The house that had once felt so spacious now seemed small. The yards that separated us from the neighbors had shrunk. The place hadn’t just changed over time; I had changed too. And I could see everything more clearly—with a deeper understanding of what I hadn’t noticed as a child.

That experience has stayed with me, and lately, I’ve been thinking about how the same idea applies to the work we do at NACM. Even when something is familiar—like our mission or the way we serve members—it’s important to pause, take a fresh look, and ask: what’s changed? What matters most now? What deserves a closer focus?

These questions guided the development of NACM’s new strategic plan, approved by the NACM Business Credit Services Board of Directors in May. At its heart is something simple but powerful: a renewed commitment to being truly member-centric.

That doesn’t mean we weren’t focused on members before. On the contrary—our members have always been the heart of NACM. But just like revisiting a place you thought you knew, we believe that stepping back to look at our work from a fresh perspective will reveal opportunities to serve current and future members better in today’s fast-changing world.

This renewed focus means we’re working to listen more intentionally, align our services more directly with your needs, and create programming that supports your success—not just as credit professionals, but as strategic contributors to your organizations. In the coming months I’ll share more specifics about the ways we’re looking to do this.

We want your NACM membership to be a powerful tool in your toolkit. You are essential to the financial health and long-term sustainability of the companies you serve. And your work—often behind the scenes—is a critical driver of responsible business growth. We want to support you as you raise the bar for your profession and for the industries we serve.

As part of this commitment, I hope you’ll take advantage of our upcoming Fall Forums—coming soon to Washington, Alaska, and Hawaii. These one-day events are designed with members in mind: focused, local, and full of relevant education and peer connection. They’re a chance to refresh your skills, share experiences with fellow professionals, and walk away energized. Registration is open now—we’d love to see you there.



(Those of you in Washington may notice that in addition to the Western Washington Fall Forum on November 5 at Seattle's Museum of Flight, we are offering registration for the conference that our friends at NACM Commercial are hosting in October in Spokane. This is an effort to give you more opportunities for learning and to accommodate more schedules.)

Thank you for being part of NACM. I’m excited for the journey ahead, and I’m so glad we’re on it together. If you would like to share your experience or thoughts with me, I would love to hear from you. Please email me at lauram@nacmbcs.org.

Education

Leadership & Staff Development Webinar

Wednesday, 8/13/2025 from 12:00PM-1:00PM PT

Members – FREE / Non Members – $25

Looking to enhance your leadership skills and develop your team? Our upcoming webinar is the perfect opportunity! Learn from an expert in leadership and staff development, Tracey Bullock, as she shares practical strategies and insights to help you inspire your team, increase productivity, and foster a culture of growth.

Reflection on July webinar: Did you know?

In July, we welcomed our partners from United TranzActions for a webinar on payment processing. If you are surcharging customers for credit card usage, here are a few things you should know.

• If a merchant does not remain in compliance with the Card Networks’ Surcharging Rules, the merchant may be subject to monthly fines from $5,000 (Visa) to $25,000 (MasterCard).

• As of 2025, Visa and MC have started sending out secret shoppers looking for surcharge violations and are imposing immediate $1,000 fines upon discovering violations. Fines can increase depending on circumstances.

• If a merchant does not have the technology to remain in compliance with the Card networks’ Surcharging Rules, the merchant may be subject to monthly fines from $5,000 (Visa) to $25,000 (MasterCard).

Bottomline: There are important rules and laws to follow if you are surcharging, and you need to be careful to follow them. UTA has the technology to help you and NACM advises you to take advantage of their services. If you have further questions, please contact us at 206-728-6333 or contact your UTA representative.

Start planning now for in-person Fall education programs. We will be presenting excellent professional education and urge you to take advantage of it.

Save these dates and click on the links below to register:

Alaska Forum - September 25th, Anchorage

Credit in the West, October 8-10, Spokane

Island Insights - October 17th, Honolulu

Western Washington Credit Forum - November 5th,

Museum of Flight, Seattle

More information will be coming soon.

Do you need scholarship help?

From data breaches to deceptive emails, invoices, or service offers, criminals love to target businesses. Companies too small to have their own IT or cybersecurity staff face particular risks.

Two recent reports show increasing attempts to scam and defraud businesses. According to a 2025 Better Business Bureau (BBB) study, “scammers target businesses, using stolen data, impostor schemes, and fake services to steal billions each year.”

Click here for helpful information from the BBB.

This month our good friend and colleague, Thea Dudley, discusses Credit Managers Need to Reclaim Their Time. She is joined by our CEO Jon Flora to talk about time management, using your time to improve your professional skills, and advocating for yourself. Click on the image above to view LBM Talks Credit.

Be prepared: High temperatures and wildfire smoke may trigger protections for workers

The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) is reminding employers and workers of the rules to protect workers and what weather conditions trigger extra precautions.

The state heat rules include protections for outdoor workers that kick in at 80 degrees Fahrenheit, with additional requirements in the kind of high heat that much of the state is currently experiencing.

At or above 80 degrees, employers must:

• Encourage and allow workers to take paid preventative cool-down rest periods as needed;
• Provide enough shade or other way of cooling down—like an air-conditioned building or running vehicle—for all employees on a meal or rest break to use;
• Provide enough cool drinking water for each employee to drink a quart per hour; and
• Closely observe new employees, employees returning from absences, and — during heat waves — all employees.

At or above 90 degrees, employers must provide a 10-minute paid cool down rest period every two hours. When the temperature reaches 100 degrees or higher, which it is in many parts of the state, the requirement for breaks becomes 15-minutes of paid cool down rest every hour.

State rules require employers to prepare in advance to protect workers from wildfire smoke by putting together a response plan. They must plan for how they’ll communicate with workers, train employees to report smoke, and coordinate medical treatment for employees who say they’re experiencing symptoms like shortness of breath, nausea, chest pain and dizziness. They also must inform their employees of their right to medical care without retribution.

Two years ago this month, the Hawaiian town of Lahaina on the island of Maui was burned to the ground by a massive wildfire. Since then, residents and business owners have worked hard to rebuild and re-assemble their personal and professional lives. NACM member companies are part of supplying the island with needed construction supplies. Here are some updates on their progress.

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