In this episode, Dr. Laura Sicola interviews Richard Blank, the CEO of Costa Rica's Call Center, about the importance of communication skills and influence in the business world. They discuss the value of soft skills, such as foreign language proficiency, and the need to recognize and leverage one's unique talents. Richard challenges listeners to improve their voicemail messages and congruence between their audio and visual presence. They also talk about the importance of giving people a personalized outbound voicemail message and the impact it has on the impression they leave. He emphasizes the importance of trust, faith, and having a sense of humor in building relationships and achieving success.

Episode 215: Richard Blank - CEO Costa Rica Call Center

In this episode you will learn:

● Character during chaos is an important leadership trait.

● Promote individuals based on their strengths and redirect them to roles where they can excel.

● Express appreciation and acknowledge the contributions of team members.

● Take calculated risks and communicate with stakeholders about challenges and unique aspects of the business. Soft skills, including foreign language proficiency, are valuable and marketable skills in the business world.

● Recognize and leverage your unique talents and skills, and don't downplay their importance.

● Improve your voicemail message and ensure congruence between your audio and visual presence.

● Give a personalized outbound voicemail message to make a positive impression.

● Be the lone voice of dissent when necessary and advocate for others.

About Richard Blank: At 27 years old, Richard relocated to Costa Rica to train employees for one of the larger call centers in San Jose. He has trained over 10 000 bilingual telemarketers over two decades. Richard has the largest collection of restored American Pinball machines and antique Jukeboxes in Central America making gamification a strong part of CCC culture. Richard Blank is the Chief Executive Officer for Costa Rica’s Call Center since 2008.

Do you want to be an effective communicator? This is where you'll find all sorts of resources with ideas, tips and strategies on how to master the art and science of leadership communication and influence, i.e. the ability to harness the power of the voice to master the 3s: Command the room, Connect with the audience and Close the deal in any context.

https://youtu.be/Xs4XRi6Ca3s

https://youtube.com/shorts/wSiTO-n9WBY

https://youtube.com/shorts/a34o4FLSPhU

Richard Blank hired bassist Garry Gary Beers of INXS.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieGjN5H4xPQ

Dr. Laura Sicola, Speaking to Influence Podcast, Richard Blank, Costa Rica's Call Center, Outsourcing, Telemarketing Call Centre, BPO, Nearshore Contact Center, Sales, Entrepreneur, B2B, Business, Podcast, Gamification,Leadership, Marketing, CX, Guest, Money, B2C education, BPO trainer,call centre, contact centre, contact center,trend, trending

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Speakers Are Leaders Motivation Channel with Harry Sardinas, where we bring you funny, edutaining videos and interviews to help you:

Grow your business from the stage & build a powerful global brand

Overcome stage fright & become a confident, charismatic speaker

Learn from multimillionaires about their journey to success & how they made their first million

5 Steps To Make Your First Million - Richard Blank and Harry Sardinas. Grow Your Business from the Stage & Build a Global Brand

Are you ready to level up?

Want to grow or start your business?

Dream of making your first million?

Ready to attract wealth & abundance into your life?

https://youtu.be/t6w2jWDVWmk

https://youtu.be/eNFDkn4FPRk

Richard Blank hired bassist Garry Gary Beers of INXS.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieGjN5H4xPQ

Speakers Are Leaders Motivation Podcast, Harry Sardinas, Richard Blank, Costa Rica's Call Center, Outsourcing, Telemarketing Call Centre, BPO, Nearshore Contact Center, Sales, Entrepreneur, B2B, Business, Podcast, Gamification,Leadership, Marketing, CX, Guest, Money, B2C education, BPO trainer,call centre, contact centre, contact center,trend, trending

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this enchanting episode of Spark and Ignite Your Marketing, host Beverly Cornell sits down with Richard Blank, CEO of Costa Rica’s Call Center. Richard’s story is one of bold moves and building a business that thrives on empathy, gamification, and yes—pinball machines. Richard shares his secrets to igniting employee engagement and delivering exceptional customer experiences. Tune in to discover how culture, connection, and a little magic can transform your business. A Call Center Success Story with Richard Blank

Did you know that call centers in Costa Rica are gaining attention worldwide? In this episode of 'Spark and Ignite Your Marketing,' host Beverly Cornell is joined by Richard Blank, the CEO of Costa Rica's Call Center. Richard shares his unique journey of moving from Philadelphia to Costa Rica over 20 years ago and building a thriving call center business.Hear inspiring stories about training over 10,000 bilingual telemarketers, offering scholarships for language students, and maintaining a passionate and motivated team. Join us for an engaging conversation filled with valuable insights, personal anecdotes, and a celebration of connection and human-centric business practices.

