In the best economic circumstances, effective credit management can be a challenge for many businesses; in tough times, it can become a critical operational factor that can threaten to make or break an otherwise healthy business. The Business Guide to Credit Management offers new insights into cash management, payment flows, debt collection and asset-based finance, providing practical advice and commentary for those charged with managing, co-ordinating and protecting their company's finances. The book examines the credit management cycle from the perspectives of the suppliers, the customers and the banks, explaining the interrelationships between all three groups and offering best-practice models that can help to smooth the financial path, particularly when credit flows appear to be drying up. Whether it is an explanation of government support through various guarantee schemes, to the growing role of credit ratings and debt collection, this new title is the essential handbook for anyone looking to control costs, manage cashflow and protect capital.