The B2B Influence Podcast. The Importance of Relationship-Building in Telesales with Richard Blank
Are you a leader making waves in the B2B marketing space? The B2B Influence podcast is an exclusive platform designed to spotlight exceptional individuals driving innovation, growth, and transformation in industries that market to small and mid-sized businesses. This is your opportunity to share your story, showcase your achievements, and connect with a highly engaged audience of industry peers and decision-makers.
At The B2B Influence Podcast, we showcase the brilliance, values, and strategies of B2B industry leaders who are shaping the future. Our podcast spotlights trailblazers who are redefining how businesses market to small and mid-sized companies, setting new standards in innovation, transparency, and growth. Whether you’re a marketing executive, a data analytics expert, or a business leader with a vision, this is the podcast for you. Join us as we celebrate the achievements of industry pioneers and uncover actionable insights to fuel your success.
In this episode of The Marketing Vanguard: Leading Voices in B2B Innovation, Paula Chiocchi interviews the President, CEO, and Bilingual Telemarketing Trainer of Costa Rica's Call Center, Richard Blank. Richard explores the crucial role of call centers in the marketing-to-sales pipeline, emphasizing the importance of human connection and empathy in telemarketing.
Richard discusses balancing inbound and outbound calls, the significance of soft skills, and the operational challenges of converting leads. He advocates for quality interactions over quantity, effective follow-up, and maintaining realistic expectations. Richard underscores the enduring value of personal connections in customer service and telemarketing.
Paula Chiocchi, president and CEO of Outward Media, Inc. (OMI), is a marketing industry veteran whose mission is to help businesses realize their full potential by effectively reaching their target audiences and converting more prospects into customers.
Advice for Selecting a Call Center
What kind of advice would you give for people in searching for a call center, whether outbound or inbound? Good cop and bad cop. Let's go bad cop first. You got to make sure that they are a company that follows all legal laws. I follow all business and banking laws in the United States with my company that's out of Florida. They in turn hire my company in Costa Rica, which follows all the labor laws here. I'm not going to be a fall guy for anybody. I'm a guest here. I have to pay the Caja. I got to do the Aguinaldo. I got to pay everything. And it costs money to run a business overseas. There's benefits to it. But then again, I'm not here to hide away. Google me
Handling Difficult Calls with Empathy
And I've also learned that if you allow somebody to vent, remember the cartoons when steam would go out of someone's ears? I do. I have a profanity rule. If they curse at you, Paula, they get a warning. They do it a second time, you can hang up. But if they're venting and they're getting it out, I'll let you do it. And then I'm going to give you some Philly guilt. I'm going to go, hey, Paolo, you done yet? You want to curse some more? And you go, Richard, I'm so sorry. I go, may we begin again? And you say, yes, we may. And then look at that sort of foundation. Now you have a client for life. And that's how you're training your people. It's maturity. Yeah. You can't take it personal. And you think about it. You're speaking to someone's worst day. Something broke. For an example, we work with a law firm. So we do level one intake coordinators for wrongful termination and disability. So imagine that extended empathy when people are calling us after they've been fired. And so we can cradle these calls. And I think those specific soft skills are the things some people might be lacking today.
Introduction and Impact of Call Centers
Hi, this is Paula Kiyoki. I'm the CEO and founder of Outward Media. We go by OMI. And this is the Marketing Vanguard Leading Voices in B2B Innovation podcast. Today, we are fortunate to have Richard Blank. Richard is the president and bilingual, I want to get this right, bilingual telemarketing trainer at the Costa Rica Call Center. Welcome, Richard. So happy to be with you and your audience today. And I was just telling Richard that I'm jealous that I haven't been to Costa Rica. So Richard's an expert in all things telemarketing, telemarketing and call centers. And so we're going to ask him a few questions today and get his expertise. Richard, at what point in the marketing to sales pipeline do you see call centers having the greatest impact? And how do you define that sweet spot between MQL and SQL? Well, I believe that A.I., a computer can never replace empathy. They can't give you a hug. And so you will use it for gathering and to make things easier, bring it to the 10 yard line, so to speak. But you and I need to bring that ball into the end zone.
https://youtu.be/bzJze5vXiuM
https://youtu.be/yIF8TGySqIA
https://youtu.be/w8aGC09Yy-4
https://youtu.be/MZT8pkqrdDo
Richard Blank hired bassist Garry Gary Beers of INXS.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieGjN5H4xPQ
The B2B Influence PodcastPaula Chiocchi, The Marketing Vanguard, 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
As a B2B business leader and data innovator my work has led to dramatic increases in both revenue and digital marketing campaign ROI for hundreds of Fortune 2000 and midmarket firms. I’ve driven nearly $300 million in revenue for a single Fortune 500 client in one year.
My priority is to deliver more desirable business outcomes -- using accurate high-quality data to fuel success for Omni-channel digital marketing campaigns. OMI’s mission is to turn data into revenue and results. We use our database of more than 20+ million businesses and 145+ million B2BC contacts—which include email addresses and digital IDs backed by the industry’s first 95% email validity guarantee.
Since 1998, I’ve made a name for myself as an award-winning B2B marketing innovator – and the driving force behind the world’s largest SMB database.
The fast pace of business has been a constant in my career. That’s why it’s been important for me to create balance. My love of Asian art has influenced a Zen attitude that drives my approach to problem solving in both my business and my personal life. The philosophy I share with my team and business partners and clients is to speak up when something isn’t right so that, together, we can fix it.
As a military brat, I was exposed to many places, peoples and cultures. That stopped at 21 with the death of my father. Still in college, I helped my mother reengineer her life and learned self-reliance and responsibility that cannot be taught in a classroom.
Running a business is exhilarating but also filled with challenges. So, sharing my expertise and the lessons I’ve learned is important to me. I take every opportunity to mentor new entrepreneurs and those just getting started in their careers--to give them advice and encouragement and guide them on a path to success.
It’s also why I write: for our company blog, Forbes Advisory Circle, and other outlets. If you could ask me one thing, what would that be? Take a moment and message me.
Paula Chiocchi, CEO and founder of OMI, is an award-winning marketing industry veteran whose mission is to help businesses realize their full potential by effectively reaching their target audiences and converting more prospects into customers.
Under her direction, OMI provides Fortune 1000 firms and other clients fresh, accurate contact data to fuel outbound marketing initiatives and drive sales and profits. An expert and innovator in multi-channel marketing data, Paula has established OMI as a leader in comprehensive email campaign management services.
Along with her growing team, her goal is to assist clients in successfully navigating the complex email channel by offering hands-on guidance combined with the highest levels of email deliverability and marketing ROI. Paula began her career with Dun & Bradstreet and developed her skills by creating direct mail, online advertising and email campaigns for leading mortgage companies, financial institutions, telecom, software, online gaming sites, sweepstakes enterprises and e-commerce companies.
Our Story
If a business wants to grow, it needs to find new customers. Since our founding in 1998, OMI has been dedicated to empowering companies to do just that.
Connect with your ideal prospects using our high-quality B2B2C data.
Add accuracy, precision targeting, and scale to your modern digital marketing initiatives.
Our Data
Our master B2B database contains omni-channel marketing data including verified business email addresses with 95% validity, on average. Leveraging multiple data sources and proprietary matching and quality algorithms, we provide the freshest contact data in the industry to ensure you achieve optimal marketing results.
Under her direction, OMI provides Fortune 1000 firms and other clients fresh, accurate contact data to fuel outbound marketing initiatives and drive sales and profits. An expert and innovator in multi-channel marketing data, Paula has established OMI as a leader in comprehensive email campaign management services. Along with her growing team, her goal is to assist clients in successfully navigating the complex email channel by offering hands-on guidance combined with the highest levels of email deliverability and marketing ROI. Paula began her career with Dun & Bradstreet and developed her skills by creating direct mail, online advertising and email campaigns for leading mortgage companies, financial institutions, telecom, software, online gaming sites, sweepstakes enterprises and e-commerce companies.
Richard’s journey in the call center space is filled with twists and turns. When he was 27 years old, he relocated to Costa Rica to train employees for one of the larger call centers in San Jose.
Mr. Richard Blank holds a bachelors degree in Communication and Spanish from the University of Arizona and a certificate of language proficiency from the University of Sevilla, Spain. A Keynote speaker for Philadelphia's Abington High School 68th National Honors Society induction ceremony. In addition, inducted into the 2023 Hall of Fame for Business. Giving back to Abington Senior High School is very important to Mr. Blank. As such, he endows a scholarship each year for students that plan on majoring in a world language at the university level.
Costa Rica’s Call Center (CCC) is a state of the art BPO telemarketing outsource company located in the capital city of San Jose, Costa Rica. Our main focus has been, and will always be to personally train each and every Central America call center agent so that we may offer the highest quality of outbound and inbound telemarketing solutions and bilingual customer service to small and medium sized international companies, entrepreneurs as well as fortune 500 companies.
We encourage you to visit one of our call centers on your next personal vacation or business trip to Central America’s paradise, Costa Rica. While you are here, we would recommend taking an extra day of your trip to visit breathtaking virgin beaches, play golf next to the ocean, try your luck at deep sea fishing, explore tropical jungles, climb volcanos or just relax in natural hot springs. Come and see for yourself why call center outsourcing in Costa Rica is a perfect solution for your growing company and a powerhouse in the BPO industry.
https://costaricascallcenter.com/en/outbound-bpo-campaigns/
#TheB2BInfluencePodcast #PaulaChiocchi #TheMarketingVanguard #RichardBlank #CostaRica #CallCenter #Outsourcing #Telemarketing #BPO #Sales #Entrepreneur #B2B #Business #Podcast #Gamification #CEO #trend #trending #listennow #subscribe #podcastclip #podcastvideo #videopodcasting #podcastguest
The Value of Personal Touch in Customer Service
And so when we used to leave very detailed voice messages, And do really good tailor made emails. We almost not only matched a conversion ratio but sometimes exceeded it because more people prefer that non voice so we almost had to make that sort of adjustment and then went into other sort of phone call so That's the way that I see it. But it is a means to an end. And people like myself, I would rather call you than text. And if I'm calling a company, I'm going to press zero so I can speak with somebody. And so I do believe that there will be a market for my type of services. I think there is, right? Yeah. Look what Hollywood did. They all hate telemarketers. Do you hate us more than used car salesmen? Look what they've done to us. But think about customer service. I had an experience recently where I bought something and it didn't get delivered and then they wouldn't answer the emails. There was no chat. There was no phone number. And it was a less expensive price than another website, but I didn't get any service. So I canceled and I paid more at a different website because there was some service involved in it. Sometimes people want to talk to somebody, at least I do.
The B2B Influence Podcast. The Importance of Relationship-Building in Telesales with Richard Blank
Are you a leader making waves in the B2B marketing space? The B2B Influence podcast is an exclusive platform designed to spotlight exceptional individuals driving innovation, growth, and transformation in industries that market to small and mid-sized businesses. This is your opportunity to share your story, showcase your achievements, and connect with a highly engaged audience of industry peers and decision-makers.
At The B2B Influence Podcast, we showcase the brilliance, values, and strategies of B2B industry leaders who are shaping the future. Our podcast spotlights trailblazers who are redefining how businesses market to small and mid-sized companies, setting new standards in innovation, transparency, and growth. Whether you’re a marketing executive, a data analytics expert, or a business leader with a vision, this is the podcast for you. Join us as we celebrate the achievements of industry pioneers and uncover actionable insights to fuel your success.
In this episode of The Marketing Vanguard: Leading Voices in B2B Innovation, Paula Chiocchi interviews the President, CEO, and Bilingual Telemarketing Trainer of Costa Rica's Call Center, Richard Blank. Richard explores the crucial role of call centers in the marketing-to-sales pipeline, emphasizing the importance of human connection and empathy in telemarketing.
Richard discusses balancing inbound and outbound calls, the significance of soft skills, and the operational challenges of converting leads. He advocates for quality interactions over quantity, effective follow-up, and maintaining realistic expectations. Richard underscores the enduring value of personal connections in customer service and telemarketing.
Paula Chiocchi, president and CEO of Outward Media, Inc. (OMI), is a marketing industry veteran whose mission is to help businesses realize their full potential by effectively reaching their target audiences and converting more prospects into customers.
Advice for Selecting a Call Center
What kind of advice would you give for people in searching for a call center, whether outbound or inbound? Good cop and bad cop. Let's go bad cop first. You got to make sure that they are a company that follows all legal laws. I follow all business and banking laws in the United States with my company that's out of Florida. They in turn hire my company in Costa Rica, which follows all the labor laws here. I'm not going to be a fall guy for anybody. I'm a guest here. I have to pay the Caja. I got to do the Aguinaldo. I got to pay everything. And it costs money to run a business overseas. There's benefits to it. But then again, I'm not here to hide away. Google me
Handling Difficult Calls with Empathy
And I've also learned that if you allow somebody to vent, remember the cartoons when steam would go out of someone's ears? I do. I have a profanity rule. If they curse at you, Paula, they get a warning. They do it a second time, you can hang up. But if they're venting and they're getting it out, I'll let you do it. And then I'm going to give you some Philly guilt. I'm going to go, hey, Paolo, you done yet? You want to curse some more? And you go, Richard, I'm so sorry. I go, may we begin again? And you say, yes, we may. And then look at that sort of foundation. Now you have a client for life. And that's how you're training your people. It's maturity. Yeah. You can't take it personal. And you think about it. You're speaking to someone's worst day. Something broke. For an example, we work with a law firm. So we do level one intake coordinators for wrongful termination and disability. So imagine that extended empathy when people are calling us after they've been fired. And so we can cradle these calls. And I think those specific soft skills are the things some people might be lacking today.
Introduction and Impact of Call Centers
Hi, this is Paula Kiyoki. I'm the CEO and founder of Outward Media. We go by OMI. And this is the Marketing Vanguard Leading Voices in B2B Innovation podcast. Today, we are fortunate to have Richard Blank. Richard is the president and bilingual, I want to get this right, bilingual telemarketing trainer at the Costa Rica Call Center. Welcome, Richard. So happy to be with you and your audience today. And I was just telling Richard that I'm jealous that I haven't been to Costa Rica. So Richard's an expert in all things telemarketing, telemarketing and call centers. And so we're going to ask him a few questions today and get his expertise. Richard, at what point in the marketing to sales pipeline do you see call centers having the greatest impact? And how do you define that sweet spot between MQL and SQL? Well, I believe that A.I., a computer can never replace empathy. They can't give you a hug. And so you will use it for gathering and to make things easier, bring it to the 10 yard line, so to speak. But you and I need to bring that ball into the end zone.
https://youtu.be/bzJze5vXiuM
https://youtu.be/yIF8TGySqIA
https://youtu.be/w8aGC09Yy-4
https://youtu.be/MZT8pkqrdDo
Richard Blank hired bassist Garry Gary Beers of INXS.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieGjN5H4xPQ
The B2B Influence PodcastPaula Chiocchi, The Marketing Vanguard, 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
As a B2B business leader and data innovator my work has led to dramatic increases in both revenue and digital marketing campaign ROI for hundreds of Fortune 2000 and midmarket firms. I’ve driven nearly $300 million in revenue for a single Fortune 500 client in one year.
My priority is to deliver more desirable business outcomes -- using accurate high-quality data to fuel success for Omni-channel digital marketing campaigns. OMI’s mission is to turn data into revenue and results. We use our database of more than 20+ million businesses and 145+ million B2BC contacts—which include email addresses and digital IDs backed by the industry’s first 95% email validity guarantee.
Since 1998, I’ve made a name for myself as an award-winning B2B marketing innovator – and the driving force behind the world’s largest SMB database.
The fast pace of business has been a constant in my career. That’s why it’s been important for me to create balance. My love of Asian art has influenced a Zen attitude that drives my approach to problem solving in both my business and my personal life. The philosophy I share with my team and business partners and clients is to speak up when something isn’t right so that, together, we can fix it.
As a military brat, I was exposed to many places, peoples and cultures. That stopped at 21 with the death of my father. Still in college, I helped my mother reengineer her life and learned self-reliance and responsibility that cannot be taught in a classroom.
Running a business is exhilarating but also filled with challenges. So, sharing my expertise and the lessons I’ve learned is important to me. I take every opportunity to mentor new entrepreneurs and those just getting started in their careers--to give them advice and encouragement and guide them on a path to success.
It’s also why I write: for our company blog, Forbes Advisory Circle, and other outlets. If you could ask me one thing, what would that be? Take a moment and message me.
Paula Chiocchi, CEO and founder of OMI, is an award-winning marketing industry veteran whose mission is to help businesses realize their full potential by effectively reaching their target audiences and converting more prospects into customers.
Under her direction, OMI provides Fortune 1000 firms and other clients fresh, accurate contact data to fuel outbound marketing initiatives and drive sales and profits. An expert and innovator in multi-channel marketing data, Paula has established OMI as a leader in comprehensive email campaign management services.
Along with her growing team, her goal is to assist clients in successfully navigating the complex email channel by offering hands-on guidance combined with the highest levels of email deliverability and marketing ROI. Paula began her career with Dun & Bradstreet and developed her skills by creating direct mail, online advertising and email campaigns for leading mortgage companies, financial institutions, telecom, software, online gaming sites, sweepstakes enterprises and e-commerce companies.
Our Story
If a business wants to grow, it needs to find new customers. Since our founding in 1998, OMI has been dedicated to empowering companies to do just that.
Connect with your ideal prospects using our high-quality B2B2C data.
Add accuracy, precision targeting, and scale to your modern digital marketing initiatives.
Our Data
Our master B2B database contains omni-channel marketing data including verified business email addresses with 95% validity, on average. Leveraging multiple data sources and proprietary matching and quality algorithms, we provide the freshest contact data in the industry to ensure you achieve optimal marketing results.
Under her direction, OMI provides Fortune 1000 firms and other clients fresh, accurate contact data to fuel outbound marketing initiatives and drive sales and profits. An expert and innovator in multi-channel marketing data, Paula has established OMI as a leader in comprehensive email campaign management services. Along with her growing team, her goal is to assist clients in successfully navigating the complex email channel by offering hands-on guidance combined with the highest levels of email deliverability and marketing ROI. Paula began her career with Dun & Bradstreet and developed her skills by creating direct mail, online advertising and email campaigns for leading mortgage companies, financial institutions, telecom, software, online gaming sites, sweepstakes enterprises and e-commerce companies.
Richard’s journey in the call center space is filled with twists and turns. When he was 27 years old, he relocated to Costa Rica to train employees for one of the larger call centers in San Jose.
Mr. Richard Blank holds a bachelors degree in Communication and Spanish from the University of Arizona and a certificate of language proficiency from the University of Sevilla, Spain. A Keynote speaker for Philadelphia's Abington High School 68th National Honors Society induction ceremony. In addition, inducted into the 2023 Hall of Fame for Business. Giving back to Abington Senior High School is very important to Mr. Blank. As such, he endows a scholarship each year for students that plan on majoring in a world language at the university level.
Costa Rica’s Call Center (CCC) is a state of the art BPO telemarketing outsource company located in the capital city of San Jose, Costa Rica. Our main focus has been, and will always be to personally train each and every Central America call center agent so that we may offer the highest quality of outbound and inbound telemarketing solutions and bilingual customer service to small and medium sized international companies, entrepreneurs as well as fortune 500 companies.
We encourage you to visit one of our call centers on your next personal vacation or business trip to Central America’s paradise, Costa Rica. While you are here, we would recommend taking an extra day of your trip to visit breathtaking virgin beaches, play golf next to the ocean, try your luck at deep sea fishing, explore tropical jungles, climb volcanos or just relax in natural hot springs. Come and see for yourself why call center outsourcing in Costa Rica is a perfect solution for your growing company and a powerhouse in the BPO industry.
https://costaricascallcenter.com/en/outbound-bpo-campaigns/
#TheB2BInfluencePodcast #PaulaChiocchi #TheMarketingVanguard #RichardBlank #CostaRica #CallCenter #Outsourcing #Telemarketing #BPO #Sales #Entrepreneur #B2B #Business #Podcast #Gamification #CEO #trend #trending #listennow #subscribe #podcastclip #podcastvideo #videopodcasting #podcastguest
The Value of Personal Touch in Customer Service
And so when we used to leave very detailed voice messages, And do really good tailor made emails. We almost not only matched a conversion ratio but sometimes exceeded it because more people prefer that non voice so we almost had to make that sort of adjustment and then went into other sort of phone call so That's the way that I see it. But it is a means to an end. And people like myself, I would rather call you than text. And if I'm calling a company, I'm going to press zero so I can speak with somebody. And so I do believe that there will be a market for my type of services. I think there is, right? Yeah. Look what Hollywood did. They all hate telemarketers. Do you hate us more than used car salesmen? Look what they've done to us. But think about customer service. I had an experience recently where I bought something and it didn't get delivered and then they wouldn't answer the emails. There was no chat. There was no phone number. And it was a less expensive price than another website, but I didn't get any service. So I canceled and I paid more at a different website because there was some service involved in it. Sometimes people want to talk to somebody, at least I do.
