SmallBusinessNewz

The ideal business cycle isn't really that complicated; some money comes in, less money goes out, and the owner makes a profit.  Only it seems that customers' payment practices are posing a major problem for small businesses.

Essentially, some people and companies are not contributing their money on time.  The Forum of Private Business reports, "Almost one in three (32%) are owed between 1,001 and 5,000, which they say is having an impact on their cash-flow, and 56% state that late payment has become worse over the past year."

It's not as if the trouble is being caused by a handful of shady individuals, either, since the statement continues, "More than 94% of the FPB's members surveyed called on the Government to set an example by paying its own suppliers on time."

Small businesses may be able to get their money by being more pushy, but then they run the risk of alienating their customers.  It's an unpleasant situation that might be best approached by taking action as a group.

The FPB has come up with a "naming and shaming" program that follows this line of thought and simultaneously introduces a nice dose of humiliation.