During a recent webinar, Mary Shores mentioned her “Words That Work” method that helps improve customer service at any business, but also helps collectors in their conversations when on the job. Almost immediately, she received a multitude of requests for copies of the plan, Shores, a second-generation collector, has a new book coming out early this Fall. Read on to learn more about Mary and her “zone of genius.”
Name: Mary Shores
Company: Midstate Collection Solutions, Inc.
Length of time at current company:19 years
Length of time in industry:31 Years
How did you get your start in the industry?
I am a second-generation collector. My parents opened a collection agency in 1986.
What is your career highlight so far?
Creating an innovative business communications method called “Words that Work.”
When or how are you most productive?
Following in the footsteps of Tim Ferriss I am most productive early in the morning, right after coffee and before reading any emails.
Which industry professional do you admire most?
Leslie Bender
What is one thing you do better than everyone else?
Using neuroscience to understand what is going on inside the mind of both the debtor and the collector.
What do you like most about this industry?
The way the collection industry embraces its own and allows opportunity for folks like me to make a massive impact.
What is one thing you wish you could change about this industry?
The punitive nature of collections that has led to the negative overall perception people have about our industry.
If you weren’t in this industry, what would you be doing?
Writing, speaking and podcasting.. Oh wait! I do that, too!
Describe a typical work day.
My day begins with taking care of my two teenage sons and when that is complete I take some time out for creative content creation. Then I’m going to knock out whatever the day brings me and focus on moving as many long term projects forward as possible. Several times per week I am featured on a podcast, radio show, expert panel or webinar.
What is your guilty pleasure?
I’m a personal development junkie who is addicted to time at the spa.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I have received is to work at least 90% of the time in my zone of genius and hire others to work in their zone of genius.
What are you currently reading?
“The Code of the Extraordinary Mind” by Vichen Lakhiani
What is one fact you’d like everyone in the industry to know about you?
I would love everyone to know and celebrate with me that I’ve recently published my first book: “Conscious Communications: Your step by step guide to harness the power of your words to change your mind, your choices and your life.”
Who else would you like to see answer these questions
Leslie Bender and David Schultz
