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Automation or AI Won’t Fix Broken Processes
When leaders hear “AI” or “automation,” it often sounds like the cure to every operational headache, faster workflows, predictive insights, fewer manual tasks, and happier teams. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: Automation or I won’t fix broken processes – they amplify them. A flawed workflow plus automation is just a faster, more expensive flaw. Add…
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Defensive vs. Strategic Innovation: How Leading Companies Stay Ahead
Every company likes to talk about innovation. It’s a shiny buzzword, a catch-all for “we’re doing something new.” But peel back the layers, and not all innovation is created equal. Some companies innovate strategically, driven by vision, operational efficiency, and customer needs. Others innovate defensively, reacting to external pressure, regulatory changes, or competitor moves, often…
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Why Collectors Need to Think Like Marketers
Debt collectors and digital marketers may not seem like they have much in common. One is focused on persuading someone to pay a bill; the other is trying to sell them a new pair of sneakers or a vacation package. But at the core, both rely on the same thing: understanding consumer intent. Marketers have…
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An Agent’s First 90 Days: Coaching Moments That Matter
Let’s face it, new agents don’t wear signs that say “Help, I’m drowning.” But if you know what to look for (and when), early signs of burnout, disengagement, or just plain confusion aren’t so quiet after all. This post outlines what to watch for in Weeks 1, 2, 4, and 8 of a new agent’s…
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The Hybrid Future of Collections AI
If you’ve ever worried an AI bot was coming for your job, relax. It’s more likely coming for that tedious RPC verification you hate doing anyway. In collections, it’s easy to hear “AI” and picture a robotic takeover. The headlines don’t help, plenty of breathless coverage makes it sound like machines will be running entire…
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5 Subtle Signs Your Top Agent Is Quiet Quitting
Your best collector isn’t hitting goal. Again. You chalk it up to a rough month, a tough portfolio, or new agents pulling more attention. But then another month passes, and the numbers still aren’t there. What gives? Burnout and quiet quitting don’t always show up with a dramatic resignation letter or a direct complaint. Sometimes…
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Virtual Agents in Debt Collection
The rise of AI in debt collection is no longer theoretical. Virtual agents, AI-powered systems handling conversations via voice, text, email, and chat, are already shaping how organizations communicate at scale. But innovation in a regulated industry comes with high stakes. Choosing the wrong tool can mean compliance headaches, reputational damage, and wasted spend. The…
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The End of Anecdotal QA
Remember when QA meant reviewing five random calls a month and hoping for the best? Those days are over. Or at least, they should be. In 2025, the most forward-thinking teams aren’t relying on anecdotes, gut checks, or the infamous “one person with a clipboard” coaching model. They’re using real-time and post-call AI analytics to…
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Digital Collections and the Rise of the Email-First Collector
Traditional phone-based outreach is no longer the default in collections. Consumers increasingly prefer digital communication, email, text, and chat, and they expect to resolve their accounts in the same channels where they interact with brands every day. For agencies and collectors, this shift demands more than just new tools. It requires a new kind of…
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RPA: Practical Automation Wins for Compliance-Heavy Industries
Let’s be honest, “Robotic Process Automation” sounds more intimidating than it actually is. Despite the high-tech name, it’s less about robotics and more about freeing up your team’s time by eliminating tedious tasks. RPA is more like a reliable assembly line worker who does the same task, the same way, every time, no caffeine required. …
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Debt Collection Complaints Hit Record Highs
TL;DR Debt collection complaints more than doubled between 2023 and 2024, and Q1 2025 alone has already surpassed all of 2023. Harassment makes up nearly half of all reports, with states like Georgia, Texas, and Florida seeing the most per capita complaints. If you’re a compliance or operations lead, now’s the time to audit, retrain,…
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Collector Compensation Trends: What Actually Works
* The information in this post is based on a financial services survey conducted by Abstrakt for U.S.-based agents and further supported by insights shared during AccountsRecovery.net webinars on compensation trends. If you’re a collections leader struggling to retain talent, increase collections, or balance budgets, collector compensation may be at the core of your challenges. …
Debt Collection
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