00:00 Introduction to Costa Rica's Call Center Industry

00:39 Meet Richard Blank: From Philadelphia to Costa Rica

00:49 Building a Unique Company Culture

02:21 The Journey of Growth and Expansion

04:03 The Role of Gamification in Call Centers

04:59 The Human Touch in the Age of AI

08:09 Challenges in the Call Center Industry

10:20 The Importance of Honor and Professional Ethics

12:16 Richard's Personal Journey and Inspirations

15:29 Creating a Positive Work Environment

16:36 The Importance of Assertiveness and Balance

17:21 Mentorship and Recognition

18:45 Marketing Strategies and Respect for Telemarketers

19:43 Lightning Round: Quick Insights

22:38 Reflecting on Success and Early Challenges

29:14 Advice for Young Entrepreneurs

32:11 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Three Key Topics Covered:

Gamification in the Workplace: Richard introduces gamification into his call center with creative elements like pinball machines and friendly competitions, creating an atmosphere of fun and motivation. This approach not only recharges employees but also fosters engagement, camaraderie, and exceptional performance.

The Art of Connection: emphasizes the power of personal touches, like remembering special moments or complimenting a team member, to create meaningful connections.

https://youtu.be/6YTUFREg_1g

https://youtu.be/do5AgRztFA0

https://youtu.be/PQbbV-WYNlY

https://youtu.be/7nc8OmFCs1Y

https://youtu.be/jk51kgMpdsI

Richard Blank hired bassist Garry Gary Beers of INXS.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieGjN5H4xPQ

Beverly Cornell, Spark and Ignite Your Marketing, Richard Blank, Costa Rica's Call Center, Outsourcing, Telemarketing Call Centre, BPO, Nearshore Contact Center, Sales, Entrepreneur, B2B, Business, Podcast, Gamification,Leadership, Marketing, CX, Guest, Money, B2C education, BPO trainer,call centre, contact centre, contact center,trend, trending

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this podcast, John Kelley, seasoned entrepreneur and engaging storyteller, dives into the journeys of small business owners. Join him as he uncovers the inspiring, humorous, and often tough realities they face while creating distinct and impactful brands in their industries.

Hear our discussion on outbound lead generation and sales appointment calling, inbound customer support, how Richard got his start, and some best practices for effective communication on sales and support calls.Building Relationships Through the Phone Lines: Lessons from a Telemarketing Veteran feat. Richard Blank with Costa Rica's Call Center

Guest Bio:

Richard Blank is the CEO and Founder of Costa Rica's Call Center, a full-service BPO call center providing lead generation, customer service, social media support and more for US companies. He founded the company 15 years ago and has grown it to over 300 seats.

Building Relationships Through the Phone Lines: Lessons from a Telemarketing Veteran feat. Richard Blank with Costa Rica's Call Center

Main Discussion Points:

The importance of building relationships in sales, not just trying to force a sale

Techniques for effective communication and rapport building on sales and support calls

Why it's important to treat everyone in an organization with respect, not just decision makers

How to get referrals and repeat business through exceptional customer service

Why taking time to understand the local culture is key when doing business abroad

How Costa Rica’s Call Center vets clients to avoid unethical business practices

https://youtu.be/NN4CoABXzFA

https://youtu.be/A_G1bl-BhHc

https://youtu.be/bmOu5zU6k9I

Richard Blank hired bassist Garry Gary Beers of INXS.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieGjN5H4xPQ

Small Business Origins podcast, John Kelley, Richard Blank, Costa Rica's Call Center, Outsourcing, Telemarketing Call Centre, BPO, Nearshore Contact Center, Sales, Entrepreneur, B2B, Business, Podcast, Gamification,Leadership, Marketing, CX, Guest, Money, B2C education, BPO trainer,call centre, contact centre, contact center,trend, trending

