OOD OOD H ere's a secret that's only a secret outside of the debt collection industry: Consumers say nice things to debt collectors all the time-and not in an "I said good day, sir!" kind of way. Instead think: a consumer sending an Edible Arrangement to a debt collector along with a note of thanks for unparalleled customer service (which has happened at ConServe) or a woman bringing a debt collector a plate of homemade cookies after the agency worked with her husband to help him resolve a debt (which has happened at Credit Consulting Services Inc.). Good things are happening in debt collection agencies around the world every day, and a growing number of ACA International members are turning consumer praise into a powerful driver of continued success-for themselves and the debt collection industry as a whole. IN PRAISE OF PRAISE One afternoon Rodney Meeks, CEO of Credit Consulting Services Inc., is in the checkout line of a grocery store when his shirt-which is embroidered with the Credit Consulting Services logo-catches the cashier's eye. "Do you work there?" the cashier asks, nodding at the company logo. "Actually, I own it," Meeks says. "I've been working with Ms. Mora," the cashier says, smiling. "She's been so nice." COLLECTOR 04.18 29