The Erika and Abi Show. The importance of mindset with special guest Richard Blank
Explore the unseen paths to success with Erika & Abi. Our guests range from industry leaders, innovators, and artists each with a story that will inspire and inform. Subscribe to join our community of curious and passionate listeners. Erika: NYC Affordable Housing Director turned full-time land investor and entrepreneur. Her company, Gokce Capital, buys and sells land throughout the United States. Don't miss her insightful book, "Land Investing Mistakes," now on Amazon. Abi: Wall Street tech manager with a passion for helping people use technology to earn more and work less.
How To Get People To Say Yes
The episode is a detailed conversation featuring Richard, an expat entrepreneur who founded and grew a call center company in Costa Rica to over 150 employees. It covers several topics:
Mindset and Soft Skills: Richard emphasizes the importance of mindset, likening it to "whistling while you work," enabling one to overcome challenges. He discusses how to develop and utilize soft skills effectively, such as active listening, empathetic communication, and positive reinforcement to manage and navigate difficult conversations and customer interactions.
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The Erika and Abi Show, 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
Moving to Costa Rica: Richard shares his initial reactions upon moving to Costa Rica, highlighting the family-oriented culture, the warmth of the people, and the beauty of the environment. He talks about the importance of integrating into the community and fostering a fun and supportive atmosphere at work.
Entrepreneurship Journey: He delves into his journey of starting a call center in Costa Rica, from initially renting a station in a blended center to eventually owning a building. He shares insights on overcoming challenges, such as understanding local labor laws and maintaining ethical business practices.
Employee Management and Retention: Richard details his approach to employee management and retention, focusing on empathy, dignity, and creating a positive, engaging work environment. He emphasizes the significance of selecting the right people for the job and cultivating a culture where employees feel valued and motivated.
Sales and Communication Techniques: Throughout the conversation, Richard shares various sales and communication techniques, such as the "buffer boomerang" method, focusing on the importance of making a strong first impression, building rapport, and establishing a connection with clients and customers. He underscores the power of using one's name in conversation as a key to successful communication.
Life and Business Philosophy: Richard's narrative is imbued with his life and business philosophy of paying it forward, believing in the principle of action and reaction, and the importance of small acts of kindness. He also touches on personal goals, like writing children's books and the simple joys of everyday life.
Advice for Developing Communication Skills: He suggests watching certain TV shows from the past to improve speech and delivery, practicing dedicatedly, and being in the right frame of mind to effectively communicate and connect with others.
This conversation offers valuable insights into the power of positive thinking, effective communication, the importance of community and culture in business, and the journey of entrepreneurship in a foreign country.
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