Supplier Pet Peeves

MSAE's Allied Networking Group met to discuss supplier pet peeves.  Here are the top takeaways:

• Never assume. Get clarification and ask questions. Its important to meet your client/customer needs and protect your organization.  
• Times are changing. The economy is getting better and it's no longer a planner's market.   
• If you give once, you may need to keep on giving. When the economy wasn't doing well, suppliers were giving a lot of concessions to get business. Now that the economy is getting better, suppliers can't offer the same discounts. There is no such thing as a free lunch and if suppliers give in one area, another area has to go up.

Customer/client relationships are key to success and need to be mutually beneficial. As a supplier, it's always good to under promise and over deliver.

Cash vs. Accrual Accounting for Associations

The MSAE Financial Networking Group met on May 11th and discussed the pros/cons of cash and accrual accounting systems, as well as tips to make the process easier. Here a few of the takeaways from the meeting:

1. The definition of Cash & Accrual Accounting:

• Cash Accounting: An accounting system that recognizes income when it is actually received as cash and expenses when they are actually paid rather than when they are earned or incurred. Pros/Cons: Generally easier, less time consuming, harder to know where you are throughout the year.
  

• Accrual Accounting: An accounting system that recognizes income when it is earned and expenses when they are incurred, rather than when they are received or paid. Pros/Cons - Allows you to get a clear picture of where you are throughout the year, more time consuming than cash.
  

2. W-9's - Ask for W-9's from speakers before the check gets cut (if over $599), add to the speaker confirmation.

3. Dues/Renewals - If you have members who are continually paying dues late (more than 90 days), charge a processing (or rejoiners) fee to rejoin. Other ideas include: keeping the original start date (so they don't get three months free), give them a new start date (don't get to keep their original start date and longevity) or if late, they don't get included in the directory.

4. Don't record dues as AR, it depends on the situation.

Customer Service Alive and Well

Customer service is alive and well, at least at Home Depot. I can say that because this morning I had to stop there to exchange something. The people I dealt with were: friendly, helpful, conversational, interested, focused, accommodating. It was hassle-free. And to top it off - they were open when I needed them - 7:00 am. If only other stores knew that some of us working folks like to get things done early. Anyway. I felt good when I left the store. Think about your association. How do your members feel after an event, an interaction or a conversation? Is customer service alive and well in your organization?