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.
Jon Daane might be the only person who has ever started working in the ARM industry because of scuba diving. There’s probably a good metaphor that connects scuba diving and debt collections — looking for buried treasure, perhaps? — but Daane’s presence in the industry has been most welcome and most rewarding. Read on to learn more about Jon, his unique reason for liking this industry so much, and why he’ll never buy a flamethrower.
Name: Jon Daane
Current Role/Job Title: Vice President of Sales and Marketing
Company: TEC Services Group Inc.
Length of time at current company: 3 ½ years
Length of time in industry: 12+ years
How did you get your start in the industry?
I started my career in the ARM industry with Columbia Ultimate. Fred Houston happened to be one of my scuba diving students and after traveling with him and getting to know his friends (now industry partners, employers, and clients) he offered me a great opportunity to join their sales team.
What is your career highlight so far?
It is tough to say exactly since I have had some of the best experiences of my life working in this industry. I think my work with TEC building one of the best sales teams I could imagine ranks right up there.
When or how are you most productive?
I’m an early riser and typically get going on work after my 2nd cup of coffee around 5:00am. On the west coast, you must be ready to start your days early and I always feel best if I can get a jump start before my kids wake up.
Which industry professional do you admire most?
There are several members of our industry that I have a ton of respect for, but I especially appreciate those that are willing to go against the grain and buck the norm a bit. Specifically, I have always admired Aaron Reiter from InterProse who is never afraid of sticking himself out there in front of a crowd and doing things just a bit differently.
What is one thing you do better than everyone else?
I think everyone has strengths and weaknesses and some of us more weaknesses than strengths. However, I think I am a solution thinker and able to bring together multiple variables into a single solution to a problem. Whether I am putting together a technology solution, building a team or networking with people, I can combine different elements to get the job done.
What do you like most about this industry?
Collections and collection professionals are about as honest as it comes. Our industry doesn’t leave a lot of room for being vague or hiding behind a closed door. I always appreciate how my industry colleagues are willing to have honest discussions about the challenges ahead and aren’t afraid to ask for help when they need it. I have witnessed so many situations where ideas get shared openly about better and innovative ways of solving problems.
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What is one thing you wish you could change about this industry?
I think that our industry is challenged with doing things the way they have always been done and expecting to keep doing them. Collections is every changing dynamic market just like everything else and we need to constantly be adapting, this goes for agencies, technology providers, compliance officers and creditors.
If you weren’t in this industry, what would you be doing?
I would most likely find a way to combine all my obsessions in life. I’m not sure if there is a profession that would allow me to be an Engineer focused on marine conservation, scuba diving, mountain biking while also making a living but I’m willing to go try to find it.
Describe a typical work day
Working for an East coast company with a national client base while living on the west coast of the US means my day starts early. Fortunately, I am a morning person and get going around 5:00am. After working with clients on services and technology needs, managing the finest group of salespeople I have every worked with and reporting up the chain, I typically am able to focus on more project-based work in the afternoons and then sign off to spend time with my family when they return from school/work etc..
What is your guilty pleasure?
Reading and hearing stories about scuba diving accidents while underwater. I love understanding how things can go so wrong to learn how to keep things safe.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
On his death bed right before passing, my grandfather who I respected more than anyone in the world, reminded me to “Never burn a bridge because you never know who will need to cross it in the future.” This always stuck with me because it focuses not on you needing the bridge in the future but those around you who might need your help. If I can get through my life with most bridges intact, I feel like I have won.
What are you currently reading?
Currently I am reading a book called “Growth IQ” which is focused on how to constantly be thinking about what comes next in business and not just how to keep doing what you are doing with existing accounts or strategies.
What is one fact you’d like everyone in the industry to know about you?
I love talking to adventure seekers and if you are ever interested scuba diving, please hit me up.
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
Jon Daane is one of the industry’s finest human beings, professionally and personally. If you’ve never met him, don’t let this Getting To Know series be your only introduction – seek him out at the next conference and talk strategy or adventures, you won’t regret it!