Episodes
Wednesday Mar 25, 2020
What you have to do in a COVID-19 crisis – get closer to your customers
Wednesday Mar 25, 2020
Wednesday Mar 25, 2020
As the COVID-19 outbreak gets declared a worldwide pandemic, a Singaporean minister warned that things may change on a permanent basis and this means businesses would also need to change the way they operate.
RIABU’s Simon Littlewood tells Mark Laudi how this crisis provides opportunities for companies to improve their relationships with their customers, but warns against offering discounts.
Friday Feb 28, 2020
Friday Feb 28, 2020
Bombardier has been criticised for making a £5,600 payment to a caterer after half a year, much longer than its own payment terms of 60 days. RIABU’S Simon Littlewood tells Mark Laudi what SMEs can do to avoid being in such a situation, and it is simple – just have the initial conversation. Listen to find out how to have the initial conversation with your new customer.
We contacted Bombardier for their side of the story but we did not receive a reply.
Wednesday Feb 26, 2020
Retailer sells on consignment, but still fails to pay suppliers on time?
Wednesday Feb 26, 2020
Wednesday Feb 26, 2020
Naiise is a Singaporean design retailer that sells products on consignment. It said that it is transitioning from a startup to a full-fledged company, and that it is automating its payments, but its suppliers are saying they are still not seeing their money.
RIABU’s Simon Littlewood tells Mark Laudi his opinion of automating payments. Listen to the end for one of Simon’s retail stories about how products can suddenly move to the front of the shelves in supermarkets.
We contacted Naiise for their side of the story but we did not receive a reply.
Monday Feb 24, 2020
Monday Feb 24, 2020
The Singapore government has downgraded its forecast for its economy this year, and there is a possibility of a recession.
RIABU’S Simon Littlewood tells Mark Laudi the steps SMEs can carry out to manage their cash so they can keep the lights on and pay their employees. Also, advice for companies that are not prepared for this downturn to prepare better for the next one.
Monday Feb 17, 2020
Five steps you can take to get out of dynamic discounting hell
Monday Feb 17, 2020
Monday Feb 17, 2020
In Australia, Rio Tinto and Telstra have come under scrutiny for their use of dynamic discounting, which means they were insisting on a discount of 2% for invoices that they will pay on time to their suppliers. The two companies have since ceased this practice.
RIABU’s Simon Littlewood tells Mark Laudi five steps you can take to protect yourself from your customer insisting on dynamic discounting, and what you can do to get an exemption from it.
Friday Feb 14, 2020
How to protect your business from the impact of the novel coronavirus
Friday Feb 14, 2020
Friday Feb 14, 2020
The novel coronavirus has created an environment of fear worldwide. The number of visitors to Singapore has gone down and conferences have been cancelled. Payments might be slower than usual.
RIABU’s Simon Littlewood tells Mark Laudi the steps you can take to protect your business from the negative environment. They include figuring out the customers who are important to you, and extending service, or if you can, financial support, to them.
Wednesday Jan 29, 2020
Selling your goods on consignment? Listen to this.
Wednesday Jan 29, 2020
Wednesday Jan 29, 2020
Selling your goods on consignment can be tricky as you don’t get paid unless your goods get sold.
RIABU’s Simon Littlewood tells Mark Laudi specific processes you can implement – payment terms, stock checks and service - with your customer to ensure you get paid.
Friday Jan 24, 2020
5 receivable truths that are not so true
Friday Jan 24, 2020
Friday Jan 24, 2020
We debunk some known truths about receivables - should you propose partial payments, or turn overdue accounts to a collections agency? Or reward your customers for paying promptly?
RIABU’s Simon Littlewood talks to Mark Laudi about what you have to watch out for when you read advice online about managing your receivables.
Wednesday Jan 22, 2020
Is automation useful in making your customers pay you on time?
Wednesday Jan 22, 2020
Wednesday Jan 22, 2020
Fintechs offer automation solutions, which is often seen as a panacea to payments. Although we agree that automation can provide you with clearer and faster data, can it make sure your customer is more likely to pull the trigger on your payments at the end of the day?
RIABU’s Simon Littlewood talks to Mark Laudi about what automation can do and can’t do in helping you get paid.
Monday Jan 20, 2020
How to make sure you get paid before Chinese New Year
Monday Jan 20, 2020
Monday Jan 20, 2020
Chinese New Year is coming up in Singapore and as we wind down for a long weekend, we would still like to get paid before that.
RIABU’s Simon Littlewood tells Mark Laudi how an upcoming public holiday is the perfect excuse for your customers to delay your payments, and how you can use customer service to mitigate the typical excuses your customers might throw at you.