The B2B Influence Podcast. The Importance of Relationship-Building in Telesales with Richard Blank
Are you a leader making waves in the B2B marketing space? The B2B Influence podcast is an exclusive platform designed to spotlight exceptional individuals driving innovation, growth, and transformation in industries that market to small and mid-sized businesses. This is your opportunity to share your story, showcase your achievements, and connect with a highly engaged audience of industry peers and decision-makers.
At The B2B Influence Podcast, we showcase the brilliance, values, and strategies of B2B industry leaders who are shaping the future. Our podcast spotlights trailblazers who are redefining how businesses market to small and mid-sized companies, setting new standards in innovation, transparency, and growth. Whether you’re a marketing executive, a data analytics expert, or a business leader with a vision, this is the podcast for you. Join us as we celebrate the achievements of industry pioneers and uncover actionable insights to fuel your success.
In this episode of The Marketing Vanguard: Leading Voices in B2B Innovation, Paula Chiocchi interviews the President, CEO, and Bilingual Telemarketing Trainer of Costa Rica's Call Center, Richard Blank. Richard explores the crucial role of call centers in the marketing-to-sales pipeline, emphasizing the importance of human connection and empathy in telemarketing.
Richard discusses balancing inbound and outbound calls, the significance of soft skills, and the operational challenges of converting leads. He advocates for quality interactions over quantity, effective follow-up, and maintaining realistic expectations. Richard underscores the enduring value of personal connections in customer service and telemarketing.
Paula Chiocchi, president and CEO of Outward Media, Inc. (OMI), is a marketing industry veteran whose mission is to help businesses realize their full potential by effectively reaching their target audiences and converting more prospects into customers.
Advice for Selecting a Call Center
What kind of advice would you give for people in searching for a call center, whether outbound or inbound? Good cop and bad cop. Let's go bad cop first. You got to make sure that they are a company that follows all legal laws. I follow all business and banking laws in the United States with my company that's out of Florida. They in turn hire my company in Costa Rica, which follows all the labor laws here. I'm not going to be a fall guy for anybody. I'm a guest here. I have to pay the Caja. I got to do the Aguinaldo. I got to pay everything. And it costs money to run a business overseas. There's benefits to it. But then again, I'm not here to hide away. Google me
Handling Difficult Calls with Empathy
And I've also learned that if you allow somebody to vent, remember the cartoons when steam would go out of someone's ears? I do. I have a profanity rule. If they curse at you, Paula, they get a warning. They do it a second time, you can hang up. But if they're venting and they're getting it out, I'll let you do it. And then I'm going to give you some Philly guilt. I'm going to go, hey, Paolo, you done yet? You want to curse some more? And you go, Richard, I'm so sorry. I go, may we begin again? And you say, yes, we may. And then look at that sort of foundation. Now you have a client for life. And that's how you're training your people. It's maturity. Yeah. You can't take it personal. And you think about it. You're speaking to someone's worst day. Something broke. For an example, we work with a law firm. So we do level one intake coordinators for wrongful termination and disability. So imagine that extended empathy when people are calling us after they've been fired. And so we can cradle these calls. And I think those specific soft skills are the things some people might be lacking today.
Introduction and Impact of Call Centers
Hi, this is Paula Kiyoki. I'm the CEO and founder of Outward Media. We go by OMI. And this is the Marketing Vanguard Leading Voices in B2B Innovation podcast. Today, we are fortunate to have Richard Blank. Richard is the president and bilingual, I want to get this right, bilingual telemarketing trainer at the Costa Rica Call Center. Welcome, Richard. So happy to be with you and your audience today. And I was just telling Richard that I'm jealous that I haven't been to Costa Rica. So Richard's an expert in all things telemarketing, telemarketing and call centers. And so we're going to ask him a few questions today and get his expertise. Richard, at what point in the marketing to sales pipeline do you see call centers having the greatest impact? And how do you define that sweet spot between MQL and SQL? Well, I believe that A.I., a computer can never replace empathy. They can't give you a hug. And so you will use it for gathering and to make things easier, bring it to the 10 yard line, so to speak. But you and I need to bring that ball into the end zone.
https://youtu.be/bzJze5vXiuM
https://youtu.be/yIF8TGySqIA
https://youtu.be/w8aGC09Yy-4
https://youtu.be/MZT8pkqrdDo
Richard Blank hired bassist Garry Gary Beers of INXS.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieGjN5H4xPQ
The B2B Influence PodcastPaula Chiocchi, The Marketing Vanguard, 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
As a B2B business leader and data innovator my work has led to dramatic increases in both revenue and digital marketing campaign ROI for hundreds of Fortune 2000 and midmarket firms. I’ve driven nearly $300 million in revenue for a single Fortune 500 client in one year.
My priority is to deliver more desirable business outcomes -- using accurate high-quality data to fuel success for Omni-channel digital marketing campaigns. OMI’s mission is to turn data into revenue and results. We use our database of more than 20+ million businesses and 145+ million B2BC contacts—which include email addresses and digital IDs backed by the industry’s first 95% email validity guarantee.
Since 1998, I’ve made a name for myself as an award-winning B2B marketing innovator – and the driving force behind the world’s largest SMB database.
The fast pace of business has been a constant in my career. That’s why it’s been important for me to create balance. My love of Asian art has influenced a Zen attitude that drives my approach to problem solving in both my business and my personal life. The philosophy I share with my team and business partners and clients is to speak up when something isn’t right so that, together, we can fix it.
As a military brat, I was exposed to many places, peoples and cultures. That stopped at 21 with the death of my father. Still in college, I helped my mother reengineer her life and learned self-reliance and responsibility that cannot be taught in a classroom.
Running a business is exhilarating but also filled with challenges. So, sharing my expertise and the lessons I’ve learned is important to me. I take every opportunity to mentor new entrepreneurs and those just getting started in their careers--to give them advice and encouragement and guide them on a path to success.
It’s also why I write: for our company blog, Forbes Advisory Circle, and other outlets. If you could ask me one thing, what would that be? Take a moment and message me.
Paula Chiocchi, CEO and founder of OMI, is an award-winning marketing industry veteran whose mission is to help businesses realize their full potential by effectively reaching their target audiences and converting more prospects into customers.
Under her direction, OMI provides Fortune 1000 firms and other clients fresh, accurate contact data to fuel outbound marketing initiatives and drive sales and profits. An expert and innovator in multi-channel marketing data, Paula has established OMI as a leader in comprehensive email campaign management services.
Along with her growing team, her goal is to assist clients in successfully navigating the complex email channel by offering hands-on guidance combined with the highest levels of email deliverability and marketing ROI. Paula began her career with Dun & Bradstreet and developed her skills by creating direct mail, online advertising and email campaigns for leading mortgage companies, financial institutions, telecom, software, online gaming sites, sweepstakes enterprises and e-commerce companies.
Our Story
If a business wants to grow, it needs to find new customers. Since our founding in 1998, OMI has been dedicated to empowering companies to do just that.
Connect with your ideal prospects using our high-quality B2B2C data.
Add accuracy, precision targeting, and scale to your modern digital marketing initiatives.
Our Data
Our master B2B database contains omni-channel marketing data including verified business email addresses with 95% validity, on average. Leveraging multiple data sources and proprietary matching and quality algorithms, we provide the freshest contact data in the industry to ensure you achieve optimal marketing results.
Under her direction, OMI provides Fortune 1000 firms and other clients fresh, accurate contact data to fuel outbound marketing initiatives and drive sales and profits. An expert and innovator in multi-channel marketing data, Paula has established OMI as a leader in comprehensive email campaign management services. Along with her growing team, her goal is to assist clients in successfully navigating the complex email channel by offering hands-on guidance combined with the highest levels of email deliverability and marketing ROI. Paula began her career with Dun & Bradstreet and developed her skills by creating direct mail, online advertising and email campaigns for leading mortgage companies, financial institutions, telecom, software, online gaming sites, sweepstakes enterprises and e-commerce companies.
Richard’s journey in the call center space is filled with twists and turns. When he was 27 years old, he relocated to Costa Rica to train employees for one of the larger call centers in San Jose.
Mr. Richard Blank holds a bachelors degree in Communication and Spanish from the University of Arizona and a certificate of language proficiency from the University of Sevilla, Spain. A Keynote speaker for Philadelphia's Abington High School 68th National Honors Society induction ceremony. In addition, inducted into the 2023 Hall of Fame for Business. Giving back to Abington Senior High School is very important to Mr. Blank. As such, he endows a scholarship each year for students that plan on majoring in a world language at the university level.
Costa Rica’s Call Center (CCC) is a state of the art BPO telemarketing outsource company located in the capital city of San Jose, Costa Rica. Our main focus has been, and will always be to personally train each and every Central America call center agent so that we may offer the highest quality of outbound and inbound telemarketing solutions and bilingual customer service to small and medium sized international companies, entrepreneurs as well as fortune 500 companies.
We encourage you to visit one of our call centers on your next personal vacation or business trip to Central America’s paradise, Costa Rica. While you are here, we would recommend taking an extra day of your trip to visit breathtaking virgin beaches, play golf next to the ocean, try your luck at deep sea fishing, explore tropical jungles, climb volcanos or just relax in natural hot springs. Come and see for yourself why call center outsourcing in Costa Rica is a perfect solution for your growing company and a powerhouse in the BPO industry.
https://costaricascallcenter.com/en/outbound-bpo-campaigns/
#TheB2BInfluencePodcast #PaulaChiocchi #TheMarketingVanguard #RichardBlank #CostaRica #CallCenter #Outsourcing #Telemarketing #BPO #Sales #Entrepreneur #B2B #Business #Podcast #Gamification #CEO #trend #trending #listennow #subscribe #podcastclip #podcastvideo #videopodcasting #podcastguest
The Value of Personal Touch in Customer Service
And so when we used to leave very detailed voice messages, And do really good tailor made emails. We almost not only matched a conversion ratio but sometimes exceeded it because more people prefer that non voice so we almost had to make that sort of adjustment and then went into other sort of phone call so That's the way that I see it. But it is a means to an end. And people like myself, I would rather call you than text. And if I'm calling a company, I'm going to press zero so I can speak with somebody. And so I do believe that there will be a market for my type of services. I think there is, right? Yeah. Look what Hollywood did. They all hate telemarketers. Do you hate us more than used car salesmen? Look what they've done to us. But think about customer service. I had an experience recently where I bought something and it didn't get delivered and then they wouldn't answer the emails. There was no chat. There was no phone number. And it was a less expensive price than another website, but I didn't get any service. So I canceled and I paid more at a different website because there was some service involved in it. Sometimes people want to talk to somebody, at least I do.
The B2B Influence Podcast. The Importance of Relationship-Building in Telesales with Richard Blank
Are you a leader making waves in the B2B marketing space? The B2B Influence podcast is an exclusive platform designed to spotlight exceptional individuals driving innovation, growth, and transformation in industries that market to small and mid-sized businesses. This is your opportunity to share your story, showcase your achievements, and connect with a highly engaged audience of industry peers and decision-makers.
At The B2B Influence Podcast, we showcase the brilliance, values, and strategies of B2B industry leaders who are shaping the future. Our podcast spotlights trailblazers who are redefining how businesses market to small and mid-sized companies, setting new standards in innovation, transparency, and growth. Whether you’re a marketing executive, a data analytics expert, or a business leader with a vision, this is the podcast for you. Join us as we celebrate the achievements of industry pioneers and uncover actionable insights to fuel your success.
In this episode of The Marketing Vanguard: Leading Voices in B2B Innovation, Paula Chiocchi interviews the President, CEO, and Bilingual Telemarketing Trainer of Costa Rica's Call Center, Richard Blank. Richard explores the crucial role of call centers in the marketing-to-sales pipeline, emphasizing the importance of human connection and empathy in telemarketing.
Richard discusses balancing inbound and outbound calls, the significance of soft skills, and the operational challenges of converting leads. He advocates for quality interactions over quantity, effective follow-up, and maintaining realistic expectations. Richard underscores the enduring value of personal connections in customer service and telemarketing.
Paula Chiocchi, president and CEO of Outward Media, Inc. (OMI), is a marketing industry veteran whose mission is to help businesses realize their full potential by effectively reaching their target audiences and converting more prospects into customers.
Advice for Selecting a Call Center
What kind of advice would you give for people in searching for a call center, whether outbound or inbound? Good cop and bad cop. Let's go bad cop first. You got to make sure that they are a company that follows all legal laws. I follow all business and banking laws in the United States with my company that's out of Florida. They in turn hire my company in Costa Rica, which follows all the labor laws here. I'm not going to be a fall guy for anybody. I'm a guest here. I have to pay the Caja. I got to do the Aguinaldo. I got to pay everything. And it costs money to run a business overseas. There's benefits to it. But then again, I'm not here to hide away. Google me
Handling Difficult Calls with Empathy
And I've also learned that if you allow somebody to vent, remember the cartoons when steam would go out of someone's ears? I do. I have a profanity rule. If they curse at you, Paula, they get a warning. They do it a second time, you can hang up. But if they're venting and they're getting it out, I'll let you do it. And then I'm going to give you some Philly guilt. I'm going to go, hey, Paolo, you done yet? You want to curse some more? And you go, Richard, I'm so sorry. I go, may we begin again? And you say, yes, we may. And then look at that sort of foundation. Now you have a client for life. And that's how you're training your people. It's maturity. Yeah. You can't take it personal. And you think about it. You're speaking to someone's worst day. Something broke. For an example, we work with a law firm. So we do level one intake coordinators for wrongful termination and disability. So imagine that extended empathy when people are calling us after they've been fired. And so we can cradle these calls. And I think those specific soft skills are the things some people might be lacking today.
Introduction and Impact of Call Centers
Hi, this is Paula Kiyoki. I'm the CEO and founder of Outward Media. We go by OMI. And this is the Marketing Vanguard Leading Voices in B2B Innovation podcast. Today, we are fortunate to have Richard Blank. Richard is the president and bilingual, I want to get this right, bilingual telemarketing trainer at the Costa Rica Call Center. Welcome, Richard. So happy to be with you and your audience today. And I was just telling Richard that I'm jealous that I haven't been to Costa Rica. So Richard's an expert in all things telemarketing, telemarketing and call centers. And so we're going to ask him a few questions today and get his expertise. Richard, at what point in the marketing to sales pipeline do you see call centers having the greatest impact? And how do you define that sweet spot between MQL and SQL? Well, I believe that A.I., a computer can never replace empathy. They can't give you a hug. And so you will use it for gathering and to make things easier, bring it to the 10 yard line, so to speak. But you and I need to bring that ball into the end zone.
https://youtu.be/bzJze5vXiuM
https://youtu.be/yIF8TGySqIA
https://youtu.be/w8aGC09Yy-4
https://youtu.be/MZT8pkqrdDo
Richard Blank hired bassist Garry Gary Beers of INXS.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieGjN5H4xPQ
The B2B Influence PodcastPaula Chiocchi, The Marketing Vanguard, 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
As a B2B business leader and data innovator my work has led to dramatic increases in both revenue and digital marketing campaign ROI for hundreds of Fortune 2000 and midmarket firms. I’ve driven nearly $300 million in revenue for a single Fortune 500 client in one year.
My priority is to deliver more desirable business outcomes -- using accurate high-quality data to fuel success for Omni-channel digital marketing campaigns. OMI’s mission is to turn data into revenue and results. We use our database of more than 20+ million businesses and 145+ million B2BC contacts—which include email addresses and digital IDs backed by the industry’s first 95% email validity guarantee.
Since 1998, I’ve made a name for myself as an award-winning B2B marketing innovator – and the driving force behind the world’s largest SMB database.
The fast pace of business has been a constant in my career. That’s why it’s been important for me to create balance. My love of Asian art has influenced a Zen attitude that drives my approach to problem solving in both my business and my personal life. The philosophy I share with my team and business partners and clients is to speak up when something isn’t right so that, together, we can fix it.
As a military brat, I was exposed to many places, peoples and cultures. That stopped at 21 with the death of my father. Still in college, I helped my mother reengineer her life and learned self-reliance and responsibility that cannot be taught in a classroom.
Running a business is exhilarating but also filled with challenges. So, sharing my expertise and the lessons I’ve learned is important to me. I take every opportunity to mentor new entrepreneurs and those just getting started in their careers--to give them advice and encouragement and guide them on a path to success.
It’s also why I write: for our company blog, Forbes Advisory Circle, and other outlets. If you could ask me one thing, what would that be? Take a moment and message me.
Paula Chiocchi, CEO and founder of OMI, is an award-winning marketing industry veteran whose mission is to help businesses realize their full potential by effectively reaching their target audiences and converting more prospects into customers.
Under her direction, OMI provides Fortune 1000 firms and other clients fresh, accurate contact data to fuel outbound marketing initiatives and drive sales and profits. An expert and innovator in multi-channel marketing data, Paula has established OMI as a leader in comprehensive email campaign management services.
Along with her growing team, her goal is to assist clients in successfully navigating the complex email channel by offering hands-on guidance combined with the highest levels of email deliverability and marketing ROI. Paula began her career with Dun & Bradstreet and developed her skills by creating direct mail, online advertising and email campaigns for leading mortgage companies, financial institutions, telecom, software, online gaming sites, sweepstakes enterprises and e-commerce companies.
Our Story
If a business wants to grow, it needs to find new customers. Since our founding in 1998, OMI has been dedicated to empowering companies to do just that.
Connect with your ideal prospects using our high-quality B2B2C data.
Add accuracy, precision targeting, and scale to your modern digital marketing initiatives.
Our Data
Our master B2B database contains omni-channel marketing data including verified business email addresses with 95% validity, on average. Leveraging multiple data sources and proprietary matching and quality algorithms, we provide the freshest contact data in the industry to ensure you achieve optimal marketing results.
Under her direction, OMI provides Fortune 1000 firms and other clients fresh, accurate contact data to fuel outbound marketing initiatives and drive sales and profits. An expert and innovator in multi-channel marketing data, Paula has established OMI as a leader in comprehensive email campaign management services. Along with her growing team, her goal is to assist clients in successfully navigating the complex email channel by offering hands-on guidance combined with the highest levels of email deliverability and marketing ROI. Paula began her career with Dun & Bradstreet and developed her skills by creating direct mail, online advertising and email campaigns for leading mortgage companies, financial institutions, telecom, software, online gaming sites, sweepstakes enterprises and e-commerce companies.
Richard’s journey in the call center space is filled with twists and turns. When he was 27 years old, he relocated to Costa Rica to train employees for one of the larger call centers in San Jose.
Mr. Richard Blank holds a bachelors degree in Communication and Spanish from the University of Arizona and a certificate of language proficiency from the University of Sevilla, Spain. A Keynote speaker for Philadelphia's Abington High School 68th National Honors Society induction ceremony. In addition, inducted into the 2023 Hall of Fame for Business. Giving back to Abington Senior High School is very important to Mr. Blank. As such, he endows a scholarship each year for students that plan on majoring in a world language at the university level.
Costa Rica’s Call Center (CCC) is a state of the art BPO telemarketing outsource company located in the capital city of San Jose, Costa Rica. Our main focus has been, and will always be to personally train each and every Central America call center agent so that we may offer the highest quality of outbound and inbound telemarketing solutions and bilingual customer service to small and medium sized international companies, entrepreneurs as well as fortune 500 companies.
We encourage you to visit one of our call centers on your next personal vacation or business trip to Central America’s paradise, Costa Rica. While you are here, we would recommend taking an extra day of your trip to visit breathtaking virgin beaches, play golf next to the ocean, try your luck at deep sea fishing, explore tropical jungles, climb volcanos or just relax in natural hot springs. Come and see for yourself why call center outsourcing in Costa Rica is a perfect solution for your growing company and a powerhouse in the BPO industry.
https://costaricascallcenter.com/en/outbound-bpo-campaigns/
#TheB2BInfluencePodcast #PaulaChiocchi #TheMarketingVanguard #RichardBlank #CostaRica #CallCenter #Outsourcing #Telemarketing #BPO #Sales #Entrepreneur #B2B #Business #Podcast #Gamification #CEO #trend #trending #listennow #subscribe #podcastclip #podcastvideo #videopodcasting #podcastguest
The Value of Personal Touch in Customer Service
And so when we used to leave very detailed voice messages, And do really good tailor made emails. We almost not only matched a conversion ratio but sometimes exceeded it because more people prefer that non voice so we almost had to make that sort of adjustment and then went into other sort of phone call so That's the way that I see it. But it is a means to an end. And people like myself, I would rather call you than text. And if I'm calling a company, I'm going to press zero so I can speak with somebody. And so I do believe that there will be a market for my type of services. I think there is, right? Yeah. Look what Hollywood did. They all hate telemarketers. Do you hate us more than used car salesmen? Look what they've done to us. But think about customer service. I had an experience recently where I bought something and it didn't get delivered and then they wouldn't answer the emails. There was no chat. There was no phone number. And it was a less expensive price than another website, but I didn't get any service. So I canceled and I paid more at a different website because there was some service involved in it. Sometimes people want to talk to somebody, at least I do.
