Risky customers: How to spot the red flags before they impact your business
What happens if a trusted customer starts to become sluggish with payments? Or the financial health of a client you signed six months ago has gone pear-shaped without notice? Could you be exposed to credit risk without even realising?
That old adage ‘you don’t know what you don’t know’ rings true. No matter how chummy you are with your customers, there are financial blind spots many businesses miss that can become huge risks – and they don’t always present in overdue invoices.
That’s why we’re here to help you recognise the early warning signs before things go south.
Join SmartCompany on THURSDAY AUGUST 6, from 11am (AEST) for our latest FREE webinar, in partnership with CreditorWatch: Risky customers: How to spot the red flags before they impact your business
This virtual session is relevant for businesses across all sectors.
When: Thursday, 06/08/2026 · 11:00 am AEST
Agenda:
- Identifying the hidden risks in customer-supplier relationships
- How to recognise the red flags of financial stress – before your customer stops paying
- Proactive ways to monitor customer financial health
- Strategies to protect your business from bad debt
- And anything else you want to ask! Bring your questions for our expert panel.
Panelists
David Adams
Senior business journalist
SmartCompany
Focused on the small business sector, David’s work covers the political, regulatory, and economic issues facing Australian entrepreneurs. Prior to joining SmartCompany, he was a reporter for Business Insider Australia. You can follow him on LinkedIn.
Lynda McAlary-Smith
Ombudsman
ASBFEO
As an independent statutory appointment, Lynda is a strong advocate for small businesses and family enterprises across Australia. With an extensive background as a regulator, Lynda has worked across multiple jurisdictions, including the Commonwealth and Victoria, focusing on workplace relations, building and construction, and broader business regulation. Lynda previously served as Victorian Small Business Commissioner and held senior executive roles at the Victorian Building Authority and the Fair Work Ombudsman.
Joanna Ross
Product marketing lead
CreditorWatch
Joanna is product marketing lead at CreditorWatch, where she drives go‑to‑market strategy for AI‑powered credit risk, fraud and business intelligence solutions. She specialises in translating complex data and predictive analytics into clear, actionable insights for Australian businesses, lenders and suppliers. She is a strong advocate for using AI and data to help organisations trade more confidently and make smarter risk decisions.
Corbin Talbot
Director
Trade Sync
Corbin Talbot is co-director of Trade Sync Group, one of Australia’s fastest growing distributors to the builder and developer market. He has more than 10 years’ experience in the building supply sector, specialising in commercial projects. He heads up Trade Sync’s operations, with a focus on speed, service and building better ways to supply the construction industry.
