draft letters has evolved into a means of streamlining various credit functions. However, AI is only as useful as the information you provide it, and without the right context, it can generate false or inaccurate responses. By using effective prompting strategies, credit professionals can tailor it to deliver more accurate and actionable results.  Connect with us on LinkedIn: @Nacm-National @FCIB

Tell us what you love about Extra Credit and what topics you want covered!Credit card fraud has loomed larger in the business credit community in recent years, whether it’s during counter transactions or online ordering. As fraud evolves with advancing technologies, it is more important than ever that credit teams learn how to effectively spot and stop it wherever it may rear its head.Connect with us on LinkedIn: @Nacm-National @FCIB

Tell us what you love about Extra Credit and what topics you want covered!Credit leaders are constantly making decisions on behalf of their customers, teams and companies. With the right technology and data combined, they can find more accurate solutions more efficiently.Why it matters: Overreliance on digital solutions can quietly erode confidence and weaken critical thinking. By exercising sound judgment, credit managers can take back that confidence and tackle even the hardest decisions with clarity and conviction.Connect with us on LinkedIn: @Nacm-National @FCIB

Tell us what you love about Extra Credit and what topics you want covered!For many credit departments, the pursuit of stronger practices and better performance is a constant and ongoing effort. As economic and market trends fluctuate, the need for improvement only grows. Through benchmarking—comparing business processes and performance metrics to industry bests and best practices—credit teams are better positioned to achieve refinement.Connect with us on LinkedIn: @Nacm-National @FCIB

Tell us what you love about Extra Credit and what topics you want covered!In the credit profession, strong customer relationships aren’t just a nice-to-have—they’re essential. From the first conversation to the final payment, the strength of those connections can make the difference between delayed receivables and dependable cash flow. Especially in uncertain economic times, trust and communication have become powerful tools for keeping businesses moving forward. Connect with us on LinkedIn: @Nacm-National @FCIB

Tell us what you love about Extra Credit and what topics you want covered!Having a customer that pays on time and represents a large portion of your earnings may be a dream for the sales team, but when too much revenue sits with one customer, it can create vulnerabilities in otherwise healthy portfolios. While a consistent, large customer can be good for business, sudden changes to their payment habits could be worrying. Connect with us on LinkedIn: @Nacm-National @FCIB

Tell us what you love about Extra Credit and what topics you want covered!Business-to-business credit management can sometimes be viewed as a behind-the-scenes function, focused solely on risk control and compliance. Yet the true role of the credit profession reaches far beyond internal processes. Each day, credit professionals apply their expertise to support growth, build lasting relationships and contribute meaningfully to both their businesses and the credit community at large.  Connect with us on LinkedIn: @Nacm-National @FCIB

Tell us what you love about Extra Credit and what topics you want covered!Career development is the key to long-term success within any profession. In a rapidly changing field like business-to-business (B2B) credit, professional advancement is essential. Yet not all professionals know how to advocate for it, and not every organization prioritizes it.Without meaningful support, both professionals and organizations risk missing opportunities for growth. With the right resources and determination, credit professionals can take ownership of their careers while contributing to the success of their organizations.Connect with us on LinkedIn: @Nacm-National @FCIB

Tell us what you love about Extra Credit and what topics you want covered!Leadership is often associated with job titles or years of experience, but the truth is, most people demonstrate leadership long before they even receive a promotion. Credit professionals, in particular, go beyond account management—making decisions that influence cash flow, customer relationships, risk management and cross-departmental collaboration. Taking the initiative not only sets them apart, but it also strengthens their team and contributes to positive change within their company.  Connect with us on LinkedIn: @Nacm-National @FCIB

Tell us what you love about Extra Credit and what topics you want covered!Noticing your customers troubling habits is one thing, but finding the root cause of the issue and a long-term solution that protects your company’s interest while maintaining a strong customer relationship takes time and dedication. Root cause analysis is the process of researching a problem to identify and treat the underlying cause, rather than simply addressing symptoms.  Connect with us on LinkedIn: @Nacm-National @FCIB

Tell us what you love about Extra Credit and what topics you want covered!Effective negotiation goes beyond “winning” an argument; it’s about reaching a mutually beneficial agreement. No matter how conflicting each party’s interests may seem, the right negotiation tactics help credit professionals increase the likelihood of finding a resolution while also mitigating risk and preserving the relationship. Connect with us on LinkedIn: @Nacm-National @FCIB

