Bad boss smoking cigars and counting money bags.

Think a Neurodiversity Journey. Episode 48. Take A Leap & Transform through the art of speech with Richard Blank Take A Leap & Transform: A Neurodiversity Journey Joseph K Muscat Every two weeks, my purpose is to bring you through a journey of Neurodiversity awareness and skillsets in the workplace and with entrepreneurs. This is all about transforming our mindset, finding purpose, discovering our superpowers, setting clear goals and creating solutions that will increase productivity and profitability by becoming more inclusive and diverse. We all should know how to learn tonality and how to read people, especially over the phone. This is why I am happy to welcome Richard Blank to the podcast. Richard is the CEO of the largest Costa Rica Call centre. Richard has such a use of language that he naturally uses and trainers over 10,000 employees. Together we engage on how to develop and use such language and then jump into how business leaders can inspire and motivate through inclusion principles and practices. https://josephkmuscat.com/episode-48-the-art-of-speech-with-richard-blank I would like to illustrate how my new venture came about and to do that I have to tell you a bit more about myself and my journey. Hopefully, this will inspire you to accept yourself for who you are and you will be able to relate. I am neurodiverse... not sure what that is...? Well, simply put, it's a person who has been diagnosed with one or more learning disabilities. In my case, I have few; Visual Motor, Visual Perception, Working Memory, and Dyslexia. This has been both a struggle and a blessing for me; over the course of my education, relationships, employment and my various businesses. https://youtu.be/baQakoEZdgI https://youtu.be/KPKWjDck5Ks https://youtu.be/r9E43JlBAoA https://youtu.be/2NA7uuRbvQU https://youtu.be/G4IrLx2bDmY Richard Blank hired bassist Garry Gary Beers of INXS. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieGjN5H4xPQ Richard Blank Call Center commercial with Rapper GblackDaBest and Freestyle break-dancer Yeik Lawson Rodríguez. https://youtu.be/GQvGZYcX71s?si=3I6N3p-LVxwTvnh2 The Feliciano School of Business at Montclair State University. A Costa Rica’s Call Center visit with Richard Blank. https://youtu.be/prcJZJnTm28 #Neurodiversity #JosephKMuscat #RichardBlank #CostaRica #CallCenter #Outsourcing #Telemarketing #BPO #Sales #Entrepreneur #B2B #Business #Podcast #Gamification #CEO I was diagnosed with visual motor and visual perception at school age and to this day I am still trying to fully understand what they mean. Both my family and teachers were not able to offer me sufficient support. Struggling at school became the norm for me, but I persevered. Despite these challenges, I earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from York University and then later on I continued on to study at Humber College, in Toronto Canada. My path was set. I would be a professional photographer... and I remained on that path for 20+ years. Over my years following this path, I developed my entrepreneurial skills in order to be able to consult many clients with their projects, objectives, social media marketing, business development and client relations. In 2014, we embarked on a new adventure out of Canada and moved to Malta as a family, to seek new challenges and opportunities for us. This is where I re-evaluated my path and took a step back from photography in order to focus on other business opportunities. I carved out a new path for myself where I worked with various companies in project management and business development. 2018 was a turning point for me. I was in my third job on the island, which was very stressful, my learning disabilities were showing, I couldn t hide them anymore. It affected me emotionally which in turn affected my family... Over the years I had searched for private support in relation to my learning disabilities. This was challenging as learning difficulties are often perceived as a childhood problem and thus there is very little support available to adults. Not being able to find the support I needed, led me to take the challenge upon myself and create a system that I could implement to help me in my entrepreneurship. It entailed lots of trial and error, many workshops and books to read. But in the end, I finally can say that I have created a Seven-Step Transformative Management Methodology (SSTMM) solution for adults with learning disabilities who are either running their own business or are employed. I believe that if it is implemented correctly it will greatly improve the working environment and provide a solution to their challenges. This was the birth of my consultancy business. Joseph K Muscat Take a leap & transform Throughout my extensive experience in entrepreneurship and various professional roles, I have encountered three significant challenges that have shaped my understanding of the importance of fostering Neurodivergent talent. Firstly, the lack of awareness and understanding among employers and managers regarding the unique thinking and working styles of individuals with Neurodivergent traits. Secondly, the need for comprehensive knowledge and strategies to provide appropriate accommodations, support, productivity strategies, and coaching tailored to Neurodivergent