The “Getting to Know” series is sponsored by Arbeit. Arbeit is a powerful, and easy to use communications platform that empowers businesses to reach more consumers. Innovative by nature, we are constantly listening to and understanding the businesses we partner with and developing long term industry relationships that allow us to be proactive in anticipating industry needs.
Erin Kerr’s job title is emblematic of the changing dynamic within the credit and collections industry. Acknowledging that the technology in the industry is changing faster than it ever has before, Erin has embraced the challenge associated with forging new trails. Read on to learn more about Erin and how music and the rising sun inspire her on a daily basis.
Name: Erin Kerr
Job Title: Director of Digital Strategy
Company: MRS BPO, LLC
Length of Time at Current Position: Two years
Length of Time in Industry: Seven years
How did you get your start in the industry?
I started as a client liaison at a creditors’ rights law firm. This role was an interesting hybrid between client relationship management and operations, and it taught me how to strike a balance between being compliance-minded and focused on operational strategy.
What is your career highlight so far?
The highlight of my career so far has been accepting, and growing into, my current role as Director of Digital Strategy at MRS, though there are certainly more highlights to come!
When or how are you most productive?
I do my best work and get my best ideas in the early morning, usually between 6am and 10am, while I am listening to music.
Which industry professional do you admire most?
This is a tough one. I definitely admire MRS’s own Misty Carson for her incredible industry knowledge and, even more so, her graceful persistence. I also admire insideARM’s Amy Perkins. My first interactions with Amy came during and after insideARM’s 2019 Women in Consumer and Commercial Finance Conference. Her insight was so helpful, especially for this point in my career. I also appreciated that she took the time to have a call with me after the conference to listen to my feedback.
What is one thing you do better than everyone else?
I really pride myself on my ability to take non-technical instructions and explain them to technical people, or vice-versa.
What do you like most about this industry?
It’s a challenge, and I think that’s exciting. There is always a new technology to investigate that will help improve the customer experience.
What is one thing you wish you could change about this industry?
I wish I could change most outsiders’ perception of the industry.
If you weren’t in this industry, what would you be doing?
Tough to say, since I’ve spent my whole professional life thus far in this industry, but I like to think I would be writing (or, more likely, editing) somewhere.
Describe a typical work day.
My days usually start between 6:30am-7am with coffee and a review of the data from the prior day. Before all of the calls and meetings start, I check my to-do list and spend some time working on it. Normally that involves specifications for a new project or digging into some data. I spend some time each morning chatting with the developers working on our digital projects for updates and to answer their questions. After that, there really is no typical day, but I would say most days involve some time testing our digital channels for either fixes or new functionality, and gathering requirements for new projects. Of course, I also spend time in meetings. Each evening, before I finish, I update my to-do list (hopefully to remove items!).
What is your guilty pleasure?
Twitter.
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What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Spend more time listening and less time talking.
What are you currently reading?
“Our Band Could Be Your Life: Scenes from the American Indie Underground” by Michael Azerrad. It’s a chronicle of the history and impact of underground rock bands from 1981-1991.
What is one fact you’d like everyone in the industry to know about you
I’m an avid reader and always looking for book recommendations!
Who else would you like to see answer these questions?
Bill Tuno from MRS BPO, LLC.
The “Getting to Know” series is sponsored by Arbeit. Arbeit is a powerful, and easy to use communications platform that empowers businesses to reach more consumers. Innovative by nature, we are constantly listening to and understanding the businesses we partner with and developing long term industry relationships that allow us to be proactive in anticipating industry needs.