Be Proud, Collectors

The Lesson – Be Proud, Collectors

The harsh reality of life in the debt collection industry is that working nights and weekends, and an occasional holiday, is often necessary for achieving optimal results. Although many businesses closed this past Monday in celebration of Labor Day, some creditors and agencies choose to open up shop in hopes of contacting customers who were enjoying the day off from work. After all, calls need to be placed when customers are most likely to answer the phone (in accordance with all appropriate laws of course).

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Labor Day “ … constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.”

Although many mainstream media outlets would have us believe otherwise, debt collectors offer a very valuable service to the country and contribute to its strength, prosperity, and well-being. In fact, a 2008 PriceWaterhouseCoopers prepared a report for ACA International titled, Value of Third-Party Debt Collection to the U.S. Economy in 2007: Survey and Analysis, found that in 2007 debt collectors returned $40.4 billion to creditors, saving each American household approximately $354!

The Challenge

In honor of the thousands collectors, supervisors, and managers who labor in the industry, especially those who smiled and dialed on Monday, this week’s challenge will be short and sweet. Take a moment to download the collector mentor article “making a difference one call at a time.” Then, take out a sheet of paper and finish this sentence: “I’m proud to be a debt collector because …”

For extra credit, share your thoughts with your fellow coworkers. You might be surprised to learn the many different reasons why people are proud to be part of this very important profession.

The Reflection

1. Why are you proud to work in the collection industry?
2. When someone asks what you do for a living, do you try to hide the fact that you are a debt collector? Why?
3. If you have read the PriceWaterhouseCoopers report, what was your biggest takeaway?
4. Do you feel that your job allows you to make a difference in the lives of consumers?

Take pride in what you do!

Gary Jensen
Editor | collector mentor

To download companion worksheets to use with The collector mentor Challenge, please visit www.collectormentor.com/thechallenge.