Payment letter: how to write it to the best

With the crisis, delays in payment between companies increase and the difficulty of entrepreneurs to cope with other times of crisis increases. In short, a circle that could never end.

In situations like this, when a company is dealing with unpaid invoices and insolvent customers, it becomes necessary to organize a structured and targeted debt recovery plan , which could also lead the parties to court. Before arriving at the judicial route, however, it is possible to resolve the contentious dispute, by sending the creditor a letter of prompt paymentto the debtor. Let’s see together what things to know to write it better 

Generally, within the invoice itself – in addition to the modalities – are contained the timing for its payment, which usually varies from 30 to 60 days depending on the type of service. If the invoice is not paid in due time, the default interest and some costs incurred by the creditor, such as the costs of recovering the sum, must also be paid.

First of all, the creditor company will have to send the debit letter to the debtor, making sure to use methods that certify the delivery , such as a registered letter with return receipt or a certified e-mail box. .

The remittance payment letter must necessarily contain some elements , which are:

•     Data of the debtor’s creditor ; 
•     The amount to be paid; 
• References to the number and date of the invoice for which the reminder; 
•     How to make the payment ; 
• References to the number of previous reminder letters sent.

Usually the first letter to solicit the payment is an informative letter with a good-natured form , which reminds the debtor that the invoice to be paid has expired. 
This second reminder letter may be followed by a second letter , which must have a more decisive tone, also specifying that legal recourse will be used if payment is not made. It is possible to send a third reminder letter , if the first two have not received a reply: in this case, the active intervention of a lawyer will be necessary , which, by means of a registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt, will put the debtor in default.

It is important, for clarity and simplicity, that the three reminder letters have an object that subdivides them by number, namely:

• ” First invoice payment request “; 
• ” Second invoice payment request “; 
• ” Last payment request for invoice and formal notice “. 

If the three letters of prompt payment do not reach the desired goal, we move to a judicial phase of debt collection : there are many consultancy companies that deal with the recovery of credit and help the entrepreneur who is in this delicate situation.

How to start a small business: 10 tips you do not expect

Make it as simple as possible and imagine yourself with zero money. Here are 10 tips you do not expect to start a small business according to Mike Kappel, an entrepreneur with 30 years of experience as well as a serial startupper

You’ve heard so many, some obvious and others impossible to put into practice. If you plan to start a small business , and set up on your own, the tips flock like snow in the Alps. You never know whether to follow them or ignore them, whether to listen to instinct or to inform you about the thousand entrepreneurial publications. Today, we want to help all the aspiring businessman who have decided to change their working life and create a small business, thanks to 10 tips coming from Mike Kappel , an inveterate entrepreneur and serial startupper.

Before starting to list the suggestions (found in an article published in Forbes), it is good to remember that a magic formula does not exist : there are a multitude of infinite variables in play. What applies to one does not hold true for the other, what applies to today is not valid for tomorrow. As a maximum, if you have decided to start a business, you must think in a new way, accept change and even failure. Thus everything will be easier.

1. DO NOT ACCUSE EXCUSES

Many people dream of creating a successful business . But few really try. All the others are often blocked by excuses and second thoughts , such as the fear of not making it. This is the first advice you have to follow: if you want to become an entrepreneur, put aside doubts and insecurity, go straight to your path, things will surely come. It is normal to have concerns, but it is also normal to set them aside to focus on the goal.

2. ABSORB ALL THAT YOU TRY

Listen to what the surrounding world has to tell you. If you want to start a business you have to keep your ears wide open: try to be a sponge , you never know from whom good advice could come. From a family member, from a friend, a colleague. Or even from yourself. People who are part of your life are a reflection of how potential customers will react. Tell them about your business idea, pay attention to their verbal and non-verbal reaction, understand if they are enthusiastic or just educated. Do not forget also to compare yourself with ‘veteran’ entrepreneurs and learn from the mistakes they have made.

3. BE THE SOLUTION

Before thinking about selling, think about being the solution . If you fill a market gap and meet needs and desires that have not yet found a resolution, you’ve already won. Then sales will come accordingly and without problems. If you focus on why you’re opening up a business, you’ll quickly understand how to make it better. The problems of your target, in this moment of discovery, must be yours.

4. SIMPLE FAILURE

There is a rule that should always be followed: the starting idea must be simple and, above all, must remain simple over time. The more elements you enter, the more features you expect, the more your product will be complicated and cost. Cut unnecessary features that water down your offer. As a small business, you do not need all the bells and whistles of a giant company. It’s much easier to add later, as the business grows.

5. CALCULATE THE COSTS

Once you start developing your business idea, calculate all the costs . Such as: rental of business premises, supplies, marketing and advertising. So, take what you think is the amount and quadruple it. Seriously. In this way, you will also be prepared for the unexpected expenses that will surely be there. At first, you may need to obtain external capital to make ends meet, as a loan for small businesses, in order not to undermine your personal assets.

