Economic look back and forward
Economically, last year was marked by cautious recovery and stabilisation. After the turbulent period of high inflation, rapidly rising interest rates and geopolitical tensions in previous years, the global economy slowly began to find more balance. By 2025, inflation continued to decline in many developed economies. Central banks were therefore able to ease their tight monetary policy. Although interest rate cuts were made cautiously and in stages, this provided relief to households and businesses. Purchasing power recovered slightly, although price levels remained structurally higher than before 2020.
Avoid unnecessary prepayments
Imagine: a loyal supplier at home or abroad informs you that, according to his credit insurer or credit information report, your company has insufficient or even no coverage left. Even though you always pay neatly and on time. For the supplier, this means extra risk. For you, it often means only one thing: paying in advance. And that directly affects your working capital, your liquidity and the freedom of movement you so desperately need as an entrepreneur.
Start 2026 financially fit: from good intentions to concrete cash flow
For many entrepreneurs, January feels like a clean slate. We make plans for growth, new markets or product innovations. But at Xolv, we also see the same pattern every year: the commercial plans are there, but the financial foundations, and specifically the liquidity planning, often only follow when the need arises. A good start is half the battle, especially in financial terms. Don't want to be held back by a lack of working capital this year? Then these are the four pillars you need to start working on now.
A deal is a deal! Or is it?
We dare to say of ourselves that we are a modern organisation. In a beautiful classical office building, of course. As in all other companies, different generations walk around on our shop floor. From young up-and-coming talent to seasoned experienced professionals. And sometimes we work in different ways. Does that sometimes cause friction? Yes, but you know: without friction there is no shine. On the other hand, we learn just as much from each other. And that makes the mix powerful.
Robust relationships
Rien van Dijk runs the family business Best Sellers BV with his brother Louis van Dijk. Their father, with years of experience in sourcing from Asia, founded the company in 1990 and the brothers immediately joined the adventure. “We supply large volumes of decoration items to leading retailers across Europe,” Rien says. “We source our products mainly from Asia. Our father already had almost 20 years of experience in this when he started Best Sellers. That solid foundation has helped us build lasting relationships with customers and suppliers around the world.”
Please refrain from surprises
A well-designed credit insurance policy is a powerful tool. It starts at the beginning: overview. Without a clear view of the portfolio, it is difficult to achieve coverage that truly suits current business operations. That is why at Xolv we work with our risk reporting, a management information tool that shows at a glance how the credit-insured portfolio is performing.
Adding value everywhere
When you say Twence, you say innovative waste processor that recycles as many valuable raw materials as possible from waste and biomass. Twence also produces sustainable energy in the form of heat, electricity and green gas. Not convinced yet? Then these examples might be more appealing. The development of a regional heat network that offers a sustainable alternative to natural gas for 100,000 homes. A well-known brewery uses sustainable energy in the form of hot water. And a solar park generates energy for thousands of households. CO2 is captured and stored or reused in sustainable carbon cycles. Bottom ash is processed into cycle paths, reducing the need for new raw materials. And valuable raw materials and energy are extracted from manure and organic waste, which can be reused. In short, Twence is constantly working to make society more sustainable. Xolv is delighted to be working with this innovative company!
Budget 2026: Do not forget the funding!
December is traditionally the month in which entrepreneurs and financial teams finalise the figures for the coming year. The focus is almost automatically on the familiar pillars: turnover, margin, costs and the resulting profit forecast. However, what too often remains under the radar is the financing structure. Does the current mix of loans, credit and equity still fit in with the ambitious plans you have set for 2026?
December checklist: 7 tips for taking out the best credit insurance this year
December is a busy month, but now is precisely the time to take another close look at your credit insurance. The checklist below will help you avoid unnecessary costs, keep risks under control and start the new year with a healthy balance sheet and a policy that really suits your business operations.
Protect your business against rising global insolvencies
The global economy is on the verge of a fifth consecutive year of rising business insolvencies. According to the latest Allianz Trade Insolvency Report, the number of insolvencies will rise by 6 per cent in 2025, followed by a further 5 per cent in 2026. This puts the number of insolvencies a whopping 24 per cent above the pre-pandemic average, a historic high that challenges businesses worldwide.