Interview with our franchisee in Türkiye

You have been active as a Straetus partner in Türkiye for some time now. What initially attracted you most to working with Straetus? What particularly appealed to us at the beginning of our partnership was the combination of international reach and a strong commitment to local involvement. Straetus has an extensive network across multiple countries, while ensuring that every case receives personal attention. This approach aligns perfectly with our own philosophy in Türkiye. We do not believe in simply managing outstanding debts from a distance. Instead, we believe in establishing direct and constructive communication with debtors to achieve sustainable solutions.

How have you seen Straetus and the debt management market in Türkiye develop over the past few years? In the past, debt collection was generally initiated at a very late stage, often when the commercial relationship had already been seriously damaged. In some cases, businesses simply wrote off outstanding debts because they believed recovery was no longer possible. However, the market has undergone a significant transformation in recent years. Companies actively engaged in trade increasingly recognize structured accounts receivable management as an essential part of their daily business operations. As a result, confidence in professional debt collection services and their effectiveness has grown considerably. As an organization, we have developed and expanded alongside these market changes. What are the biggest challenges Turkish entrepreneurs currently face regarding overdue payments and cash flow management? In addition to practical barriers such as language differences and varying business cultures, we often see that companies delay taking action on overdue payments for too long. Business owners are frequently reluctant to pursue outstanding debts because they fear damaging their commercial relationships with customers. Furthermore, structured and transparent communication with debtors is sometimes lacking. This is precisely where we add value. We bridge cultural and operational differences by engaging in professional, constructive dialogue that focuses on resolving payment issues while preserving valuable business relationships.

In your opinion, what distinguishes the Turkish market from other markets in which Straetus operates? In Türkiye, personal contact — whether by telephone or face-to-face — plays a central role. A written payment reminder or a debt collection process handled entirely through paperwork often lacks the necessary impact and fails to establish sufficient trust in this market. Building a personal relationship based on mutual trust is therefore the crucial first step toward reaching a solution. Once this foundation has been established, we combine our local approach with accurate and professional execution. We ensure clear reporting and document every step of the process in writing, in line with international expectations. This enables us to achieve the ideal balance between local business practices and international professional standards.

What developments do you expect in credit management and debt collection over the coming years, and how are you preparing for them as a partner? We expect credit management and debt collection to become increasingly digitalized in the coming years, with speed and efficiency throughout the process becoming decisive factors. To stay ahead of these developments, we are investing in flexible systems that can quickly adapt to new technological innovations. At the same time, professionalism and quality remain at the heart of everything we do. By combining advanced technology with high-quality service standards, we strengthen communication and connections between all parties involved — from clients and debtors to international partners. This allows us to make the entire process not only faster, but also more effective and reliable, while maintaining the highest quality standards.

What makes being part of the international Straetus network valuable to you? The greatest advantage of the international Straetus network is direct access to specialized knowledge and local expertise across multiple countries. Within the network, there is a continuous exchange of knowledge, experiences and best practices. Because we have an in-depth understanding of Turkish laws and regulations, we can effectively translate international insights into practical solutions that work within the local market. This synergy strengthens our position and enables us to handle complex cross-border debt collection cases efficiently, proactively and professionally.

Can you share a success story or a memorable experience that demonstrates the impact effective debt management can have on businesses? As lawyers specializing in Turkish law, we recently concluded a case involving a prolonged payment dispute between a Dutch company and a Turkish supplier. Previous attempts by the Dutch business owner to recover the outstanding debt had been unsuccessful, mainly due to differing commercial and cultural expectations. Following a thorough analysis, we identified that the main obstacle was a breakdown of mutual trust. Through a structured legal mediation process, we focused on rebuilding that trust. Drawing on our expertise in Turkish law, our language skills and our understanding of both business cultures, we were able to align the expectations and interests of both parties. Ultimately, we achieved a legally secured financial settlement that was acceptable to both parties, while successfully preserving their valuable commercial relationship.

What qualities do you consider essential for entrepreneurs who want to manage credit risks and outstanding invoices successfully? Successful credit management depends on a proactive and structured approach. First and foremost, effective information management is essential. Business owners must have access to complete and accurate information at every stage of the process. Clear contractual agreements are equally important. Carefully drafted and thoroughly reviewed contracts help prevent misunderstandings and disputes later on. Transparent communication and preventive measures also play a significant role. Professional entrepreneurs take action before potential risks develop into serious problems. However, if overdue payments begin to pose a significant threat to cash flow, decisive action is required. Businesses must respond quickly and firmly to minimize further financial damage.

Looking back on your many years of involvement with Straetus, what are you most proud of? What gives us the greatest sense of achievement is that, together with our partners, we have successfully built a lasting bridge between the Netherlands and Türkiye. We have helped numerous businesses recover outstanding debts while preserving valuable commercial relationships with their trading partners. Overcoming cultural and commercial differences and delivering tangible financial results without damaging business relationships — that is where our true added value lies.

What message would you like to share with Turkish entrepreneurs who are dealing with customers who fail to pay their invoices or consistently pay late? Our message to entrepreneurs is that preventive measures and decisive action are essential when dealing with overdue payments. The fear of damaging customer relationships should never stand in the way of maintaining a financially healthy business. Entrusting complex debt collection cases to a specialist is not a sign of weakness or compromise. It is a strategic decision that strengthens your organization. By seeking professional assistance, businesses can protect their financial position and cash flow while ensuring that customer relationships are handled respectfully and professionally.