Archive for February, 2010

What Types of Claims Can Be Lodged At Small Claims Tribunals

If you intend to recover your bad debts through the Small Claims Tribunals, do proceed early as it may take longer than expected to recover your bad debts.

The claims must fulfil these criterias before you can file at the Small Claims Tribunals:

  1. The amount claimed must not exceed $10,000.
  2. The limit can be raised to $20,000 if all parties (Claimant and Respondent) consent in writing before the Registrar or Assistant Registrar.
  3. Amount

Is Anger A Bad Emotion?

Is anger an emotion that we should suppress or avoid altogether and is it really that bad an emotion?

No, it is not! It is merely a misunderstood emotion.

With all the anger management courses and damages done when people get angry, it’s no wonder that anger is viewed as a bad emotion to have.

I can be real fiery when I am angry and have been

Business Battlefield

Recently, I feel that I have been and am in a few business battles. Maybe it’s the last debt collection episode, maybe it’s behaviors of some competitors.

It certainly can get draining and even discouraging at times being a small business owner. In the course of over about a year. I’ve met many new business owners too and most times, it’s everyone for themselves.

Of course, we do have very

Personal Discipline Self Discipline

When you discipline yourself to do the things you need to do when you need to do them, the day will come when you can do the things you want to do when you want to do them.

I believe in that above saying though I haven’t master it. To be an entrepreneur, you must be disciplined to do the things you have to do each and

How To Handle Sales Call Successfully?

I must admit, I am not a natural salesperson. When I had my first sales job in Espirit @ Crown Prince Hotel several years back, I resigned after a week vowing never to be a retail salesperson again.

And needless to say, I don’t enjoy sales call too. It should be the fear of rejection that is holding me back and seeing it as a dread whenever I have

Bad Debts Costly to Small Businesses

Did you know that from a survey done in UK, 47% of SMEs have no provision in place for bad debts or unpaid invoices? 34% will rely on legal action should they find themselves in such a situation, 27% would use their bank overdraft facility and 15% even plan to cover their shortfall with their own savings!

Unfortunately, even with good working relationship with suppliers and customers

More Warning Signs of Bad Debts

  • The debtor does not return phone calls, letters or emails
  • Letters sent to debtor returned undelivered
  • The debtor’s family says he has moved but refuses to disclose his whereabouts
  • The debtor denies responsibility
  • The debtor asks you to sue him
  • The debtor

Useful Websites & Contacts

ACRA Bizfile - to purchase company’s & people’s profile

  • You’ll need to know whether the company is Pte Ltd because if so, they may be liable only up to a certain amount of  the debt and debt collectors may not be able to get much from them after they declare bankrupt
  • Reports cost only $5 each

Insolvency & Public Office Trustee -

I Got MY Money Back!

Yeah, finally! I just checked my account online and it’s good news! Although it’s not the full amount (it’s the full 2009 amount), it is already about 75% of the debt! The debt collector will be chasing them again now that this first cheque has just cleared.

I feel so happy about this. It’s no longer about the money but more of showing my debtor that I will not

Signs and Symptoms of Bad Debts

First few signs of impending bad debts:

  • A sudden increase in order
    • It may mean that the customer has lost credit with another supplier and is ordering more from you to fill the gap
  • Payment become increasingly slow
    • The customer may have cash flow problem
  • Groundless complaints about shipped