The TradeSecurely Podcast provides information and news to help Canadian companies grow, succeed and trade securely at home and abroad. Our members are on the frontline of risk mitigation and on the TradeSecurely podcast they provide tips and insights on how to manage your business risk at home and around the world. 

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast section are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of RIAC or its members.

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From the Trenches

Trade Credit Insurance stories From the Trenches: Your Trade Credit Insurance Broker’s network is a valuable tool that can forewarn you of impending payment issues with customers. Listen to Episode 31.

Our Shows

Episode 31: From the Trenches - You Saved My Business

One customer of a seasonal business was responsible for 80% of the company’s revenue. When it filed for bankruptcy protection the seasonal business owner was owed $1.6million. In this episode “From the Trenches” CreditAssur President Michelle Davy outlines how her industry connections forewarned her of the company’s plans to file for CCAA protection. She was able to help her client file their claim and get paid out long before before other suppliers were aware of the struggling company’s intentions to file for protection.

Episode 30: From the Trenches - Know Your Customer

When a receivables insurance/trade credit insurance policy holder submitted a seven figure claim it came to light that they had requested cover on the wrong company because of confusion with the company name. This From the Trenches episode of the TradeSecurely podcast outlines just how important it is to know your customer and verify their business name on all documentation. John Middleton, Vice President, Complex Risk at HUB International outlines how small differences in business names can lead to big problems when submitting an insurance claim.

Episode 29: From the Trenches - Business Longevity: Not a Guarantee

From the Trenches is a new series for TradeSecurely where our members share trade credit insurance stories from their businesses. In this episode Coface Canada Country Manager and Chief Agent Jacqui Jooste, and Vice President, Risk Underwriting Zach Spencer, outline how a decision to limit exposure on a well-known, 100 year old distribution and logistics company protected their clients from its 2023 bankruptcy.

Episode 28: The Fraud Podcast

During challenging economic times fraud can become more prevalent. On this edition of the TradeSecurely podcast our guests have both have seen an increase in fraudulent claims in the last 2 years in their roles in the receivables insurance industry. Ana Beites is a Senior Debt Services Manager, Special Risks – Insurance & Trade Guarantees at EDC and Michelle Davy, Principal Broker and President at CreditAssur discuss corporate identity theft, credit card fraud, business email compromise and more and they outline what to look for to avoid being a victim of fraud.

Episode 27: It's Your Money. Make Sure You Get Paid

On Episode# 27 of the TradeSecurely podcast we discuss how to mitigate your risk and collect on your receivables in way that maintains the business relationship. Our guests are Tim Paulsen the CEO of the International Centre for Professional Collections and the author of several books on the “getting paid” subject and Michelle Davy, president of CreditAssur and a Broker member of the Receivables Insurance Association of Canada.

Episode 26: Your Business, Your Bank & Your Receivables Insurance Policy

When a business is looking for financing there are a number of things a bank must consider to determine their credit worthiness and having a receivables insurance policy can be very beneficial. On this episode of TradeSecurely we look at the benefits a trade credit policy can provide to both the business and the banker in the financing scenario. Aditya Sapru – Managing Director & Team Lead, Diversified Industries | BMO Corporate Finance and John Middleton, the chair of RIAC and the Vice President, Complex Risk-Trade Credit at Hub International share their thoughts.

Episode 25: What a Generalist Broker Wants to Know About Receivables Insurance

Greg Rozdeba, President of DundasLife is guest host on the TradeSecurely podcast to ask John Middleton, RIAC Chair & V.P. Complex Risk and Trade Credit at Hub Intl. questions about Receivables Insurance from a Generalist Broker’s perspective. He asks questions to find out how generalist brokers can engage with a receivables insurance broker and how to prepare business clients for a receivable insurance discussion.

Episode 24: Getting a Measure on the Economy - Fall 2021

In 2021 we have seen rising inflation, global supply chain bottlenecks and disruptions, as well as ballooning public debt. Though the world is getting back to work, COVID continues to morph into new variants offering more uncertainty. On this episode of the TradeSecurely podcast, three economists discuss all of the above as we get a measure on the economy. Our guests are Ruben Nizard, the Coface economist for the North America Region, Dan North the Senior Economist, North America for Euler Hermes and Peter Hall the Chief Economist at Export Development Canada.

Episode 23: Credit Management Perspectives

If you have ever wondered how a credit manager or an underwriter evaluates risk have a listen to this podcast. Long time credit manager Dave Lundrigan and Damian Di Perna, AVP of Risk Underwriting at Euler Hermes, share how they view risk and endeavour to find risk mitigation and insurance solutions that work for, and benefit, everyone.

Episode 22: The Navigator

Oscar Wilde said, “To expect the unexpected shows a thoroughly modern intellect.” Those in business know that the unexpected does happen and having a team of advisors and supporters to help you through the challenges is a wise idea. On the TradeSecurely podcast we help Canadian businesses succeed and grow by sharing ideas to help them trade securely at home and abroad. On this edition of the show we are looking at the value the specialist broker provides to Canadian business owners and generalist insurance brokers when guiding them through the receivables insurance process.

