A couple of weeks ago, a fellow self-employed PR professional and I were discussing a client who owed them a great deal of money and was constantly avoiding payment.
The usual excuses of “we haven’t received your invoice”, “it’s in our system for processing” and “the cheque’s in the post” were made.
A situation that every self-employed individual has probably faced at some point or another and, rather disappointingly, will more than likely face again.
What these ‘payment avoiders’ don’t realise, or most likely don’t care about, is the impact of their late payment on the small business’ cash-flow and how this single act can financially capsize an otherwise successful operation.
Chatting about the inevitable consequences of being unable to settle outstanding bills as a result of this late payment conjured up vivid images of creditors closing in for the kill, ready and willing to claim their next scalp.
Looking at the more light-hearted side of the situation, The New Christy Minstrels sum it all up perfectly with “Them Cherokees are after me” from their 1962 humourous hit Three Wheels On My Wagon.
I’ll let them take up the story….
Allison 'Cat' Thomas 
Anything to comment?