6. IMAGE YOURSELF WITH ZERO EURO

You must take into account that things do not go as you hope. That’s why you have to imagine yourself with zero euros . Many are the entrepreneurs who fail: how would you manage this possibility? It is a good idea to propose a plan ” in case the worst result occurs “. Try to imagine what you would do if your business did not take off.

7. EARN WHILE BUILDING

If you want to create a small business, do not leave your job . Starting a successful startup is a process that could take some time. Build your business in stages and gradually move from employee to entrepreneur. As a new entrepreneur, you will not start earning immediately : it is for this reason that you need to work. Also to face the most difficult moments. Once you have a good flow of money from your business, you can take on full-time corporate ownership.

8. TALK ABOUT YOUR ACTIVITY

A challenge that many entrepreneurs face is that they do not know how to sell. It can be difficult to share your business with the world , especially when you’re new to this environment. If you’re worried about what people think of your business, you have to overcome it. If you can not convince consumers to buy from you and support your business, you need to learn how to do it. If you really want success, you can not afford to be shy. You have to get out of your comfort zone. Be ready to talk confidently about your business, even if it makes you uncomfortable. As a new owner of a company, you will constantly need to be a marketing man and build a dense network of relationships.

9. INFORMED ON LEGAL REQUIREMENTS TO START AN ACTIVITY

Starting a business is exciting. The laws are not. But, it is necessary to understand the rules that the opening of a new company brings with it. If you can not follow the regulations , you may have to face heavy penalties. In these cases a professional could represent the solution.

10. BALANCE PASSION AND WISDOM

One of the most important ingredients in a successful business idea is passion . Passion will keep you constantly improving your process so that your business grows. That said, do not let passion take over. It is she who brings you forward, but the knowledge will guide you in the right direction. Conduct market research in your industry and talk to target customers to discover the potential of your business. Ask questions to experts on launching a startup. Contact professionals who can help you in certain areas, such as financial advisors or lawyers. Think that your company is like a car: let your passion hit the gas pedal but your mind controls the steering wheel. In this way, you will be sure of the direction you are following and you will be able to sustain the momentum needed to get there.

How to finance your business idea, from loan to crowdfunding

From non-repayable loans to micro-credit, from business angels to crowdfunding: discover all the possibilities you have to finance your business idea

It happens to many entrepreneurs: the idea, the “flash of genius”, the famous light bulb that lights up and stimulates new processes to be applied to the company. But once the entrepreneur has had the idea, how can he finance it ? There are many channels to obtain money and liquidity : from the traditional loan of friends and relatives, we move to banking, from non- repayable loans to subsidized loans, we can resort to micro-credit , to the business angel, venture capital or crowdfunding.

Let’s see in detail what are the possibilities that entrepreneurs have to finance their idea.

Loans from relatives and friends

The easiest thing to fund your business idea is to ask relatives and friends to invest in the project . In this case it is necessary to take a serious approach, proving that this is not a game, perhaps even taking a written commitment. In addition to the classic donation of money, relatives and friends can intervene in the business by becoming shareholders of capital.

Banks and subsidized finance

You can get credit from a bank , upon presentation of a solid project and adequate guarantees (assets, real estate, savings). You can have lower interests and reduce the risk of insolvency, in the event of bankruptcy, by accessing bank loans through guarantee funds created by the Ministry for Economic Development. Obviously the obligation to return a small part of overdraft remains and the rest is covered by the fund. On the other hand, the loan must be repaid in accordance with the terms of the contract.

Non-refundable contributions

Another possibility that entrepreneurs have to finance their idea is to access non-repayable contributions . You can find announcements on Government websites (example: Council Presidency, Department for Equal Opportunities) and associated companies ( Invitalia ), Ministries (For economic development, University, Transport, Cultural Heritage, Tourism), Regions, Chambers of Trade and Trade Associations, European Commission.

Microcredit

The micro-credit is a financial instrument in favor of inclusion of subjects defined as non-bankable , or that do not have access to credit in the traditional way. The loans disbursed can reach 25/35 thousand euros (depending on the entity to which it is addressed), even without guarantees. To gain access to microcredit, often a credible project and a business plan areenough to create jobs, structure a company or develop an existing one.

Business Angel and Venture Capital

The business angel is an investor who bets on the business idea and profits from it . Having a shareholder in the company, which has a financial investor approach, imposes steps set for development over 5 years (revenues, margins, any listing). It contributes to creating a system around the company, creates interactions and fosters synergies with other companies with a view to development and economic growth.

Crowdfunding

Very popular at the moment, crowdfunding – collective funding – offers the best results for companies that offer something creative and artistic. The idea is launched on special portals, such as Kickstarter , and people are invited to finance the project with small shares.