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.
Kenneth Williams has spent the better part of four decades in collections — from the creditor side of the transaction. He’s been in the business so long that he got his start at a department store where my mom bought me an electric typewriter for my eighth grade graduation. From his answers, it’s easy to see why a career as a comedian is always something Kenneth can fall back on. Read on to learn more about him, what it takes to get him going in the morning, and why he’s a firm believer in TCB.
Name: Kenneth (Ken) Williams
Current Role/Job Title: Director of Collections
Company: Conn’s Home Plus
Length of time at current company: 2 years 2 months
Length of time in industry: 35 years
How did you get your start in the industry?
Part time collector for Montgomery Wards
What is your career highlight so far?
Surviving the 2007 recession while working at a subprime credit card lender…lol… So many
When or how are you most productive?
I am a morning person. Once the eyes are open (and the 1st cup of coffee is in) the day is on
Which industry professional do you admire most?
You Mike, of course
What is one thing you do better than everyone else?
Remain humble…
What do you like most about this industry?
PEOPLE, I have always been on the creditor collections side of the business and I enjoy working with the customers to find solutions. I also really enjoy the technology we employ from CRMs and Telephony platforms as well as the data analytics it brings.
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What is one thing you wish you could change about this industry?
JUST A CLEAR SET OF REGS…PLEASE
If you weren’t in this industry, what would you be doing?
Failing at stand up comedy
Describe a typical work day
What the hell is that?
What is your guilty pleasure?
Bourbon
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Take care of the people that take care of business. They are worth their weight in gold.
What are you currently reading?
Texas Monthly, Walden and other writings – Thoreau
What is one fact you’d like everyone in the industry to know about you?
I am not as tall as I look
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
