Unrest need not inhibit
The world is more unsettled than ever. Geopolitical tensions, trade uncertainty, unstable markets and the rise of AI, they are rapidly changing the playing field for entrepreneurs. As neighbours in the same office building, Lingedael Corporate Finance and Xolv see daily how this affects entrepreneurs. We can each help them in our own way. Rob Olfers, partner Lingedael Corporate Finance: “With good insight and a clear strategy, you can better determine whether this is the time to sell or rather to make strategic adjustments and build value.”
Do you function as a banker for your customers?
Often the focus of entrepreneurs is on sales and margin. These are, of course, engines of growth. But often the fuel, liquidity, is still overlooked. In the current economic climate, we see a worrying trend: payment delays are increasing, and this has an impact on business continuity. So your accounts receivable management, and specifically Days Sales Outstanding (DSO), is no longer just an administrative KPI, but a strategic tool for survival and growth.
Credit and political risk in a divided world
In an increasingly divided global economy, credit and political risks have become very important for companies, banks and investors. Tensions between countries, changes in supply chains, sanctions, new regulations and problems in governments do not occur occasionally, but are now a regular part of reality. In this context, it is essential for organisations to find ways to deal with uncertainty without abandoning their international ambitions. Xolv asked Edward Nicholson, Managing Partner Credit and Political Risk at our sister company SRG, how to protect your business and continue to make strategic choices.
How to manage your credit insurance smartly? Find out in our webinar
Managing credit insurance no longer needs to be a time-consuming and error-prone puzzle. Yet many organisations struggle with the overview on a daily basis. Once you are working with more than a hundred insured debtors and limits that are constantly changing, things quickly become complex. Do you recognise that feeling of always being just behind the times?
Geopolitical turmoil translates to the workplace at lightning speed
Tensions in the Middle East have long since ceased to be a distant reality. For Dutch companies, the consequences are becoming increasingly concrete and especially tangible in the short term. In a global economy where volatility has become the norm, economic shocks follow each other in quicker succession and impact directly on financing, costs and risks. For CFOs, it is now all about looking ahead and daring to calculate different scenarios.
The power of laughter
The hospital room is quiet. A little boy sits on his iPad, his father beside him. Everything feels heavy. Then two CliniClowns enter. They don't make direct contact yet, but create play with each other. Cautiously, probing. They see what is possible in the room. Slowly, space is created. The little boy doesn't have to do anything. The clowns involve his father in their play, and what starts small grows into something bigger. The father puts on a red clown nose and gets carried away. The little boy looks up, starts laughing, louder and louder. What started as a quiet, tense room turns into a place full of lightness and energy.
Each roof tile is checked manually
Luijtgaarden has been a trusted name in roof tiles since 1913. What once began as a specialist family business has grown into a modern player that combines craftsmanship with a clear mission: a world without waste and scrap. Peter van Loon is interim finance director at Luijtgaarden: “All used roof tiles are checked one by one.”
Fickle interest, critical eye
Geopolitical tensions, faltering supply chains and economic unpredictability dominate the news. This global turmoil directly affects your wallet, especially via rising or sharply fluctuating short-term interest rates. While you focus on your core business, the current interest rate market can imperceptibly take a big bite out of your profit margin. Consequently, many business owners wonder whether they should lock in their variable interest rates now or ride out the storm. The surprising answer is that it is not about that one rate; the real problem, as well as the solution, lies deeper.
Smarter, smarter, smartest
In an increasingly dynamic business environment, where economic fluctuations, disruptions in supply chains and sectoral uncertainties constantly alternate, up-to-date and reliable business information is more important than ever. Access to this information helps organisations better assess the financial health of their relationships, anticipate rather than react to risks, and make decisions faster and more informed. In this way, strategic choices can be made in a well-considered way and the company gets a better grip on the future.
Follow or consequences?
Is filing your annual accounts an annual obligation that gets pushed forward rather quickly? We understand that like no other. You may think: ‘as long as I'm within the legal deadline, there's nothing to worry about.’ This is true and, at the same time, not entirely true. Publishing financial statements on time is really not just about following the rules, but also the implications for funding, risk management and reputation. The rules vary depending on your company's legal form, but in all cases, financial statements must be filed within 12 months of the end of the financial year.