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.
Robert Salmon is that rare breed of individual who started in the collection industry, left, and then came back. In fact, the agency he came back to, he bought in 2016. You also have to admire his determination to be be a true partner to his clients and his willingness to embrace change. Read on to learn more about Robert and the specific snack he likes to eat while watching college football on Saturday afternoons.
Name: Robert Salmon
Job Title: President
Company: George Brown Associates, Inc. (GBA)
Length of Time at Current Company: Eight years
Length of Time in Industry: Eight years
How did you get your start in the industry?
I started out as a collector at GBA in 1995. I knew I wanted to own either this company or another collection agency. It was a long journey, but eventually I came back and purchased GBA in 2016.
What is your career highlight so far?
My highlight is every time I hire someone into the GBA family and give them an opportunity to improve their life.
When or how are you most productive?
I am most productive before 8:00 AM and after 5:00 PM. For the first three years I worked from 7:00 AM until 7:30 PM most weekdays. I also worked, and still work, most Saturdays.
Which industry professional do you admire most?
The industry professional I admire most is my Director of Operations, Terry Young. He has 40 years of experience in this industry and he is always learning something new. Terry knows multiple collection systems. He has a great personality and a great gift to teach others.
What is one thing you do better than everyone else?
I do not know that I do anything better than anyone else. I do know that I can embrace change, make a decision in a reasonable amount of time and take action. I can also spot processes that are wasting resources and find ways to improve our productivity.
What do you like most about this industry?
This industry is relationship based and you get to work with clients for years. It is nice to have that ongoing relationship where we become a part of our clients’ team. Another reason I chose to be in the ARM industry is that once you get a client, if you serve them well, you have a repeat customer who sends you business regularly. That allows us to do well during economic downturns.
What is one thing you wish you could change about this industry?
I would change the perception that people have of us from outside the industry.
Describe a typical work day.
Get in early. Check the bank accounts. Follow up on emails. Greet my team as they come in. On Monday mornings we have a devotional and company meeting. Call with sales consultant. Meeting with director of operations. Focus on my projects. Client and prospective client calls. Following up on client requests and internal project needs. Talk with my collections supervisor and collectors as needed. Try to accomplish what I need to get done on my projects until I have to be home for dinner at 7:00 PM (New rule from my wife).
If you weren’t in this industry, what would you be doing?
I would be a VP of sales in the manufacturing industry where I was before I purchased GBA.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Eating Smart Food White Cheddar Popcorn while watching college football.
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What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
People do business with people they know.
What are you currently reading?
“The Future Is Faster Than You Think: How Converging Technologies Are Transforming Business, Industries, and Our Lives” by Peter Diamandis
What is one fact you’d like everyone in the industry to know about you
I truly care about my team and doing the best job possible for my clients.
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.