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Six-Figure Speaker SpotlightSpeakerTunity Speaker Relations & Business Development Director and Six-Figure Speaker Spotlight podcast host, Kelley O'Hara is an expert in helping entrepreneurs, business leaders, coaches, speakers, authors, and messengers connect with their target audience and find more speaking opportunities to grow their business and build their personal brand. Kelley mentors established and emerging speakers to leverage SpeakerTunity's resources to increase their visibility and reach more stages. She is a highly experienced marketing and business development executive with a background in entrepreneurship, skilled in sponsorship acquisition and high-profile alignment. She partners with strategic companies to integrate SpeakerTunity's products into their communities and creates mutually beneficial partnerships. Her mission is to help her clients find and secure more speaking opportunities to attract new clients, establish their authority, and expand their reach, by utilizing SpeakerTunity's vast resources including directories, speaker one-sheets, and concierge booking resources. Our 20 to 25-minute podcast shares amazing founder stories who reveal the smartest strategies for scaling TODAY.

Your host, Kelley O'Hara, talks with the President and Bilingual Telemarketing Trainer of Costa Rica's Call Center, Richard Blank. At the age of 27, Richard took a leap of faith that would forever change his trajectory. Moving to Costa Rica, he brought with him an entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for communication. His journey began with a temporary teaching position, but he could adapt and embrace the local culture that truly set the stage for his future success.

Richard's early days in San Jose were filled with challenges, from navigating a new country to understanding the nuances of local business practices. However, his fluency in Spanish and his willingness to learn from the ground up provided him with a unique advantage. He didn't just observe from a distance; he immersed himself in the community, learning from every interaction and building a support network that would become invaluable.

Transformation Utilizing Innovative Strategies. Richard's ascent to CEO was unconventional. He bypassed the traditional corporate ladder, moving directly from an entry-level position to ownership. This path allowed him to maintain a pure and untainted approach to business, one that emphasized empathy and a genuine connection with his team. Under Richard's leadership, Costa Rica's Call Center has thrived by challenging industry norms. He attributes much of the company's success to a culture that values each individual's contribution. By recognizing and celebrating the achievements of his team members, Richard has fostered an environment where motivation and morale soar.

https://youtu.be/OIEMLqKh29E

Richard Blank hired bassist Garry Gary Beers of INXS.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieGjN5H4xPQ

Six-Figure Speaker Spotlight, Kelley OHara ,Richard Blank, Costa Rica's Call Center, Outsourcing, Telemarketing Call Centre, BPO, Nearshore Contact Center, Sales, Entrepreneur, B2B, Business, Podcast, Gamification,Leadership, Marketing, CX, Guest, Money, B2C education, BPO trainer,call centre, contact centre, contact center,trend, trending

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Scalable Call Center Sales Podcast. Author Jason Cutter interviews BPO nearshore CEO Richard Blank.

The mission of the show is to provide call center owners and leaders with the tools for building scalable sales operations. After being in and around sales operations for 18 years, Jason Cutter is focused on helping improve the world of sales, one salesperson, one team at a time. During this twice-a-week show, Jason will be chatting with call center/sales industry experts and call center owners and leaders to help the entire call center sales ecosystem raise the bar, close more deals, provide value to more customers, and scale to whatever level desired.

What does it take to build a successful BPO company? How successful are you with your agents?

In running a call center, make sure you got the right people on the bus, and if you do then find the best seat for them.

In this episode, Richard Blank and I, talk about his experiences in developing and building call center reps in Costa Rica and creating one of the largest call centers in Central America. SCCS-Podcast-Cutter Consulting Group-The Art and Science of Call Center Success.

Jason Cutter, CEO and founder of Cutter Consulting Group, is a Sales Success Architect – helping companies create scalable sales operations (What does ‘scalable’ mean? Reach out to Jason to get a copy of his Sales Success Iceberg ebook and checklist). He is the author of Selling With Authentic Persuasion: Transform from Order Taker to Quota Breaker, as well as A Sales Consultant’s Guide To: Overcoming Objections and Motivating Your Sales Team.

