At the opening of CRS2025, one story stuck with me: Georgia high school teacher Donelan Andrews booked a trip to England and, unlike most of us, actually read her travel insurance policy. Buried in the legal weeds was a hidden clause promising $10,000 to the first person who spotted it and emailed the company. She did—and she won.Â
The insurer, Squaremouth, later explained it was part of a “Pays to Read” campaign. A clever gimmick, yes—but also a serious message: Reading the fine print matters.Â
Now, nobody’s suggesting you start scouring every page of every contract hoping to uncover buried treasure. But maybe we need to change how we read them. Not like tired, distracted humans skimming until their eyes glaze over—but like squirrels with a nut.Â
Squirrels are scattered creatures by nature—always darting from one thing to the next. If you’ve ever watched Ice Age, you’ve seen this in action with Scrat, the acorn-obsessed saber-toothed squirrel who practically defines chaotic energy. But hand a squirrel an actual acorn? Total focus. They’ll sniff it, turn it over, tap it, inspect it from every angle, and then tuck it away for future use. It’s not random; it’s instinctive diligence.Â
The Risk of SkimmingÂ
Contracts can feel like background noise until something goes wrong.
But one clause—just one—can shift risk, responsibility, or the entire meaning of the deal. It’s easy to say, “That’s how we’ve always done it,” but if the contract says otherwise, the contract wins.
Past habits don’t hold up against signed agreements.Â
Build a Culture of Nut HuntersÂ
A culture that values diligence doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built.
Maybe that means assigning someone to comb through agreements, clause by clause. Maybe it’s a checklist.
Maybe it’s your own “Pays to Read” challenge at work.
Whatever the method, the goal is the same: slow down, dig in, stay sharp.Â
Every Nut Has ValueÂ
Squirrels don’t find every acorn on the first try, but they don’t stop searching either. They use memory, scent, and instinct—and when they uncover something valuable, it can mean survival.Â
So the next time you’re handed a 30-page vendor agreement, don’t skim.
Turn it over. Tap on the clauses. Sniff out the risk.
Be the squirrel. Because sometimes what’s hidden isn’t just fine print—it’s the future of your business.Â
Author: Bev Evancic
Bev.Evancic@ResourceManagement.com
Bev Evancic is a Senior Vice President at Resource Management Services, Inc. Prior to employment at RMS, Bev worked as the Collection and Recovery Manager at AT&T Universal Card, Citi, and Federated Department Stores. Bev started in the collection industry as a collector at an upscale clothing store in Cincinnati, Ohio. As a returned check and private label credit card collector, Bev gained a basic understanding of the collection industry that has not changed with the introduction of regulations. Her collection philosophy begins with the idea that businesses and customers benefit from preserving the customer relationship. First, collectors need to attempt to contact customers when it is convenient for the customer to discuss his/her financial condition and willingness/ability to pay. Second, you never collect money by intimidating or threatening customers. Third, businesses must make sure the debt is valid.Â
She has managed all phases of collection and recovery operations, including automated dialer units, bankruptcy, and legal units, skip tracing units, internal collections, outside collection agency networks, and Consumer Credit Counseling. As a Consultant for Resource Management Services, Inc., Bev has spearheaded collection and recovery best practices reviews for many top credit grantors. Her articles on dialer operations, agency management and bankruptcy best practices have been widely publicized.Â
She is well known and regarded as a specialty expert in the areas of: Repossession, Bankruptcy, Estate, Litigation, as well as Pre- and Post- Charge-off. Prior to joining Resource Management Services, Inc. in 1995, Bev managed the Recovery Department for AT&T Universal Card Services where she developed the bankruptcy, probate, internal and litigation processes.Â
She is the author of “Recovery Management: Collecting the Uncollectible Account.
