October 2016 Credit Management magazine

RE-ACCREDITATION FOR
FORTUNE 500 FIRM
FORTUNE 500 company Anixter, a global
supplier of communications and security
products and electrical and electronic wire
and cable, is celebrating becoming a twotime
accredited business.
Its UK credit team, which looks after the
Network and Security Solutions and Electrical
and Electronic Solutions divisions within the
UK, has eight members and is led by Bryony
Pettifor, who is well-known to the CICM as
Chair of its Executive Board.
Since it began the process achieving
the previous initial accreditation in 2014,
the credit team’s profile as a professional
and knowledgeable department has
escalated throughout the business and on
to customers, as Lisa Humphries MCICM,
Assistant Credit Manager at Anixter, explains:
“The re-accreditation was a natural
progression for us to continue with our
growth and profile,” she says. “We have
taken advantage of the CICM’s networking
events and brought in the very best ideas
and processes into our every day practices.
As a result, the team has the confidence to
proactively change for the better and we
now encourage a ‘no idea is a bad idea’
ethos.”
CICMQ has positively impacted
stakeholders too. “We can prove to them
that we understand the whole concept and
value of credit,” Lisa continues. “It’s a great
boost to have our expertise acknowledged
by a third party, both personally and in
respect of raising our profile within other
departments.”
UNDERSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT
SIEMENS
TRIPLE
GLOBAL technology firm Siemens has
reached the three-time CICMQ landmark.
It is the latest in a series of international
corporations to have attained this accolade,
and has consistently shown to develop and
innovate.
Its most recent development is a nine
Mandatory Elements strategic roadmap,
which sets out clear expectations and areas
to improve for teams and employees.
And the roadmap was highlighted by
CICMQ assessor Chris Sanders: “The
new Programme is driving quality and
performance,” he says, “and improves
efficiency demonstrating the credit
function is not standing still as continuous
improvement never stops.”
Gail Armstrong, Head of Cash Collection
Services at Siemens, explains this sort
of progression is typical of the business
as it consistently evolves: “Progression is
essential within the technology sector, and
that absolutely applies to the credit function
as well.
“With a strong and well trained team,
we can look after customers and develop
lasting relationships to our and their
benefit.”
TO succeed in CICMQ a credit and
collections team needs to clearly understand
what they want to achieve and how to
achieve it, according to BT Plc’s Head of
Managed Collections and Enquiries, Cheryl
Horstead.
The leading communications services
company, which has customers across 180
countries, has now been accredited for the
second time. With such a wide network, the
credit team has to ensure a seamless process
that is fully supportive of the business’
functions.
“The accreditation and re-accreditation
process provides a great structure that aligns
into our credit strategy, meaning we can
clearly outline our expectations and focus on
developing the team’s performance,” Cheryl
says.
“It also provides businesses with an
opportunity to step back from their daily
operations and thoroughly review the
progress of the credit team and how it has
performed over the last few years,” she
continues. “Bearing in mind our success with
CICMQ, the team take great confidence when
an external body assesses us.”
BT has maintained strong links with
the CICM, as it did prior to its initial 2014
accreditation, and helped to develop training
modules. As part of BT’s development
programmes, it uses the CICM’s
qualifications to enhance the career paths of
its employees.
“It is really important for the future of the
department to continue working with the
CICM,” Cheryl adds, “as it provides us with
opportunities to keep up-to-date with the
industry as well as the ability to share best
practice.
“To have the team fully involved in the
process ensures that we are as successful as
possible, and the accreditation demonstrates
that we are reaching and exceeding the
industry’s expectation.”
The recognised standard
www.cicm.com October 2016 13