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Expert advice

  • #Expert advice

    Coface survey: In the face of uncertainty, making quick decisions is once again becoming a critical issue for businesses

    The main obstacle to business growth is no longer just the market, but also companies’ ability to make decisions. According to the latest Coface survey of 1,250 business leaders in 13 countries, 68% of them cite slow decision-making as a major obstacle. In a highly uncertain environment, businesses are no longer simply seeking to avoid risk: they must learn to make decisions more quickly. A transformation is underway, gradually turning risk into a driver of decision-making and growth.

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  • #Expert advice

    Why uninsured debt collection is a strategic advantage in today’s market

    In an increasingly uncertain global trading environment, late payments and insolvencies are no longer isolated incidents, they are systemic challenges. For many businesses, the real risk lies not only in insured exposures, but in the growing volume of uninsured receivables sitting on their balance sheets. These uninsured debts, often overlooked or deprioritised, can have a significant impact on cash flow, working capital, and ultimately, business resilience. The question is no longer whether companies will face non‑payment risk, but how effectively they can recover what is owed, especially outside the safety net of insurance.

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  • International Commercial Terms

    #Expert advice

    Incoterms Explained: A Practical Guide for Importers and Exporters

    Every company trading internationally is familiar with - and relies on - Incoterms, which set out the respective obligations of seller and buyer in a commercial transaction. As a contracting party, you can freely negotiate the conditions of purchase or sale with companies from all over the world, but practices and interpretations can vary from one country to another. Thanks to Incoterms, everyone's obligations are clear and trade is made easier. Let's decipher the ins and outs of these trade rules that apply throughout the world.

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  • Electronic Invoicing in South Africa: Benefits and Risks

    #Expert advice

    Electronic Invoicing: Why It Doesn’t Protect Against Non-Payment

    Mandatory from next September for all businesses, electronic invoicing is radically transforming the administrative and financial operations of French businesses subject to VAT. Beyond mere regulatory compliance, this reform creates a need for new equipment and a reorganisation of processes within organisations. Discover the benefits of electronic invoicing for your business, the solutions available to you and how to implement them.

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  • Conciliation in South Africa: A Practical Guide to Resolving Disputes

    #Expert advice

    Conciliation: A Practical Solution for Non-Payment Disputes

    When faced with persistent non-payment or a client’s deteriorating financial health, initiating legal proceedings is not always the most effective solution. The conciliation procedure offers a structured alternative, governed by company law, which enables a dispute to be resolved amicably whilst preserving the business relationship.

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  • Risk Dashboard

    Navigate uncertainty with Coface's global risk assessments for 160 countries and 13 sectors. 

  • Requirements for working capital

    #Expert advice

    Working capital requirements: concept, usefulness, areas for improvement

    Working Capital Requirement (WCR) is a key management concept, used to determine the amount of financial resources a company needs to manage the gap between its cash outflows and its cash inflows. In other words, it determines how much cash you need to avoid short-term difficulties. Detailed deciphering of the accounting information used to calculate WCR, and the issues involved.

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  • Payments in arrears

    #Expert advice

    Payments in arrears: real levers in commercial relations

    As any company finance manager knows, the terms of payment of customer invoices are not a mere administrative formality, but rather a genuine financial and commercial management lever. Between payment in arrears and payment in advance, companies navigate between flexibility and security, seeking a balance between cash management and risk control. All that remains is to optimize the strategy, in order to reinforce financial solidity. Here's our advice on how to achieve this.

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  • Aging Trial Balance

    #Expert advice

    Aging Balance Explained: A Key Tool for Managing Accounts Receivable

    Securing cash flow is a matter of survival for any business. It means having the visibility you need to make the right decisions about when to actually pay supplier invoices, renegotiate contracts or seek external financing. One of the key indicators used by those in charge of receivables management and debt collection is the Aging balance or Aged Trial Balance, which details the amounts due and when they fall due. It provides a clear picture of future cash flow. We explain everything you need to know about its definition, method of calculation and implications!

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  • Risk Dashboard

    Navigate uncertainty with Coface's global risk assessments for 160 countries and 13 sectors. 

  • Coface Podcast

    Dive into the world of global trade with Coface's Trade Talk podcast. Explore captivating discussions with trade experts, explore market dynamics, and uncover strategies for growth. 

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