Reading Ken Piatt’s answers, is there any doubt that he epitomizes the best advice he’s ever received — be authentic? Maybe it’s just his Midwestern modesty, but it’s impossible not to believe that Ken is a good guy who has worked his way up the ladder and carved himself out a career thanks to his dedication and work ethic. Read on to learn more about Ken, why you want him in your foxhole when the shooting starts, and why you likely won’t catch him ever reading a novel.
Name: Ken Piatt
Job Title: Director of Operations
Company: Arcon Credit Solutions
Length of time at current company: 2 years
Length of time in industry: 32 years
How did you get your start in the industry?
I was fresh out of college at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. A friend had been collecting at Allied Interstate for about a year. He told me he enjoyed the work and the pay. I had been in school and working odd jobs like telemarketing, food service, hotel bellman, and most recently produce delivery driver. I thought it would be great to have an office job, wear a tie, and have the opportunity to make more money.
What is your career highlight so far?
There have been a lot of highlights. The overarching highlight has been the opportunity to do so many things in this industry. I started as collector doing third-party bankcard collections. I became a supervisor, and a manager in that discipline. Then I took over the healthcare division. Then the government and student loan divisions. Then first party added to the career. Then VP and Director positions. Multiple call centers, then offshore call centers. I have grown so much and had incredible diversity. That is the highlight. Not one specific event, memory, or job.
When or how are you most productive?
I am most productive in the mid-to-late morning, then in the evenings. I need my coffee in the morning to get started. I get a lot done before lunch. Afternoons are productive, but later in the evening after dinner and family/kid events, is where I have the most creativity and keep the to-do list on track.
Which industry professional do you admire most?
I do not have one specific individual I admire the most. I have learned so much from my bosses, my peers, clients, vendors, and employees. Everyone has contributed to my knowledge and success in the industry. I have learned as much from clients and vendors as I have from mentors, bosses, and industry experts.
What is one thing you do better than everyone else?
I do not do anything better than everyone. I do some things better than others. I tend to stay calm under pressure and stress. I am more apt to have a calm and rational reaction to pressure.
What do you like most about this industry?
The people, the competition, the challenge to hit a goal each month, quarter, year and its never boring!
What is one thing you wish you could change about this industry?
For the perception of the general public to understand that we serve a critical part of the credit cycle. That our efforts and successes keep the price of goods and services down for those that pay by recovering receivables from those that don’t. We are here to help those that are in debt to get out of debt and get on the path for a better fiscal situation.
If you weren’t in this industry, what would you be doing?
Something related to travel. I love to travel and see new places.
Describe a typical work day
Get up and make coffee. Check emails and review my calendar before I leave the house. I don’t work remote, so there is the morning commute. Once at the office, I review production dashboards and send out any notes to my team where we need focus for the day. I usually have meetings throughout each day with staff, clients, and vendors. I like to squeeze in a 15-to-20 minute walk in the morning and afternoon to refresh my body and mind. In the afternoon, working on projects, reviewing inventory management and strategy and putting out any urgent issues for the day. I usually am on my way home by 6pm for one of my kids’ events.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Enjoying a cigar outside on a beautiful day or evening. And listening to sports talk radio and 80s music.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Treat others as you would like to be treated. That doesn’t mean you can’t push people to do their best. Sometimes I need to be pushed to do my best. That doesn’t mean you have to agree all of the time or say yes all of the time. Sometimes I need to be challenged or told no. But be respectful. Be kind. Be authentic.
What are you currently reading?
“The Wager, a tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny, and Murder.” It’s based on the story of a 1741 shipwreck of a British vessel during a war with Spain. I am a non-fiction junkie. I love history, politics, finance, and business books and podcasts. Usually enjoyed while having a cigar (see guilty pleasure).
What is one fact you’d like everyone in the industry to know about you?
I have three kids all within 18 months of each other. We had my son, then 18 months later, twin daughters. They are now 16, 15, and 15 years old. They are my “other” full time job.
Who else would you like to see answer these questions?
