Reflecting on recent troubling industry developments, Ian Oldrey, Managing Director at Ten-25 Software, offers some words of advice on managing risk and credit exposure.
Ian comments: “News like we’ve seen recently is unsettling for everyone in the industry. When a name you recognise hits financial trouble, it’s a wake-up call and a reminder that no merchant is immune to risk.
“But while it’s easy to feel unsettled by headlines, it’s far more useful to focus on what you can control. We’re all navigating an unpredictable chain: developers stalling, contractors chasing payments, customers stretching credit — and your own credit policy is one of the most powerful tools in protecting your business.”
He continued: “I’ve always said it’s better to have an awkward conversation early than a catastrophic one later, and that starts with visibility. Can your team see at a glance who owes what, and where the risk is? Can you step in before a situation becomes a problem?
“You don’t need a brand-new system to make progress. But whether you’re working with spreadsheets or a full ERP, you do need consistent checks — credit limits, alerts, stop flags — to keep things under control.”
Ian concludes: “The way 2025 wrapped up, it wouldn’t be surprising if 2026 tests a few nerves. Keeping a close eye on credit exposure could be the difference between a tight month and a tough year.”