Tell us what you love about Extra Credit and what topics you want covered!Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly emerging as a powerful catalyst for growth, enabling organizations to innovate faster, operate more efficiently and unlock new opportunities across almost every part of business. As the expert system evolves, more credit professionals are looking to adapt, or at least explore, what it is capable of.Connect with us on LinkedIn: @Nacm-National @FCIB

Tell us what you love about Extra Credit and what topics you want covered!Everything in life is a balance—an even distribution of weight that allows someone or something to remain upright and steady. Without balance, even the strongest structures falter. In credit management, the same principle applies. For credit professionals, major decisions are not driven solely by numbers or intuition, but by careful equilibrium between data-driven analysis and critical thinking.Connect with us on LinkedIn: @Nacm-National @FCIB

Tell us what you love about Extra Credit and what topics you want covered!Working in credit management requires a keen eye for strange customer behavior, whether it’s a customer whose payments have slowed or a company you’ve had an increasingly hard time getting on the phone. But even the most eagle-eyed credit professional will have customers abruptly shut down without warning. Your first instinct may be to panic, but it’s important to remember there are steps to take when a customer shuts down to protect your company from major losses.Connect with us on LinkedIn: @Nacm-National @FCIB

Tell us what you love about Extra Credit and what topics you want covered!No aspect of credit management epitomizes the give-and-take nature of your relationship with your customer quite like disputes and deductions. Whether it’s a complaint about an erroneous charge on a bill or items left unaccounted in your order, deductions and disputes can consume a lot of your time as a credit manager, which can leave you frazzled if your credit department doesn’t have a solid protocol in place.  Connect with us on LinkedIn: @Nacm-National @FCIB

Tell us what you love about Extra Credit and what topics you want covered!Credit professionals are wired for change, always adapting to new technologies and innovations. With so many options available, finding the right product or service can be overwhelming. Those who have a clear strategy and a willingness to learn can more effectively narrow their choices, and the Credit Congress Expo Hall is an invaluable resource, giving them a front row seat at the best show!Check out our upcoming webinar, Tariffs as A Driver of Financial Distress and of Value on December 15th.Connect with us on LinkedIn: @Nacm-National @FCIB

Tell us what you love about Extra Credit and what topics you want covered!Not every customer has a perfect credit score or strong balance sheet, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t worth doing business with. Marginal customers often stand in a gray area: high potential, but higher risk. The challenge is to identify whether open, unsecured credit can be extended to a marginal customer or whether other tools must be used to create guardrails around the transaction.Connect with us on LinkedIn: @Nacm-National @FCIB

Tell us what you love about Extra Credit and what topics you want covered!As day-to-day communication shifts to largely online, it is critical that credit professionals make the most of every conversation, whether it is in-person or virtual. From facial expressions to tone to body language, there is a lot to keep in mind in conversation to ensure that you are not only making your point clearly but effectively.Connect with us on LinkedIn: @Nacm-National @FCIB

Tell us what you love about Extra Credit and what topics you want covered!From education to networking to vendor-shopping, Credit Congress is a one-of-a-kind experience for credit managers that stays with attendees even after the convention doors close. As we prepare for next year’s Credit Congress in St. Louis, many credit professionals are weighing the benefits of attending Credit Congress next spring against the cost, but the advantages of attending a conference for designed specifically for credit professionals greatly outweigh the price of admission. Connect with us on LinkedIn: @Nacm-National @FCIB

Tell us what you love about Extra Credit and what topics you want covered!As a leader, it can be easy to focus on your own perspective. After all, you’re ultimately responsible for making key decisions. However, leadership isn’t just about giving orders; it’s about guiding your team and ensuring their needs are met.  Leading selflessly, with love and compassion not only fosters trust but also strengthens relationships and boosts motivation within the team. In the process, leaders form stronger emotional intelligence and communication skills that will serve them well in their career and in life. In NACM and FCIB’s upcoming Author Chat webinar, James Hunter, principal consultant of J.D. Hunter Associates, expands on his book, The Servant: A Simple Story About the True Essence of Leadership, which paints a vivid picture of the transformative power of servant leadership.Register now for free to save your seat on November 13th!Connect with us on LinkedIn: @Nacm-National @FCIB

Tell us what you love about Extra Credit and what topics you want covered!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.  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 not have to win. Connect with us on LinkedIn: @Nacm-National @FCIB

