On Monday, we announced the winners in our 9th annual Best Places to Work in Collections program. After a rigorous evaluation process managed by the independent firm Best Companies Group, 36 companies met the threshold to be named a “Best Place to Work in Collections” in 2016. Best Companies Group manages Best Places to Work programs in 24 states, 9 regions, and 14 industries, as well as 12 programs across Africa, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

To be judged, companies participate in a two-part survey program. First, employers provide information on workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems and demographics. Then, employees complete a survey that measures employee experience. The combined scores (employee opinion is weighted more heavily) determine the top companies and final rankings.

Winners are divided into three categories, by size: small (15-49 employees), medium (50-149 employees), and large (150+ employees).

Click here to see all 36 winners and profiles, in ranked order.

The first-place winner in the Medium Companies category is InvestiNet, LLC from Greenville, SC.

A creditor recovery operation led by President Brice Smith, InvestiNet employs 57 people (51% female, 49% male) and is growing steadily, creating 9 new positions last year. InvestiNet specializes in the “recovery of non-performing judgments,” saying “our unmatched investigation and legal enforcement network allows us to unlock the hidden value in debt buyers’ and issuers’ dormant judgment inventory” leading to “superior performance and customer service.”

InvestiNet makes an effort to reward their employees for a job well done. The company offers every employee an annual bonus, and offers employees semi-annual profit sharing. They also reward good work by “always” taking time to “celebrate when company/client goals are reached or surpassed” through games, lunch celebrations, new items for the office, or showing gratitude in other ways.

InvestiNet encourages their employees to get involved in the Greenville community, saying “the company encourages donating to all local and national charities, and each time will match all employee’s donations.”

InvestiNet cites a casual and flexible work environment as the main aspect of their office culture that employees love. The company finds many ways to demonstrate their commitment to a good work-life balance – one instance is that they, as a rule, close the office at 4:00 p.m. on Fridays. You can also see this culture in the words of one InvestiNet employee – “rarely are there days in the office with no dog!”

For 2017, the Best Places to Work in Collections program will become Best Call Centers to Work for


The program will celebrate excellence among call center work environments in care, collections, and outsourcing. In addition to collection firms, creditor and business process outsourcing (BPO) companies will be eligible to participate.

Best Places to Work winners use their award as an important recruiting tool. Plus, winning sends a great message to clients and potential clients about the strength of your operations. Even those who don't come out on top have can receive extremely valuable information -- candid feedback from employees, and a road map for improvement.

Winners in the 2017 program will be recognized during an awards dinner at the next insideARM First Party Summit, in May 2017. 

Click here to let us know you are interested in participating. We will make sure you are aware when registration opens (about a month from now).


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