Dont forget the people side of credit

http://www.credittoday.net

Don't forget the people side of credit

While degrees and specialized training can help you gain employment in credit management, it's forming and maintaining key personal relationships that will help you keep your job and be successful in it.

So suggests Jerry D. Osborn, CCE, credit manager for Hydro Agri N.A. Inc. (Redwood City, CA). "An M.B.A. in finance from a top university is nice, but it is not as useful as being able to create and maintain good interpersonal relationships with the people you interact with on a regular basis," Osborn says.

Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the Credit & Collection Manager's Letter, which Credit Today purchased in 2006.

These include colleagues within your own company, customers, credit managers in other companies, bankers, and attorneys.

Osborn cites two examples of how good relationships with others can help you:

Making contact for credit references. "Knowing the people in advance helps to break down the invisible barrier that often exists," he explains.
Keeping abreast of current credit issues and collection laws. "These laws are ever changing, and it is crucial to be aware of these changes," he emphasizes.

How can you make these contacts? Osborn has found the best way is to join and actively participate in professional credit groups and associations.

HR & Personnel Resources For Credit Execs
Valuable resources to help you deal with the "people side" of credit and collections management. Many of our articles are based upon the hard data that we have gathered in our annual Credit Today Salary and Job Satisfaction Surveys.
Click here to check it out...

Many people join such groups but don't take full advantage of them, according to Osborn. "You can learn a great deal by attending the meetings and listening to presentations," he admits. "However, the real value of these groups is the opportunity to meet other participants and get to know them personally. You get out of credit meetings what you put into them."

His final point: "It may not seem easy at first, but make the effort to introduce yourself to as many people as you can."

Editor's Note: The above article originally appeared in the Credit & Collection Manager's Letter, a newsletter purchased by Credit Today in 2006. This article originally appeared prior to 2000.