Collections is Like a Sports Arena

In 1996, Philip J. Eboli, Vice President of NCS was a senior on the men’s varsity hockey team at The University of Vermont. Through hard work and dedication his team made it to the NCAA Division 1 Final Four competition also known as the “Frozen Four.” This was a big moment, the culmination of his NCAA career. The arena was full, the competition was set, all that was needed was to assess the landscape, team members, and then achieve the desired goals.

Here is a video of Philip scoring a goal, the game tying goal with 5 minutes to play, and the last of his career. The values that Philip learned in the hockey arena have shaped his 29 year career at NCS. These values of integrity, determination, teamwork, and meeting the moment with preparedness are what define NCS’ motto of “Integrity Above All Else.” 

The commercial collection industry is going through rapid changes with a shifting economy, the rise of AI, and changes in business that are resulting in new types of debt. These changes are causing a shifting landscape that requires a much more strategic approach to collections. Let’s dive into the example of B2B payment disputes. With a strained economy, late payments have significantly increased. 73% of SMBs were negatively impacted by late payments in 2025 alone. To handle these types of payment disputes, it requires a very careful approach. You have to assess the business landscape, know the players, and decide on your move. This is very similar to what Philip J. Eboli, encountered when he played in the “Frozen Four”. 

Your values as an athlete and your values in business will always align if you want them to. Integrity is defined as the quality of being honest, having strong moral principles, and consistently adhering to them regardless of circumstances. Whether it is 1st party collections, 3rd party services or handling Accounts Receivable Management, at NCS we always approach every scenario with integrity. By approaching our business this way, we are ensuring that we are always prepared and are able to collect on the debt efficiently to get the debtor back buying from our clients once again.

Whether it is a board room or a hockey arena there will always be challenges. It could be a player on the ice with an unexpected shot or a debtor who is refusing to negotiate. With any challenge, it is a question of how you meet the moment. If you take your values and experience and approach the challenge head on, you will always be prepared. If you are looking for a business partner that will invest in your success and work with you to put together a strategic approach to solving the most challenging aged accounts, look no further than NCS.