The B2B Influence Podcast. The Importance of Relationship-Building in Telesales with Richard Blank
Are you a leader making waves in the B2B marketing space? The B2B Influence podcast is an exclusive platform designed to spotlight exceptional individuals driving innovation, growth, and transformation in industries that market to small and mid-sized businesses. This is your opportunity to share your story, showcase your achievements, and connect with a highly engaged audience of industry peers and decision-makers.
At The B2B Influence Podcast, we showcase the brilliance, values, and strategies of B2B industry leaders who are shaping the future. Our podcast spotlights trailblazers who are redefining how businesses market to small and mid-sized companies, setting new standards in innovation, transparency, and growth. Whether you’re a marketing executive, a data analytics expert, or a business leader with a vision, this is the podcast for you. Join us as we celebrate the achievements of industry pioneers and uncover actionable insights to fuel your success.
In this episode of The Marketing Vanguard: Leading Voices in B2B Innovation, Paula Chiocchi interviews the President, CEO, and Bilingual Telemarketing Trainer of Costa Rica's Call Center, Richard Blank. Richard explores the crucial role of call centers in the marketing-to-sales pipeline, emphasizing the importance of human connection and empathy in telemarketing.
Richard discusses balancing inbound and outbound calls, the significance of soft skills, and the operational challenges of converting leads. He advocates for quality interactions over quantity, effective follow-up, and maintaining realistic expectations. Richard underscores the enduring value of personal connections in customer service and telemarketing.
Paula Chiocchi, president and CEO of Outward Media, Inc. (OMI), is a marketing industry veteran whose mission is to help businesses realize their full potential by effectively reaching their target audiences and converting more prospects into customers.
Advice for Selecting a Call Center
What kind of advice would you give for people in searching for a call center, whether outbound or inbound? Good cop and bad cop. Let's go bad cop first. You got to make sure that they are a company that follows all legal laws. I follow all business and banking laws in the United States with my company that's out of Florida. They in turn hire my company in Costa Rica, which follows all the labor laws here. I'm not going to be a fall guy for anybody. I'm a guest here. I have to pay the Caja. I got to do the Aguinaldo. I got to pay everything. And it costs money to run a business overseas. There's benefits to it. But then again, I'm not here to hide away. Google me
Handling Difficult Calls with Empathy
And I've also learned that if you allow somebody to vent, remember the cartoons when steam would go out of someone's ears? I do. I have a profanity rule. If they curse at you, Paula, they get a warning. They do it a second time, you can hang up. But if they're venting and they're getting it out, I'll let you do it. And then I'm going to give you some Philly guilt. I'm going to go, hey, Paolo, you done yet? You want to curse some more? And you go, Richard, I'm so sorry. I go, may we begin again? And you say, yes, we may. And then look at that sort of foundation. Now you have a client for life. And that's how you're training your people. It's maturity. Yeah. You can't take it personal. And you think about it. You're speaking to someone's worst day. Something broke. For an example, we work with a law firm. So we do level one intake coordinators for wrongful termination and disability. So imagine that extended empathy when people are calling us after they've been fired. And so we can cradle these calls. And I think those specific soft skills are the things some people might be lacking today.
Introduction and Impact of Call Centers
Hi, this is Paula Kiyoki. I'm the CEO and founder of Outward Media. We go by OMI. And this is the Marketing Vanguard Leading Voices in B2B Innovation podcast. Today, we are fortunate to have Richard Blank. Richard is the president and bilingual, I want to get this right, bilingual telemarketing trainer at the Costa Rica Call Center. Welcome, Richard. So happy to be with you and your audience today. And I was just telling Richard that I'm jealous that I haven't been to Costa Rica. So Richard's an expert in all things telemarketing, telemarketing and call centers. And so we're going to ask him a few questions today and get his expertise. Richard, at what point in the marketing to sales pipeline do you see call centers having the greatest impact? And how do you define that sweet spot between MQL and SQL? Well, I believe that A.I., a computer can never replace empathy. They can't give you a hug. And so you will use it for gathering and to make things easier, bring it to the 10 yard line, so to speak. But you and I need to bring that ball into the end zone.
https://youtu.be/bzJze5vXiuM
https://youtu.be/yIF8TGySqIA
https://youtu.be/w8aGC09Yy-4
https://youtu.be/MZT8pkqrdDo
Richard Blank hired bassist Garry Gary Beers of INXS.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieGjN5H4xPQ
The B2B Influence PodcastPaula Chiocchi, The Marketing Vanguard, 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
As a B2B business leader and data innovator my work has led to dramatic increases in both revenue and digital marketing campaign ROI for hundreds of Fortune 2000 and midmarket firms. I’ve driven nearly $300 million in revenue for a single Fortune 500 client in one year.
My priority is to deliver more desirable business outcomes -- using accurate high-quality data to fuel success for Omni-channel digital marketing campaigns. OMI’s mission is to turn data into revenue and results. We use our database of more than 20+ million businesses and 145+ million B2BC contacts—which include email addresses and digital IDs backed by the industry’s first 95% email validity guarantee.
Since 1998, I’ve made a name for myself as an award-winning B2B marketing innovator – and the driving force behind the world’s largest SMB database.
The fast pace of business has been a constant in my career. That’s why it’s been important for me to create balance. My love of Asian art has influenced a Zen attitude that drives my approach to problem solving in both my business and my personal life. The philosophy I share with my team and business partners and clients is to speak up when something isn’t right so that, together, we can fix it.
As a military brat, I was exposed to many places, peoples and cultures. That stopped at 21 with the death of my father. Still in college, I helped my mother reengineer her life and learned self-reliance and responsibility that cannot be taught in a classroom.
Running a business is exhilarating but also filled with challenges. So, sharing my expertise and the lessons I’ve learned is important to me. I take every opportunity to mentor new entrepreneurs and those just getting started in their careers--to give them advice and encouragement and guide them on a path to success.
It’s also why I write: for our company blog, Forbes Advisory Circle, and other outlets. If you could ask me one thing, what would that be? Take a moment and message me.
Paula Chiocchi, CEO and founder of OMI, is an award-winning marketing industry veteran whose mission is to help businesses realize their full potential by effectively reaching their target audiences and converting more prospects into customers.
Under her direction, OMI provides Fortune 1000 firms and other clients fresh, accurate contact data to fuel outbound marketing initiatives and drive sales and profits. An expert and innovator in multi-channel marketing data, Paula has established OMI as a leader in comprehensive email campaign management services.
Along with her growing team, her goal is to assist clients in successfully navigating the complex email channel by offering hands-on guidance combined with the highest levels of email deliverability and marketing ROI. Paula began her career with Dun & Bradstreet and developed her skills by creating direct mail, online advertising and email campaigns for leading mortgage companies, financial institutions, telecom, software, online gaming sites, sweepstakes enterprises and e-commerce companies.
Our Story
If a business wants to grow, it needs to find new customers. Since our founding in 1998, OMI has been dedicated to empowering companies to do just that.
Connect with your ideal prospects using our high-quality B2B2C data.
Add accuracy, precision targeting, and scale to your modern digital marketing initiatives.
Our Data
Our master B2B database contains omni-channel marketing data including verified business email addresses with 95% validity, on average. Leveraging multiple data sources and proprietary matching and quality algorithms, we provide the freshest contact data in the industry to ensure you achieve optimal marketing results.
Under her direction, OMI provides Fortune 1000 firms and other clients fresh, accurate contact data to fuel outbound marketing initiatives and drive sales and profits. An expert and innovator in multi-channel marketing data, Paula has established OMI as a leader in comprehensive email campaign management services. Along with her growing team, her goal is to assist clients in successfully navigating the complex email channel by offering hands-on guidance combined with the highest levels of email deliverability and marketing ROI. Paula began her career with Dun & Bradstreet and developed her skills by creating direct mail, online advertising and email campaigns for leading mortgage companies, financial institutions, telecom, software, online gaming sites, sweepstakes enterprises and e-commerce companies.
Richard’s journey in the call center space is filled with twists and turns. When he was 27 years old, he relocated to Costa Rica to train employees for one of the larger call centers in San Jose.
Mr. Richard Blank holds a bachelors degree in Communication and Spanish from the University of Arizona and a certificate of language proficiency from the University of Sevilla, Spain. A Keynote speaker for Philadelphia's Abington High School 68th National Honors Society induction ceremony. In addition, inducted into the 2023 Hall of Fame for Business. Giving back to Abington Senior High School is very important to Mr. Blank. As such, he endows a scholarship each year for students that plan on majoring in a world language at the university level.
Costa Rica’s Call Center (CCC) is a state of the art BPO telemarketing outsource company located in the capital city of San Jose, Costa Rica. Our main focus has been, and will always be to personally train each and every Central America call center agent so that we may offer the highest quality of outbound and inbound telemarketing solutions and bilingual customer service to small and medium sized international companies, entrepreneurs as well as fortune 500 companies.
We encourage you to visit one of our call centers on your next personal vacation or business trip to Central America’s paradise, Costa Rica. While you are here, we would recommend taking an extra day of your trip to visit breathtaking virgin beaches, play golf next to the ocean, try your luck at deep sea fishing, explore tropical jungles, climb volcanos or just relax in natural hot springs. Come and see for yourself why call center outsourcing in Costa Rica is a perfect solution for your growing company and a powerhouse in the BPO industry.
https://costaricascallcenter.com/en/outbound-bpo-campaigns/
#TheB2BInfluencePodcast #PaulaChiocchi #TheMarketingVanguard #RichardBlank #CostaRica #CallCenter #Outsourcing #Telemarketing #BPO #Sales #Entrepreneur #B2B #Business #Podcast #Gamification #CEO #trend #trending #listennow #subscribe #podcastclip #podcastvideo #videopodcasting #podcastguest
The Value of Personal Touch in Customer Service
And so when we used to leave very detailed voice messages, And do really good tailor made emails. We almost not only matched a conversion ratio but sometimes exceeded it because more people prefer that non voice so we almost had to make that sort of adjustment and then went into other sort of phone call so That's the way that I see it. But it is a means to an end. And people like myself, I would rather call you than text. And if I'm calling a company, I'm going to press zero so I can speak with somebody. And so I do believe that there will be a market for my type of services. I think there is, right? Yeah. Look what Hollywood did. They all hate telemarketers. Do you hate us more than used car salesmen? Look what they've done to us. But think about customer service. I had an experience recently where I bought something and it didn't get delivered and then they wouldn't answer the emails. There was no chat. There was no phone number. And it was a less expensive price than another website, but I didn't get any service. So I canceled and I paid more at a different website because there was some service involved in it. Sometimes people want to talk to somebody, at least I do.
Just your favorite goofy girl being totally herself on cam 😝💗 I was in such a silly mood during my last stream—I couldn’t stop laughing, making ridiculous faces (yes, even full ahegao 👅😂), and just vibing with everyone who joined. Sometimes it’s not about being perfect or overly sexy—it’s about having fun and sharing those chaotic cute moments with the people who enjoy my energy 💕 I love being a little bratty, a little weird, and a whole lot of real. Whether I’m teasing with a wink or pulling a tongue-out face just for laughs, you know I’m always keeping it playful 💫 If you love chill, fun vibes with a side of flirtiness, come hang with me live sometime 💖 I promise to make you smile… and maybe blush too 😇🎥
#CamgirlVibes #GoofyGirlEnergy #AhegaoCutie #SillyAndSweet #StreamingLife #GoodVibesOnly #EgirlFun #BeYourself #WholesomeTease
Hey babes! 💖 I was in the mood to get on cam and let my bubbly side shine today. I couldn’t stop smiling and giggling—just living for those soft, flirty vibes! It’s always so much fun sharing these little moments with you, being playful, feeling pretty, and just enjoying the energy. If you’re into cute looks, fun convos, and a touch of chaos, you’re gonna love this one. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe so you don’t miss my next session 💋
What I love most about camming is the connection I get to build with people from all over the world. It’s more than just being on camera—it’s about creating a space where we can have fun, flirt, and get to know each other on a real level. I love the freedom it gives me to express myself, explore my sensual side, and feel sexy and confident while doing it. Every show is different, every conversation is unique, and that keeps it exciting for me. Whether it’s playful teasing or deep, intimate chats, I enjoy making others feel seen, desired, and appreciated. It’s a vibe I truly love sharing. Plus, knowing I can make someone’s day a little hotter or help them escape for a while makes it all worth it. Camming isn’t just my job—it’s something I genuinely enjoy and feel passionate about. 💋
Hey you! I just wanted to create a cozy little space where we can laugh, talk, and just be ourselves. Whether you’re here to unwind after a long day or just need a friendly face, I’m so happy you stopped by. I love getting to know you all—answering questions, sharing little stories, and just vibing together. It’s more than just a stream; it’s our time to connect. So grab a snack, get comfy, and let’s chat about anything and everything. You always make my day brighter, and I hope I can do the same for you. 💫
Hi there! I’m just a redhead with a love for cute vibes and cozy chats—today I’m rocking some adorable bunny ears! 🧡🐰 I love connecting with you, sharing laughs, and making your day a little brighter. Come hang out with me for some fun, sweet energy, and good conversation! 💫
Dr. Laura Sicola presents Speaking to Influence Podcast. Soft speaking skills with Richard Blank.
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.
24-Hour Influence Challenge: Voicemail Edition
Now, you just took a challenge in moving down to Costa Rica 24 years ago. Let's levy a challenge to everybody else. This is an opportunity, Richard, to give a challenge for our 24-hour influence challenge of the day to challenge our audience to take one step that they can complete within 24 hours to have more influence. How would you like to challenge our listeners today? Yeah, Laura, I loved when we spoke about this before. I gave you like 20 ideas, and this is the one we chose the best. Nobody likes how they sound on their voicemail, now do they? When was the last time you changed your voicemail recording? What, 1989? And so I need for you to listen to yourself, and I want you to analyze your tone, your rate, your pitch, your duration, Maybe use a thesaurus and find some similes to power up certain vocabulary so it might become more diplomatic and strategic. And practice that over and over. Why? Because that's how you sound to people.
https://youtu.be/Xs4XRi6Ca3s
https://youtube.com/shorts/wSiTO-n9WBY
https://youtube.com/shorts/a34o4FLSPhU
https://youtu.be/h4eu6eiIoTw
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
Some of these videos are connected to blogs or other pages on my website, https://laurasicola.com, so take a look to learn more. If you want to stay on top of the latest news in speech an leadership, sign up there to get my weekly newsletter so you don't miss a beat!
Here's to increasing your confidence, presence and influence, as the leader that you are, and the leader you KNOW you can become!
LEADERSHIP IS AN IMAGE.
The way you communicate
is the foundation.
Executive communication coaching and training with Dr. Laura Sicola helps you build the confidence, presence, and influence you need to succeed.
It’s Time to Enhance Your Executive Presence
1Step into a world where your words command respect, your confidence inspires trust, and your leadership opens doors to new opportunities.
Dr. Laura Sicola
Are you equally confident and influential whether communicating with people in business development, finance, engineering, HR, clients, or the board of directors?
Are you as persuasive and compelling whether speaking on camera, presenting to 500 people at a conference, pitching to investors, or advising your employees in a 1:1?
I am a speaker, coach and leadership communication expert who helps people hone their Vocal Executive Presence (VEP) and communication skills to project a strong, positive leadership image, develop loyal, effective teams, and create their ideal workplace culture to reach their ultimate goals.
Your technical expertise only gets you so far; after that, your success is a direct result of how effectively you can COMMUNICATE that expertise to others who do NOT have your skills and knowledge.
I have worked with everyone from executives and aspiring execs at companies like IBM, Comcast and the US Department of Commerce, to executive directors at non-profits, groups of entrepreneurs and women's/diversity initiatives.
Do you or will you lead a large team or organization? Are you getting ready for a conference presentation? A TED talk? A press conference? Or do you need to facilitate team meetings and mediate staff conflict? You tell me who your audience is, and I show you how to get your message across to them efficiently and effectively, while bringing everyone to a collective "YES."
And if you're looking for a speaker for your next event - live or virtual - and need a topic that will resonate with EVERYONE delivered by an inspiring, engaging speaker, give me a call!
Dr. Laura Sicola has over 20 years of experience teaching leaders how to command the room, connect with the audience, and close the deal.
As a cognitive linguist and communication expert, Laura empowers leaders through communication coaching, group training sessions, worldwide speaking engagements, and her book “Speaking to Influence.”
Executive Coaching
Work with Laura one-on-one or in mastery cohort groups to refine your communication skills. These executive coaching sessions help you develop a communication strategy that elevates your executive presence, aligns with your personal brand and gets results.
Group Training
Transform your team's communication capabilities with Laura's outcome-oriented, customizable group training. Topics include Speaking to Influence, Breaking the Expert's Curse, Virtual Influence, Becoming a Go-To Thought Leader, and more.
Keynote Speaking
Elevate your conference or event with a speaker who has mastered the art and science of “infotainment.” Laura balances value-packed content with humor and an interactive style that keeps the audience engaged and gives them practical skills to immediately implement.
Speaking to Influence Book
Discover the secrets to powerful and persuasive communication. With real-life examples, worksheets, and exercises, this book gives you everything needed to transform your communication style, get out of your own way, and hear “yes” more often.
Speaking to Influence Podcast
Join Laura as she interviews world-class business and industry leaders who reveal the importance of communication as an essential leadership skill on their own career journey and the (sometimes hard) lessons they learned along the way.
Online Programs and Training
Laura hosts a constantly evolving set of online courses and live group trainings on topics to help you discover your leadership voice, become a go-to thought leader, and optimize your in-person or virtual presence and engagement skills.
Want to establish your brand as a go-to thought leader?
Get Laura’s insights in this free resource that shares eight key strategies to boost your brand and elevate your thought leadership. Click the link below and begin your journey to becoming a respected and influential leader who everyone actually WANTS to hear speak!
Ultimately, Laura's mission is to guide leaders in mastering the 3 Cs of executive presence: Command the room, Connect with the audience, and Close the deal.
As a cognitive linguist and executive communication coach, Laura understands how professional interactions impact respect, trust, and buy-in, whether it’s a company meeting, a virtual conference call, a presentation to the board, or a high-stakes pitch to investors.
Using a personalized and practical approach, Laura teaches leaders how to project confidence, authority, and authenticity so they can be themselves, while still getting through to anyone.
Linguist
Laura’s background in cognitive linguistics is the cornerstone of her unique coaching approach to solving this universal challenge. She earned her Ph.D. in educational linguistics from the University of Pennsylvania and taught there from 2001-2013. Laura has a deep understanding of the science of how people learn, how speech is processed in the brain, and what creates the gap between “what you think you said,” “what they think they heard,” and most importantly, how to close that gap to get results.
Coach
As an executive communication coach, Laura works with C-suite executives, VPs, directors, business owners, and aspiring executives who want to expand their powers of influence, inspire trust, and hear “yes” more often. In one-on-one or group sessions and master classes, she teaches leaders how to identify and express their personal brands so they can communicate with clarity, confidence, and authenticity, in front of any audience.
Author
Laura is the author of Speaking to Influence: Mastering Your Leadership Voice. This insightful book draws on her extensive expertise in cognitive linguistics, education and executive coaching to provide everyone with practical tools for effective communication in personal and professional interactions alike. In the words of one Amazon reviewer, “Dr. Laura Sicola gives down-to-earth, usable advice for anyone who wants to speak with authority.” She has also published many other peer-reviewed articles and books based on her research, intended for academic audiences.
Speaker
Laura is a renowned speaker, delivering keynotes and presentations at conferences and corporate events worldwide. Her TEDxPENN talk ‘Want to Sound like a Leader? Start by Saying Your Name Right‘ has been viewed over 6.8 million times. She has spoken at hundreds of events sharing insights and practical strategies for effective leadership communication. She also loves to moderate panels and emcee events for corporate and non-profit organizations.
Connect With Laura
Ready to sharpen your communication skills and expand your influence? Reach out to Dr. Laura Sicola to learn more about personalized coaching, group training, speaking engagements, and more.
