I am thrilled to announce that the “Getting to Know” series is now being sponsored by TCN. TCN is a leading provider of cloud-based call center technology for enterprises, contact centers, BPOs, and collection agencies worldwide. Founded in 1999, TCN combines a deep understanding of the needs of call center users with a highly affordable delivery model, ensuring immediate access to robust call center technology, such as SMS, email, predictive dialer, IVR, call recording, and business analytics required to optimize operations while adhering to callers requests. Its “always-on” cloud-based delivery model provides customers with immediate access to the latest version of the TCN solution, as well as the ability to quickly and easily scale and adjust to evolving business needs. TCN serves various Fortune 500 companies and enterprises in multiple industries, including newspaper, collection, education, healthcare, automotive, political, customer service, and marketing.
There are plenty of people who wake up one day, realize they have spent 30 years working in a job they never imagined they would have, and wonder where the time went. Michael Hyla is definitely not one of those people. Even though his career in the industry may have started with plans to only be temporary, he clearly has loved every day of the three decades he has now spent working in collections. Read on to learn more about Michael and why his mantra for success works regardless of what trench he is working in.
Name: Michael Hyla
Company: United Holding Group
Length of time at current position: 3 years
Length of time in industry: 30 years
How did you get your start in the industry?
It’s the typical industry story. I was laid off from a sales position with a wife and baby to take care of. I answered a newspaper ad for The American Collectors Bureau and thought “I’ll do this for a few weeks until something better comes along.” Thirty years later…
What is your career highlight so far?
There’s no one accomplishment or moment that I can point to. However, I’ve had a career where I have enjoyed nearly every day. Not many people can say that.
When or how are you most productive?
Typically my afternoons are most productive. Once the morning minutiae is out of the way.
Which industry professional do you admire most?
John McNamara. John was one of my managers early on in my career. I’m glad that John is the person representing our industry as part of the CFPB.
What is one thing you do better than everyone else?
I don’t believe there is. But what I believe I have over most is a wide array of experience. There really isn’t a job in this industry that I haven’t done. I feel you can be a far stronger manager if you have experienced what those you are managing are doing.
What do you like most about this industry?
The day-to-day diversity. One thing this industry isn’t, is boring.
What is one thing you wish you could change about this industry?
To be rid of these people who take advantage of others and create a bad name for us all. What most consumers’ don’t know is that 99.9% of people in this industry are just hard working, good people.
If you weren’t in this industry, what would you be doing?
My wife tells me I should have been an attorney, but I would have loved to have been an American history professor.
Describe a typical work day.
I don’t think there’s anything typical about my work days. Every day varies, which keeps it exciting.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Comic books. I’ve been collecting over 50 years.
The Getting to Know Series is Sponsored By:
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
“Take care of your people and they will follow you anywhere.” I first learned this in the Army and this holds true for any leader in any field.
What are you currently reading?
“The British Are Coming: The War for America” by Rick Atkinson.
What is one fact you’d like everyone in the industry to know about you?
I am as proud of being in this industry as I am of serving in the Army. It’s been a great three decades and I’m looking forward to what the final years of my career have in store.
Who else would you like to see answer these questions?
My good friend Mellisa Massey at National Credit Adjusters.
I am thrilled to announce that the “Getting to Know” series is now being sponsored by TCN. TCN is a leading provider of cloud-based call center technology for enterprises, contact centers, BPOs, and collection agencies worldwide. Founded in 1999, TCN combines a deep understanding of the needs of call center users with a highly affordable delivery model, ensuring immediate access to robust call center technology, such as SMS, email, predictive dialer, IVR, call recording, and business analytics required to optimize operations while adhering to callers requests. Its “always-on” cloud-based delivery model provides customers with immediate access to the latest version of the TCN solution, as well as the ability to quickly and easily scale and adjust to evolving business needs. TCN serves various Fortune 500 companies and enterprises in multiple industries, including newspaper, collection, education, healthcare, automotive, political, customer service, and marketing.