Episode 21: The Retail Roller Coaster

Being in retail in the 21st century is not for the faint of heart. Like a rollercoaster there is a steady stream of ups and downs and in recent years the way customers shop and the way retail operates has dramatically changed. A retail report from Deloitte had called for a modest acceleration in household expenditure, with retail sales expected to rise by roughly 5 percent in 2020. The only real challenge to that seemed to be household debt levels. Then came COVID-19 and the global shutdowns. On this episode of the TradeSecurely podcast it’s a panel discussion on the current state of the sector with a look to the coming holiday season. Janet Eastman is joined by 3 guests. Stephen Georgetti is VP, Director, Information & Grading, Euler Hermes North America and Matt Cobo is VP, Retail Industry Manager, Euler Hermes. Matt and Stephen provide insights from the trade credit insurance provider perspective. Michael Sullo is Vice President, OneSource Risk Management Canada. He is a broker of Credit Insurance and Risk Mitigation products whose clients sell their products to retailers. He provides perspective on the challenges they are facing.

Episode 20: The B2B Pay Delay - COVID-19's Impact

Every year Atradius releases a Payment Practices Barometer survey which shows the international behaviours for payment practices in countries around the world. This year’s findings, released in early July, show the impact thus far of the COVID-19 pandemic. Though it will take time to determine the full impact of the pandemic on the Canadian economy the survey’s initial findings show “Canadian GDP contracting in the first half of 2020” and a rise in “the value of B2B sales made on credit” compared to last year. However, the majority of businesses in the country are expecting sales and profits to grow. On this episode of the TradeSecurely Podcast Chris Short the Country Manager for Atradius Canada provides a breakdown of the findings and an overview of how the Canadian economy has faired since July.

Episode 19: An Economic Update - The Impact of COVID-19

April 16, 2020 – Taking in all the information related to the impact of COVID-19 is like trying to drink from a fire hose. From the impact on the global economy to what it means for Canadian business and Canadian individuals, it is a lot to take in and sift through. Janet Eastman’s guest on this episode of TradeSecurely is Dan North, Senior Economist at Euler Hermes North America. He outlines what is happening economically in the both the US and Canada, what we can expect in the coming months and he shines a light on the path forward.

Episode 18: The Evolving Economic Impact of COVID-19

March 26, 2020 – Ruben Nizard, Coface economist for the North America region provides an economic overview of the impact COVID-19 is having on Canada and the world. He discusses the current global situation, the triple shock that will impact the Canadian economy, what we can learn from China and what we can expect on the other side of COVID-19.

Episode 17: Patient, Minority Growth Capital for Canadian Companies

Funding business growth and expansion can be a challenge for Canadian entrepreneurs because accessing the necessary external capital can lead to losing control of the company. To address this challenge an evergreen fund with capital commitments of up to $1B was establish in 2018. The Canadian Business Growth Fund is backed by Canadian banks and insurance companies and its mandate is to provide long-term, patient, minority capital to mid-market businesses for growth and expansion. This month on the TradeSecurely podcast Janet Eastman talks to Karoline Elkind, the CFO of the Canadian Business Growth Fund (CBGF).

Episode 16: Exporting: How to Prepare and Finance Your Expansion Venture

$19 Trillion US was the total of world merchandise exports in 2018 and Canada played a big role ranking #13 on the list of largest merchandise exporters. If you are a Canadian business looking to take advantage of the opportunities in export markets there are a number of things to consider. John Middleton, President of Global Credit Risk Management (GCRM) outlines the things you should investigate as you prepare to get started down the exporting path, as well as ideas on how to finance your export venture.

Episode 15: Entering the Export Market with Confidence

Finding new customers in new markets can open up great business opportunities but entering new foreign markets brings in new challenges and a wealth of unknowns. On this episode of the TradeSecurely podcast credit insurance specialist Mark Hall discusses how to gain insight on the credit worthiness of potential customers in other countries. He also explains how a receivables policy can give you access to a wealth of information to help you make the right decision on who to do business with, and how a policy can be crafted to suit trading needs and budgets.

Episode 14: Cyber Extortion - A Growing Business Threat

Since 2015, Cyber extortion has become one of the most significant exposures for most organizations. Overall, according to Verizon, cyber extortion attacks increased 50% in 2016 and in 2017 for an overall doubling for those two years. In addition, ransomware attacks are becoming increasingly more targeted, hitting financial infrastructure across the globe. Businesses of all sizes and industry segments are at risk. This month on the TradeSecurely podcast Cassandra Long, Associate Broker, Cyber and Privacy at Aon discusses what cyber extortion is, what it looks like, what it can cost and how to protect your business.

Episode 13: Business Practices to Watch Out for In Uncertain Times

Michelle Davy has been a credit manager, an underwriter, and for the last 20 years the president of her own brokerage CreditAssur. She has seen, from various vantage points, the impact challenging times can have on business and she shares some business practices she has encountered throughout her career on this episode of the TradeSecurely podcast.

