Daily Digest – May 11. Getting to Know Alicia McKeighan; Harvard Wants To Get More Individuals To Court For Debt Lawsuits

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MEMBER PROFILE: GETTING TO KNOW ALICIA MCKEIGHAN

• As someone who is seemingly always calling and asking for favors, be it for an article or a webinar, I am always awed by the fact that people say yes to my requests, time and again. Alicia McKeighan is someone who has always responded to my calls and emails, and reading her answers to the questions below, it is now very easy to see why. Her insight into the application of servant leadership should be a mantra for everyone. I’m a big believer in the maxim that a rising tide lifts all boats. And Alicia McKeighan is someone who is trying to lift boats.

HARVARD LAB CONDUCTING STUDY TO GET MORE PEOPLE IN COURT FOR DEBT-RELATED HEARINGS

• Nine months ago, Harvard University started the Access to Justice Lab, a response to providing affordable legal services to individuals who face a number of legal problems, including debt collections. For example, the Lab is working on a study to try and identify ways to persuade more individuals to show up for their court hearings, when they are sued by a collector. Research indicates that only 10% of defendants show up. The study is exploring whether sending out an advance mailing would increase turnout at least to the point of justifying the cost of sending out the mailing.

BANKRUPTCY FILINGS CONTINUE TO SLOW

• The number of personal and commercial bankruptcy filings declined in April, compared with the same month a year ago and with a month earlier, according to data released by the American Bankruptcy Institute. Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia were the states with the highest per-capita rate of filings in April.

PLAINTIFF CITED FOR NOT FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS WHEN REVOKING CONSENT 

• A plaintiff has been cited for purposely trying to confuse automated systems when revoking consent to receive text messages. Rather than simply sending “STOP” as the text message indicated, the plaintiff would send “I would appreciate [it] if we discontinue any further texts[.]”

WORTH NOTING: It’s been more than 24 hours since President Trump fired FBI Director James Comey and there are still more questions than answers … Come wrote a letter to his former employees … How is this for irony: The man identified as one of the key players in the decision to fire Comey is threatening to quit because of the depiction … How the president’s decision to fire the FBI director broke a basic rule of management … A millionaire reveals how much you have to work to have as much money as he does … Charlie Brown is moving to Canada … How Bozeman, Montana became a booming tech town … The secret weapon for conquering a giant competitor … Twelve habits of highly effective entrepreneurs.

How to pick the right paintbrush

Taste testing secret frappuccinos from Starbucks

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The Daily Digest is sponsored by T-Max Dialer & Communications, the leader in hosted inbound and outbound dialer technology.