No matter the size of the business/company you run (whether an SME, a startup, or a multinational company), keeping your cash flow running is one of the most critical things you can do.

Unfortunately, sometimes that’s easier said than done!

Statistics show that 80% of MSME businesses in Africa fail within their first five years of operation due to cash flow issues. So, how can you save time and avoid late fees to keep your business running smoothly?  The answer is recurring payments.

Avoid Late Payments With Recurring Payments

Late payments from customers can create cash flow issues and negatively impact your business operations. By implementing recurring payment options for customers, your business can proactively address this challenge and ensure timely and consistent revenue streams.

The benefits are enormous.

Recurring payments enable you to automate billing processes and collect payments on a predetermined schedule, minimising the risk of late or missed payments. It also provides a predictable cash flow.

How Recurring Payments Prevent Costly Delays

Creating invoices and processing payments manually is an inefficient way to run your business. Apart from consuming most of your time, there’s also the risk of costly errors which can negatively affect your business and customer relationships.

As such, utilising an automated process which efficiently saves time, reduces the risk of human errors and increases the efficiency of your payment process should be your obvious preference.

Enhancing Customer Relationships

A crucial benefit of recurring payments is that it also helps to strengthen customer relationships and loyalty. This payment method reduces friction points and reduces the payment burden on customers, so payment is streamlined and seamless. By offering a convenient and flexible payment option, such as recurring payments, you enhance your customer’s overall payment experience and reaffirm your commitment to their satisfaction and convenience. This ultimately helps to foster goodwill, loyalty, and trust with your customers.

Tips for Maximising the Benefits of Recurring Payments

To optimise the impact of recurring payments, here are a few strategies that you should implement.

• Offer tiered pricing

A tiered pricing strategy means you’re providing your customers with different product packages with specific benefits at different price points. This is an effective way to cater to the preferences and budgets of your different customers. This allows them to choose a pricing tier within their budget and a payment plan that’s convenient for them. You can also leverage customer data and analytics to personalise payment options and tailor offerings to individual preferences.

• Introduce proactive management

Taking proactive measures, such as updating customers about the expiry date on their credit card and other potential issues will effectively help avoid errors that can lead to late payment and disturb your cash flow. Proactive actions take away potential issues before they pop up, ensuring that the payment process remains unhindered. Also, ensuring your customer support is proactive in dealing with concerns or questions that customers may have helps to further improve the customer’s trust and confidence.

• Streamline the payment process

Streamline your payment process and make it seamless for customers. Ensure there are minimal steps in the checkout process and that the experience is as seamless as possible.

Conclusion

Forecast revenue and plan your expenditures easily by establishing regular payment cycles with SeerBit’s recurring payments solution.

The best part?

You significantly enhance your financial stability and business resilience.

Pan-Atlantic University is proud to announce its partnership with CESEL and the University of Lincoln, UK, on a groundbreaking project funded by a £219,000 Innovate UK grant.

This collaborative effort aims to develop and implement advanced biodigesters at a large-scale poultry farm in Aikun, Osun State, Nigeria.

By converting poultry waste into renewable biogas, this project will address Nigeria’s energy challenges while promoting environmental sustainability.

The innovative biodigesters will replace traditional, unsystematic models, significantly improving efficiency, safety, and the overall impact of biogas production.

Dr. Patrick Tolani, CEO of CESEL, highlighted the project’s potential, stating, “This grant provides a unique opportunity to showcase a pathway toward environmental sustainability in Nigeria’s agricultural and renewable energy sectors.

“With Nigeria’s potential to generate 25,000 megawatts of electricity from biogas, as per the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), this project can contribute significantly to addressing the nation’s energy deficit and fostering economic growth.”

Dr. Norbert Edomah, Associate Professor (Reader) in Energy Systems & Policy at School of Science and Technology, Pan-Atlantic University, highlighted the project’s potential to empower local communities, promote sustainable energy practices, and address energy challenges in rural areas.

“Thanks to the support from Innovate UK, this knowledge transfer partnership aims at developing local competencies and innovative solutions that addresses local energy needs through production of biogas from agricultural and animal waste for diverse use in the farms, including electricity generation”

Pan-Atlantic University will serve as the initial site for prototyping the biodigester, with plans to scale up the technology at the Osun State farm. Real-time monitoring sensors will be integrated to optimize performance and set new standards for energy innovation in Nigeria.

This partnership between Pan-Atlantic University, CESEL, and the University of Lincoln demonstrates a commitment to sustainable development and technological advancement. By driving innovation in renewable energy, this project will contribute to a greener and more prosperous future for Nigeria.

National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has expressed disappointment over the recent invasion of Urban Radio 94.5 FM in Enugu by the officials of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).

NBC in a statement signed by Susan Obi, director, Public Affairs, said the action is regrettable, considering the impact of the broadcast media on the Society.

The Commission said that the invasion of the radio station by the EFCC is viewed as a violation of the professional ethics of Broadcasting especially on a live Broadcast.

The statement reads: “The National Broadcasting Commission received with dismay the invasion of Urban Radio 94.5 FM, Enugu, on Monday, October 14, 2024, by the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) during a live Radio show, titled, PRIME TIME.

“The incursion, which was purportedly to arrest the programme’s presenter, Favour Ekoh, is viewed as a violation of the professional ethics of Broadcasting especially on a live Broadcast.

The approach for which the arrest was carried out is improper.

“This action is regrettable, considering the impact of the broadcast media on the Society.

While the NBC appreciates the efforts of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, in sanitising the country of financial crimes, NBC differs with the manner of approach deployed by the anti-graft agency which could have led to public disorder, disturbance, aggravated mass panic, and hysteria.

“The NBC, hereby, expresses heartfelt apologies to the listening public, the people of Enugu State, and the entire Broadcast Industry for the incident. NBC implores the general public, at this point, to be law-abiding, while the law takes its course.

“Media professionals are, also, enjoined to continue upholding ethical standards, while discharging their responsibility”.