Richard’s journey in the call center space is filled with twists and turns. When he was 27 years old, he relocated to Costa Rica to train employees for one of the larger call centers in San Jose.
Mr. Richard Blank holds a bachelors degree in Communication and Spanish from the University of Arizona and a certificate of language proficiency from the University of Sevilla, Spain. A Keynote speaker for Philadelphia's Abington High School 68th National Honors Society induction ceremony. In addition, inducted into the 2023 Hall of Fame for Business. Giving back to Abington Senior High School is very important to Mr. Blank. As such, he endows a scholarship each year for students that plan on majoring in a world language at the university level.
Costa Rica’s Call Center (CCC) is a state of the art BPO telemarketing outsource company located in the capital city of San Jose, Costa Rica. Our main focus has been, and will always be to personally train each and every Central America call center agent so that we may offer the highest quality of outbound and inbound telemarketing solutions and bilingual customer service to small and medium sized international companies, entrepreneurs as well as fortune 500 companies.
We encourage you to visit one of our call centers on your next personal vacation or business trip to Central America’s paradise, Costa Rica. While you are here, we would recommend taking an extra day of your trip to visit breathtaking virgin beaches, play golf next to the ocean, try your luck at deep sea fishing, explore tropical jungles, climb volcanos or just relax in natural hot springs. Come and see for yourself why call center outsourcing in Costa Rica is a perfect solution for your growing company and a powerhouse in the BPO industry.
https://costaricascallcenter.com/en/outbound-bpo-campaigns/
#DrLauraSicola #SpeakingtoInfluencePodcast #SpeakersAreLeadersMotivationPodcast #HarrySardinas #RichardBlank #CostaRica #CallCenter #Outsourcing #Telemarketing #BPO #Sales #Entrepreneur #B2B #Business #Podcast #Gamification #CEO #trend #trending #listennow #subscribe #podcastclip #podcastvideo #videopodcasting #podcastguest
Pushed My Car in a Suit: A Hilarious Client Story
yes yes all right finally tell me about a time when you had to laugh at yourself ah i love this story so i had a client in town right phil and i'm driving him to dinner and it's the rainy season and unfortunately my car ran out of gas right by the um la sabana park and I couldn't believe it. So the guy looks at me, he goes, listen, the gas station is just a block away. And he goes, I'll push it if you will. I go, are you serious? He goes, yeah, why not? And so I took my jacket off. I'm still in my suit. Got the, you know, the best on. It's a good bonding moment there. Pushed it down the street. People are honking, laughing at me. A guy on purpose would curve a little, so it splashed me.
Handling Leadership Challenges During COVID
Yes, of course, Laura. It was during COVID when all of a sudden the government said, you got to send everybody home. And so what do you do? IT needed to prepare the lifeboats. The agents mentally needed to prepare for the isolation. And my supervisors and I needed to create certain mediums to keep that communication going and that lifeline going. And so I saw some people run for the hills. I saw freshmen step up to the plate.
The Gary Technique: Trust and Perseverance
Tell me about a time when you went to bat for someone else. Who did you speak to on their behalf? Why and how? I totally remember this story when we spoke about it, Laura. I had an agent called Gary and we called the Gary technique. This guy was usually the ramper upper where I'd put him on a brand new campaign to lead the charge, show some metrics and things will look good. Once again, the lone voice with the client convincing them that this is the guy. So after a certain day or two, when the client was losing its patience or Gary wasn't, you know, hitting the home runs yet, he said, Hey, I want you to remove him and try somebody else. And I said, you haven't really given him enough time. He goes, no, I just don't have a good vibe. I go, okay. Let's give it until the end of the day. And then I'll put him on another campaign. Next thing you know, Gary ripped three appointments. And so the client calls about it goes, why? I didn't know that. Let's keep, I go, well, listen, Billy, I did speak to the other client. He's being moved, but I just got to let you know in the future, have faith in me, trust my opinion. This is my wheelhouse. I know what I'm doing. And you know, just once the people get loosey goosey and they feel comfy on the phone, then you start hitting them. And so, um, I've fallen on swords for people because I've known what they've done. And I've also made mistakes as well. Sometimes Gary was not the good fit on a certain campaign and it just wasn't the right guy. Guy can't bat a thousand. Sure. Sure. And so I'm willing to take that hit too. But the beauty of it is at the end of the day, regardless of the outcome, the fact that you might have faith in somebody else besides yourself.
Dr. Laura Sicola presents Speaking to Influence Podcast. Soft speaking skills with Richard Blank.
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.
24-Hour Influence Challenge: Voicemail Edition
Now, you just took a challenge in moving down to Costa Rica 24 years ago. Let's levy a challenge to everybody else. This is an opportunity, Richard, to give a challenge for our 24-hour influence challenge of the day to challenge our audience to take one step that they can complete within 24 hours to have more influence. How would you like to challenge our listeners today? Yeah, Laura, I loved when we spoke about this before. I gave you like 20 ideas, and this is the one we chose the best. Nobody likes how they sound on their voicemail, now do they? When was the last time you changed your voicemail recording? What, 1989? And so I need for you to listen to yourself, and I want you to analyze your tone, your rate, your pitch, your duration, Maybe use a thesaurus and find some similes to power up certain vocabulary so it might become more diplomatic and strategic. And practice that over and over. Why? Because that's how you sound to people.
https://youtu.be/Xs4XRi6Ca3s
https://youtube.com/shorts/wSiTO-n9WBY
https://youtube.com/shorts/a34o4FLSPhU
https://youtu.be/h4eu6eiIoTw
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
Some of these videos are connected to blogs or other pages on my website, https://laurasicola.com, so take a look to learn more. If you want to stay on top of the latest news in speech an leadership, sign up there to get my weekly newsletter so you don't miss a beat!
Here's to increasing your confidence, presence and influence, as the leader that you are, and the leader you KNOW you can become!
LEADERSHIP IS AN IMAGE.
The way you communicate
is the foundation.
Executive communication coaching and training with Dr. Laura Sicola helps you build the confidence, presence, and influence you need to succeed.
It’s Time to Enhance Your Executive Presence
1Step into a world where your words command respect, your confidence inspires trust, and your leadership opens doors to new opportunities.
Dr. Laura Sicola
Are you equally confident and influential whether communicating with people in business development, finance, engineering, HR, clients, or the board of directors?
Are you as persuasive and compelling whether speaking on camera, presenting to 500 people at a conference, pitching to investors, or advising your employees in a 1:1?
I am a speaker, coach and leadership communication expert who helps people hone their Vocal Executive Presence (VEP) and communication skills to project a strong, positive leadership image, develop loyal, effective teams, and create their ideal workplace culture to reach their ultimate goals.
Your technical expertise only gets you so far; after that, your success is a direct result of how effectively you can COMMUNICATE that expertise to others who do NOT have your skills and knowledge.
I have worked with everyone from executives and aspiring execs at companies like IBM, Comcast and the US Department of Commerce, to executive directors at non-profits, groups of entrepreneurs and women's/diversity initiatives.
Do you or will you lead a large team or organization? Are you getting ready for a conference presentation? A TED talk? A press conference? Or do you need to facilitate team meetings and mediate staff conflict? You tell me who your audience is, and I show you how to get your message across to them efficiently and effectively, while bringing everyone to a collective "YES."
And if you're looking for a speaker for your next event - live or virtual - and need a topic that will resonate with EVERYONE delivered by an inspiring, engaging speaker, give me a call!
Dr. Laura Sicola has over 20 years of experience teaching leaders how to command the room, connect with the audience, and close the deal.
As a cognitive linguist and communication expert, Laura empowers leaders through communication coaching, group training sessions, worldwide speaking engagements, and her book “Speaking to Influence.”
Executive Coaching
Work with Laura one-on-one or in mastery cohort groups to refine your communication skills. These executive coaching sessions help you develop a communication strategy that elevates your executive presence, aligns with your personal brand and gets results.
Group Training
Transform your team's communication capabilities with Laura's outcome-oriented, customizable group training. Topics include Speaking to Influence, Breaking the Expert's Curse, Virtual Influence, Becoming a Go-To Thought Leader, and more.
Keynote Speaking
Elevate your conference or event with a speaker who has mastered the art and science of “infotainment.” Laura balances value-packed content with humor and an interactive style that keeps the audience engaged and gives them practical skills to immediately implement.
Speaking to Influence Book
Discover the secrets to powerful and persuasive communication. With real-life examples, worksheets, and exercises, this book gives you everything needed to transform your communication style, get out of your own way, and hear “yes” more often.
Speaking to Influence Podcast
Join Laura as she interviews world-class business and industry leaders who reveal the importance of communication as an essential leadership skill on their own career journey and the (sometimes hard) lessons they learned along the way.
Online Programs and Training
Laura hosts a constantly evolving set of online courses and live group trainings on topics to help you discover your leadership voice, become a go-to thought leader, and optimize your in-person or virtual presence and engagement skills.
Want to establish your brand as a go-to thought leader?
Get Laura’s insights in this free resource that shares eight key strategies to boost your brand and elevate your thought leadership. Click the link below and begin your journey to becoming a respected and influential leader who everyone actually WANTS to hear speak!
Ultimately, Laura's mission is to guide leaders in mastering the 3 Cs of executive presence: Command the room, Connect with the audience, and Close the deal.
As a cognitive linguist and executive communication coach, Laura understands how professional interactions impact respect, trust, and buy-in, whether it’s a company meeting, a virtual conference call, a presentation to the board, or a high-stakes pitch to investors.
Using a personalized and practical approach, Laura teaches leaders how to project confidence, authority, and authenticity so they can be themselves, while still getting through to anyone.
Linguist
Laura’s background in cognitive linguistics is the cornerstone of her unique coaching approach to solving this universal challenge. She earned her Ph.D. in educational linguistics from the University of Pennsylvania and taught there from 2001-2013. Laura has a deep understanding of the science of how people learn, how speech is processed in the brain, and what creates the gap between “what you think you said,” “what they think they heard,” and most importantly, how to close that gap to get results.
Coach
As an executive communication coach, Laura works with C-suite executives, VPs, directors, business owners, and aspiring executives who want to expand their powers of influence, inspire trust, and hear “yes” more often. In one-on-one or group sessions and master classes, she teaches leaders how to identify and express their personal brands so they can communicate with clarity, confidence, and authenticity, in front of any audience.
Author
Laura is the author of Speaking to Influence: Mastering Your Leadership Voice. This insightful book draws on her extensive expertise in cognitive linguistics, education and executive coaching to provide everyone with practical tools for effective communication in personal and professional interactions alike. In the words of one Amazon reviewer, “Dr. Laura Sicola gives down-to-earth, usable advice for anyone who wants to speak with authority.” She has also published many other peer-reviewed articles and books based on her research, intended for academic audiences.
Speaker
Laura is a renowned speaker, delivering keynotes and presentations at conferences and corporate events worldwide. Her TEDxPENN talk ‘Want to Sound like a Leader? Start by Saying Your Name Right‘ has been viewed over 6.8 million times. She has spoken at hundreds of events sharing insights and practical strategies for effective leadership communication. She also loves to moderate panels and emcee events for corporate and non-profit organizations.
Connect With Laura
Ready to sharpen your communication skills and expand your influence? Reach out to Dr. Laura Sicola to learn more about personalized coaching, group training, speaking engagements, and more.
Richard’s journey in the call center space is filled with twists and turns. When he was 27 years old, he relocated to Costa Rica to train employees for one of the larger call centers in San Jose.
Mr. Richard Blank holds a bachelors degree in Communication and Spanish from the University of Arizona and a certificate of language proficiency from the University of Sevilla, Spain. A Keynote speaker for Philadelphia's Abington High School 68th National Honors Society induction ceremony. In addition, inducted into the 2023 Hall of Fame for Business. Giving back to Abington Senior High School is very important to Mr. Blank. As such, he endows a scholarship each year for students that plan on majoring in a world language at the university level.
Costa Rica’s Call Center (CCC) is a state of the art BPO telemarketing outsource company located in the capital city of San Jose, Costa Rica. Our main focus has been, and will always be to personally train each and every Central America call center agent so that we may offer the highest quality of outbound and inbound telemarketing solutions and bilingual customer service to small and medium sized international companies, entrepreneurs as well as fortune 500 companies.
We encourage you to visit one of our call centers on your next personal vacation or business trip to Central America’s paradise, Costa Rica. While you are here, we would recommend taking an extra day of your trip to visit breathtaking virgin beaches, play golf next to the ocean, try your luck at deep sea fishing, explore tropical jungles, climb volcanos or just relax in natural hot springs. Come and see for yourself why call center outsourcing in Costa Rica is a perfect solution for your growing company and a powerhouse in the BPO industry.
https://costaricascallcenter.com/en/outbound-bpo-campaigns/
#DrLauraSicola #SpeakingtoInfluencePodcast #SpeakersAreLeadersMotivationPodcast #HarrySardinas #RichardBlank #CostaRica #CallCenter #Outsourcing #Telemarketing #BPO #Sales #Entrepreneur #B2B #Business #Podcast #Gamification #CEO #trend #trending #listennow #subscribe #podcastclip #podcastvideo #videopodcasting #podcastguest
Pushed My Car in a Suit: A Hilarious Client Story
yes yes all right finally tell me about a time when you had to laugh at yourself ah i love this story so i had a client in town right phil and i'm driving him to dinner and it's the rainy season and unfortunately my car ran out of gas right by the um la sabana park and I couldn't believe it. So the guy looks at me, he goes, listen, the gas station is just a block away. And he goes, I'll push it if you will. I go, are you serious? He goes, yeah, why not? And so I took my jacket off. I'm still in my suit. Got the, you know, the best on. It's a good bonding moment there. Pushed it down the street. People are honking, laughing at me. A guy on purpose would curve a little, so it splashed me.
Handling Leadership Challenges During COVID
Yes, of course, Laura. It was during COVID when all of a sudden the government said, you got to send everybody home. And so what do you do? IT needed to prepare the lifeboats. The agents mentally needed to prepare for the isolation. And my supervisors and I needed to create certain mediums to keep that communication going and that lifeline going. And so I saw some people run for the hills. I saw freshmen step up to the plate.
The Gary Technique: Trust and Perseverance
Tell me about a time when you went to bat for someone else. Who did you speak to on their behalf? Why and how? I totally remember this story when we spoke about it, Laura. I had an agent called Gary and we called the Gary technique. This guy was usually the ramper upper where I'd put him on a brand new campaign to lead the charge, show some metrics and things will look good. Once again, the lone voice with the client convincing them that this is the guy. So after a certain day or two, when the client was losing its patience or Gary wasn't, you know, hitting the home runs yet, he said, Hey, I want you to remove him and try somebody else. And I said, you haven't really given him enough time. He goes, no, I just don't have a good vibe. I go, okay. Let's give it until the end of the day. And then I'll put him on another campaign. Next thing you know, Gary ripped three appointments. And so the client calls about it goes, why? I didn't know that. Let's keep, I go, well, listen, Billy, I did speak to the other client. He's being moved, but I just got to let you know in the future, have faith in me, trust my opinion. This is my wheelhouse. I know what I'm doing. And you know, just once the people get loosey goosey and they feel comfy on the phone, then you start hitting them. And so, um, I've fallen on swords for people because I've known what they've done. And I've also made mistakes as well. Sometimes Gary was not the good fit on a certain campaign and it just wasn't the right guy. Guy can't bat a thousand. Sure. Sure. And so I'm willing to take that hit too. But the beauty of it is at the end of the day, regardless of the outcome, the fact that you might have faith in somebody else besides yourself.
Dr. Laura Sicola presents Speaking to Influence Podcast. Soft speaking skills with Richard Blank.
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.
24-Hour Influence Challenge: Voicemail Edition
Now, you just took a challenge in moving down to Costa Rica 24 years ago. Let's levy a challenge to everybody else. This is an opportunity, Richard, to give a challenge for our 24-hour influence challenge of the day to challenge our audience to take one step that they can complete within 24 hours to have more influence. How would you like to challenge our listeners today? Yeah, Laura, I loved when we spoke about this before. I gave you like 20 ideas, and this is the one we chose the best. Nobody likes how they sound on their voicemail, now do they? When was the last time you changed your voicemail recording? What, 1989? And so I need for you to listen to yourself, and I want you to analyze your tone, your rate, your pitch, your duration, Maybe use a thesaurus and find some similes to power up certain vocabulary so it might become more diplomatic and strategic. And practice that over and over. Why? Because that's how you sound to people.
https://youtu.be/Xs4XRi6Ca3s
https://youtube.com/shorts/wSiTO-n9WBY
https://youtube.com/shorts/a34o4FLSPhU
https://youtu.be/h4eu6eiIoTw
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
Some of these videos are connected to blogs or other pages on my website, https://laurasicola.com, so take a look to learn more. If you want to stay on top of the latest news in speech an leadership, sign up there to get my weekly newsletter so you don't miss a beat!
Here's to increasing your confidence, presence and influence, as the leader that you are, and the leader you KNOW you can become!
LEADERSHIP IS AN IMAGE.
The way you communicate
is the foundation.
Executive communication coaching and training with Dr. Laura Sicola helps you build the confidence, presence, and influence you need to succeed.
It’s Time to Enhance Your Executive Presence
1Step into a world where your words command respect, your confidence inspires trust, and your leadership opens doors to new opportunities.
Dr. Laura Sicola
Are you equally confident and influential whether communicating with people in business development, finance, engineering, HR, clients, or the board of directors?
Are you as persuasive and compelling whether speaking on camera, presenting to 500 people at a conference, pitching to investors, or advising your employees in a 1:1?
I am a speaker, coach and leadership communication expert who helps people hone their Vocal Executive Presence (VEP) and communication skills to project a strong, positive leadership image, develop loyal, effective teams, and create their ideal workplace culture to reach their ultimate goals.
Your technical expertise only gets you so far; after that, your success is a direct result of how effectively you can COMMUNICATE that expertise to others who do NOT have your skills and knowledge.
I have worked with everyone from executives and aspiring execs at companies like IBM, Comcast and the US Department of Commerce, to executive directors at non-profits, groups of entrepreneurs and women's/diversity initiatives.
Do you or will you lead a large team or organization? Are you getting ready for a conference presentation? A TED talk? A press conference? Or do you need to facilitate team meetings and mediate staff conflict? You tell me who your audience is, and I show you how to get your message across to them efficiently and effectively, while bringing everyone to a collective "YES."
And if you're looking for a speaker for your next event - live or virtual - and need a topic that will resonate with EVERYONE delivered by an inspiring, engaging speaker, give me a call!
Dr. Laura Sicola has over 20 years of experience teaching leaders how to command the room, connect with the audience, and close the deal.
As a cognitive linguist and communication expert, Laura empowers leaders through communication coaching, group training sessions, worldwide speaking engagements, and her book “Speaking to Influence.”
Executive Coaching
Work with Laura one-on-one or in mastery cohort groups to refine your communication skills. These executive coaching sessions help you develop a communication strategy that elevates your executive presence, aligns with your personal brand and gets results.
Group Training
Transform your team's communication capabilities with Laura's outcome-oriented, customizable group training. Topics include Speaking to Influence, Breaking the Expert's Curse, Virtual Influence, Becoming a Go-To Thought Leader, and more.
Keynote Speaking
Elevate your conference or event with a speaker who has mastered the art and science of “infotainment.” Laura balances value-packed content with humor and an interactive style that keeps the audience engaged and gives them practical skills to immediately implement.
Speaking to Influence Book
Discover the secrets to powerful and persuasive communication. With real-life examples, worksheets, and exercises, this book gives you everything needed to transform your communication style, get out of your own way, and hear “yes” more often.
Speaking to Influence Podcast
Join Laura as she interviews world-class business and industry leaders who reveal the importance of communication as an essential leadership skill on their own career journey and the (sometimes hard) lessons they learned along the way.
Online Programs and Training
Laura hosts a constantly evolving set of online courses and live group trainings on topics to help you discover your leadership voice, become a go-to thought leader, and optimize your in-person or virtual presence and engagement skills.
Want to establish your brand as a go-to thought leader?
Get Laura’s insights in this free resource that shares eight key strategies to boost your brand and elevate your thought leadership. Click the link below and begin your journey to becoming a respected and influential leader who everyone actually WANTS to hear speak!
Ultimately, Laura's mission is to guide leaders in mastering the 3 Cs of executive presence: Command the room, Connect with the audience, and Close the deal.
As a cognitive linguist and executive communication coach, Laura understands how professional interactions impact respect, trust, and buy-in, whether it’s a company meeting, a virtual conference call, a presentation to the board, or a high-stakes pitch to investors.