Craig Gordon
Reading Ken Piatt’s answers, is there any doubt that he epitomizes the best advice he’s ever received — be authentic? Maybe it’s just his Midwestern modesty, but it’s impossible not to believe that Ken is a good guy who has worked his way up the ladder and carved himself out a career thanks to his dedication and work ethic. Read on to learn more about Ken, why you want him in your foxhole when the shooting starts, and why you likely won’t catch him ever reading a novel.
Name: Ken Piatt
Job Title: Director of Operations
Company: Arcon Credit Solutions
Length of time at current company: 2 years
Length of time in industry: 32 years
How did you get your start in the industry?
I was fresh out of college at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. A friend had been collecting at Allied Interstate for about a year. He told me he enjoyed the work and the pay. I had been in school and working odd jobs like telemarketing, food service, hotel bellman, and most recently produce delivery driver. I thought it would be great to have an office job, wear a tie, and have the opportunity to make more money.
What is your career highlight so far?
There have been a lot of highlights. The overarching highlight has been the opportunity to do so many things in this industry. I started as collector doing third-party bankcard collections. I became a supervisor, and a manager in that discipline. Then I took over the healthcare division. Then the government and student loan divisions. Then first party added to the career. Then VP and Director positions. Multiple call centers, then offshore call centers. I have grown so much and had incredible diversity. That is the highlight. Not one specific event, memory, or job.
When or how are you most productive?
I am most productive in the mid-to-late morning, then in the evenings. I need my coffee in the morning to get started. I get a lot done before lunch. Afternoons are productive, but later in the evening after dinner and family/kid events, is where I have the most creativity and keep the to-do list on track.
Which industry professional do you admire most?
I do not have one specific individual I admire the most. I have learned so much from my bosses, my peers, clients, vendors, and employees. Everyone has contributed to my knowledge and success in the industry. I have learned as much from clients and vendors as I have from mentors, bosses, and industry experts.
What is one thing you do better than everyone else?
I do not do anything better than everyone. I do some things better than others. I tend to stay calm under pressure and stress. I am more apt to have a calm and rational reaction to pressure.
What do you like most about this industry?
The people, the competition, the challenge to hit a goal each month, quarter, year and its never boring!
What is one thing you wish you could change about this industry?
For the perception of the general public to understand that we serve a critical part of the credit cycle. That our efforts and successes keep the price of goods and services down for those that pay by recovering receivables from those that don’t. We are here to help those that are in debt to get out of debt and get on the path for a better fiscal situation.
If you weren’t in this industry, what would you be doing?
Something related to travel. I love to travel and see new places.
Describe a typical work day
Get up and make coffee. Check emails and review my calendar before I leave the house. I don’t work remote, so there is the morning commute. Once at the office, I review production dashboards and send out any notes to my team where we need focus for the day. I usually have meetings throughout each day with staff, clients, and vendors. I like to squeeze in a 15-to-20 minute walk in the morning and afternoon to refresh my body and mind. In the afternoon, working on projects, reviewing inventory management and strategy and putting out any urgent issues for the day. I usually am on my way home by 6pm for one of my kids’ events.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Enjoying a cigar outside on a beautiful day or evening. And listening to sports talk radio and 80s music.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Treat others as you would like to be treated. That doesn’t mean you can’t push people to do their best. Sometimes I need to be pushed to do my best. That doesn’t mean you have to agree all of the time or say yes all of the time. Sometimes I need to be challenged or told no. But be respectful. Be kind. Be authentic.
What are you currently reading?
“The Wager, a tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny, and Murder.” It’s based on the story of a 1741 shipwreck of a British vessel during a war with Spain. I am a non-fiction junkie. I love history, politics, finance, and business books and podcasts. Usually enjoyed while having a cigar (see guilty pleasure).
What is one fact you’d like everyone in the industry to know about you?
I have three kids all within 18 months of each other. We had my son, then 18 months later, twin daughters. They are now 16, 15, and 15 years old. They are my “other” full time job.
Who else would you like to see answer these questions?
Craig Gordon