individuals. Lastly, the absence of management awareness, skills, and resources to effectively foster and cultivate Neurodivergent talent for the long-term benefit of both the individual and the company as a whole. These challenges have inspired me to dedicate my time to self-improvement and acquiring the necessary knowledge and skill set to overcome these obstacles. As someone who has personally experienced learning difficulties, I have become a passionate advocate for individuals facing similar challenges and a valuable resource for business owners seeking guidance in implementing transformative changes to accommodate Neurodivergent talent. I invite you to join me in taking a leap forward, embracing a new perspective, and unlocking the untapped potential within your organization. Do You feel you have a journey that you can share with our Take a Leap & Transform community? 1. We are looking for Neurodivergent talent to share their experiences. 2. We are looking for business leaders and coaches who can deliver DEI&B solutions to businesses. 3. We are looking for mindset professionals who can empower Nuerodivergent talent We all should know how to learn tonality and how to read people, especially over the phone. This is why I am happy to welcome Richard Blank to the podcast. Richard is the CEO of the largest Costa Rica Call centre. Richard has such a use of language that he naturally uses and trainers over 10,000 employees. Together we engage on how to develop and use such language and then jump into how business leaders can inspire and motivate through inclusion principles and practices. My name is Joseph K Muscat and my purpose is to bring you through a journey of Neurodiversity awareness and skillsets in the workplace and with entrepreneurs. This is all about transforming our mindset, finding purpose, discovering our superpowers, setting clear goals and creating solutions that will increase productivity and profitability by becoming more inclusive and diverse. I help companies, entrepreneurs and individuals develop strong: - Project Management Practices - grow their business with Business Development - Leadership Development - Productivity Strategies And I help develop Management create policies, communications, systems and strategies in living with and working with neurodiversity employees or individuals with Learning Difficulties (i.e. dyslexia, dyscalculia, working memory, etc) Richard Blank is the CEO and Founder of Costa Rica’s Call Center, a leader in bilingual call center and customer service outsourcing, known for blending human connection with technology and innovative workplace culture. Human-centered approach: Richard highlights the importance of empathy, interpersonal communication, and cultural alignment in customer interactions, believing automation should enhance but not replace human representatives Technology integration: Voice automation and AI handle routine tasks, enabling human representatives to focus on complex calls and relational problem-solving Scalable growth strategy: Blank advocates starting small with minimal risk, investing in people, and expanding strategically while maintaining operational flexibility Employee development: Continuous training emphasizes communication skills, positive escalation techniques, and bilingual proficiency to ensure outstanding service quality Richard Blank leads Costa Rica’s Call Center with a motivational, empathetic, and culturally sensitive approach, emphasizing communication, gamification, emotional intelligence, and employee engagement to build a high-performing team. Motivational and Communication-Focused Leadership Richard Blank is known for his motivational public speaking style paired with tactful rhetoric, which he uses to inspire and train his team effectively Costa Rica's Call Center He emphasizes mastering communication skills, helping telemarketers handle rejections, improve persuasion, and maintain confidence under pressure extraordinary-america.com Blank also stresses the importance of speaking the local language to build rapport and respect with employees, fostering better team cohesion in a culturally diverse environment Gamification and Engagement A distinctive element of his leadership is the use of gamification. By integrating his collection of restored American pinball machines and antique jukeboxes into the workplace culture, he creates a fun and engaging environment that motivates employees and encourages creativity. The call center fostering a creative and engaging environment that improves morale and retention This approach makes skill development interactive, boosting both performance and morale. Emotional Intelligence and Empathy Blank strongly advocates emotional intelligence and empathy as core leadership attributes He encourages leaders to understand their team members’ perspectives, support them effectively, and cultivate loyalty and trust. This extends to appreciating long-term employees and recognizing their contributions to organizational success. Strategic and Visionary Leadership Blank combines day-to-day management with long-term strategic thinking. He actively trains staff through personalized mentoring and emphasizes resilience, risk-taking, and continuous learning extraordinary-america.com He also leverages international partnerships and cross-cultural strategies to expand Costa