Using a personalized and practical approach, Laura teaches leaders how to project confidence, authority, and authenticity so they can be themselves, while still getting through to anyone.
Linguist
Laura’s background in cognitive linguistics is the cornerstone of her unique coaching approach to solving this universal challenge. She earned her Ph.D. in educational linguistics from the University of Pennsylvania and taught there from 2001-2013. Laura has a deep understanding of the science of how people learn, how speech is processed in the brain, and what creates the gap between “what you think you said,” “what they think they heard,” and most importantly, how to close that gap to get results.
Coach
As an executive communication coach, Laura works with C-suite executives, VPs, directors, business owners, and aspiring executives who want to expand their powers of influence, inspire trust, and hear “yes” more often. In one-on-one or group sessions and master classes, she teaches leaders how to identify and express their personal brands so they can communicate with clarity, confidence, and authenticity, in front of any audience.
Author
Laura is the author of Speaking to Influence: Mastering Your Leadership Voice. This insightful book draws on her extensive expertise in cognitive linguistics, education and executive coaching to provide everyone with practical tools for effective communication in personal and professional interactions alike. In the words of one Amazon reviewer, “Dr. Laura Sicola gives down-to-earth, usable advice for anyone who wants to speak with authority.” She has also published many other peer-reviewed articles and books based on her research, intended for academic audiences.
Speaker
Laura is a renowned speaker, delivering keynotes and presentations at conferences and corporate events worldwide. Her TEDxPENN talk ‘Want to Sound like a Leader? Start by Saying Your Name Right‘ has been viewed over 6.8 million times. She has spoken at hundreds of events sharing insights and practical strategies for effective leadership communication. She also loves to moderate panels and emcee events for corporate and non-profit organizations.
Connect With Laura
Ready to sharpen your communication skills and expand your influence? Reach out to Dr. Laura Sicola to learn more about personalized coaching, group training, speaking engagements, and more.
Richard’s journey in the call center space is filled with twists and turns. When he was 27 years old, he relocated to Costa Rica to train employees for one of the larger call centers in San Jose.
Mr. Richard Blank holds a bachelors degree in Communication and Spanish from the University of Arizona and a certificate of language proficiency from the University of Sevilla, Spain. A Keynote speaker for Philadelphia's Abington High School 68th National Honors Society induction ceremony. In addition, inducted into the 2023 Hall of Fame for Business. Giving back to Abington Senior High School is very important to Mr. Blank. As such, he endows a scholarship each year for students that plan on majoring in a world language at the university level.
Costa Rica’s Call Center (CCC) is a state of the art BPO telemarketing outsource company located in the capital city of San Jose, Costa Rica. Our main focus has been, and will always be to personally train each and every Central America call center agent so that we may offer the highest quality of outbound and inbound telemarketing solutions and bilingual customer service to small and medium sized international companies, entrepreneurs as well as fortune 500 companies.
We encourage you to visit one of our call centers on your next personal vacation or business trip to Central America’s paradise, Costa Rica. While you are here, we would recommend taking an extra day of your trip to visit breathtaking virgin beaches, play golf next to the ocean, try your luck at deep sea fishing, explore tropical jungles, climb volcanos or just relax in natural hot springs. Come and see for yourself why call center outsourcing in Costa Rica is a perfect solution for your growing company and a powerhouse in the BPO industry.
https://costaricascallcenter.com/en/outbound-bpo-campaigns/
#DrLauraSicola #SpeakingtoInfluencePodcast #SpeakersAreLeadersMotivationPodcast #HarrySardinas #RichardBlank #CostaRica #CallCenter #Outsourcing #Telemarketing #BPO #Sales #Entrepreneur #B2B #Business #Podcast #Gamification #CEO #trend #trending #listennow #subscribe #podcastclip #podcastvideo #videopodcasting #podcastguest
Pushed My Car in a Suit: A Hilarious Client Story
yes yes all right finally tell me about a time when you had to laugh at yourself ah i love this story so i had a client in town right phil and i'm driving him to dinner and it's the rainy season and unfortunately my car ran out of gas right by the um la sabana park and I couldn't believe it. So the guy looks at me, he goes, listen, the gas station is just a block away. And he goes, I'll push it if you will. I go, are you serious? He goes, yeah, why not? And so I took my jacket off. I'm still in my suit. Got the, you know, the best on. It's a good bonding moment there. Pushed it down the street. People are honking, laughing at me. A guy on purpose would curve a little, so it splashed me.
Handling Leadership Challenges During COVID
Yes, of course, Laura. It was during COVID when all of a sudden the government said, you got to send everybody home. And so what do you do? IT needed to prepare the lifeboats. The agents mentally needed to prepare for the isolation. And my supervisors and I needed to create certain mediums to keep that communication going and that lifeline going. And so I saw some people run for the hills. I saw freshmen step up to the plate.
The Gary Technique: Trust and Perseverance
Tell me about a time when you went to bat for someone else. Who did you speak to on their behalf? Why and how? I totally remember this story when we spoke about it, Laura. I had an agent called Gary and we called the Gary technique. This guy was usually the ramper upper where I'd put him on a brand new campaign to lead the charge, show some metrics and things will look good. Once again, the lone voice with the client convincing them that this is the guy. So after a certain day or two, when the client was losing its patience or Gary wasn't, you know, hitting the home runs yet, he said, Hey, I want you to remove him and try somebody else. And I said, you haven't really given him enough time. He goes, no, I just don't have a good vibe. I go, okay. Let's give it until the end of the day. And then I'll put him on another campaign. Next thing you know, Gary ripped three appointments. And so the client calls about it goes, why? I didn't know that. Let's keep, I go, well, listen, Billy, I did speak to the other client. He's being moved, but I just got to let you know in the future, have faith in me, trust my opinion. This is my wheelhouse. I know what I'm doing. And you know, just once the people get loosey goosey and they feel comfy on the phone, then you start hitting them. And so, um, I've fallen on swords for people because I've known what they've done. And I've also made mistakes as well. Sometimes Gary was not the good fit on a certain campaign and it just wasn't the right guy. Guy can't bat a thousand. Sure. Sure. And so I'm willing to take that hit too. But the beauty of it is at the end of the day, regardless of the outcome, the fact that you might have faith in somebody else besides yourself.
Dr. Laura Sicola presents Speaking to Influence Podcast. Soft speaking skills with Richard Blank.
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.
24-Hour Influence Challenge: Voicemail Edition
Now, you just took a challenge in moving down to Costa Rica 24 years ago. Let's levy a challenge to everybody else. This is an opportunity, Richard, to give a challenge for our 24-hour influence challenge of the day to challenge our audience to take one step that they can complete within 24 hours to have more influence. How would you like to challenge our listeners today? Yeah, Laura, I loved when we spoke about this before. I gave you like 20 ideas, and this is the one we chose the best. Nobody likes how they sound on their voicemail, now do they? When was the last time you changed your voicemail recording? What, 1989? And so I need for you to listen to yourself, and I want you to analyze your tone, your rate, your pitch, your duration, Maybe use a thesaurus and find some similes to power up certain vocabulary so it might become more diplomatic and strategic. And practice that over and over. Why? Because that's how you sound to people.
https://youtu.be/Xs4XRi6Ca3s
https://youtube.com/shorts/wSiTO-n9WBY
https://youtube.com/shorts/a34o4FLSPhU
https://youtu.be/h4eu6eiIoTw
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
Some of these videos are connected to blogs or other pages on my website, https://laurasicola.com, so take a look to learn more. If you want to stay on top of the latest news in speech an leadership, sign up there to get my weekly newsletter so you don't miss a beat!
Here's to increasing your confidence, presence and influence, as the leader that you are, and the leader you KNOW you can become!
LEADERSHIP IS AN IMAGE.
The way you communicate
is the foundation.
Executive communication coaching and training with Dr. Laura Sicola helps you build the confidence, presence, and influence you need to succeed.
It’s Time to Enhance Your Executive Presence
1Step into a world where your words command respect, your confidence inspires trust, and your leadership opens doors to new opportunities.
Dr. Laura Sicola
Are you equally confident and influential whether communicating with people in business development, finance, engineering, HR, clients, or the board of directors?
Are you as persuasive and compelling whether speaking on camera, presenting to 500 people at a conference, pitching to investors, or advising your employees in a 1:1?
I am a speaker, coach and leadership communication expert who helps people hone their Vocal Executive Presence (VEP) and communication skills to project a strong, positive leadership image, develop loyal, effective teams, and create their ideal workplace culture to reach their ultimate goals.
Your technical expertise only gets you so far; after that, your success is a direct result of how effectively you can COMMUNICATE that expertise to others who do NOT have your skills and knowledge.
I have worked with everyone from executives and aspiring execs at companies like IBM, Comcast and the US Department of Commerce, to executive directors at non-profits, groups of entrepreneurs and women's/diversity initiatives.
Do you or will you lead a large team or organization? Are you getting ready for a conference presentation? A TED talk? A press conference? Or do you need to facilitate team meetings and mediate staff conflict? You tell me who your audience is, and I show you how to get your message across to them efficiently and effectively, while bringing everyone to a collective "YES."
And if you're looking for a speaker for your next event - live or virtual - and need a topic that will resonate with EVERYONE delivered by an inspiring, engaging speaker, give me a call!
Dr. Laura Sicola has over 20 years of experience teaching leaders how to command the room, connect with the audience, and close the deal.
As a cognitive linguist and communication expert, Laura empowers leaders through communication coaching, group training sessions, worldwide speaking engagements, and her book “Speaking to Influence.”
Executive Coaching
Work with Laura one-on-one or in mastery cohort groups to refine your communication skills. These executive coaching sessions help you develop a communication strategy that elevates your executive presence, aligns with your personal brand and gets results.
Group Training
Transform your team's communication capabilities with Laura's outcome-oriented, customizable group training. Topics include Speaking to Influence, Breaking the Expert's Curse, Virtual Influence, Becoming a Go-To Thought Leader, and more.
Keynote Speaking
Elevate your conference or event with a speaker who has mastered the art and science of “infotainment.” Laura balances value-packed content with humor and an interactive style that keeps the audience engaged and gives them practical skills to immediately implement.
Speaking to Influence Book
Discover the secrets to powerful and persuasive communication. With real-life examples, worksheets, and exercises, this book gives you everything needed to transform your communication style, get out of your own way, and hear “yes” more often.
Speaking to Influence Podcast
Join Laura as she interviews world-class business and industry leaders who reveal the importance of communication as an essential leadership skill on their own career journey and the (sometimes hard) lessons they learned along the way.
Online Programs and Training
Laura hosts a constantly evolving set of online courses and live group trainings on topics to help you discover your leadership voice, become a go-to thought leader, and optimize your in-person or virtual presence and engagement skills.
Want to establish your brand as a go-to thought leader?
Get Laura’s insights in this free resource that shares eight key strategies to boost your brand and elevate your thought leadership. Click the link below and begin your journey to becoming a respected and influential leader who everyone actually WANTS to hear speak!
Ultimately, Laura's mission is to guide leaders in mastering the 3 Cs of executive presence: Command the room, Connect with the audience, and Close the deal.
As a cognitive linguist and executive communication coach, Laura understands how professional interactions impact respect, trust, and buy-in, whether it’s a company meeting, a virtual conference call, a presentation to the board, or a high-stakes pitch to investors.
Using a personalized and practical approach, Laura teaches leaders how to project confidence, authority, and authenticity so they can be themselves, while still getting through to anyone.
Linguist
Laura’s background in cognitive linguistics is the cornerstone of her unique coaching approach to solving this universal challenge. She earned her Ph.D. in educational linguistics from the University of Pennsylvania and taught there from 2001-2013. Laura has a deep understanding of the science of how people learn, how speech is processed in the brain, and what creates the gap between “what you think you said,” “what they think they heard,” and most importantly, how to close that gap to get results.
Coach
As an executive communication coach, Laura works with C-suite executives, VPs, directors, business owners, and aspiring executives who want to expand their powers of influence, inspire trust, and hear “yes” more often. In one-on-one or group sessions and master classes, she teaches leaders how to identify and express their personal brands so they can communicate with clarity, confidence, and authenticity, in front of any audience.
Author
Laura is the author of Speaking to Influence: Mastering Your Leadership Voice. This insightful book draws on her extensive expertise in cognitive linguistics, education and executive coaching to provide everyone with practical tools for effective communication in personal and professional interactions alike. In the words of one Amazon reviewer, “Dr. Laura Sicola gives down-to-earth, usable advice for anyone who wants to speak with authority.” She has also published many other peer-reviewed articles and books based on her research, intended for academic audiences.
Speaker
Laura is a renowned speaker, delivering keynotes and presentations at conferences and corporate events worldwide. Her TEDxPENN talk ‘Want to Sound like a Leader? Start by Saying Your Name Right‘ has been viewed over 6.8 million times. She has spoken at hundreds of events sharing insights and practical strategies for effective leadership communication. She also loves to moderate panels and emcee events for corporate and non-profit organizations.
Connect With Laura
Ready to sharpen your communication skills and expand your influence? Reach out to Dr. Laura Sicola to learn more about personalized coaching, group training, speaking engagements, and more.
Richard’s journey in the call center space is filled with twists and turns. When he was 27 years old, he relocated to Costa Rica to train employees for one of the larger call centers in San Jose.
Mr. Richard Blank holds a bachelors degree in Communication and Spanish from the University of Arizona and a certificate of language proficiency from the University of Sevilla, Spain. A Keynote speaker for Philadelphia's Abington High School 68th National Honors Society induction ceremony. In addition, inducted into the 2023 Hall of Fame for Business. Giving back to Abington Senior High School is very important to Mr. Blank. As such, he endows a scholarship each year for students that plan on majoring in a world language at the university level.
Costa Rica’s Call Center (CCC) is a state of the art BPO telemarketing outsource company located in the capital city of San Jose, Costa Rica. Our main focus has been, and will always be to personally train each and every Central America call center agent so that we may offer the highest quality of outbound and inbound telemarketing solutions and bilingual customer service to small and medium sized international companies, entrepreneurs as well as fortune 500 companies.
We encourage you to visit one of our call centers on your next personal vacation or business trip to Central America’s paradise, Costa Rica. While you are here, we would recommend taking an extra day of your trip to visit breathtaking virgin beaches, play golf next to the ocean, try your luck at deep sea fishing, explore tropical jungles, climb volcanos or just relax in natural hot springs. Come and see for yourself why call center outsourcing in Costa Rica is a perfect solution for your growing company and a powerhouse in the BPO industry.
https://costaricascallcenter.com/en/outbound-bpo-campaigns/
#DrLauraSicola #SpeakingtoInfluencePodcast #SpeakersAreLeadersMotivationPodcast #HarrySardinas #RichardBlank #CostaRica #CallCenter #Outsourcing #Telemarketing #BPO #Sales #Entrepreneur #B2B #Business #Podcast #Gamification #CEO #trend #trending #listennow #subscribe #podcastclip #podcastvideo #videopodcasting #podcastguest
Pushed My Car in a Suit: A Hilarious Client Story
yes yes all right finally tell me about a time when you had to laugh at yourself ah i love this story so i had a client in town right phil and i'm driving him to dinner and it's the rainy season and unfortunately my car ran out of gas right by the um la sabana park and I couldn't believe it. So the guy looks at me, he goes, listen, the gas station is just a block away. And he goes, I'll push it if you will. I go, are you serious? He goes, yeah, why not? And so I took my jacket off. I'm still in my suit. Got the, you know, the best on. It's a good bonding moment there. Pushed it down the street. People are honking, laughing at me. A guy on purpose would curve a little, so it splashed me.
Handling Leadership Challenges During COVID
Yes, of course, Laura. It was during COVID when all of a sudden the government said, you got to send everybody home. And so what do you do? IT needed to prepare the lifeboats. The agents mentally needed to prepare for the isolation. And my supervisors and I needed to create certain mediums to keep that communication going and that lifeline going. And so I saw some people run for the hills. I saw freshmen step up to the plate.
The Gary Technique: Trust and Perseverance
Tell me about a time when you went to bat for someone else. Who did you speak to on their behalf? Why and how? I totally remember this story when we spoke about it, Laura. I had an agent called Gary and we called the Gary technique. This guy was usually the ramper upper where I'd put him on a brand new campaign to lead the charge, show some metrics and things will look good. Once again, the lone voice with the client convincing them that this is the guy. So after a certain day or two, when the client was losing its patience or Gary wasn't, you know, hitting the home runs yet, he said, Hey, I want you to remove him and try somebody else. And I said, you haven't really given him enough time. He goes, no, I just don't have a good vibe. I go, okay. Let's give it until the end of the day. And then I'll put him on another campaign. Next thing you know, Gary ripped three appointments. And so the client calls about it goes, why? I didn't know that. Let's keep, I go, well, listen, Billy, I did speak to the other client. He's being moved, but I just got to let you know in the future, have faith in me, trust my opinion. This is my wheelhouse. I know what I'm doing. And you know, just once the people get loosey goosey and they feel comfy on the phone, then you start hitting them. And so, um, I've fallen on swords for people because I've known what they've done. And I've also made mistakes as well. Sometimes Gary was not the good fit on a certain campaign and it just wasn't the right guy. Guy can't bat a thousand. Sure. Sure. And so I'm willing to take that hit too. But the beauty of it is at the end of the day, regardless of the outcome, the fact that you might have faith in somebody else besides yourself.
Dr. Laura Sicola presents Speaking to Influence Podcast. Soft speaking skills with Richard Blank.
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.
24-Hour Influence Challenge: Voicemail Edition
Now, you just took a challenge in moving down to Costa Rica 24 years ago. Let's levy a challenge to everybody else. This is an opportunity, Richard, to give a challenge for our 24-hour influence challenge of the day to challenge our audience to take one step that they can complete within 24 hours to have more influence. How would you like to challenge our listeners today? Yeah, Laura, I loved when we spoke about this before. I gave you like 20 ideas, and this is the one we chose the best. Nobody likes how they sound on their voicemail, now do they? When was the last time you changed your voicemail recording? What, 1989? And so I need for you to listen to yourself, and I want you to analyze your tone, your rate, your pitch, your duration, Maybe use a thesaurus and find some similes to power up certain vocabulary so it might become more diplomatic and strategic. And practice that over and over. Why? Because that's how you sound to people.
https://youtu.be/Xs4XRi6Ca3s
https://youtube.com/shorts/wSiTO-n9WBY
https://youtube.com/shorts/a34o4FLSPhU
https://youtu.be/h4eu6eiIoTw
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
Some of these videos are connected to blogs or other pages on my website, https://laurasicola.com, so take a look to learn more. If you want to stay on top of the latest news in speech an leadership, sign up there to get my weekly newsletter so you don't miss a beat!
Here's to increasing your confidence, presence and influence, as the leader that you are, and the leader you KNOW you can become!
LEADERSHIP IS AN IMAGE.
The way you communicate
is the foundation.
Executive communication coaching and training with Dr. Laura Sicola helps you build the confidence, presence, and influence you need to succeed.
It’s Time to Enhance Your Executive Presence
1Step into a world where your words command respect, your confidence inspires trust, and your leadership opens doors to new opportunities.
Dr. Laura Sicola
Are you equally confident and influential whether communicating with people in business development, finance, engineering, HR, clients, or the board of directors?
Are you as persuasive and compelling whether speaking on camera, presenting to 500 people at a conference, pitching to investors, or advising your employees in a 1:1?
I am a speaker, coach and leadership communication expert who helps people hone their Vocal Executive Presence (VEP) and communication skills to project a strong, positive leadership image, develop loyal, effective teams, and create their ideal workplace culture to reach their ultimate goals.
Your technical expertise only gets you so far; after that, your success is a direct result of how effectively you can COMMUNICATE that expertise to others who do NOT have your skills and knowledge.
I have worked with everyone from executives and aspiring execs at companies like IBM, Comcast and the US Department of Commerce, to executive directors at non-profits, groups of entrepreneurs and women's/diversity initiatives.
Do you or will you lead a large team or organization? Are you getting ready for a conference presentation? A TED talk? A press conference? Or do you need to facilitate team meetings and mediate staff conflict? You tell me who your audience is, and I show you how to get your message across to them efficiently and effectively, while bringing everyone to a collective "YES."
And if you're looking for a speaker for your next event - live or virtual - and need a topic that will resonate with EVERYONE delivered by an inspiring, engaging speaker, give me a call!
Dr. Laura Sicola has over 20 years of experience teaching leaders how to command the room, connect with the audience, and close the deal.
As a cognitive linguist and communication expert, Laura empowers leaders through communication coaching, group training sessions, worldwide speaking engagements, and her book “Speaking to Influence.”
Executive Coaching
Work with Laura one-on-one or in mastery cohort groups to refine your communication skills. These executive coaching sessions help you develop a communication strategy that elevates your executive presence, aligns with your personal brand and gets results.
