Late payment research II

[Major_Grooves]

OK, my last post asking for help was a bit of a failure - I should have just posted the link directly.

So if you have 2min and can help me out here is a direct link to my survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/N83P7RY

Again, I'll give £20 Amazon voucher to one random respondent who leaves contact details once I've got a decent number of responses. The survey has 8 questions so should only take a couple of minutes to complete.

I'm primarily looking for people who have their own small to medium sized company (including freelancers), or work in senior management at such a company and are perhaps involved in accounts/credit control.

It has to be a company that works in a business-to-business market.

I've only got 4 responses so far so a few more would be very welcome!

The objective of the survey is to test the feasibility of a business idea I'm developing.

 

[Jeff FV]

Have just completed the survey - I think its a great idea, but have two concerns:

1. Legal matters - can you do this?

2. You'd need a lot of users before any meaningful data/reviews could be gathered.

But best of luck - late payers are a huge bug bear and anything that can be done to bring them to task - or reaward the good guys - has to be a good thing.

Jeff

 

[Deleted member 9840]

Just done your survey.

There used to be a website called "business or bandit . com" where this type of info used to be shared...........it got shut down years ago. I suppose the "bandits" objected to it.

Steve

 

[Geoff T]

I tried first time round... signed up to the "monkey" et al, couldn't get to it!!:redface:

[*sighs* technophobe issue]

sorry:redface:

 

[*Lexxy*]

survey completed

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

I've done it too.

 

[Geoff T]

OOHH -2nd try worked!

job done

 

[Major_Grooves]

Thanks guys. Much better response this time! Much appreciated!

@Jeff - you're right to highlight the legal side of things. I think it's not dissimilar to a consumer review website, such as Yelp, in which someone with a grudge to bear could leave a negative review. I do have ideas on how to mitigate that risk, and the legal advice I have so far suggests the idea is feasible from a legal standpoint. You're also right that the biggest challenge for the website would be to get a critical mass of data.

@Lexxy - 2nd time?

@Geoff - thanks for trying again!

I've noticed there are a few threads on here in which people are specifically discussing experiences with late payers. I might drop a PM to the people on those threads unless anyone thinks that is a bad idea?

 

[Jeff FV]

Have tweeted about the survey - may drum up one or two others for you.

Jeff

 

[termsandconditions]

Have completed the survey as ordered, Major!

Seriously, any initiative in this area is welcome. We have a proto late payment tracker based on Government data which I first mentioned in this article. It tracks the proportion of those SME employers who offer trade credit (i.e. issue invoices) and who report late payment as a 'big problem' between 2003 and Sep 2009.

We hope to update the Tracker shortly.

Best Regards

 

[*Lexxy*]

i thought the questions seemed a bit familiar!

it's been a tough week (that's my excuse & i'm sticking to it...)

 

[Major_Grooves]

i thought the questions seemed a bit familiar!

it's been a tough week (that's my excuse & i'm sticking to it...)

That's ok, Lexxy, you were quite positive last time. Hopefully you were again!

I'm up to 14 responses now. I'll be reaching statistical significance soon!

 

[Major_Grooves]

A quick *Bump* for anyone skiving on a Friday afternoon looking through the forum.

I'm up to 15 responses now! Data is actually quite good, although it is probably a bit skewed by a couple of professional credit controllers!

Target audience is really those companies that are obliged to invoice after work has been completed.

 

[GRDCredit]

although it is probably a bit skewed by a couple of professional credit controllers!

I can't imagine who you mean :redface:

 

[Geoff T]

...although it is probably a bit skewed by a couple of professional credit controllers!

Target audience is really those companies that are obliged to invoice after work has been completed.

CHANGED... almost bit there!!!

flipping heck - TWO goes and now I'm slated for it!... why bother!!!

 

[Geoff T]

actually now... thinking on OP... have you tried asking on the ICM site - target audience or what???

 

[joiner]

Another one done for you..anything that helps combat the non payers can only be a good thing.

Mark, sitefit Ltd.

 

[Major_Grooves]

actually now... thinking on OP... have you tried asking on the ICM site - target audience or what???

Well nearly 5 years to the day after asking for some Market Research help, I thought I would pop back in and let you know where we had got to and how your answers helped us.

We have pretty much "pivoted" from what we originally discussed to becoming an active credit control CRM system that automates the chasing of late-paying customers. We also have a partnership with Experian to give credit data on all companies in the UK (for free!).

If I'm not mistaken, GRDCredit above is actually one of our users.

Geoff T - thanks for suggesting the ICM. If you are a member and get their magazine then turn to page 13 and you will see a 3-page article about me and how I got Satago started!

It's been a fun journey so far. Lots more to do!

 

[Major_Grooves]

Business Zone were interested in this story so did a profile on me and Satago. Here you go: http://www.businesszone.co.uk/topic/business-profiles/forum-full-time-satagos-success-story/60390

 

[Dan Angell-Collins]

Done!

 

[Major_Grooves]

Done!

Oh wow - I did not really think that survey would be still Live! Thanks Dan, but check my post above you. This thread is 5 years old now! I built Satago based on the feedback!

 

[Dan Angell-Collins]

ah - sorry I really should read the dates on these threads!!