When I first started out, I did a lot of collection work but as the years passed and the clients and claims increased, my collection experience supported the hiring, training, and managing of additional staff. For quite a long time, my weekly and monthly work was fully occupied with managerial responsibilities.
Gradually however, our growth required that we improve upon our credit and collection system. Realizing this is a constant work in progress, I have devoted a great deal of time (and years) to this ongoing endeavor.
Along the way, as a credit risk management consultant, I have often been involved in supporting clients in strengthening their credit risk management systems. Since consulting is part of our product line, I consider this activity to fall under sales. Supporting the total credit risk management needs of our clients takes a good chunk out of my weekly and monthly time.
I sometimes wonder if I am efficiently and effectively using my time. For example, there are meetings that probably go way longer than they should. What should have been discussed and summed up in 30 minutes might have taken 75-90 minutes. When it was over and I saw that I still have a bunch of things on my to-do list to finish for the day, I said to myself, “Why did I let that meeting go on and on? I really must stick to the agenda and try to keep the free talking down to a minimum.”
At the same time, I will say that the free talking did lead to a few other good ideas for us to put into our queue. I suppose the flexibility made the attendees comfortable enough to chime in about things directly and indirectly related to the topic.
So, what’s the point? Sometimes, for whatever reasons, we might take longer at certain tasks and at other times, especially when we’re under the gun, we need to step up and get things done and out of the way. It’s case by case as it depends on the person, the task, the company culture, the client, and several other factors. In the end, if we feel we are still moving forward at an acceptable pace, perhaps that’s what counts.
Your thoughts and comments (nseiverd@cmiweb.com) are most welcome!
Nancy Seiverd, President
CMI Credit Mediators, Inc.
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