https://youtu.be/Tz1r7IOiVGo?si=S7URH7pmemonOg3E

https://youtu.be/wsGaFBTQfgQ?si=Yilu_Sa_qNnlaKB9

Richard Blank hired bassist Garry Gary Beers of INXS.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieGjN5H4xPQ

scalable call center sales, Jason Cutter,Richard Blank, Costa Rica's Call Center, Outsourcing, Telemarketing Call Centre, BPO, Nearshore Contact Center, Sales, Entrepreneur, B2B, Business, Podcast, Gamification,Leadership, Marketing, CX, Guest, Money, B2C education, BPO trainer,call centre, contact centre, contact center,trend, trending

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Re:sume Well is your essential guide to thriving in both your career and personal life, featuring deep-dive conversations with industry leaders who share battle-tested strategies for sustainable success. Each episode delivers actionable insights on everything from mindful productivity and stress management to work-life integration and corporate wellness initiatives, helping you build a career and life that energizes rather than depletes. Whether you're a seasoned executive, entrepreneur, or early in your professional journey, join us to discover how to work well, live well, and Re:sume Well.

Born out of a love for careers, performance, and wellness-

Re:sume started as a podcast that focused on career happiness, interviewing professionals who were successful and happy. After nearly a year consistently climbing the charts, we listened to our audience and have taken a turn to focus on careers and concepts at the intersection of wellness, the woo, and work. Join Courtney every week where she disseminates wellness woo culture for the curious careerist.

Episode 19. Flipping the Script on Call Center Work with Richard Blank

When you think of call centers, you’re probably thinking of telemarketers and scammers, or maybe even thinking back to a time you had to call a customer service line and hung up the phone feeling frustrated. Wouldn’t it be nice if that story was different and you left those interactions with a smile on your face, feeling cared for and heard? Richard Blank is training his employees to be those call center workers — and they’re even doing it in two languages.

In this episode, Richard and I are chatting about his love for the Spanish language growing up, how that led him down to Costa Rica, and how that eventually sparked his CEO journey owning a call center. Richard is such a kind, open soul, so it’s no wonder he brings that light to his employees and everyone around him. It’s a refreshing departure from what we normally expect out of call center experiences, and for that, we can thank Richard for humanizing a statistically dehumanized industry.

https://youtu.be/Ww4MUb3vkO4

https://youtu.be/U_2DFeR1b1w

Richard Blank hired bassist Garry Gary Beers of INXS.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieGjN5H4xPQ

Resume Well, Courtney Page, Richard Blank, Costa Rica's Call Center, Outsourcing, Telemarketing Call Centre, BPO, Nearshore Contact Center, Sales, Entrepreneur, B2B, Business, Podcast, Gamification,Leadership, Marketing, CX, Guest, Money, B2C education, BPO trainer,call centre, contact centre, contact center,trend, trending

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Procrastinator's Pitstop: Your Place to Refuel for Motivation and Productivity. Join us as we explore actionable strategies, inspiring stories, and expert insights to help you overcome procrastination and power through your to-do list. Let's turn every pitstop into progress!

In this engaging conversation, Richard Blank, CEO of Costa Rica's Call Center, shares his insights on procrastination, personal growth, and the importance of communication. He discusses his journey from Northeast Philadelphia to Costa Rica, the challenges he faced in adapting to a new culture, and how he inspires his team to grow. Richard emphasizes the significance of creating a positive work environment and the art of effective communication, all while sharing his passion for restoring pinball machines.

Take Aways

-Procrastination is a self-reflection of missed opportunities.

-Commitment to oneself is key to overcoming procrastination.

-Cultural adaptation requires patience and respect.

-Staying healthy is essential for productivity.

-Teaching others can be a rewarding experience.

-Creating a fun work environment reduces attrition.

-Effective communication is an art that can be mastered.

-Personal connections enhance professional relationships.

-Passion projects, like pinball machines, bring joy and fulfillment.

-Empathy in leadership fosters loyalty and growth.

https://youtu.be/TEWjig764Og

https://youtu.be/jmcE4y5QK1g

Richard Blank hired bassist Garry Gary Beers of INXS.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieGjN5H4xPQ

Procrastinators Pitstop, Chris Abdey, Richard Blank, Costa Rica's Call Center, Outsourcing, Telemarketing Call Centre, BPO, Nearshore Contact Center, Sales, Entrepreneur, B2B, Business, Podcast, Gamification,Leadership, Marketing, CX, Guest, Money, B2C education, BPO trainer,call centre, contact centre, contact center,trend, trending

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.