I am thrilled to announce that the Getting to Know series will be sponsored by TEC Services Group in 2024. TEC Services Group is the leading technology and professional services firm in the credit collections industry offering both leading industry solutions along with unrivaled, unbiased, and experienced support. TEC is now extending its services by offering proven, industry-leading technology solutions alongside of our Professional Services to help Clients feel confident in their technology decisions. Learn more at ww.tecsg.com.
Does it say something about Shalon Bell or the ARM industry that growing up she wanted to be a kindergarten teacher, but ended up working in collections instead? Maybe it’s best to leave that question unanswered. In six short years, Shalon has gone from collector to supervisor to manager. Who knows what the next six years will bring. Read on to learn more about Shalon, her connection the original Steve Austin, and how she fills her team’s tank every day.
Name: Shalon Bell
Job Title: 3rd Party Collections Manager
Company: Frost-Arnett
Length of time at current company: 6 years
Length of time in industry: 6 years
How did you get your start in the industry?
I got my start with Frost-Arnett as a collector, then moved to a supervisor, and now in my current role as a manager.
What is your career highlight so far?
My career highlight so far is winning the JW “Rusty” Duke Award. This means more to me because it is nominations from co-workers for the award.
When or how are you most productive?
I think I am most productive in the mornings. I come in for the day and have my list of things that need to be done which makes me feel ready for the day.
Which industry professional do you admire most?
My director at Frost-Arnett, LeeAnn Elmore. Since I first started with Frost-Arnett she has always been a person that is there to coach and encourage me in every role that I have had within the company.
What is one thing you do better than everyone else?
I don’t know if I would use the word better, maybe different, is connecting the employees that I manage. I want to make sure that they know that I care about them not only as an agent, but as a person as well. I think this helps you be able to help them become a better employee.
What do you like most about this industry?
When I first started the thing I liked the most as a collector was helping our consumers resolve balances. Now in the manager role what I like is having more knowledge of how things work on the backend and then being able to give suggestions/resolutions to make the company even better.
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What is one thing you wish you could change about this industry?
All the incorrect information I see on social media about debt collectors. Not everything is the same for every company and it sometimes makes it harder for our agents to resolve balances.
If you weren’t in this industry, what would you be doing?
I think I would be teaching in some aspect. When growing up I always said I was going to be a kindergarten teacher.
Describe a typical work day.
A typical work days is meetings, helping my supervisors with what they may need, helping agents with what they may need, and also trying to come up with new ideas to make our collections department the best it can. No matter what day it is I do always start with a positive morning message to each of my teams to make sure they are starting their day with their tank full!
What is your guilty pleasure?
Right now I would say TikTok!
What is the best advice you have ever received?
To never compare myself to others, as we are not meant to be the same as any other person. Just be the best version of yourself that you are able.
What are you currently reading?
Currently rereading “Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stake are High“
What is one fact you’d like everyone in the industry to know about you?
The one question I get asked whenever I meet someone for the first time, “Where did your name come from?” My mother got it from the TV show, “The Six Million Dollar Man.”
Who would you like to see answer these questions?
LeeAnn Elmore – 3rd Party Collections Director at Frost-Arnett
The Getting to Know series is sponsored by TEC Services Group. TEC Services Group is the leading technology and professional services firm in the credit collections industry offering both leading industry solutions along with unrivaled, unbiased, and experienced support. TEC is now extending its services by offering proven, industry-leading technology solutions alongside of our Professional Services to help Clients feel confident in their technology decisions. Learn more at ww.tecsg.com
