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Even Successful People Can Go Broke

Would you believe it if I told you that Abraham Lincoln, Walt Disney, and Henry Ford were once bankrupt? I didn’t think so. But it’s true!

A couple of days ago I came across an article on CNN’s website, Seven Famous People Who Survived Bankruptcy. Among those cited above, the list also contains Burt Reynolds, Milton Hersey, H.J. Heinz, and P.T. Barnum.

The story also points out other government officials who found themselves short on cash including: Ulysses S. Grant, Thomas Jefferson, and William McKinley. And, in addition to Ford, General Motors founder William Crapo Durant went belly up.

Are you aware of any other famous bankruptcy petitioners?

Gary Jensen
editor collector mentor

image on flickr c/o ~MVI~

December 2, 2008 By : Editor Category : misc Tags:, ,
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Why Office Organization Matters

Protecting private information is a big concern for every customer today. After all, identity theft continues to grow in scale and security breaches are becoming more common.

So, what does your unorganized and cluttered office have to do with it? Everything.

Although it is over 4 years old, when discussing this issue I like to refer folks to a CSO Online article, “The Clean Desk Test: What’s Wrong With This Picture?”

The neat thing about this article is that it provides a picture of a messy office containing 20 potential violations and asks you to spot them. It then provides an answer key along with suggested policies and procedures for each violation.

So, take the test yourself and find out if you truly do have 20/20 vision.

Gary Jensen
Editor collector mentor

November 24, 2008 By : Editor Category : misc Tags:,
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November/December 2008 Issue Now Available!

The latest issue of collector mentor has been distributed to subscribers. If you have not yet received your copy, please contact us.

Not a subscriber? Visit our website for a complimentary copy!

October 30, 2008 By : Editor Category : recent issues Tags:
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Mail Scare at Collection Agency

A recent article published by The Buffalo News about a collection agency receiving an envelope containing a strange powder reminded me that the “scare” mailings that followed 9-11 are still fresh on the minds of many people. In fact it is because of those scares that many companies developed formal policies and procedures to deal with this type of situation.

Does your company have such procedures in place? Would your employees or members of your team know what to do in the event this happens at your office?

Gary Jensen
Editor collector mentor

October 21, 2008 By : Editor Category : rants & raves Tags:
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Another Positive Collection Story

Earlier this month we shared the story of Misty Kolva, a debt collector who received flowers from a consumer for her help in untangling a $80k bill. This was proof that positive collection stories do exist regardless of what mainstream media may lead us to believe.

Thanks to ACA International’s new initiative, Debt Collector Stories, it appears that we may soon hear positive stories on a more regular basis. Here is the first episode:

September 27, 2008 By : Editor Category : rants & raves Tags:,
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MDHBA Offers New Certification

The Medical-Dental-Hospital Business Associates (MDHBA) announced on Friday that it has developed a new certification for those involved with healthcare patient accounting.

According to the MDHBA press release, the Certified Patient Account Specialist (CPAS) “focuses on providing education and recognition for agency client personnel who are involved with patient balance accounts.”

The cost? $55 MDHBA Agency Member Clients/$85 Non-MDHBA Agency Member Clients.

Still interested? Be sure to brush up on your skills with the MDHBA CPAS Study Guide first!

Good luck!

Gary Jensen
Editor
collector mentor

September 22, 2008 By : Editor Category : rants & raves Tags:, , ,
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Special Offer Expires Saturday

Just a quick reminder that our new subscriber promotion will end this Saturday. Remember, new subscribers who sign up before 09/20/08 will be entered to win a 1-Year Free subscription!

Sign up today at www.collectormentor.com.

Gary Jensen
Editor
collector mentor

September 16, 2008 By : Editor Category : industry news Tags:,
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Debt Collector Helps Consumer, Receives Flowers

Most people send flowers when there is a funeral, an anniversary, or another special event, but a debt collector for Powell, Rogers, and Speaks received flowers from a consumer who had fallen behind bills.

It seems Misty Kolva helped untangle a $80k insurance mess to get the account paid and in doing so won the appreciation of the consumer who sent Misty a thank-you note and bouquet of flowers.

They’re lovely don’t you think? Way to go Misty!

Gary Jensen
Editor collector mentor

September 7, 2008 By : Editor Category : rants & raves Tags:,
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Skills World to Launch New Training Aid For Credit and Collections Industry

For immediate release
September 1, 2008

Gary Jensen, Chief Learning Officer
Skills World Adel, Iowa, USA
Phone: (515) 339-5899
gjensen@skillsworld.org
www.skillsworld.org
www.collectormentor.com

Skills World to Launch New Training Aid for Credit and Collections Industry
collector mentor™ Targets Frontline Professionals, Promotes Continuous Learning


ADEL, IOWASkills World, a professional training and business services provider, will launch collector mentor™ in November. The new bimonthly training resource is designed to educate, support, and motivate frontline credit and collection industry professionals by covering topical industry laws, collection techniques, interpersonal skills, and soft-business tips.

According to Gary Jensen, Chief Learning Officer of Skills World and publication editor, the training tool was developed to boost performance through skill enhancement and professional development by providing greater access to vital information at a lower cost than existing training and educational aids.

“Our aspiration is to touch as many frontline heads, hearts, and hands as possible and we’re encouraging subscribers to take advantage of our electronic subscription,” Jensen said. Unlike most publications that are offered on an individual-level, collector mentor subscriptions are available at a company-level, and subscribing companies can internally reproduce, redistribute, and reuse issues at no extra cost. While a traditional hard copy is available, the electronic option allows subscribers to quickly distribute each issue to all staff.

Jensen believes that the industry offers excellent publications targeted toward management, but says collector mentor distinguishes itself by being geared toward the industry frontline. “The unique thing about this publication is its design as a training and motivational tool which allows supervisors and managers to develop their staff’s skill set, knowledge, and overall performance on a regular basis,” he said.

Another benefit of the electronic version, Jensen believes, is that it can be easily and affordably accessed by the international community, as well as by domestic companies with offices outside the United States. “Keeping the entire company in sync is important and with individual copy access, it’s more likely that the publication will be read and retained for future reference,” Jensen said.

A pilot campaign performed by Skills World in spring 2008 garnered positive reviews and has attracted interest from a wide variety of industry sectors, including: student loans, auto finance, debt buyers, banks and credit unions, collection agencies, and healthcare providers among others. To ensure high editorial quality and reflect the needs of its diverse subscriber base, Skills World has assembled an Editorial Advisory Board comprised of well-respected and dedicated industry professionals from different niche markets.

According to Jensen, the publication is more than just another magazine. “It’s a training aid, and research has shown that companies that invest in ongoing training and development stand a better change of outperforming their competition, meeting client expectations, and operating at a higher level of overall performance,” he said. Jensen believes that continuous education and development is critical. “With collector mentor companies can offer training without breaking the bank,” he said.

For more information about collector mentor or to download a sample electronic copy, please visit www.collectormentor.com.

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September 2, 2008 By : Editor Category : industry news Tags:
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Take Me for a Test Drive

Have you stopped by the collector mentor website to download a copy of the sample issue?

Don’t delay another second … the tips in the sample issue can help you and your staff collect more today! Click on the image below to download the .pdf version!

Gary Jensen
Chief Learning Officer
Skills World

August 29, 2008 By : Editor Category : misc Tags:
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