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again, chase them again using a more formal channel of communication, such as a letter. You can then start a series of letters leading to legal action. Debt collecting through the small claims court is surprisingly simple. Proceed politely but don’t worry about upsetting a ‘customer’ who isn’t paying you. Customers are people who appreciate the work you do and pay accordingly.


Other ways to receive cash faster If you are offering services then consider fixed fees that can be invoiced in advance and collected by direct debit or standing order. The additional benefits are reduced credit control costs, smoother cash flow, and a better relationship with clients because there are no surprise bills or constant chasing for cash Even without fixed fees you can ask for payment on


account and staged payments. Be careful to specify these stages in your original contract terms and don’t leave them to the client to determine. Be careful to avoid subjective stages such as “approval” of plan, instead you could use fixed stages such as presentation of initial report. Even cash businesses can find ways to get clients to


pay earlier. My favourite example is football clubs, which issue season tickets that are paid for in June for a season that doesn’t even start until August so fans are paying months in advance before receipt of goods. And a season ticket never comes with a quality guarantee, as many football fans will know. If loss- making football clubs have the financial know-how to get customers paying this far in advance, then you should be able to do it too.


Hudson Business Accountants and Advisers are modern chartered accountants and registered auditors as well as members of ICAEW business advice scheme www.hudsonaccountants.com


Intensive English language training for foreign executives in Malmesbury.


Do you need to improve your career prospects by learning English quickly? Would you like learn new words and phrases easily? We can help you with English language skills for business meetings, negotiations, presentations, conference calls, telephoning, entertaining clients and other essential day-to-day activities.


Please call us on: +44 1666 825060 or email us at: English@AbbeyCommunication.com Or visit our website: www.abbeycommunication.com


MARCH/APRIL 2017 insight 23


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