The “Getting to Know” series is sponsored by Applied Innovation. Applied Innovation is helping to shape the future of accounts receivable management. Product development is driven by customer feedback, agency profitability and compliance and includes platforms addressing client portal access, document management, payment negotiation, Regulation E focused electronic payment authorizations and TCPA communication authorization platforms. Partner with a company who understands your business challenges and evolves to provide cutting edge technology to overcome those challenges and achieve success.
Kimberlie Cline might have the best answer to describe a typical workday in the history of the “Getting to Know” series. But leave it to someone who has been working at collection agencies since junior high to be able to accurately describe what a day in the industry feels like to many. Read on to learn more about Kimberlie and why walking away has nothing to do with being weak.
Name: Kimberlie Cline
Job Title: Senior Director of Business Operations
Company: Pro Com Services of Illinois, Inc.
Length of Time at Current Company: 16 years.
Length of Time in Industry: 30 years.
How did you get your start in the industry?
I was a junior in high school looking for part-time employment. I went to the unemployment office in Rawlins, Wyo. They sent me on my first job interview at the Credit Bureau of Carbon County, Inc. The agency needed someone to do filing in their basement. From there they kept me on to do various tasks.
What is your career highlight so far?
Present day, from File Clerk to Senior Director of Business Operations, this profession has developed me to grow others in the industry.
When or how are you most productive?
Start of the day, coffee in hand, alone with limited distractions.
Which industry professional do you admire most?
I have two, LaDenna Gilleland at Outsource Receivables in New York and Connie Matrisch from Pro Com Services of Illinois, Inc. in Illinois. Both individuals have made a huge impact in my professional and personal life.
What is one thing you do better than everyone else?
Resilience; turning obstacles into a lesson.
What do you like most about this industry?
The camaraderie between industry associates and the willingness to help each other out.
What is one thing you wish you could change about this industry?
The negative perception of the industry and the people that work here. We are professionals who understand many consumers have debt due to unforeseen circumstance. We are — every so often — the first individuals to engage consumers in a problem-solving negotiation of their unpaid bills.
Describe a typical work day.
Outward smiles and inward screams. Each day is different, change is inevitable, motivate others, provide a strong support for staff to help them successfully resolve consumers and client issues.
If you weren’t in this industry, what would you be doing?
I can’t say I often think of life outside of this industry. Whatever it is, I hope it would involve leading others to success.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Reality TV, from “Big Brother” to “Deadliest Catch” and everything in between.
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What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Walk away. It has nothing to do with weakness and everything to do with strength.
What are you currently reading?
A brief guide to the CFPB final debt collection rule.
What is one fact you’d like everyone in the industry to know about you
I’m blunt. It can be a blessing and a curse.
Who else would you like to see answer these questions?
Michelle Herring, Parson Bishop Services, Inc. Cincinnati, Ohio
The “Getting to Know” series is sponsored by Applied Innovation. Applied Innovation is helping to shape the future of accounts receivable management. Product development is driven by customer feedback, agency profitability and compliance and includes platforms addressing client portal access, document management, payment negotiation, Regulation E focused electronic payment authorizations and TCPA communication authorization platforms. Partner with a company who understands your business challenges and evolves to provide cutting edge technology to overcome those challenges and achieve success.