Group Training
Transform your team's communication capabilities with Laura's outcome-oriented, customizable group training. Topics include Speaking to Influence, Breaking the Expert's Curse, Virtual Influence, Becoming a Go-To Thought Leader, and more.
Keynote Speaking
Elevate your conference or event with a speaker who has mastered the art and science of “infotainment.” Laura balances value-packed content with humor and an interactive style that keeps the audience engaged and gives them practical skills to immediately implement.
Speaking to Influence Book
Discover the secrets to powerful and persuasive communication. With real-life examples, worksheets, and exercises, this book gives you everything needed to transform your communication style, get out of your own way, and hear “yes” more often.
Speaking to Influence Podcast
Join Laura as she interviews world-class business and industry leaders who reveal the importance of communication as an essential leadership skill on their own career journey and the (sometimes hard) lessons they learned along the way.
Online Programs and Training
Laura hosts a constantly evolving set of online courses and live group trainings on topics to help you discover your leadership voice, become a go-to thought leader, and optimize your in-person or virtual presence and engagement skills.
Want to establish your brand as a go-to thought leader?
Get Laura’s insights in this free resource that shares eight key strategies to boost your brand and elevate your thought leadership. Click the link below and begin your journey to becoming a respected and influential leader who everyone actually WANTS to hear speak!
Ultimately, Laura's mission is to guide leaders in mastering the 3 Cs of executive presence: Command the room, Connect with the audience, and Close the deal.
As a cognitive linguist and executive communication coach, Laura understands how professional interactions impact respect, trust, and buy-in, whether it’s a company meeting, a virtual conference call, a presentation to the board, or a high-stakes pitch to investors.
Using a personalized and practical approach, Laura teaches leaders how to project confidence, authority, and authenticity so they can be themselves, while still getting through to anyone.
Linguist
Laura’s background in cognitive linguistics is the cornerstone of her unique coaching approach to solving this universal challenge. She earned her Ph.D. in educational linguistics from the University of Pennsylvania and taught there from 2001-2013. Laura has a deep understanding of the science of how people learn, how speech is processed in the brain, and what creates the gap between “what you think you said,” “what they think they heard,” and most importantly, how to close that gap to get results.
Coach
As an executive communication coach, Laura works with C-suite executives, VPs, directors, business owners, and aspiring executives who want to expand their powers of influence, inspire trust, and hear “yes” more often. In one-on-one or group sessions and master classes, she teaches leaders how to identify and express their personal brands so they can communicate with clarity, confidence, and authenticity, in front of any audience.
Author
Laura is the author of Speaking to Influence: Mastering Your Leadership Voice. This insightful book draws on her extensive expertise in cognitive linguistics, education and executive coaching to provide everyone with practical tools for effective communication in personal and professional interactions alike. In the words of one Amazon reviewer, “Dr. Laura Sicola gives down-to-earth, usable advice for anyone who wants to speak with authority.” She has also published many other peer-reviewed articles and books based on her research, intended for academic audiences.
Speaker
Laura is a renowned speaker, delivering keynotes and presentations at conferences and corporate events worldwide. Her TEDxPENN talk ‘Want to Sound like a Leader? Start by Saying Your Name Right‘ has been viewed over 6.8 million times. She has spoken at hundreds of events sharing insights and practical strategies for effective leadership communication. She also loves to moderate panels and emcee events for corporate and non-profit organizations.
Connect With Laura
Ready to sharpen your communication skills and expand your influence? Reach out to Dr. Laura Sicola to learn more about personalized coaching, group training, speaking engagements, and more.
Richard’s journey in the call center space is filled with twists and turns. When he was 27 years old, he relocated to Costa Rica to train employees for one of the larger call centers in San Jose.
Mr. Richard Blank holds a bachelors degree in Communication and Spanish from the University of Arizona and a certificate of language proficiency from the University of Sevilla, Spain. A Keynote speaker for Philadelphia's Abington High School 68th National Honors Society induction ceremony. In addition, inducted into the 2023 Hall of Fame for Business. Giving back to Abington Senior High School is very important to Mr. Blank. As such, he endows a scholarship each year for students that plan on majoring in a world language at the university level.
Costa Rica’s Call Center (CCC) is a state of the art BPO telemarketing outsource company located in the capital city of San Jose, Costa Rica. Our main focus has been, and will always be to personally train each and every Central America call center agent so that we may offer the highest quality of outbound and inbound telemarketing solutions and bilingual customer service to small and medium sized international companies, entrepreneurs as well as fortune 500 companies.
We encourage you to visit one of our call centers on your next personal vacation or business trip to Central America’s paradise, Costa Rica. While you are here, we would recommend taking an extra day of your trip to visit breathtaking virgin beaches, play golf next to the ocean, try your luck at deep sea fishing, explore tropical jungles, climb volcanos or just relax in natural hot springs. Come and see for yourself why call center outsourcing in Costa Rica is a perfect solution for your growing company and a powerhouse in the BPO industry.
https://costaricascallcenter.com/en/outbound-bpo-campaigns/
#DrLauraSicola #SpeakingtoInfluencePodcast #SpeakersAreLeadersMotivationPodcast #HarrySardinas #RichardBlank #CostaRica #CallCenter #Outsourcing #Telemarketing #BPO #Sales #Entrepreneur #B2B #Business #Podcast #Gamification #CEO #trend #trending #listennow #subscribe #podcastclip #podcastvideo #videopodcasting #podcastguest
Pushed My Car in a Suit: A Hilarious Client Story
yes yes all right finally tell me about a time when you had to laugh at yourself ah i love this story so i had a client in town right phil and i'm driving him to dinner and it's the rainy season and unfortunately my car ran out of gas right by the um la sabana park and I couldn't believe it. So the guy looks at me, he goes, listen, the gas station is just a block away. And he goes, I'll push it if you will. I go, are you serious? He goes, yeah, why not? And so I took my jacket off. I'm still in my suit. Got the, you know, the best on. It's a good bonding moment there. Pushed it down the street. People are honking, laughing at me. A guy on purpose would curve a little, so it splashed me.
Handling Leadership Challenges During COVID
Yes, of course, Laura. It was during COVID when all of a sudden the government said, you got to send everybody home. And so what do you do? IT needed to prepare the lifeboats. The agents mentally needed to prepare for the isolation. And my supervisors and I needed to create certain mediums to keep that communication going and that lifeline going. And so I saw some people run for the hills. I saw freshmen step up to the plate.
The Gary Technique: Trust and Perseverance
Tell me about a time when you went to bat for someone else. Who did you speak to on their behalf? Why and how? I totally remember this story when we spoke about it, Laura. I had an agent called Gary and we called the Gary technique. This guy was usually the ramper upper where I'd put him on a brand new campaign to lead the charge, show some metrics and things will look good. Once again, the lone voice with the client convincing them that this is the guy. So after a certain day or two, when the client was losing its patience or Gary wasn't, you know, hitting the home runs yet, he said, Hey, I want you to remove him and try somebody else. And I said, you haven't really given him enough time. He goes, no, I just don't have a good vibe. I go, okay. Let's give it until the end of the day. And then I'll put him on another campaign. Next thing you know, Gary ripped three appointments. And so the client calls about it goes, why? I didn't know that. Let's keep, I go, well, listen, Billy, I did speak to the other client. He's being moved, but I just got to let you know in the future, have faith in me, trust my opinion. This is my wheelhouse. I know what I'm doing. And you know, just once the people get loosey goosey and they feel comfy on the phone, then you start hitting them. And so, um, I've fallen on swords for people because I've known what they've done. And I've also made mistakes as well. Sometimes Gary was not the good fit on a certain campaign and it just wasn't the right guy. Guy can't bat a thousand. Sure. Sure. And so I'm willing to take that hit too. But the beauty of it is at the end of the day, regardless of the outcome, the fact that you might have faith in somebody else besides yourself.
Dr. Laura Sicola presents Speaking to Influence Podcast. Soft speaking skills with Richard Blank.
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.
24-Hour Influence Challenge: Voicemail Edition
Now, you just took a challenge in moving down to Costa Rica 24 years ago. Let's levy a challenge to everybody else. This is an opportunity, Richard, to give a challenge for our 24-hour influence challenge of the day to challenge our audience to take one step that they can complete within 24 hours to have more influence. How would you like to challenge our listeners today? Yeah, Laura, I loved when we spoke about this before. I gave you like 20 ideas, and this is the one we chose the best. Nobody likes how they sound on their voicemail, now do they? When was the last time you changed your voicemail recording? What, 1989? And so I need for you to listen to yourself, and I want you to analyze your tone, your rate, your pitch, your duration, Maybe use a thesaurus and find some similes to power up certain vocabulary so it might become more diplomatic and strategic. And practice that over and over. Why? Because that's how you sound to people.
https://youtu.be/Xs4XRi6Ca3s
https://youtube.com/shorts/wSiTO-n9WBY
https://youtube.com/shorts/a34o4FLSPhU
https://youtu.be/h4eu6eiIoTw
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
Some of these videos are connected to blogs or other pages on my website, https://laurasicola.com, so take a look to learn more. If you want to stay on top of the latest news in speech an leadership, sign up there to get my weekly newsletter so you don't miss a beat!
Here's to increasing your confidence, presence and influence, as the leader that you are, and the leader you KNOW you can become!
LEADERSHIP IS AN IMAGE.
The way you communicate
is the foundation.
Executive communication coaching and training with Dr. Laura Sicola helps you build the confidence, presence, and influence you need to succeed.
It’s Time to Enhance Your Executive Presence
1Step into a world where your words command respect, your confidence inspires trust, and your leadership opens doors to new opportunities.
Dr. Laura Sicola
Are you equally confident and influential whether communicating with people in business development, finance, engineering, HR, clients, or the board of directors?
Are you as persuasive and compelling whether speaking on camera, presenting to 500 people at a conference, pitching to investors, or advising your employees in a 1:1?
I am a speaker, coach and leadership communication expert who helps people hone their Vocal Executive Presence (VEP) and communication skills to project a strong, positive leadership image, develop loyal, effective teams, and create their ideal workplace culture to reach their ultimate goals.
Your technical expertise only gets you so far; after that, your success is a direct result of how effectively you can COMMUNICATE that expertise to others who do NOT have your skills and knowledge.
I have worked with everyone from executives and aspiring execs at companies like IBM, Comcast and the US Department of Commerce, to executive directors at non-profits, groups of entrepreneurs and women's/diversity initiatives.
Do you or will you lead a large team or organization? Are you getting ready for a conference presentation? A TED talk? A press conference? Or do you need to facilitate team meetings and mediate staff conflict? You tell me who your audience is, and I show you how to get your message across to them efficiently and effectively, while bringing everyone to a collective "YES."
And if you're looking for a speaker for your next event - live or virtual - and need a topic that will resonate with EVERYONE delivered by an inspiring, engaging speaker, give me a call!
Dr. Laura Sicola has over 20 years of experience teaching leaders how to command the room, connect with the audience, and close the deal.
As a cognitive linguist and communication expert, Laura empowers leaders through communication coaching, group training sessions, worldwide speaking engagements, and her book “Speaking to Influence.”
Executive Coaching
Work with Laura one-on-one or in mastery cohort groups to refine your communication skills. These executive coaching sessions help you develop a communication strategy that elevates your executive presence, aligns with your personal brand and gets results.
Group Training
Transform your team's communication capabilities with Laura's outcome-oriented, customizable group training. Topics include Speaking to Influence, Breaking the Expert's Curse, Virtual Influence, Becoming a Go-To Thought Leader, and more.
Keynote Speaking
Elevate your conference or event with a speaker who has mastered the art and science of “infotainment.” Laura balances value-packed content with humor and an interactive style that keeps the audience engaged and gives them practical skills to immediately implement.
Speaking to Influence Book
Discover the secrets to powerful and persuasive communication. With real-life examples, worksheets, and exercises, this book gives you everything needed to transform your communication style, get out of your own way, and hear “yes” more often.
Speaking to Influence Podcast
Join Laura as she interviews world-class business and industry leaders who reveal the importance of communication as an essential leadership skill on their own career journey and the (sometimes hard) lessons they learned along the way.
Online Programs and Training
Laura hosts a constantly evolving set of online courses and live group trainings on topics to help you discover your leadership voice, become a go-to thought leader, and optimize your in-person or virtual presence and engagement skills.
Want to establish your brand as a go-to thought leader?
Get Laura’s insights in this free resource that shares eight key strategies to boost your brand and elevate your thought leadership. Click the link below and begin your journey to becoming a respected and influential leader who everyone actually WANTS to hear speak!
Ultimately, Laura's mission is to guide leaders in mastering the 3 Cs of executive presence: Command the room, Connect with the audience, and Close the deal.
As a cognitive linguist and executive communication coach, Laura understands how professional interactions impact respect, trust, and buy-in, whether it’s a company meeting, a virtual conference call, a presentation to the board, or a high-stakes pitch to investors.
Using a personalized and practical approach, Laura teaches leaders how to project confidence, authority, and authenticity so they can be themselves, while still getting through to anyone.
Linguist
Laura’s background in cognitive linguistics is the cornerstone of her unique coaching approach to solving this universal challenge. She earned her Ph.D. in educational linguistics from the University of Pennsylvania and taught there from 2001-2013. Laura has a deep understanding of the science of how people learn, how speech is processed in the brain, and what creates the gap between “what you think you said,” “what they think they heard,” and most importantly, how to close that gap to get results.
Coach
As an executive communication coach, Laura works with C-suite executives, VPs, directors, business owners, and aspiring executives who want to expand their powers of influence, inspire trust, and hear “yes” more often. In one-on-one or group sessions and master classes, she teaches leaders how to identify and express their personal brands so they can communicate with clarity, confidence, and authenticity, in front of any audience.
Author
Laura is the author of Speaking to Influence: Mastering Your Leadership Voice. This insightful book draws on her extensive expertise in cognitive linguistics, education and executive coaching to provide everyone with practical tools for effective communication in personal and professional interactions alike. In the words of one Amazon reviewer, “Dr. Laura Sicola gives down-to-earth, usable advice for anyone who wants to speak with authority.” She has also published many other peer-reviewed articles and books based on her research, intended for academic audiences.
Speaker
Laura is a renowned speaker, delivering keynotes and presentations at conferences and corporate events worldwide. Her TEDxPENN talk ‘Want to Sound like a Leader? Start by Saying Your Name Right‘ has been viewed over 6.8 million times. She has spoken at hundreds of events sharing insights and practical strategies for effective leadership communication. She also loves to moderate panels and emcee events for corporate and non-profit organizations.
Connect With Laura
Ready to sharpen your communication skills and expand your influence? Reach out to Dr. Laura Sicola to learn more about personalized coaching, group training, speaking engagements, and more.
Richard’s journey in the call center space is filled with twists and turns. When he was 27 years old, he relocated to Costa Rica to train employees for one of the larger call centers in San Jose.
Mr. Richard Blank holds a bachelors degree in Communication and Spanish from the University of Arizona and a certificate of language proficiency from the University of Sevilla, Spain. A Keynote speaker for Philadelphia's Abington High School 68th National Honors Society induction ceremony. In addition, inducted into the 2023 Hall of Fame for Business. Giving back to Abington Senior High School is very important to Mr. Blank. As such, he endows a scholarship each year for students that plan on majoring in a world language at the university level.
Costa Rica’s Call Center (CCC) is a state of the art BPO telemarketing outsource company located in the capital city of San Jose, Costa Rica. Our main focus has been, and will always be to personally train each and every Central America call center agent so that we may offer the highest quality of outbound and inbound telemarketing solutions and bilingual customer service to small and medium sized international companies, entrepreneurs as well as fortune 500 companies.
We encourage you to visit one of our call centers on your next personal vacation or business trip to Central America’s paradise, Costa Rica. While you are here, we would recommend taking an extra day of your trip to visit breathtaking virgin beaches, play golf next to the ocean, try your luck at deep sea fishing, explore tropical jungles, climb volcanos or just relax in natural hot springs. Come and see for yourself why call center outsourcing in Costa Rica is a perfect solution for your growing company and a powerhouse in the BPO industry.
https://costaricascallcenter.com/en/outbound-bpo-campaigns/
#DrLauraSicola #SpeakingtoInfluencePodcast #SpeakersAreLeadersMotivationPodcast #HarrySardinas #RichardBlank #CostaRica #CallCenter #Outsourcing #Telemarketing #BPO #Sales #Entrepreneur #B2B #Business #Podcast #Gamification #CEO #trend #trending #listennow #subscribe #podcastclip #podcastvideo #videopodcasting #podcastguest
Pushed My Car in a Suit: A Hilarious Client Story
yes yes all right finally tell me about a time when you had to laugh at yourself ah i love this story so i had a client in town right phil and i'm driving him to dinner and it's the rainy season and unfortunately my car ran out of gas right by the um la sabana park and I couldn't believe it. So the guy looks at me, he goes, listen, the gas station is just a block away. And he goes, I'll push it if you will. I go, are you serious? He goes, yeah, why not? And so I took my jacket off. I'm still in my suit. Got the, you know, the best on. It's a good bonding moment there. Pushed it down the street. People are honking, laughing at me. A guy on purpose would curve a little, so it splashed me.
Handling Leadership Challenges During COVID
Yes, of course, Laura. It was during COVID when all of a sudden the government said, you got to send everybody home. And so what do you do? IT needed to prepare the lifeboats. The agents mentally needed to prepare for the isolation. And my supervisors and I needed to create certain mediums to keep that communication going and that lifeline going. And so I saw some people run for the hills. I saw freshmen step up to the plate.
The Gary Technique: Trust and Perseverance
Tell me about a time when you went to bat for someone else. Who did you speak to on their behalf? Why and how? I totally remember this story when we spoke about it, Laura. I had an agent called Gary and we called the Gary technique. This guy was usually the ramper upper where I'd put him on a brand new campaign to lead the charge, show some metrics and things will look good. Once again, the lone voice with the client convincing them that this is the guy. So after a certain day or two, when the client was losing its patience or Gary wasn't, you know, hitting the home runs yet, he said, Hey, I want you to remove him and try somebody else. And I said, you haven't really given him enough time. He goes, no, I just don't have a good vibe. I go, okay. Let's give it until the end of the day. And then I'll put him on another campaign. Next thing you know, Gary ripped three appointments. And so the client calls about it goes, why? I didn't know that. Let's keep, I go, well, listen, Billy, I did speak to the other client. He's being moved, but I just got to let you know in the future, have faith in me, trust my opinion. This is my wheelhouse. I know what I'm doing. And you know, just once the people get loosey goosey and they feel comfy on the phone, then you start hitting them. And so, um, I've fallen on swords for people because I've known what they've done. And I've also made mistakes as well. Sometimes Gary was not the good fit on a certain campaign and it just wasn't the right guy. Guy can't bat a thousand. Sure. Sure. And so I'm willing to take that hit too. But the beauty of it is at the end of the day, regardless of the outcome, the fact that you might have faith in somebody else besides yourself.
Procrastinator's Pitstop. Host Chris Abdey and CEO Richard Blank discuss Procrastination to Purpose.
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
https://youtu.be/83xKp-KatRo
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
Procrastinator's Pitstop. Host Chris Abdey and CEO Richard Blank discuss Procrastination to Purpose.
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
https://youtu.be/83xKp-KatRo
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
Procrastinator's Pitstop. Host Chris Abdey and CEO Richard Blank discuss Procrastination to Purpose.
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
https://youtu.be/83xKp-KatRo
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
Procrastinator's Pitstop. Host Chris Abdey and CEO Richard Blank discuss Procrastination to Purpose.
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
https://youtu.be/83xKp-KatRo
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
Procrastinator's Pitstop. Host Chris Abdey and CEO Richard Blank discuss Procrastination to Purpose.
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
https://youtu.be/83xKp-KatRo
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
Procrastinator's Pitstop. Host Chris Abdey and CEO Richard Blank discuss Procrastination to Purpose.
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
https://youtu.be/83xKp-KatRo
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
Procrastinator's Pitstop. Host Chris Abdey and CEO Richard Blank discuss Procrastination to Purpose.
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
https://youtu.be/83xKp-KatRo
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
Procrastinator's Pitstop. Host Chris Abdey and CEO Richard Blank discuss Procrastination to Purpose.
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
https://youtu.be/83xKp-KatRo
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
Procrastinator's Pitstop. Host Chris Abdey and CEO Richard Blank discuss Procrastination to Purpose.
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
https://youtu.be/83xKp-KatRo
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
Procrastinator's Pitstop. Host Chris Abdey and CEO Richard Blank discuss Procrastination to Purpose.
