Business is all about Interpersonal relationship and Interaction. If your client delays payment, try contacting & communicating with them to understand their reasons for the delay. With these reasons, you may determine if they are genuine or unacceptable. Only apply strict corporate policy whenever you deem fit. Basically, there is no 'One Size Fits All' policy & therefore, you need to be flexible on a case-to-case basis. This may help you to retain more happy & satisfied clients.

Relationship is one important aspect , but at the same time one has to be very clear on financials. Clients need to understand / made to realise that , as we , freight company honor transit time commitments , they need to meet the requirement of clearing our bills on time. They put pressure on us to deliver on time , so we can do the same for recieving our dues.

That's always a tricky one isn't it? Your customers obviously don't respect you as a business. Are you attracting the right customers? Do you have service issues?