"The Power of Expertise: Oversight Perfected"
"The Power of Expertise: Oversight Perfected"
In The Plastic Owl, Bev Evancic discussed the importance of identifying new employees early to ensure they do not become a Plastic Owl. Now, I want to introduce The Antelope Theory, which helps truly understand who you’ve hired once they join your organization. The Antelope Instinct If you think about an antelope, what is its first instinct when approached by a lion? It runs. If a lion approaches at night? […]
Recently, according to several sources, including MSN, Bank of America’s third-party data destruction vendor experienced a breach. Documents containing personally identifiable information (PII), intended for shredding, were discovered in unsealed containers outside the vendor’s location. The old saying, “hindsight is 20/20,” rings painfully true. It’s always easier to spot the flaws in procedures after a security lapse has occurred. However, this breach inspired me to reflect on the impressive security […]
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has extended the public comment period for its proposed rule on data broker activities under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Initially set to close on March 3, 2025, the deadline has now been pushed to April 2, 2025, allowing more time for stakeholders to review and submit their feedback, according to a Federal Register notice. Background on the Proposed Rule The CFPB began investigating […]
If you missed Part One of The Plastic Owl Chronicles, where I shared how a plastic owl in our horse barn became more of a bird concierge than a deterrent, you can catch up at https://collectioncomplianceexperts.com/the-lesson-of-the-plastic-owl/. Welcome back to our wildlife-inspired journey of hiring practices in the debt collection industry. Today, we’re focusing on the first step in making sure you have the right person in the right role — […]
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has taken a major step toward improving transparency in call blocking by streamlining the notification and redress process for voice service providers. At its Feb. 27 meeting, the FCC unanimously adopted an order requiring standardized call-blocking notifications and enhanced measures to prevent fraudulent calls. Standardizing Call Blocking Notifications A key element of the order is the implementation of Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) Code 603+ as […]
The Lesson the Plastic Owl Can Teach the Debt Collection Industry About Hiring the Right Person for the Job The Uninvited Guests Our horse barn is more than just a home for our horses—it’s a multi-generational hub for birds. Any bird born there or simply passing by seems to take up permanent residence, bringing along friends, relatives, and acquaintances. As the bird population grew out of control, my husband decided […]
Deciding when to end a relationship with a collection agency is rarely easy. In some cases, the decision is clear—fraud, non-compliance with regulatory requirements, serious contract violations—these are all non-negotiable deal-breakers. But what about when an agency is simply underperforming? Or when they fail to provide the level of transparency and data you need? These grayer areas can be tricky to navigate. Do you push for improvements, or do you […]
The top sign is straightforward enough: “Tow Away No Parking Except by Permit. Holidays Exempt.” Got it—no parking unless you have a permit, except on holidays. But right below it, another sign completely disrupts that clarity. When you read the second sign from left to right, it says: “No Street Sweeping; Parking Tuesday; Except Holidays; 7 a.m. – 11 a.m.” Wait… what? Does this mean no parking at all? No […]
A recent executive order has expanded presidential supervision over both the executive branch and independent regulatory agencies, such as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The order introduces new oversight measures aimed at ensuring greater accountability and coordination across federal agencies. Increased Oversight and Regulatory Review The order, Ensuring Accountability for All Agencies, mandates that all executive departments and independent agencies submit proposed and final […]
One of my favorite lines in Planes, Trains and Automobiles is when a car barrels down the highway in the wrong direction, and a frantic husband and wife scream, “You’re going the wrong way!” Instead of heeding the warning, the driver (John Candy) and passenger (Steve Martin) dismiss them, saying, “How would he know where we’re going?” Wouldn’t it be nice if a giant “wrong way” sign appeared whenever feedback […]