Ep351: How automation of payments can help SMEs collect money with speed and predictability
Nov 24, 2021
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Pranav Sood, VP Small Business at GoCardless, discusses the challenges faced by SMEs in collecting payments, including discomfort and revenue loss. He explores how automation and payment intelligence tools can reduce failed payments and shares success stories of small businesses benefitting from the system. The podcast also delves into the accelerated adoption of payment automation due to the pandemic, emphasizing the value of software and cloud-based tools for SMEs.
Late or non-existing payments have significant financial, workload, and emotional impacts on SMEs.
Automation of payment methods, such as Instant Bank Pay and direct debit, can provide timely payments and improved predictability for small business owners.
Deep dives
Awkward conversations and giving up revenue
According to recent research by Co-Cardless, around 40% of SMEs feel awkward about chasing their customers for late payments. Surprisingly, about 75% of SME owners are willing to give up to 10% of their annual revenues just to avoid discussing money owed. Gender and location also play a role, with a larger percentage of women feeling uncomfortable compared to men, and regional differences seen in the UK, with Wales being the worst offender.
Impacts of late payments on small businesses
Late or non-existing payments have three major impacts on small businesses. Firstly, there is a financial impact that affects working capital and the ability to meet commitments. Secondly, there is a increased workload in terms of chasing payments and dealing with incomplete invoices. Lastly, there is an emotional impact, causing stress, worry, and uncertainty among business owners and their families.
Automation of payment tools and GoCardless
Automation of payment methods is proposed as a solution to the challenges SMEs face with late payments. GoCardless offers payment intelligence tools that allow small business owners to attach payment methods to their invoices, such as Instant Bank Pay and direct debit. This enables timely payments and provides visibility and predictability for business owners. Success stories from GoCardless customers include an acting coaching agency and a baby ballet studio that have saved time and improved payment collection.
New research from GoCardless, a global FinTech in account-to-account payments, has revealed that the stigma attached to talking about money has left British small businesses vastly under- and unpaid. According to the findings, 29% of SME leaders feel uncomfortable asking customers for payment and nearly three-quarters are willing to forgo up to 10% of their annual turnover to avoid an awkward money conversation. Pranav Sood, VP Small Business at GoCardless explained to IBSi’s Reporter Gaia Lamperti how automation and payment intelligence tools can provide a solution to the issue, reducing the rate of failed payments to SMEs.
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