Amy was close to tears. Gadgets2Go was the first client she had ever handled and she wanted so much to make it work. But they still wouldn’t pay their bills. On top of it all, whenever she called, the accountant would treat her with cold distaste. It was almost as if Here_And_Now was the one owing them money. She went to Olga to pour her heart out.
Olga scowled. "Don't be ridiculous. This kind of thing happens in business. It is nothing against you personally."
"But it is still frustrating. I mean, I try to be nice and helpful, but the accountant shouts a lot and slams the phone on me. My hand shakes each time I dial her number."
"Look, she is only doing what she is doing because she gets away with it. Maybe she figures that she can extend the company's credit by intimidating a few junior staff. You will just have to give her an ultimatum. Then if the company really can't pay their bills, the issue will have to be settled further up."
"But we are behind in our sales target," said Amy in a shaky voice.
"They need the call centre. Their business is growing faster than they can handle. Anyway what's the point of paying more than what you earn from a client? We have to pay the phone and e-mail handlers too, not to mention our utility and lease rentals, remember."
Amy broke into tears. After assessing that she was in no condition to do anything intelligent for the rest of the day, Olga called the accounts department and asked them if a partial payment was acceptable. Then she typed out a letter on Amy's behalf.
Ref: Gadgets/311007-01
Date: 31 October 2007
From: Dr. Soon Le Mah
Vice President of Sales and Supply Chain Management
Direct Line: +60-xxx-xxx (Direct)
Direct Fax: +60-xxx-xxx (Direct)
Email: Soon@here.com
To: Ms. Susie Spins
President of Procurement
Gadgets2Go Pte. Ltd., Kuching
Tel: +60-xxx-xxx
Fax: +60-xxx-xxx
Dear Ms. Spins
Re: Warning for Discontinuation of Service
We thank you for using our service, but as your account with us has now exceeded $6,000 beyond the 30-day credit term, we would like to receive some payment before we continue our service for the following month.
We would be grateful if you could send a cheque for part payment of $3,000 as a show of good faith.
Yours truly,
.............................
Dr. Soon Le Mah
Amy rubbed her face dry and blow her nose into a soggy handkerchief. Then she took the letter into Dr. Soon's empty office and placed it on top of his desk, where he would see it the moment he walks in. He returned an hour later, and handed out the signed copy to her with a heavy sigh.