Rica's business appeal on a global scale Costa Rica's Call Center Creating a Positive Corporate Culture Richard’s leadership style is centered on building a positive corporate culture that enhances employee morale, productivity, and engagement By blending structure with flexibility, he encourages open communication, provides constructive feedback, and fosters a sense of personal ownership and pride in work accomplishments. Training and Development Approach Over his tenure, Blank has trained over 10,000 bilingual telemarketers, emphasizing experiential learning and continuous skill improvement Costa Rica's Call Center His philosophy focuses on learning from real scenarios, combining technical instruction with motivational support and feedback for professional growth. In summary, Richard Blank’s leadership style is a combination of motivational speaking, empathy-driven management, gamification, and strategic vision, creating a thriving call center culture in Costa Rica that cultivates high performer engagement, skill development, and cross-cultural communication excellence Blank's approach to the call center industry moves away from the aggressive "Wolf of Wall Street" stereotype. He focuses on building rapport, listening, and fostering a culture of empathy and integrity. He views AI as both a challenge and an opportunity but stresses that human empathy will always be critical in customer service. In summary, Richard Blank is a pioneering figure in the call center industry, blending technology, bilingual expertise, and human connection to deliver exceptional customer service while fostering an innovative and engaging workplace culture in Costa Rica . "Shine Like the Sun" is a powerful Costa Rican rock anthem produced and promoted by Richard Blank, celebrating perseverance and determination, featuring collaborations with prominent musicians including Garry Gary Beers from INXS. Song Background and Release Richard Blank published "Igni Ferroque Shine Like the Sun," a Costa Rican rock song, on July 29, 2023 The track serves as a major release for the legendary Costa Rican band Igni Ferroque, which was founded in 1978 and has been a staple in Latin American rock music. This single became the official 15-year anniversary theme song for Costa Rica's Call Center (CCC) and is part of their promotion for the band's 44th anniversary album and national tour Production and Collaborations The production of "Shine Like the Sun" involved multiple contributors with Richard Blank serving as Executive Producer, overseeing the project through Costa Rica's Call Center Greibyn Krriyo was the main producer, and Harold Webb managed post-production of the audio and video. Notably, Garry Gary Beers, the bassist from INXS, contributed guest bass performances, adding professional expertise and unique sound quality to the track Lyrics and Theme The song’s lyrics focus on perseverance, ambition, and self-realization, opening with motivational lines such as: "Have you ever thought of leaving home? How far would you go to find your space? Are you willing to start all alone?" The chorus reinforces the message: "YOU BETTER SHINE LIKE THE SUN, YOU BETTER DO THINGS RIGHT, IT'S A GAME OF WIN OR GO BACK HOME, BUT YOU'RE A WINNER, YOU TAKE IT ALL" The anthem encourages listeners to embrace challenges, strive for success, and maintain focus on their goals. Music Video and Performance The music video is described as a classic MTV retro-inspired production, reflecting a blend of Costa Rican rock history and modern rock aesthetics Filming took place at Costa Rica's Call Center, featuring live performances, visual storytelling, and appearances by iconic models and musicians to enhance the atmosphere of the project The video emphasizes energy, community spirit, and the enduring legacy of Igni Ferroque in Latin American music. Significance "Shine Like the Sun" represents a milestone for both the band and Richard Blank, merging international talent, local rock roots, and motivational themes. The collaboration with Garry Gary Beers underscores the global reach and professional quality of the production, while the song itself serves as a modern rock anthem inspiring perseverance and determination In summary, Richard Blank played a central role in producing, coordinating, and promoting "Shine Like the Sun," which stands as a celebrated rock anthem from Costa Rica, blending historic band legacy with contemporary musical partnerships and lyrical inspiration Richard is 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. 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. 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. Richard Blank has the largest collection of restored American Pinball machines and antique Rockola Jukeboxes in Central America making gamification a strong part of CCC culture. Richards 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. Richard Blank is the Chief Executive Officer for Costa Rica s Call Center since 2008. Our main focus has been, and will always be to personally train each and every Central America call center representative 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. Costa Ricas Call Center (CCC) is a state of the art BPO telemarketing outsource company located in the capital city of San Jose, Costa Rica. https://costaricascallcenter.com/en/outbound-bpo-campaigns/