Putting together the right credit team is not an easy task. You need to make sure everyone has the right experience for the job. You need to make sure they know how to work any software you expect them to use. They should have a good amount of industry knowledge and understand the ins and outs of how credit terms work. One of the most important parts though is how each member of your team rates on more soft skills. How organized are they? Are they willing to be part of a team or do they need to get all the credit? Do they communicate well with others or do they like to work independently?
Why do soft skills matter?
While some soft skills matter more than others when it comes to actually being a good credit professional, they are vital to any good credit team. Someone could have all the experience in the world, but if they fail to communicate well with the rest of the team they will eventually cause issues. Another person could have deep knowledge of the industry, but if they want to take credit for everything, they will end up hurting the development of others. None of these skills makes or breaks a candidate, but striking the right balance is key to the success of any credit department.
Which skills are the most important?
There really is no easy answer to this. The right answer will be determined by your team, company, and industry. Every company has its own culture that will dictate which skills are most important. Every team has its own makeup that will determine the type of person who will fit best. The best thing you can do is to take an honest look at your company as a whole and your team and decide which skills you value most and also which ones you may be lacking.
At the end of the day, anyone can find a way to succeed in any situation no matter the soft skills they may or may not possess. Finding a person with the right soft skills though will make everyone’s time a lot easier and most likely lead to a more successful team as a whole.