Yearly Archives: 2012

A contact strategy from the holidays…

Now is the end of the year and the time when many of us send good wishes to our family, friends, and colleagues.  It is after all a good time to get in contact with folks and also send across … Continue reading

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Marketing, Analytics and Big Data

This week I was able to spend some time at an American Marketing Association roundtable, on the future of data analytics.  Lots of good people there and it was a valuable insight into data analytics applied to different business function. … Continue reading

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Collections is truly customer friendly

This week I have had some great conversations on the nature of collections and its link to a positive customer experience. In a company the collections process frequently has negative perceptions associated with it.  However at its core the process … Continue reading

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Skyscrapers, Condos and market stress

I have been reading quite a bit recently about indirect economic indicators for growth, boom and bust within the economy. Some interesting examples; Hairdressers, coffee shops, art galleries (in order) – On a local level, this can be an indicator … Continue reading

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Secured loans – Insurance and Fraud

This week I have been discussing secured lending, always considered somewhat different to world of unsecured loans (credit cards and utilities). Typically losses associated with secured loans are lower (in proportion to the assets). After-all there are always the actual … Continue reading

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Corporate Sustainability

This week was the week of the corporate sustainability conference in Toronto. Hosted by Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, the focus was on the financial aspects of sustainability and making the business case for investment.  An interesting and thought provoking … Continue reading

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Canadian Indebtedness

The latest presentation at the CAGT was on the topic of Canadian Indebtedness.  This of course in the week that the debt to income ratio exceeded 160%.  Certainly of concern. When wrapped up with potentials for oil shocks, the fiscal … Continue reading

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Global Economic Forecast

Able to attend a presentation on the outlook of the global economy via CGMA/AICPA/CIMA. Interesting that optimism over the global economy seems to have dropped over the last couple of quarters.  Really seen as a crisis of confidence rather than … Continue reading

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The end of your bank branch… as we know it?

Reading a couple of thought provoking articles in the Economist around retail banking. The retail branch network has always been seen as a significant cost (I remember the consolidation and branch reductions in the UK during the ’80s).  However there … Continue reading

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The Ying and Yang of Receivables Management

I have been having a couple of good conversations with leaders of Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable departments. There are many similarities between the two. Essentially the departments are two sides of the same coin. Lots of synergies in thinking … Continue reading

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Successful group conversations in LinkedIn

I have been following some of the discussions on LinkedIn groups recently. There is a lot of chatter and self promotion, however some discussions do really seem to capture the imagination of the audience. One of the best I have … Continue reading

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Economic consensus building?

Out at a collection industry event recently. Interesting discussion and re the potential for a new downturn. Superficially the economy appears robust in many areas (….where is the recession) however the consensus is that the consumer is stretched in some … Continue reading

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Impact of social media on business processes

I attended another interesting presentation on social media. Using LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. Of them all LinkedIn is the easiest to understand. It is essentially replacing your Rolodex (what is this btw…!), business cards, (and paper resumes). It is a … Continue reading

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Risk Operations Strategy discussion on LinkedIn

I have now created a new LinkedIn group specifically for Risk Operations Strategy. There are a few other good and active groups out there (of which Canadian Credit and Collections is one I seem to repeatedly visit), however most deal … Continue reading

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The Risk Operations Strategy Group

The last couple of weeks I have been working on formalising some of the thinking and work around Risk Operations Strategy (previously the Chris Warburton group). This has lead to the formation of a group of like minded experts in … Continue reading

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EUCI conference

Was able to present at the EUCI Credit and Collections conference this year. Some interesting speakers and good discussion, especially around the use of modelling within a structured, regulated, public utility infrastructure. What was interesting was, although there are differences … Continue reading

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Standardised Risk Operations Strategy

More interesting discussions this week around a standardized approach for Risk Operations Strategy. This really is a opportunity and clearly applicable across multiple industries and business segments.  Each are at varying stages of evolution and there is potential for a … Continue reading

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How much segmentation is too much segmentation?

In the world of risk management and modelling much revolves around the segmentation of data. New customer segments, new attributes for segmentation, segment performance and reporting. Indeed, much of the new development – ‘the edge’ – is also around this … Continue reading

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Economic Outlook

This week I was fortunate to be at the Credit Grantors Association 2012 kick off dinner. Unfortunately Benjamin Tal could not speak (he is great to listen to), however we had a good replacement with Peter Buchanan. Generally the graphs … Continue reading

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The next ‘big thing’ in modelling

I was lucky enough this week to be able to attend the CSRSA general meeting. The topic was  “Conceptual frameworks for a future analytic game changer?” by Larry Rosenberger, former CEO of FICO. His view was that as we move … Continue reading

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Questions in the workplace

Just had a interesting discussion regarding questions in the workplace. Questioning organisations (measured by a high ratio of questions to statements – 5:1) are healthier and higher performing that non questioning organisations (low ratio eg 1:1). However just asking more … Continue reading

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