The preventive reminder iscarried out before the due date of the invoice. It presents multiple advantages because of its precocity in the collection workflow. This is the first necessary step for your client to pay your invoices on due dates. It allows to:

  • Get a promise of payment for the due date of the invoice by a given mean of payment. You can remind your client about their commitment if they don't make the payment at the promised date. This allows you to require an immediate payment.

  • Check that your client has your correct bank account details and address in case they will pay with another payment method.

  • Ensure the customer validates the invoices or identifies any problem or dispute blocking the payment. This gives the time to fix the problem identified (error on the invoice, missing material, quality issue ...). You can then finally recieve payment on the due date. This would not have been the case if you had chased up your customer ten days after this date.

  • To demonstrate to your customers the seriousness of your Accounts Receivable management. Bad payers can try to gain cash by delaying payments to its suppliers. They will systematically do so with the most lax of them and will pay those who make regular reminders.
The main purpose of cash collection activity is to get the payment on the due date of the invoices. Therefore, the pre-dunning reminder is key. This is the only action that allow to achieve this goal. The credit manager will complete other steps of the collection process after the due date.
 During crises, information providers and credit insurers struggle to keep up with the rapidly changing situation of a business. Chasing clients up early provides with information on their current ability to honor their commitments. Those informations are a key element of your credit analysis.
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    This makes obtaining a promise of payment or an explanation behind an unpaid invoice both easier and faster. It can be because of a dispute, cash flow problems, and more.

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Process of preventive recovery

This action is a commercial and customer satisfaction oriented move. It basically contains questions to ensure that everything is in place for the payment of the invoices. It aims to answer the following questions:

  • Have you well received the bills?
  • Are they all validated for payment? Could you otherwise elaborate on the matter at hand?
  • If so, do we agree for a payment on the due date of the invoice?
  • etc.
One of the essential elements conditioning payment is customer satisfaction and that the seller has complied with his commitments. This action allows to check if it is the case and to take corrective measures if necessary.

Another advantage, it allows to detect upstream cash issues if any and react quickly to a credit risk identified.

recovery prior due date

Two follow-up media for that purpose are phone call and e-mail (or interactive e-mail). Clients prefer one or the other, depending on the volume of invoices and the type of client. You can schedule several preventive reminders, such as one by e-mail and the other by phone for example.

Interactive email has many benefits. It contains all the information necessary for your customers' accounts payable to process your request. You can add your clients downloadable account statement and links to PDF invoices. You also have the possibility of allowing them to send questions, comments or bank details. There even are optional payment buttons available.

Furthermore, it is possible to automate its sending to hundreds or thousands of customers, thus increasing its efficiency tenfold. This functionality gives credibility to your approach and the quality of your management. It also strengthens the image of your company which communicates in a modern and digital way with its customers.

Interactive e-mail example

e-mail interactif
Perform the first collection action between 7 and 15 days before due date of your invoices by phone or e-mail.
Make sure you keep track of your customer's proof of payment. The bank can provide then a payment indicating the amount and date of the payment.
Or obtain written confirmation of a promise to pay. It confirms the commitment of your client to pay you and constitutes an acknowledgment of debt. If there is a default of payment it can lead to further legal action.
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