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
https://youtu.be/83xKp-KatRo
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
Procrastinator's Pitstop. Host Chris Abdey and CEO Richard Blank discuss Procrastination to Purpose.
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
https://youtu.be/83xKp-KatRo
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
Procrastinator's Pitstop. Host Chris Abdey and CEO Richard Blank discuss Procrastination to Purpose.
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
https://youtu.be/83xKp-KatRo
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
Procrastinator's Pitstop. Host Chris Abdey and CEO Richard Blank discuss Procrastination to Purpose.
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
https://youtu.be/83xKp-KatRo
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
Mitzi Ocasio Let's Think About "Soft Speaking Skills." LTA Podcast Special Guest Richard Blank
Mitzi Let’s Think About It.
Our podcast is a treasure trove of topics that matter to you. We feature a wide variety of subjects; each explored in depth with the help of guests from all over the world, each with their unique backgrounds and perspectives. Join us as we think together, exploring topics in ways you may not have considered before. Our podcast is an interactive journey of discovery, and we invite you to be a part of it. Check out Mitzithinkinc.com for more topics to ponder!Let's Just "Think About It!"
This is a safe place to think about topics that you may believe are essential. I have a variety of topics and guests who bring a perspective that I know will have you pondering what matters to you.
Richard shares his love of language and how he has perfected the soft-spoken skills I know so many are learning to obtain. He makes great points about how someone can develop this skill and how he dived into the Spanish language. This conversation is sure to leave you feeling enlightened and inspired.
Mitzi Let's Think About It.
This is where we explore the what-ifs in life. We examine the possibility of shifting our perspective to evolve in areas of ourselves that cause a ripple effect in one's life, WIth guest from all over the world and all walks of life sharing their testimonies and perspectives into great topics that will keep us all thinking.
https://youtu.be/9jx4idY1IRU
https://youtu.be/plLhdAH3RcA
https://youtu.be/I45FoYFK44o
Richard Blank hired bassist Garry Gary Beers of INXS.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieGjN5H4xPQ
#MitziLetsThinkAboutIt #MitziOcasio #RichardBlank #CostaRica #CallCenter #Outsourcing #Telemarketing #BPO #Sales #Entrepreneur #B2B #Business #Podcast #Gamification #CEO #trend #trending #listennow #subscribe #podcastclip #podcastvideo #videopodcasting #podcastguest
Mitzi Let’s Think About It, Mitzi Ocasio, 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
Mitzi Ocasio Let's Think About "Soft Speaking Skills." LTA Podcast Special Guest Richard Blank
Mitzi Let’s Think About It.
Our podcast is a treasure trove of topics that matter to you. We feature a wide variety of subjects; each explored in depth with the help of guests from all over the world, each with their unique backgrounds and perspectives. Join us as we think together, exploring topics in ways you may not have considered before. Our podcast is an interactive journey of discovery, and we invite you to be a part of it. Check out Mitzithinkinc.com for more topics to ponder!Let's Just "Think About It!"
This is a safe place to think about topics that you may believe are essential. I have a variety of topics and guests who bring a perspective that I know will have you pondering what matters to you.
Richard shares his love of language and how he has perfected the soft-spoken skills I know so many are learning to obtain. He makes great points about how someone can develop this skill and how he dived into the Spanish language. This conversation is sure to leave you feeling enlightened and inspired.
Mitzi Let's Think About It.
This is where we explore the what-ifs in life. We examine the possibility of shifting our perspective to evolve in areas of ourselves that cause a ripple effect in one's life, WIth guest from all over the world and all walks of life sharing their testimonies and perspectives into great topics that will keep us all thinking.
https://youtu.be/9jx4idY1IRU
https://youtu.be/plLhdAH3RcA
https://youtu.be/I45FoYFK44o
Richard Blank hired bassist Garry Gary Beers of INXS.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieGjN5H4xPQ
#MitziLetsThinkAboutIt #MitziOcasio #RichardBlank #CostaRica #CallCenter #Outsourcing #Telemarketing #BPO #Sales #Entrepreneur #B2B #Business #Podcast #Gamification #CEO #trend #trending #listennow #subscribe #podcastclip #podcastvideo #videopodcasting #podcastguest
Mitzi Let’s Think About It, Mitzi Ocasio, 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
Mitzi Ocasio Let's Think About "Soft Speaking Skills." LTA Podcast Special Guest Richard Blank
Mitzi Let’s Think About It.
Our podcast is a treasure trove of topics that matter to you. We feature a wide variety of subjects; each explored in depth with the help of guests from all over the world, each with their unique backgrounds and perspectives. Join us as we think together, exploring topics in ways you may not have considered before. Our podcast is an interactive journey of discovery, and we invite you to be a part of it. Check out Mitzithinkinc.com for more topics to ponder!Let's Just "Think About It!"
This is a safe place to think about topics that you may believe are essential. I have a variety of topics and guests who bring a perspective that I know will have you pondering what matters to you.
Richard shares his love of language and how he has perfected the soft-spoken skills I know so many are learning to obtain. He makes great points about how someone can develop this skill and how he dived into the Spanish language. This conversation is sure to leave you feeling enlightened and inspired.
Mitzi Let's Think About It.
This is where we explore the what-ifs in life. We examine the possibility of shifting our perspective to evolve in areas of ourselves that cause a ripple effect in one's life, WIth guest from all over the world and all walks of life sharing their testimonies and perspectives into great topics that will keep us all thinking.
https://youtu.be/9jx4idY1IRU
https://youtu.be/plLhdAH3RcA
https://youtu.be/I45FoYFK44o
Richard Blank hired bassist Garry Gary Beers of INXS.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieGjN5H4xPQ
#MitziLetsThinkAboutIt #MitziOcasio #RichardBlank #CostaRica #CallCenter #Outsourcing #Telemarketing #BPO #Sales #Entrepreneur #B2B #Business #Podcast #Gamification #CEO #trend #trending #listennow #subscribe #podcastclip #podcastvideo #videopodcasting #podcastguest
Mitzi Let’s Think About It, Mitzi Ocasio, 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
Mitzi Ocasio Let's Think About "Soft Speaking Skills." LTA Podcast Special Guest Richard Blank
Mitzi Let’s Think About It.
Our podcast is a treasure trove of topics that matter to you. We feature a wide variety of subjects; each explored in depth with the help of guests from all over the world, each with their unique backgrounds and perspectives. Join us as we think together, exploring topics in ways you may not have considered before. Our podcast is an interactive journey of discovery, and we invite you to be a part of it. Check out Mitzithinkinc.com for more topics to ponder!Let's Just "Think About It!"
This is a safe place to think about topics that you may believe are essential. I have a variety of topics and guests who bring a perspective that I know will have you pondering what matters to you.
Richard shares his love of language and how he has perfected the soft-spoken skills I know so many are learning to obtain. He makes great points about how someone can develop this skill and how he dived into the Spanish language. This conversation is sure to leave you feeling enlightened and inspired.
Mitzi Let's Think About It.
This is where we explore the what-ifs in life. We examine the possibility of shifting our perspective to evolve in areas of ourselves that cause a ripple effect in one's life, WIth guest from all over the world and all walks of life sharing their testimonies and perspectives into great topics that will keep us all thinking.
https://youtu.be/9jx4idY1IRU
https://youtu.be/plLhdAH3RcA
https://youtu.be/I45FoYFK44o
Richard Blank hired bassist Garry Gary Beers of INXS.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieGjN5H4xPQ
#MitziLetsThinkAboutIt #MitziOcasio #RichardBlank #CostaRica #CallCenter #Outsourcing #Telemarketing #BPO #Sales #Entrepreneur #B2B #Business #Podcast #Gamification #CEO #trend #trending #listennow #subscribe #podcastclip #podcastvideo #videopodcasting #podcastguest
Mitzi Let’s Think About It, Mitzi Ocasio, 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
Mitzi Ocasio Let's Think About "Soft Speaking Skills." LTA Podcast Special Guest Richard Blank
Mitzi Let’s Think About It.
Our podcast is a treasure trove of topics that matter to you. We feature a wide variety of subjects; each explored in depth with the help of guests from all over the world, each with their unique backgrounds and perspectives. Join us as we think together, exploring topics in ways you may not have considered before. Our podcast is an interactive journey of discovery, and we invite you to be a part of it. Check out Mitzithinkinc.com for more topics to ponder!Let's Just "Think About It!"
This is a safe place to think about topics that you may believe are essential. I have a variety of topics and guests who bring a perspective that I know will have you pondering what matters to you.
Richard shares his love of language and how he has perfected the soft-spoken skills I know so many are learning to obtain. He makes great points about how someone can develop this skill and how he dived into the Spanish language. This conversation is sure to leave you feeling enlightened and inspired.
Mitzi Let's Think About It.
This is where we explore the what-ifs in life. We examine the possibility of shifting our perspective to evolve in areas of ourselves that cause a ripple effect in one's life, WIth guest from all over the world and all walks of life sharing their testimonies and perspectives into great topics that will keep us all thinking.
https://youtu.be/9jx4idY1IRU
https://youtu.be/plLhdAH3RcA
https://youtu.be/I45FoYFK44o
Richard Blank hired bassist Garry Gary Beers of INXS.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieGjN5H4xPQ
#MitziLetsThinkAboutIt #MitziOcasio #RichardBlank #CostaRica #CallCenter #Outsourcing #Telemarketing #BPO #Sales #Entrepreneur #B2B #Business #Podcast #Gamification #CEO #trend #trending #listennow #subscribe #podcastclip #podcastvideo #videopodcasting #podcastguest
Mitzi Let’s Think About It, Mitzi Ocasio, 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
Mitzi Ocasio Let's Think About "Soft Speaking Skills." LTA Podcast Special Guest Richard Blank
Mitzi Let’s Think About It.
Our podcast is a treasure trove of topics that matter to you. We feature a wide variety of subjects; each explored in depth with the help of guests from all over the world, each with their unique backgrounds and perspectives. Join us as we think together, exploring topics in ways you may not have considered before. Our podcast is an interactive journey of discovery, and we invite you to be a part of it. Check out Mitzithinkinc.com for more topics to ponder!Let's Just "Think About It!"
This is a safe place to think about topics that you may believe are essential. I have a variety of topics and guests who bring a perspective that I know will have you pondering what matters to you.
Richard shares his love of language and how he has perfected the soft-spoken skills I know so many are learning to obtain. He makes great points about how someone can develop this skill and how he dived into the Spanish language. This conversation is sure to leave you feeling enlightened and inspired.
Mitzi Let's Think About It.
This is where we explore the what-ifs in life. We examine the possibility of shifting our perspective to evolve in areas of ourselves that cause a ripple effect in one's life, WIth guest from all over the world and all walks of life sharing their testimonies and perspectives into great topics that will keep us all thinking.
https://youtu.be/9jx4idY1IRU
https://youtu.be/plLhdAH3RcA
https://youtu.be/I45FoYFK44o
Richard Blank hired bassist Garry Gary Beers of INXS.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieGjN5H4xPQ
#MitziLetsThinkAboutIt #MitziOcasio #RichardBlank #CostaRica #CallCenter #Outsourcing #Telemarketing #BPO #Sales #Entrepreneur #B2B #Business #Podcast #Gamification #CEO #trend #trending #listennow #subscribe #podcastclip #podcastvideo #videopodcasting #podcastguest
Mitzi Let’s Think About It, Mitzi Ocasio, 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
Mitzi Ocasio Let's Think About "Soft Speaking Skills." LTA Podcast Special Guest Richard Blank
Mitzi Let’s Think About It.
Our podcast is a treasure trove of topics that matter to you. We feature a wide variety of subjects; each explored in depth with the help of guests from all over the world, each with their unique backgrounds and perspectives. Join us as we think together, exploring topics in ways you may not have considered before. Our podcast is an interactive journey of discovery, and we invite you to be a part of it. Check out Mitzithinkinc.com for more topics to ponder!Let's Just "Think About It!"
This is a safe place to think about topics that you may believe are essential. I have a variety of topics and guests who bring a perspective that I know will have you pondering what matters to you.
Richard shares his love of language and how he has perfected the soft-spoken skills I know so many are learning to obtain. He makes great points about how someone can develop this skill and how he dived into the Spanish language. This conversation is sure to leave you feeling enlightened and inspired.
Mitzi Let's Think About It.
This is where we explore the what-ifs in life. We examine the possibility of shifting our perspective to evolve in areas of ourselves that cause a ripple effect in one's life, WIth guest from all over the world and all walks of life sharing their testimonies and perspectives into great topics that will keep us all thinking.
https://youtu.be/9jx4idY1IRU
https://youtu.be/plLhdAH3RcA
https://youtu.be/I45FoYFK44o
Richard Blank hired bassist Garry Gary Beers of INXS.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieGjN5H4xPQ
#MitziLetsThinkAboutIt #MitziOcasio #RichardBlank #CostaRica #CallCenter #Outsourcing #Telemarketing #BPO #Sales #Entrepreneur #B2B #Business #Podcast #Gamification #CEO #trend #trending #listennow #subscribe #podcastclip #podcastvideo #videopodcasting #podcastguest
Mitzi Let’s Think About It, Mitzi Ocasio, 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
Your First Thousand Clients Podcast by author Mitch Russo. Harnessing Effective Communication interview With Richard Blank
The business podcast for aspiring business owners & entrepreneurs.
Imagine having hundreds of highly successful business owners, business coaches, and business strategy consultants sharing their wisdom with you to help your company make it to the next level. That should be the goal when considering the best business podcasts to subscribe to, and that’s what we have achieved with “Your First Thousand Clients”.
From Employee To Employer And Leader. Communication is key in every business, especially when done over the phone. If you are looking for ways to improve your communication skills and lock in those pitches, this is the podcast for you. In this episode, Richard Blank, CEO of Costa Rica's Call Center, runs through the process of prospecting and how you can build your vocabulary, actively listen, use the right tone of voice, and match the pitch and mood of your client. And their importance in making sure that you don't just have a productive and meaningful interaction but that your client walks away satisfied with your service and the company as a whole. He also shares insights on creating a culture that allows your team to build relationships, empowerment and drive ownership. Tune and learn how to identify telesigns that tell you the right time to ask your confirmation question and lock in that sale for the first 1000 clients and beyond.
https://youtu.be/6Dw932wbj1M?si=2J3KFyFvbzHvNqil
https://youtu.be/mJaQEVWrVNE
https://youtu.be/t8tQnYy_0w4
Your First Thousand Clients Podcast, Mitch Russo, 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
Imagine having hundreds of highly successful business owners sharing their wisdom with you to help your company make it to the next level.
Avoid the traps and pitfalls, grab little-know strategies and find some much-needed inspiration.
Recently syndicated with the C-Suite Network, the show is now an iTunes Top 200 podcast.
We’re always on the lookout for brilliant, successful business owners, business coaches, leadership coaches, and business/marketing consultants who can help our audience grow or start their company. On Your First Thousand Clients, we are looking ONLY for experienced CEOs, business leaders, successful entrepreneurs who are highly appreciated by the audience. You are making a contribution to the world with your interview, you are helping others. Business Owners of every kind will want to hear from some of the leading marketing, sales, growth and management experts in the world right here on Your First Thousand Clients! The show that gets you to YOUR first thousand clients and beyond!
Your First Thousand Clients Podcast by author Mitch Russo. Harnessing Effective Communication interview With Richard Blank
The business podcast for aspiring business owners & entrepreneurs.
Imagine having hundreds of highly successful business owners, business coaches, and business strategy consultants sharing their wisdom with you to help your company make it to the next level. That should be the goal when considering the best business podcasts to subscribe to, and that’s what we have achieved with “Your First Thousand Clients”.
From Employee To Employer And Leader. Communication is key in every business, especially when done over the phone. If you are looking for ways to improve your communication skills and lock in those pitches, this is the podcast for you. In this episode, Richard Blank, CEO of Costa Rica's Call Center, runs through the process of prospecting and how you can build your vocabulary, actively listen, use the right tone of voice, and match the pitch and mood of your client. And their importance in making sure that you don't just have a productive and meaningful interaction but that your client walks away satisfied with your service and the company as a whole. He also shares insights on creating a culture that allows your team to build relationships, empowerment and drive ownership. Tune and learn how to identify telesigns that tell you the right time to ask your confirmation question and lock in that sale for the first 1000 clients and beyond.
https://youtu.be/6Dw932wbj1M?si=2J3KFyFvbzHvNqil
https://youtu.be/mJaQEVWrVNE
https://youtu.be/t8tQnYy_0w4
Your First Thousand Clients Podcast, Mitch Russo, 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
Imagine having hundreds of highly successful business owners sharing their wisdom with you to help your company make it to the next level.
Avoid the traps and pitfalls, grab little-know strategies and find some much-needed inspiration.
Recently syndicated with the C-Suite Network, the show is now an iTunes Top 200 podcast.
We’re always on the lookout for brilliant, successful business owners, business coaches, leadership coaches, and business/marketing consultants who can help our audience grow or start their company. On Your First Thousand Clients, we are looking ONLY for experienced CEOs, business leaders, successful entrepreneurs who are highly appreciated by the audience. You are making a contribution to the world with your interview, you are helping others. Business Owners of every kind will want to hear from some of the leading marketing, sales, growth and management experts in the world right here on Your First Thousand Clients! The show that gets you to YOUR first thousand clients and beyond!
Your First Thousand Clients Podcast by author Mitch Russo. Harnessing Effective Communication interview With Richard Blank
The business podcast for aspiring business owners & entrepreneurs.
Imagine having hundreds of highly successful business owners, business coaches, and business strategy consultants sharing their wisdom with you to help your company make it to the next level. That should be the goal when considering the best business podcasts to subscribe to, and that’s what we have achieved with “Your First Thousand Clients”.
From Employee To Employer And Leader. Communication is key in every business, especially when done over the phone. If you are looking for ways to improve your communication skills and lock in those pitches, this is the podcast for you. In this episode, Richard Blank, CEO of Costa Rica's Call Center, runs through the process of prospecting and how you can build your vocabulary, actively listen, use the right tone of voice, and match the pitch and mood of your client. And their importance in making sure that you don't just have a productive and meaningful interaction but that your client walks away satisfied with your service and the company as a whole. He also shares insights on creating a culture that allows your team to build relationships, empowerment and drive ownership. Tune and learn how to identify telesigns that tell you the right time to ask your confirmation question and lock in that sale for the first 1000 clients and beyond.
https://youtu.be/6Dw932wbj1M?si=2J3KFyFvbzHvNqil
https://youtu.be/mJaQEVWrVNE
https://youtu.be/t8tQnYy_0w4
Your First Thousand Clients Podcast, Mitch Russo, 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
Imagine having hundreds of highly successful business owners sharing their wisdom with you to help your company make it to the next level.
Avoid the traps and pitfalls, grab little-know strategies and find some much-needed inspiration.
Recently syndicated with the C-Suite Network, the show is now an iTunes Top 200 podcast.
We’re always on the lookout for brilliant, successful business owners, business coaches, leadership coaches, and business/marketing consultants who can help our audience grow or start their company. On Your First Thousand Clients, we are looking ONLY for experienced CEOs, business leaders, successful entrepreneurs who are highly appreciated by the audience. You are making a contribution to the world with your interview, you are helping others. Business Owners of every kind will want to hear from some of the leading marketing, sales, growth and management experts in the world right here on Your First Thousand Clients! The show that gets you to YOUR first thousand clients and beyond!
Your First Thousand Clients Podcast by author Mitch Russo. Harnessing Effective Communication interview With Richard Blank
The business podcast for aspiring business owners & entrepreneurs.
Imagine having hundreds of highly successful business owners, business coaches, and business strategy consultants sharing their wisdom with you to help your company make it to the next level. That should be the goal when considering the best business podcasts to subscribe to, and that’s what we have achieved with “Your First Thousand Clients”.
From Employee To Employer And Leader. Communication is key in every business, especially when done over the phone. If you are looking for ways to improve your communication skills and lock in those pitches, this is the podcast for you. In this episode, Richard Blank, CEO of Costa Rica's Call Center, runs through the process of prospecting and how you can build your vocabulary, actively listen, use the right tone of voice, and match the pitch and mood of your client. And their importance in making sure that you don't just have a productive and meaningful interaction but that your client walks away satisfied with your service and the company as a whole. He also shares insights on creating a culture that allows your team to build relationships, empowerment and drive ownership. Tune and learn how to identify telesigns that tell you the right time to ask your confirmation question and lock in that sale for the first 1000 clients and beyond.
https://youtu.be/6Dw932wbj1M?si=2J3KFyFvbzHvNqil
https://youtu.be/mJaQEVWrVNE
https://youtu.be/t8tQnYy_0w4
Your First Thousand Clients Podcast, Mitch Russo, 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
Imagine having hundreds of highly successful business owners sharing their wisdom with you to help your company make it to the next level.