Tell us what you love about Extra Credit and what topics you want covered!Credit managers can sometimes take on too much responsibility—from handling customer disputes to managing collections. A balanced workload significantly improves team performance and efficiency. By delegating tasks, credit managers can ease their own workload while empowering team members to think independently, develop skills and take initiative—ultimately allowing them to solve problems before they escalate out of control. Connect with us on LinkedIn: @Nacm-National @FCIB

Tell us what you love about Extra Credit and what topics you want covered!Lien and bond rights are essential tools for protecting payments in the construction industry. Whether you’re a general contractor (GC), subcontractor or material supplier, these legal rights provide leverage when payments are delayed or withheld. However, these rights and the processes to enforce them vary significantly from state to state.Connect with us on LinkedIn: @Nacm-National @FCIB

Tell us what you love about Extra Credit and what topics you want covered!In business-to-business (B2B) transactions, when customers aren’t satisfied with a product or service, they request a deduction—typically in the form of a short payment on an invoice or credit taken on a check. Customer deductions typically require approval from the credit department, as they directly affect collections and terms outlined in the contractual agreement. By managing deductions proactively, credit professionals can improve the order-to-cash process, prevent future losses and support strong customer relationships. Connect with us on LinkedIn: @Nacm-National @FCIB

Tell us what you love about Extra Credit and what topics you want covered!Gathering job information for a construction project is an important part of the work of a credit manager. Having pertinent details on the customer, contractors and the project itself help the credit manager understand what to expect when they embark on a project. While this process is closely tied to the credit manager’s role, the task of collecting the information often falls to the sales team. The joint effort between credit and sales could see different aspects of the task doled out between the two departments. Connect with us on LinkedIn: @Nacm-National @FCIB

Tell us what you love about Extra Credit and what topics you want covered!With the role of credit managers expanding each day with new responsibilities, outsourcing tasks within the credit department can be a key part of a risk mitigation strategy.  Collections brings a lot of problems for credit managers, making it one of the first processes many departments decide to outsource. Third-party collections improves cash flow by having dedicated collectors pursuing a debt rather than overwhelming the credit department.  Connect with us on LinkedIn: @Nacm-National @FCIB

Tell us what you love about Extra Credit and what topics you want covered!When most people think of a credit professional, they picture someone focused on collecting payments and monitoring customer balances or credit scores. In reality, the job extends far beyond credit and collections. The multi-faceted nature of the credit professional makes them an asset to the organization, facilitating communication, improving efficiency and mitigating risk. Connect with us on LinkedIn: @Nacm-National @FCIB

Tell us what you love about Extra Credit and what topics you want covered!The credit and sales departments both spend their days closely monitoring customers and transactions, albeit from different perspectives, making it easy for each department to recognize the needs of the other. As the credit team works to mitigate risk by carefully considering the possible ramifications of each transaction, they rely on the sales team to bring in customers. With the sales department often in a better position to advocate for new technology, buy-in from them on much-needed upgrades to the credit department can be immensely beneficial.  Connect with us on LinkedIn: @Nacm-National @FCIB

Tell us what you love about Extra Credit and what topics you want covered!Join us for this special Industry Insight episode with Shane Norman, CCE, senior account executive with Handle, as he discusses his 20-plus years of credit experience, and shares his perspective, both managing credit risk and now working with hundreds of credit teams nationwide. Today we're talking about:Lessons learned as a credit managerThe future of tech in the credit departmentCommon habits for great credit teamsTune in now and reshape your credit strategy! Connect with us on LinkedIn: @Nacm-National @FCIB Follow us on X: @Nacm_National @FCIB_GlobalConnect with us on LinkedIn: @Nacm-National @FCIB

Tell us what you love about Extra Credit and what topics you want covered!Join us for this week's episode on the power of proper documentation!Certain credit practices are grounded in the roots of the profession, unchanging in a dynamic field where change is constant. Documentation is one of these habits, with thorough records of even the simplest day-to-day credit decisions protecting credit departments from risk down the line. Connect with us on LinkedIn: @Nacm-National @FCIB

Tell us what you love about Extra Credit and what topics you want covered!The nature of credit and collections requires credit managers to always keep an eye out for risk on the horizon, whether it’s concern towards a customer’s persistent cash flow issues or a weariness towards extending credit in a country with growing political instability. Why it matters: During periods of economic uncertainty, customers may begin acting erratically, paying late or asking for extended terms. Recognizing economic trouble is one thing, but addressing the onslaught of delayed payments and requests for new terms that comes with it is a larger task.Connect with us on LinkedIn: @Nacm-National @FCIB

