|
|  |
|
|
Memories from the Western Region Credit Conference
by Robert S. Shultz, Board Chairman
Well, the Western Regional Conference held in September is now but a memory. From all accounts the event was a wonderful success. The attendance was the highest in many years. The presenters were great and the display area provided attendees with a view of the latest technology and services to help us do our jobs more effectively.
The sessions followed several themes that affect credit professionals today:
· Managing credit risk by effectively evaluating financial information and other critical factors.
· What to do when a debtor files for Bankruptcy protection or your company is handed a preference claim
· How to improve the collections process
· How to promote your role and the credit collections function within your company.
If you missed the conference, or want to learn more, keep a look out. All these topics and more will be covered in future sessions of the CMA’s ongoing Webinars series. You can download the PowerPoint presentations at http://www.wrcc.biz.
The CFDD also had a booth at the WRCC. This demonstrates a cooperative effort between CFDD and the CMA to promote training and mentoring of credit professionals seeking to develop their technical skills.
The new slogan, “Mentor Me” kicked off the CFDD’s Mentoring Program. This program is aimed at aligning less experienced individuals with more senior credit professionals. Mentors are available to answer questions or just be a sounding board on issues involving credit and collections management. If you are interested in the CFDD or the Mentoring Program, you can contact the Southern California CFDD by calling or emailing: Kim Price, CBA , (323) 260 4317 or email at 4price@comcast.net
One of my personal high points at the conference was the opening presentation by Lola Gillebaard. This remarkable woman is 73 and has a history from birth of medical problems and set backs. There she stood; leaning on her cane with such a zest for life and a perspective on what is truly important
.
Her talk was centered on managing stress and keeping balance in your life. Stress is something we all have an ample supply of today. She uses humor as a tool to reduce tension and keep the not so important aspects of life in perspective.
|
| Have you ever seen a gray haired older woman with a big red Bozo nose giving a serious talk? She takes her red nose with her wherever she goes. She wears it in traffic jams and in long lines at the store. She takes it out when people get too serious about themselves or the situation gets unnecessarily tense.
In business we can easily lose perspective and life’s balance. What seems pressing at the moment is really of little consequence in the long run. We can project the wrong image. How are you perceived in your department? How are you perceived by other areas of your company and by customers? Too tense, unsure of yourself, too wrapped up in the details to see the big business picture. As Lily Tomlin once said, “For fast acting relief, try slowing down."
Your level of stress and tension has a direct impact on how well you do your job and how effective those around you can be. Credit Professionals need to be Business Professionals first. Focus on the real consequences of a situation, keep balanced, and don’t take yourself too seriously.
And by the way…. Bozo noses are available at most toy stores near you.
[PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION]
|
|
| |
|
|
|