Avoid the traps and pitfalls, grab little-know strategies and find some much-needed inspiration.
Recently syndicated with the C-Suite Network, the show is now an iTunes Top 200 podcast.
We’re always on the lookout for brilliant, successful business owners, business coaches, leadership coaches, and business/marketing consultants who can help our audience grow or start their company. On Your First Thousand Clients, we are looking ONLY for experienced CEOs, business leaders, successful entrepreneurs who are highly appreciated by the audience. You are making a contribution to the world with your interview, you are helping others. Business Owners of every kind will want to hear from some of the leading marketing, sales, growth and management experts in the world right here on Your First Thousand Clients! The show that gets you to YOUR first thousand clients and beyond!
Your First Thousand Clients Podcast by author Mitch Russo. Harnessing Effective Communication interview With Richard Blank
The business podcast for aspiring business owners & entrepreneurs.
Imagine having hundreds of highly successful business owners, business coaches, and business strategy consultants sharing their wisdom with you to help your company make it to the next level. That should be the goal when considering the best business podcasts to subscribe to, and that’s what we have achieved with “Your First Thousand Clients”.
From Employee To Employer And Leader. Communication is key in every business, especially when done over the phone. If you are looking for ways to improve your communication skills and lock in those pitches, this is the podcast for you. In this episode, Richard Blank, CEO of Costa Rica's Call Center, runs through the process of prospecting and how you can build your vocabulary, actively listen, use the right tone of voice, and match the pitch and mood of your client. And their importance in making sure that you don't just have a productive and meaningful interaction but that your client walks away satisfied with your service and the company as a whole. He also shares insights on creating a culture that allows your team to build relationships, empowerment and drive ownership. Tune and learn how to identify telesigns that tell you the right time to ask your confirmation question and lock in that sale for the first 1000 clients and beyond.
https://youtu.be/6Dw932wbj1M?si=2J3KFyFvbzHvNqil
https://youtu.be/mJaQEVWrVNE
https://youtu.be/t8tQnYy_0w4
Your First Thousand Clients Podcast, Mitch Russo, 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
Imagine having hundreds of highly successful business owners sharing their wisdom with you to help your company make it to the next level.
Avoid the traps and pitfalls, grab little-know strategies and find some much-needed inspiration.
Recently syndicated with the C-Suite Network, the show is now an iTunes Top 200 podcast.
We’re always on the lookout for brilliant, successful business owners, business coaches, leadership coaches, and business/marketing consultants who can help our audience grow or start their company. On Your First Thousand Clients, we are looking ONLY for experienced CEOs, business leaders, successful entrepreneurs who are highly appreciated by the audience. You are making a contribution to the world with your interview, you are helping others. Business Owners of every kind will want to hear from some of the leading marketing, sales, growth and management experts in the world right here on Your First Thousand Clients! The show that gets you to YOUR first thousand clients and beyond!
Fight for Success Podcast by Michael Shaw. Strong virtual relationships with INXS fan Richard Blank.
My favorite type of people are entrepreneurs and fighters. Fight for success podcast
I personally believe that entrepreneurs and fighters go through a very similar grind before they achieve success and I want to share their stories!
This podcast will share the stories of these fighters while sharing some valuable content for my listeners.
May 25, 2022. Today I was joined by Richard Blank who runs a large call center in Costa Rica.
Richard shared how he runs a large virtual team and how he still motivates them to work their best and enjoy their job. I think everyone will get something out of this episode. Plus, it was just a really good chat! Thanks for coming on the show, Richard!
Hired bassist Garry Gary Beers of INXS. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieGjN5H4xPQ
https://youtu.be/zDbZ3wSDzD0?si=r92Jg-LTF4U5NHLU
https://youtu.be/dNSV9n93z1A
https://youtu.be/M4t0YZAvQBM
Fight for Success Podcast, michael shaw, 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
Fight for Success Podcast by Michael Shaw. Strong virtual relationships with INXS fan Richard Blank.
My favorite type of people are entrepreneurs and fighters. Fight for success podcast
I personally believe that entrepreneurs and fighters go through a very similar grind before they achieve success and I want to share their stories!
This podcast will share the stories of these fighters while sharing some valuable content for my listeners.
May 25, 2022. Today I was joined by Richard Blank who runs a large call center in Costa Rica.
Richard shared how he runs a large virtual team and how he still motivates them to work their best and enjoy their job. I think everyone will get something out of this episode. Plus, it was just a really good chat! Thanks for coming on the show, Richard!
Hired bassist Garry Gary Beers of INXS. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieGjN5H4xPQ
https://youtu.be/zDbZ3wSDzD0?si=r92Jg-LTF4U5NHLU
https://youtu.be/dNSV9n93z1A
https://youtu.be/M4t0YZAvQBM
Fight for Success Podcast, michael shaw, 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
Fight for Success Podcast by Michael Shaw. Strong virtual relationships with INXS fan Richard Blank.
My favorite type of people are entrepreneurs and fighters. Fight for success podcast
I personally believe that entrepreneurs and fighters go through a very similar grind before they achieve success and I want to share their stories!
This podcast will share the stories of these fighters while sharing some valuable content for my listeners.
May 25, 2022. Today I was joined by Richard Blank who runs a large call center in Costa Rica.
Richard shared how he runs a large virtual team and how he still motivates them to work their best and enjoy their job. I think everyone will get something out of this episode. Plus, it was just a really good chat! Thanks for coming on the show, Richard!
Hired bassist Garry Gary Beers of INXS. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieGjN5H4xPQ
https://youtu.be/zDbZ3wSDzD0?si=r92Jg-LTF4U5NHLU
https://youtu.be/dNSV9n93z1A
https://youtu.be/M4t0YZAvQBM
Fight for Success Podcast, michael shaw, 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
Fight for Success Podcast by Michael Shaw. Strong virtual relationships with INXS fan Richard Blank.
My favorite type of people are entrepreneurs and fighters. Fight for success podcast
I personally believe that entrepreneurs and fighters go through a very similar grind before they achieve success and I want to share their stories!
This podcast will share the stories of these fighters while sharing some valuable content for my listeners.
May 25, 2022. Today I was joined by Richard Blank who runs a large call center in Costa Rica.
Richard shared how he runs a large virtual team and how he still motivates them to work their best and enjoy their job. I think everyone will get something out of this episode. Plus, it was just a really good chat! Thanks for coming on the show, Richard!
Hired bassist Garry Gary Beers of INXS. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieGjN5H4xPQ
https://youtu.be/zDbZ3wSDzD0?si=r92Jg-LTF4U5NHLU
https://youtu.be/dNSV9n93z1A
https://youtu.be/M4t0YZAvQBM
Fight for Success Podcast, michael shaw, 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
Fight for Success Podcast by Michael Shaw. Strong virtual relationships with INXS fan Richard Blank.
My favorite type of people are entrepreneurs and fighters. Fight for success podcast
I personally believe that entrepreneurs and fighters go through a very similar grind before they achieve success and I want to share their stories!
This podcast will share the stories of these fighters while sharing some valuable content for my listeners.
May 25, 2022. Today I was joined by Richard Blank who runs a large call center in Costa Rica.
Richard shared how he runs a large virtual team and how he still motivates them to work their best and enjoy their job. I think everyone will get something out of this episode. Plus, it was just a really good chat! Thanks for coming on the show, Richard!
Hired bassist Garry Gary Beers of INXS. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieGjN5H4xPQ
https://youtu.be/zDbZ3wSDzD0?si=r92Jg-LTF4U5NHLU
https://youtu.be/dNSV9n93z1A
https://youtu.be/M4t0YZAvQBM
Fight for Success Podcast, michael shaw, 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
Fight for Success Podcast by Michael Shaw. Strong virtual relationships with INXS fan Richard Blank.
My favorite type of people are entrepreneurs and fighters. Fight for success podcast
I personally believe that entrepreneurs and fighters go through a very similar grind before they achieve success and I want to share their stories!
This podcast will share the stories of these fighters while sharing some valuable content for my listeners.
May 25, 2022. Today I was joined by Richard Blank who runs a large call center in Costa Rica.
Richard shared how he runs a large virtual team and how he still motivates them to work their best and enjoy their job. I think everyone will get something out of this episode. Plus, it was just a really good chat! Thanks for coming on the show, Richard!
Hired bassist Garry Gary Beers of INXS. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieGjN5H4xPQ
https://youtu.be/zDbZ3wSDzD0?si=r92Jg-LTF4U5NHLU
https://youtu.be/dNSV9n93z1A
https://youtu.be/M4t0YZAvQBM
Fight for Success Podcast, michael shaw, 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
【Summary】
Going to Asakusa, Tokyo and eating street food there!
The town is one of the most popular sightseeing spots in Tokyo and it's famous for many kinds of street food.
This time we're gonna see 7 street foods that I picked up.
Now let's get started!
【Contents】
00:00 Intro
00:16 Basic Info about Asakusa
00:56 Dumplings with Green Tea
02:22 Japanese Pancake
03:31 Fried Steamed Bun
04:31 Minced Meat Cutlet
06:08 Curry Bread
07:22 Jumbo Melon Bread
08:49 Sweet Potato Kintsuba
09:53 Outro
10:12 Bonus: ?????
【The Foods & Shops】
(Map: https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1XC-UiJDNgc4EB2kqRDLtnRlzHcLbIWtR&usp=sharing )
① Japanese Dumplings (Kibidango) - Azuma: ¥350
(with Cold Green Tea (Hiyashi Matcha): ¥150)
② Japanese Pancake (Ningyouyaki) - Bairindou: ¥60
③ Fried Steamed Bun (Agemanjyu) - Kokonoe: ¥130
④ Minced Meat Cutlet (Menchikatsu) - Asakusa Menchi: ¥250
⑤ Curry Bread (Kurogewagyu Karepan) - Toyofuku: ¥350
⑥ Jumbo Melon Bread (Jyambo Meronpan) - Kagetsudou: ¥220
⑦ Sweet Potato Kintsuba (Imokin) - Mangandou: ¥130
⑧ Strawberry Tequila (Ichigo Tekiira) - Ichigoza: ¥550
【Websites】
・GO TOKYO (Asakusa)
https://www.gotokyo.org/en/destinations/eastern-tokyo/asakusa/index.html
【Hashtags】
#asakusatokyostreetfood #asakusastreetfood #streetfoodasakusa #streetfoodinasakusa #asakusastreetfoods
【Music Credits】
Kevin MacLeod の Merry Go Slower は、クリエイティブ・コモンズ - 著作権表示必須 4.0 ライセンスに基づいて使用が許諾されます。
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
ソース: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100732
アーティスト: http://incompetech.com/
Ed Up Xcelerated Excellence podcast. Educating ESL Call Center agents with teacher Richard Blank
A podcast for the advancement of educational effectiveness and equity for traditional and non-traditional educational experiences and contexts, higher education and beyond. The podcast seeks to engage educators, scholars, entrepreneurs, advocates, and policy makers at all levels.
Our Guest is Richard Blank. He is a native of Philadelphia, PA and CEO of Costa Rica’s Call Center.
Richard shares the ingredients for supporting and preparing call center representatives for high-impact engagement with clients. He addresses the role of AI in call center productivity and the role of empathy as an effective tool in human interaction.
He shares how developing community and engagement lead to retention of employees. Richard gives back to the community by offering scholarships for students.
Diverse Recruitment Approach with Storytelling and Public Speaking
It's all shapes and sizes, my friend. You could have the soft-spoken female to be at the right place at the right time or the assertive Philadelphia kid like me, which might be a different taste. But I tell you what, I mean, there's certain checkpoints prior to someone being sitting in a class. They'll, of course, be making some recordings for me, for us to consider. Looking at their resume, who cares? Turn it over and write me a couple of paragraphs of a coming of age moment. So you can tell Jacob and I when you beat up a bully. That's what I want to hear from you. So at least I can hear a really good story. But then when we're in class, you stand up. So you're practicing public speaking in front of a dozen people. You hold the script in your left. You use your right hand for illustrators. I will assist you in your balance and your pausing and your breathing.
Embracing Human Element in Customer Interactions over AI
So what has been the approach of your organization to either integrate or counter the recent developments in AI within your field? I'll be completely honest with you. Sometimes these kiosks make your burger more consistent than the kid behind the counter. And so if people are able to and I'm going to say it again, gathering if they're capable of gathering for me information. So human error, fatigue, misstepping gets completely taken out. That reduces that sort of time on a phone call and frustration. But as I'm going to say it again, if somebody has a bad experience with a company, they are definitely going to want to speak with somebody to maybe receive some credit or to make a suggestion or just to get it out. And I've also learned as well that if people are using profanity, as long as it's not at me, you get a warning, second time's call's dead. But if it goes in this direction, I get it. Come on. It's not 1950s Cleavers. I mean, sometimes people curse. It's real life. I've cursed before. Haven't you? You got a flat tire and it's raining? Come on. You're supposed to curse. But my point being is that you almost bond that way because then they apologize. And I say, hey, Jacob, do you want to get any more out? And you're like, no, Richard, let's continue. And then instead of giving rebuttals, there's no rebuttals. You're converting a call at that stage. Hi, AI. They can't tell you they know how you feel if you broke an arm or your puppy ran away or changing that tire in the rain. That's almost like an insult.
https://youtu.be/RgLRnWNgBVQ
https://youtube.com/shorts/-RY2sq1yuk8?feature=share
https://youtube.com/shorts/4ioKxk3kNyY?feature=share
Jacob Easley II, Ed Up Xcelerated Excellence 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
Your Host: Jacob Easley II, PhD, PMP
Internationally accomplished and award-winning educational leader and entrepreneur. Expert in educational policy and politics with a focus on educational accountability, effectiveness, improvement, and equity.
Xcelerated Excellence Consulting, LLC is dedicated to offering support to education leaders and their organizations to meet their full potential for excellence. A core focus of our work is to support the education profession in fostering greater equity for historically underrepresented, marginalized, and under-resourced student communities. We do so by upholding the value of design thinking for solutions, integrity of practice, continuous quality improvement, and innovation for unlocking potential. Take a look around and see how we can help you to design your excellence today.
Excellence Planning and Implementation
Expert Guidance
Based on our clients' needs, X|E offers short- and long-term consultancies that specialize in planning for excellence , as well as targeted assistance to aid clients in the implementation of plans to meet their goals. We know that things do not always go as planned. Our areas of expertise are: strategic planning; program development; risk management; change management; and project management services.
Continuous Quality Improvement
The Path to Success
Ensuring academic and operational quality is an ongoing task. X|E provides technical assistance to help education leaders and organization monitor and improve quality through the sound use of data and improvement sciences. X|E provides expert services in the areas of assessment, quality assurance, program evaluation, accreditation, and continuous improvement modeling.
Professional Development
Excellence by Design
Leading innovation can be a daunting task and requires not only technical skills, but also a mindset for change. X|E aids leaders and their teams to build the concept, capacity, and culture for innovation needed to ensure continuous improvement. For leaders and organizations interested in applying the principles of design thinking to unlock the potential for excellence within their organization, we are available to address your unique needs.
Richard’s journey in the call center space is filled with twists and turns. When he was 27 years old, he relocated to Costa Rica to train employees for one of the larger call centers in San Jose. With a mix of motivational public speaking style backed by tactful and appropriate rhetoric, Richard shared his knowledge and trained over 10 000 bilingual telemarketers.
Mr. Richard Blank holds a bachelors degree in Communication and Spanish from the University of Arizona and a certificate of language proficiency from the University of Sevilla, Spain. A Keynote speaker for Philadelphia's Abington High School 68th National Honors Society induction ceremony. In addition, inducted into the 2023 Hall of Fame for Business. Giving back to Abington Senior High School is very important to Mr. Blank. As such, he endows a scholarship each year for students that plan on majoring in a world language at the university level.
Costa Rica’s Call Center (CCC) is a state of the art BPO telemarketing outsource company located in the capital city of San Jose, Costa Rica. Our main focus has been, and will always be to personally train each and every Central America call center agent so that we may offer the highest quality of outbound and inbound telemarketing solutions and bilingual customer service to small and medium sized international companies, entrepreneurs as well as fortune 500 companies.
We encourage you to visit one of our call centers on your next personal vacation or business trip to Central America’s paradise, Costa Rica. While you are here, we would recommend taking an extra day of your trip to visit breathtaking virgin beaches, play golf next to the ocean, try your luck at deep sea fishing, explore tropical jungles, climb volcanos or just relax in natural hot springs. Come and see for yourself why call center outsourcing in Costa Rica is a perfect solution for your growing company and a powerhouse in the BPO industry.
https://costaricascallcenter.com/en/outbound-bpo-campaigns/
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The Power of Storytelling and Vision
For me, the greatest thing in the world are storytellers. If you get it behind a fire, then that's even better. It's even more old school. But someone that can tell a good, good story and paint a really nice picture. So that's why I recommend that when you really need to think or put in your oomph, close your eyes, you'll get a splash of vision with no distraction. And it's very easy for you authentically to describe what you see. And the majority of the time it's within you that's coming out of you and you're relying on your intuition and your vision. I mean, I'm not spacing it out there, but come on, Jacob. I could only imagine you with a full classroom conference hall look. I've seen you in your suits looking super sharp and good smiles all around you. Hugs aplenty, people sharing only the greatest moments and what's to come, exchanging phone numbers, slaps on the back, buying each other rounds of drinks, making plans. Come on I can picture it I can taste it I'm sure you do surf and turf, so everyone gets happy at dinner. I know you. Why can't you tell people what you see? Why can't you get excited for their growth and for their projections?
Using Professional Skills Beyond Work
Ah, Jacob, do you know what happens with me? I smile because they have no bad habits. It's true. They didn't come from another center. They don't have a supervisor named Billy yelling at you. Make more calls. Come on, Jacob. Tell me about that time you're at the center. There's always a coffee breath supervisor screaming at you that you should be hanging up on Mrs. Jones and making another call. It's like a squire to a knight. And here's the beauty of it. And just like the school and the other professors that you have that share ideas, these are the sort of things you can use outside of the office to save a marriage, a Thanksgiving dinner, a friendship.
Socio-Cultural Impacts of Remote Work
I think that might have increased things by about five percent in regards to production. Okay, so we're at 85%. Why aren't we in the 90s? You lost a complete 15% in regards to the on-site training, the camaraderie, the IT support, you know, the arcade game room. How about just getting out, shaving, putting on clothes and looking smooth? You know, you got to keep your game going. How about this? I've had a lot of people through the 17 years that have met here, gotten married, and have had children. I've had some call center babies that have been here the whole nine months, and I say hi to them every day, talk to the tummy. What's my point? That's not going to happen anymore. Those two people through Destiny might never meet now. We've hired a bunch of people post-COVID, but those A and Bs are never going to make C anymore.
Strategic Language Use in Call Centers
That's a wonderful question. First, let me address the fact that I won't bring any languages in here that I can't personally understand. I can't have Tommy on the phone, Carson. So I got to know. So it's going to be English, Spanish, and I'll even do Portuguese. We have enough Portuguese speakers here and I understand enough. Of course, it could go into two languages. It depends on the client. If you need to turn in a recording to them or you need to set up an appointment and no one in the office in corporate speak Spanish, you got to ensure that the person you're speaking with has a translator or can speak English.
The Importance of Creativity in Communication
It's better to be a rudder than the ship. And it's a nice thing to do. And so I've seen that we've been able to prolong conversations in the metrics that you have working at a center. And our conversion ratios have increased. Our contact ratios have increased. And even if we need to make a custom-made voicemail or email because of COVID or the way people are communicating, if you just do a little due diligence like you and I did prior to this podcast, people put a little of that magic dust on top and get their attention. And so be clever. Actually try. Just don't make it a print. Come on, Jacob, make it a painting. Make it something that people are going to remember. So at least through merit, you're getting their attention and having the chance to make your case.
The Romantic Side of Call Center Work
so tell us, what does it mean and what does it feel like to work at a call center? You sold your soul. Man, some people would rather do public speaking than this, and they feel that more than death. I'm only kidding. It's not for the faint of heart. You need to build up endurance for it. In my mind, I saw the romantic side of it. It's really beautiful rhetoric and semantics and a phonetic delivery. As good looking as you and I are, Jacob, the majority of our clients can see us over the phone. So you're losing that sort of suit wearing smile. But what I've seen and I've cracked a few codes is that when you speak to somebody, I believe that the phonetic tell signs are even stronger than if someone, if your micro expression reading them in person, they could just have twitches, just be nervous and sure, congruence is there. But the purest of pure is you're focused on the way somebody speaks.