Episode 12: Uncertainty is the New Normal

We live in an ever changing world and over the last few months alone there have been escalating trade troubles & recession talk, the Brexit bungle, and now add to that approaching elections for both Canada and the US. Right now it seems uncertainty is the new normal. On this episode of the TradeSecurely podcast Janet Eastman is joined by Chris Short the Country Manager for Atradius Canada for his thoughts and observations on what he and his clients are seeing in the current economic climate.

Episode 11: An Economic Outlook for North America

If you have been listening to the news over the last few months you have no doubt heard rumblings of a recession and other economic challenges. On this episode of the TradeSecurely podcast we get an overview of the economy thus far in 2019 and an overview of what could be on the horizon with Dan North, Chief Economist for North America at Euler Hermes.

Episode 10: Understanding Payment Terms & How They Relate to Trade Documents

Receivables Insurance is designed to protect your business from the risk of non-payment if your buyer can’t pay due to bankruptcy, insolvency or other financial hardship. When purchasing this type of insurance it’s important to understand the various payment terms and how they relate to documents, such as invoices, so your credit insurance policy works for your business. Carolyn Nephew, National Vice President of Sales, Trade Credit & Political Risk at Cowan Insurance Group explains some of the terms and provides insights on this edition of the TradeSecurely podcast.

Episode 9: Protecting Your Company Receivables from an Economic Slowdown

There have been rumblings from various quarters that we are in for an economic slowdown in the coming months. On this episode of the TradeSecurely podcast Mark Jomaa Chief Sales Officer at Coface talks about how this is likely to impact the credit insurance market and he offers some insights on how to protect your business from this uncertainty.

Episode 8: How to Do the Math on the Value of Coverage Provided by Your Policy

The Economic Policy Institute released a report in April indicating that there is a real possibility that the U.S. economy could slip into a recession sometime in the next 18 months. As a business leader do you have your assets covered? On this episode of the Trade Securely podcast Ryan Cummings Head of Short Term Multi-Buyer Trade Credit at Zurich North America discusses how to do the math on the value of coverage provided by your policy.

Episode 7: Receivables Insurance for Business Growth

There are a number of ways Receivables Insurance can help you with your business. On this episode of the TradeSecurely podcast credit insurance specialist Cory Breed of Magnes Group shares how his clients are using receivables insurance and how it has helped them out of some tight spots. Cory provides a perspective on receivables insurance that is influenced from both his time as an agent and as a broker. Listen to the full now.

Episode 6: Managing Your Cyber Risk with Receivables Insurance

Cyber security breaches are a growing concern for business owners and statistics show a typical firm experiences 130 breaches a year. Perhaps you have your business protected from such a breach but what about your customer? If a cyber breach impacts their business, and they can’t pay your invoice, are you protected? Kent Paisley, Senior Vice President, Accounts Receivable Insurance at Allied World discusses how to protect against this risk on this edition of the TradeSecurely podcast.

Episode 5: Understanding the Receivables Insurance Policy Process

This week on the TradeSecurely podcast we walk through the receivables insurance policy process with Mark Hall, Associate Broker at Dan Lawrie Insurance. He has seen receivables insurance from both sides, as a buyer and a broker. He explains why, almost 20 years ago, he went from a credit manager to a Credit Insurance Specialist and he shares a client story that outlines how this insurance benefits Canadian businesses.

Episode 4: What the Heck is Receivables Insurance Anyway?

It’s Receivables Insurance 101 this week on the TradeSecurely podcast! Brad Hebert, Head of Trade Credit North America at AIG gives an overview of the basics of receivables insurance for the curious and uninitiated and explains that it is for more than just risk mitigation. Learn how you can cover your assets.

Episode 3: What Should Be In the Credit Manager's Toolkit

Credit managers face a number of challenges when trying to mitigate risk as they oversee the entire credit granting process. How do you ensure the credit and collection policy protects your business? It can’t be too restrictive as it must facilitate sales and growth. This week on the TradeSecurely podcast Janet’s guests are former credit manager Abraham Katan who is now the Trade Credit Practice Leader at Aon Risk Solutions and David Cooke who is a Broker at Aon Risk Solutions, Credit Solutions. Both share a wealth of knowledge from the frontlines and talk about some lessons learned 10 years after the financial crisis.

Episode 2: Developing a Generalist & Specialist Broker Partnership - How & Why

This week on the TradeSecurely podcast a look how engaging with a specialist broker for Receivables Insurance can provide ongoing support and expertise that benefits both the generalist broker and their clients.  Janet’s guest is John Middleton, President of Global Credit Risk Management.

Episode 1: The Sears Bankruptcy - Stories from the Trenches

The Sears bankruptcy loomed for 3 years and for Canadian suppliers of this giant retailer it was a period of extended uncertainty. Some were able to thrive and some, not so much. This week on our show David Dienesch, a member of RIAC and CEO at Euler Hermes Canada explains how companies navigated the last three years.