The importance of collecting unpaid invoices locally

TCM Belgium and TCM Netherlands were present at the Flanders-Netherlands Trade Day of Flanders Investment & Trade, where it once again became clear that the importance of collecting unpaid invoices locally abroad proves to be a crucial success factor.

Location, location, location … and culture, culture!

Or as one of the speakers, Pieter Janssens, CEO of iOdigital, put it very well, “it’s all about location, location, location, but also culture, culture, culture.” Indeed, this is the essence of a successful (international) debt collection process. When you address a debtor in his or her own language, with the right nuances and knowledge of cultural particularities, but also with competence in the local legal framework, then the chances of a quick and amicable collection are increased tenfold.

Addressing debtors in their own language is a challenge, even within the borders of one’s country or language. Different language communities live together in Belgium, and although the Flemish community shares its language with our Dutch neighbours, there are also many differences. Flemings are referred to by our northern neighbours as the Japanese of Europe, while the Dutch, according to many Flemings, are too hasty.

These perceptions result, among other things, from the cultural differences that have developed over the course of history (Catholic versus Calvinist, etc.), and still have repercussions in everyday actions. Often, things already clash during e-mail traffic. Flemings sometimes think that the Dutch are too direct when they receive e-mails, while the Dutch are often horrified when they read an e-mail that begins with the distant “Dear…”. In the context of unpaid bills, such miscommunications can add a complication.

The TCM Group: international collection of unpaid invoices

The TCM Group, an international network of local (we cannot emphasise this enough) collection and law firms active in more than 100 countries, embraces this regional diversity and successfully deploys it during the collection of unpaid invoices abroad.

The TCM Group members may share the same code of ethics, but their strength lies in their differences. Each partner operates locally and collects unpaid invoices according to regional customs and laws.

TCM Belgium and TCM Netherlands are both members of the TCM Group and, in cooperation with the international partners, have already assisted many Belgian and Dutch creditors in collecting their unpaid invoices abroad. Conversely, we have already been able to help many partners in following up Belgian/Dutch debtors for their creditors worldwide.

Do you have difficulties with the regional nuances yourself and would you like to obtain more information about collecting unpaid invoices in Belgium, the Netherlands or abroad? Please do not hesitate to contact us via s.dereze@tcm.be or 0498292914.

17/06/2022

The importance of collecting unpaid invoices locally

TCM Belgium and TCM Netherlands were present at the Flanders-Netherlands Trade Day of Flanders Investment & Trade, where it once again became clear that the importance of collecting unpaid invoices locally abroad proves to be a crucial success factor.

Location, location, location … and culture, culture!

Or as one of the speakers, Pieter Janssens, CEO of iOdigital, put it very well, “it’s all about location, location, location, but also culture, culture, culture.” Indeed, this is the essence of a successful (international) debt collection process. When you address a debtor in his or her own language, with the right nuances and knowledge of cultural particularities, but also with competence in the local legal framework, then the chances of a quick and amicable collection are increased tenfold.

Addressing debtors in their own language is a challenge, even within the borders of one’s country or language. Different language communities live together in Belgium, and although the Flemish community shares its language with our Dutch neighbours, there are also many differences. Flemings are referred to by our northern neighbours as the Japanese of Europe, while the Dutch, according to many Flemings, are too hasty.

These perceptions result, among other things, from the cultural differences that have developed over the course of history (Catholic versus Calvinist, etc.), and still have repercussions in everyday actions. Often, things already clash during e-mail traffic. Flemings sometimes think that the Dutch are too direct when they receive e-mails, while the Dutch are often horrified when they read an e-mail that begins with the distant “Dear…”. In the context of unpaid bills, such miscommunications can add a complication.

The TCM Group: international collection of unpaid invoices

The TCM Group, an international network of local (we cannot emphasise this enough) collection and law firms active in more than 100 countries, embraces this regional diversity and successfully deploys it during the collection of unpaid invoices abroad.

The TCM Group members may share the same code of ethics, but their strength lies in their differences. Each partner operates locally and collects unpaid invoices according to regional customs and laws.

TCM Belgium and TCM Netherlands are both members of the TCM Group and, in cooperation with the international partners, have already assisted many Belgian and Dutch creditors in collecting their unpaid invoices abroad. Conversely, we have already been able to help many partners in following up Belgian/Dutch debtors for their creditors worldwide.

Do you have difficulties with the regional nuances yourself and would you like to obtain more information about collecting unpaid invoices in Belgium, the Netherlands or abroad? Please do not hesitate to contact us via s.dereze@tcm.be or 0498292914.