by Nancy Seiverd | Aug 4, 2026 | Uncategorized
Sometimes fraud isn’t uncovered because of sophisticated software or a forensic accounting investigation. Sometimes it begins with a simple thought. “Something about this just doesn’t make sense.” That’s exactly what one newly hired...
by Nancy Seiverd | Jul 6, 2026 | Uncategorized
Every credit manager knows what DSO stands for, Days Sales Outstanding. We monitor it every month, explain it during management meetings, and celebrate whenever it moves in the right direction. It’s one of the most widely followed measurements in credit...
by Nancy Seiverd | Jun 5, 2026 | Uncategorized
When evaluating a potential new customer, particularly a small enterprise, many suppliers automatically order a commercial credit report and assume they are receiving an accurate picture of the company’s financial condition. However, when dealing with a very small...
by Nancy Seiverd | May 5, 2026 | Uncategorized
There’s something about May that naturally brings optimism. The weather improves, business activity picks up, and for many companies, the second quarter begins to feel like a turning point. Orders increase, pipelines look healthier, and there’s a general sense that...
by Nancy Seiverd | Apr 7, 2026 | Uncategorized
We all know the old joke: Why did the chicken cross the road? To get to the other side. It’s simple, predictable, and harmless. But when a debtor crosses the road, it’s something entirely different. In credit and collections, “crossing the road” is not about...
by Nancy Seiverd | Mar 5, 2026 | Uncategorized
Reducing Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) is one of the most important goals to attain in credit management. When DSO drops, leadership notices. Cash flow improves. Reports look stronger. And bonuses sometimes even follow. On paper, a lower DSO signals discipline,...
by Nancy Seiverd | Feb 2, 2026 | Uncategorized
Credit managers are often described as gatekeepers, but that label barely scratches the surface. In reality, credit managers occupy one of the most complex customer relationship roles in any organization. They sit at the intersection of sales, finance, operations, and...
by Nancy Seiverd | Jan 6, 2026 | Uncategorized
Every January, credit professionals brace themselves for a familiar trend: the sudden wave of customers who decide, consciously or not, that the new year is the perfect time to stretch payment terms. While individuals throughout the world promise to eat healthier,...
by Nancy Seiverd | Nov 3, 2025 | Uncategorized
For generations, the American Midwest has been called the nation’s breadbasket. Today, that breadbasket is starting to look more like a casualty zone. As the U.S.–China tariff war drags into another season, soybean fields, grain elevators, and farm supply businesses...
by Nancy Seiverd | Oct 7, 2025 | Uncategorized
For many businesses, the holiday season represents both opportunity and risk. Sales surge as customers place larger orders to meet consumer demand, but the same season often exposes the cracks in cash flow management. Credit managers find themselves on the front lines...
by Nancy Seiverd | Sep 8, 2025 | Uncategorized
For decades, the credit department has carried a reputation as the “sales prevention” team — focused mainly on blocking bad deals rather than driving new business. But in today’s fast-moving commercial environment, credit teams are increasingly expected to show how...
by Nancy Seiverd | Aug 4, 2025 | Uncategorized
Over the next several years, the commercial credit and collection industry will experience a significant generational shift. Thousands of seasoned professionals, many with 30, 40, or more years of experience, are preparing to retire. These individuals have weathered...
by Nancy Seiverd | Jul 7, 2025 | Uncategorized
As the sun stays out longer and offices start to feel a little emptier, many credit professionals notice a familiar and unwelcome trend: Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) begins to climb. While the summer season brings vacations, barbecues, and long weekends, it also...
by Nancy Seiverd | May 6, 2025 | Uncategorized
If a credit risk manager is aiming for a Director of Global Credit role at a multinational company, the resume needs to do a lot more than just check boxes. It should tell a story that projects global leadership, strategic foresight, and deep operational experience....
by Nancy Seiverd | Apr 4, 2025 | Uncategorized
One of the most frequent complaints I’ve heard over the years from credit risk managers is that they don’t feel appreciated for their hard work in trying to increase cash flow and minimize the risk of selling on credit. In fact, as time goes by, some credit...
by Nancy Seiverd | Mar 4, 2025 | Uncategorized
To be expected, as the use of AI continues to advance through the entire global business community, there is also an increase in the creation of forged Letters of Credit. A forged Letter of Credit (LC) is typically created to deceive a supplier into...
by Nancy Seiverd | Feb 4, 2025 | Uncategorized
Over the course of my credit and collection career, I’ve observed the careers of hundreds of credit professionals. Some may enter a client’s place of business as a high school graduate and slowly work their way up to becoming the credit and collection manager. Others...
by Nancy Seiverd | Jan 7, 2025 | Uncategorized
A client of mine was recently talking to me about one of their customers who had been covered under their credit insurance policy, but coverage was suddenly cancelled due to negative financial information that came to light. According to my client, they have been...
by Nancy Seiverd | Jan 7, 2025 | Uncategorized
The “January Effect” is a well-known financial market phenomenon referring to a seasonal increase in stock prices during January, often attributed to year-end tax-loss selling, portfolio rebalancing, or increased market optimism. While it primarily impacts...
by Nancy Seiverd | Dec 10, 2024 | Feature Article, Uncategorized
