Ignoring next-gen payments will hit you in the wallet
Embracing new payment technologies isn't just an issue for retailers
Too many SMEs still working on a knife edge
Many SMEs are still on a knife-edge, and will be until debt management improves.
A problem shared: using PR and comms to address debt issues
Since the 2008 credit crunch, it’s been generally accepted that financial services have a duty to educate their customers. Recently, however, I’ve been wondering why more companies and councils aren’t acting to inform their clients and stakeholders of the wider consequences of debt and late or withheld payments – and whether they have policies in place to encourage positive payment attitudes.
It’s not all in the numbers: understanding debt means understanding the circumstances of debt
Most councils and companies understand the issues surrounding debt in their respective boroughs or trading radius. It informs the ways in which they deploy resources and decide when and how to collect debt. However, how many really understand the individual circumstances in each case?
Financial education: bridging theory and reality
It’s been more than two years since financial education was embedded into the school curriculum here in the UK. While I believe we've seen some progress, we must still push further to ensure young people make informed choices with full knowledge of the potential consequences – positive and negative.
Litter Britain: clearing up our trunk roads and motorways
Travelling around the UK, I can’t help but notice the amount of litter on and around our trunk roads and motorways. Aside from being unsightly, dumped rubbish costs businesses and councils millions – and it looks like no-one's taking responsibility. I believe it’s necessary for us all to understand how problematic the issue really is, to take responsibility for it and to make active changes to solve it.
How can we avoid debt advice anarchy?
Consumers are inundated with ‘experts’ giving financial advice, especially via the internet. And with more people than ever seeking support online, the trend is unlikely to go away soon.
Violence, accountability and the BWV debate
Enforcement agents have been the subject of both new, restrictive legislation and increasing public pressure over our activity in recent years. And while we recognise the need for constant care and attention to how we conduct our business, I’ve become more and more concerned about an imbalance when it comes to violence against our agents.