Customer Relationship Stages

Here's how to optimize your financial relationship with your customers at each stage of the sales process.

1. Order Placement

• Check the customer's financial situation;
• Request cash payment or a deposit upon order placement;
• Negotiate clear payment terms;
• Specify the customer's delivery and billing coordinates as well as the customer's accounts payable contacts (see Organize Customer Follow-up).

2. Order Preparation

• Ensure that the goods match the order (to avoid disputes: customer returns, customer dissatisfaction, non-payment);
• Ensure product quality;
• Check the product packaging.

3. Delivery

• Only deliver if the customer's payments are up to date;
• If so, make the delivery promptly.

4. Invoicing

• Do not delay in invoicing! Issue the invoice upon shipment of the goods or completion of the service. Delaying the invoice from July 30 to July 1 can postpone the due date by a month (see payment terms);
• Invoice payment terms must be clearly stated and correspond to the negotiated conditions. Ensure that the payment terms are included on the invoice.