Companies do not want you to call them for support.

Strategic Business Advisors Podcast. A nearshore outsourcing conversation with Richard Blank Strategic Business Advisors By Cary Prejean Conversations with strategic business owners, advisors and accomplished game changers. https://youtu.be/1ctLoFKjzRo https://youtu.be/l9qrgBt6Npg https://youtu.be/V7-Lapch_6o https://youtu.be/JJ-Mo8MUDWM 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 #RichardBlank #CostaRica #CallCenter #Outsourcing #Telemarketing #BPO #Sales #Entrepreneur #B2B #Business #Podcast #Gamification #CEO #StrategicBusinessAdvisors #CaryPrejean Conversations with business owners, business coaches and other thought leaders in industry to discover what they’re seeing in business in terms of: Recurring problems/breakdowns and solutions used to address them. Best practices in their business New trends/technology emerging in business Listen in for the latest trends. In this interview with Richard Blank, Founder and CEO of Costa Rica's Call Center, we discuss his journey from growing up in Philadelphia to starting a call center in Costa Rica. Richard shares his rich experience in starting and scaling a business, his management style, his priority to take care of customers and methods he uses to keep it all fun. Very interesting conversation. A very interesting gentlemen, who appreciates the contribution his employees are and has some insight into building lasting relationships. Cary Prejean, a native of Louisiana, is the founder of CFO Consulting, LLC with over 35 years of experience as a CFO in industry and as a CFO consultant. His background includes a bachelor’s degree in accounting, a CPA license and he’s a certified ontological coach with Newfield Network. He works with business owners to help them turn their business into what he’s labeled “the well-oiled machine” process. He is a public speaker and hosted the “Financial Design Hour” on WJBO radio in Baton Rouge for several years. He has also taught courses over an eight-year period in finance at Louisiana State University, University of Louisiana-Lafayette, Southeastern Louisiana University and Baton Rouge Community College. He also facilitated courses in the ontology of language for Education for Living Seminars, Inc. in south Louisiana, Iowa, and Tennessee for seven years. These courses were focused on personal growth and effectiveness and leadership and team building. As a business owner, nothing is more frustrating than feeling stuck. You can see what’s possible, but you’re too busy putting out fires. It doesn’t have to be this way. I’ve coached thousands of busy business owners to get to the next level. Regardless of your industry (e.g., e-commerce, manufacturing, distribution), you don’t need platitudes and inspiration. You need strategic insights and solutions. Given the demands of running a business, you need more than bookkeeping. Leverage my strategic and financial business experience to reach your next level goals. Our Mission We realize that owning and running a business can be a frustrating, stressful and overwhelming pursuit. You’re working long hours and you never seem to be able to catch up. You’re constantly having to put out fires. You wonder why your employees just don’t “get it” and can’t seem to finish anything out of the norm. You feel stuck and are unsure about the future of your business. You can’t take extended time off because you fear the business would implode without your constant attention. You lose sleep worrying about what may be happening that could threaten your business. You struggle with knowing what actions to take to make the business run smoother and be more profitable. I get it. I’ve been there. And I want you to know it’s not your fault. What we offer is a better way to own a business. Rather than constantly going over reams of reports trying to figure out what’s going on, we’ll get you dashboards on a weekly basis that will allow you to truly manage by the numbers. Your time looking over your company’s operations and finances will take just one hour per week. Rather than being frustrated with employees who won’t or don’t resolve issues without you having to get involved, you’ll have a highly functioning team of dedicated employees who are on board. Rather than working 80 to 100 hours per week, you’ll be able to have a much better work-life balance and be able to take extended time off and the business will operate just as smoothly as if you were there. Rather than worrying about what next year or the next will look like, you’ll have a clear vision of where your business is headed with goal posts along the way. You’ll move forward with confidence that your business will thrive and arrive where you want it to down the road. Rather than being consumed by the day-to-day rut of doing things IN your business, you’ll be able to spend most of your time doing what you do best by working ON your business. What got you into your business was the vision you saw of what was possible. You also had the ability to generate revenue and profits. That gave you the confidence to jump in with both feet. What if you could go back to doing just that for the most part, while your business hummed along without your constant attention? Our Well-Oiled Machine process does just that. What you’ll get with our process are: Actionable financial data. You’ll manage by the numbers in real time. You’ll see improved profitability, increased revenue and much better cash flow. The ability to react in real time to things not going according to plan. Elimination of dysfunctional processes. Your employees will work together as a highly functioning team. Good employee morale Employees who are engaged and empowered to handle problems. A positive mood throughout the business with a “can do” attitude. A smoothly operating and highly effective business that frees you from the day-to-day working IN your business. A strategic plan to design your business into the next level of your creation. You design where your business is going vs. being buffeted by the forces of the market, competition, technology, regulation, etc. A clear picture of where your business is headed with clear markers along the way. Build the bridge to your next level business and beyond. https://costaricascallcenter.com/en/outbound-bpo-campaigns/ Richard Blank shares his journey of founding and managing Costa Rica’s Call Center, focusing on empathetic leadership, community building, and innovative workplace culture. Episode Overview Richard Blank, Founder and CEO of Costa Rica’s Call Center (CCC), appeared on the Strategic Business Advisors Podcast to discuss his path from growing up in Philadelphia to establishing a successful, bilingual call center in Costa Rica The episode highlights his strategies for scaling a business in a new country, creating a productive and positive workplace, and integrating human-centered approaches into technology-driven operations. Key Themes and Insights 1. Entrepreneurial Journey: Richard Blank moved to Costa Rica in his late twenties to develop call center teams. Over 15 years, he has built a culturally aligned and adaptive organization, training over 10,000 bilingual telemarketers and fostering top-tier service quality ( 2. Leadership and Culture: He emphasizes empathy, community engagement, and employee well-being, maintaining a stimulating environment where employees can gain momentum before handling intensive tasks. Blank incorporates gamification by using antique pinball machines and jukeboxes to boost morale, creativity, and retention Leadership is both motivational and hands-on, focusing on personal mentoring and encouraging autonomy, resilience, and continuous learning. 3. Business Strategy: Blank advocates scalable growth through careful investment in people, technology integration, and strategic expansion. He uses AI and voice automation to handle routine tasks while prioritizing human relationships for complex customer interactions. He stresses the importance of bilingual proficiency, emotional intelligence, and communication skills for delivering exceptional service ( 4. Human-Centered Approach: He believes technology should enhance, not replace, human empathy in customer service. Blank balances operational efficiency with cultural and interpersonal awareness and emphasizes recognition, respect, and loyalty within his teams ( 5. Practical Advice for Entrepreneurs: Throughout the podcast, he shares actionable guidance on building momentum, fostering community, leadership with empathy, and developing a long-term vision while handling day-to-day management effectively ( Additional Highlights Blank has been involved in media and creative projects, producing the Costa Rican rock anthem “Shine Like the Sun”, celebrating perseverance and community, further demonstrating his holistic approach to cultural and workplace engagement ( He is also active in education and philanthropy, including scholarships and mentoring programs linked to his alma mater in communication and Spanish studies. In summary, Richard Blank’s podcast interview is a blend of practical entrepreneurship lessons, leadership insights, and inspiration for those aiming to build culturally sensitive, high-performing, and innovative businesses, demonstrating how empathy and employee engagement can drive long-term success 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.