Saying that a company has a “bad reputation” might seem to be a rather general statement. In some respects, it is. For example, a company that is labeled “slow-paying” by many of its suppliers may pay some of its other suppliers very promptly, perhaps even in advance. Maybe the company has a formula for how it schedules its payments: small or independent companies, or those that offer discounts for prompt payment, get paid first. Or perhaps it’s the opposite-big companies with greater leverage get paid first. A bad reputation may also result when word gets around that the company has a history of accepting merchandise or services and then-after the fact-renegotiating costs. Or perhaps it becomes known as a “revolving-door operation”, if executives or employees leave the company far sooner than is normal for that particular industry or business. The company may have experienced union problems or been accused of fostering a hostile work environment.