Tell us what you love about Extra Credit and what topics you want covered!Sales and credit are two sides of the same coin, both aiming to grow the business, but from different perspectives. While sales focuses on closing deals, the credit team works to manage risk, ensuring customers are financially reliable and contract terms are sound. These different priorities can often lead to tension.  When the sales team understands the “why” behind the fundamentals of credit, they can structure deals that not only close faster but also protect the company’s cash flow. Connect with us on LinkedIn: @Nacm-National @FCIB

Tell us what you love about Extra Credit and what topics you want covered!When a salesperson is pushing for a credit manager to finish their credit investigation and determine a credit line so they can close the sale, it is important that credit managers find a balance between speed and risk. Organizing the workflow within the credit department to accommodate these requests can help ease stress and take some pressure of credit managers. Connect with us on LinkedIn: @Nacm-National @FCIB

Tell us what you love about Extra Credit and what topics you want covered!🕵️‍♀️ Scene 1: The Case FileDid you hear that? A company’s accounts receivable (AR) suddenly spiked. Collections slowed, and cash reserves dropped. The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) smells trouble. Soon after, you’re brought in to investigate the scene of the crime. You’re left wondering...was it overdue invoices? Was it an ineffective collection? Are they just difficult or unresponsive customers? Of all the mysteries credit professionals encounter, nothing compares to the mystery of disappearing cash flow. Credit managers act as a company’s true financial detectives, solving the mysteries behind customers’ cash flow issues.Connect with us on LinkedIn: @Nacm-National @FCIB

Tell us what you love about Extra Credit and what topics you want covered!Artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed how the world operates, integrating itself into nearly every facet of business. For credit departments, AI is being used to enhance email communication, draft demand letters, review contracts and even predict collection trends. Despite its rapid advancement, AI presents significant challenges, particularly regarding accuracy and reliability of information and data privacy and security. Implementing clear, refined policies and procedures within the credit department can help mitigate these concerns and ensure AI is applied ethically and effectively. Connect with us on LinkedIn: @Nacm-National @FCIB

Tell us what you love about Extra Credit and what topics you want covered!As a credit manager, you’re no stranger to difficult customers. Whether there is a disagreement over a late payment or a clash over company policies, conflict can pop up anywhere in a credit manager’s day to day work. Mastering emotional intelligence can help credit professionals de-escalate conflict and ease tensions. Connect with us on LinkedIn: @Nacm-National @FCIB

Tell us what you love about Extra Credit and what topics you want covered!This week we are talking about building relationships outside of the credit department!The last decade has seen tremendous evolutions within the business credit field, with advancing technology transforming the credit management profession. With technology’s growing importance in modern credit processes, the relationship between credit and IT departments is more important than ever.  Connect with us on LinkedIn: @Nacm-National @FCIB

Tell us what you love about Extra Credit and what topics you want covered!We’re diving into one of the most valuable tools available to global credit managers—the FCIB Credit & Collections Survey.The monthly survey serves as a global pulse check on real-world credit conditions. It gathers input from credit professionals across key international markets, on things like payment behavior, risk levels, and economic confidence. The Credit and Collections Survey’s insights help you stay informed, benchmark your practices, and even support your internal reporting.Connect with us on LinkedIn: @Nacm-National @FCIB

Tell us what you love about Extra Credit and what topics you want covered!The construction industry is a layered ecosystem where giants and startups share the same job site, each with unique risks and rules. In a highly competitive industry, the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program provides marginalized businesses with a fair opportunity to compete and thrive. However, rising fraud, such as firms posing as DBEs or using certified DBEs as pass-throughs, undermines the program’s purpose.  To protect the integrity of the program and avoid serious penalties, it’s essential that credit managers to double check and verify if the DBE is legitimate and it’s performing the work it’s contracted to do Connect with us on LinkedIn: @Nacm-National @FCIB

Tell us what you love about Extra Credit and what topics you want covered!The CMI documents trends in accounts receivables that could help credit professionals anticipate and prepare for changes. By taking the time to complete the CMI each month, credit managers are able to give back to the profession by strengthening an economic indicator that is central to so many credit professionals risk mitigation strategy. Connect with us on LinkedIn: @Nacm-National @FCIB

Tell us what you love about Extra Credit and what topics you want covered!During turbulent economic times, it is challenging for businesses to maintain stability. With heightened risk, traditional lending often tightens leading more companies to seek financing from private sources.Connect with us on LinkedIn: @Nacm-National @FCIB