re: Flipping the Script on Call Center Work with Richard Blank

When you think of call centers, you’re probably thinking of telemarketers and scammers, or maybe even thinking back to a time you had to call a customer service line and hung up the phone feeling frustrated. Wouldn’t it be nice if that story was different and you left those interactions with a smile on your face, feeling cared for and heard? Richard Blank is training his employees to be those call center workers — and they’re even doing it in two languages. In this episode, Richard and I are chatting about his love for the Spanish language growing up, how that led him down to Costa Rica, and how that eventually sparked his CEO journey owning a call center. Richard is such a kind, open soul, so it’s no wonder he brings that light to his employees and everyone around him. It’s a refreshing departure from what we normally expect out of call center experiences, and for that, we can thank Richard for humanizing a statistically dehumanized industry. Key Topics: 1. Gravitating towards groups of people as a kid 2. Guilt and expectations in younger life 3. Mastering levels to become grounded and meet your goals 4. Discovering a passion for speaking Spanish 5. The importance of delegation as an entrepreneur 6. Generational differences in interpersonal communication and work ethic 7. Training in order to educate and help employees make personal connections 8. What it’s like running a bilingual call center 9. The buffer-boomerang technique of connecting 10. Leaving ego at the door 11. Nurturing long-term, life-long friendships 12. Spirituality is about letting go

The Stclair speaks show featuring YAHAVY ST CLAIR. Special nearshore BPO guest Richard Blank

"Turn your Ideas into income, mastering your ideas will master your income." -Yahavy St Clair. The StclairSpeaksshow is an interview format podcast show where I highlight and showcase professionals in business from across the world, we discuss topics from within their industry expertise and dive into their backstory on how they got to where they are today. A serial entrepreneur from new york city I sold comedy tickets in the streets of times square new york city for seven years which has helped me turn my obstacles into opportunities with my gift for gab ability naturally I use my personality to showcase my comedic side in my content as a content creator promoting my podcast. I've done voiceovers for a cartoon project I currently recording in the process I love what I do and how I can pull people in as a speaker. Finding voices.com was the missing puzzle for me to find my power voice and bring life to the characters and roles I play. https://youtu.be/1wFdOrNAuQ4?si=M3dWNtwV0M4BOt8H Author, Podcaster & Entrepreneur “No one cares about your brand until they know your story.” Passionate storytelling entrepreneur from New York City, helping industry professionals magnify their stories and expand their brands through podcasting. YAHAVY ST CLAIR - BIOGRAPHY My passion for motivational speaking sparked through my own traumatic experiences of pursuing something much larger than myself. I'm a passionate pioneer who turned his obstacles into opportunities with my gift for gab ability. Growing up from humble beginnings in Queens, NYC. I went from the streets of times square NYC selling comedy tickets to make ends meet to speaking on stages speaking in front of large crowds. What I've learned from rock bottom prepared me to stand tall on mountain tops today. One of the many topics I educate people about through storytelling is emotional learning. I've discovered how to uncover the power of mastering my emotional mindset. Allowing my mind to work for me, not against me. Finding ways to break out of addictions by creating internal ambition. The experience you gain is a real investment. As a marketing consulting client. YAHAVY ST CLAIR TOPICS - • Branding • Business • Consulting • Growth • Marketing • Motivation • Sales • Winning YAHAVY ST CLAIR - PROGRAMS Brand Awareness Authentic Automation Services Prospecting Within Your Niche Market Develop and Grow Click Funnel Triggers The Art of the Up-selling Funnel Numbers Don't Lie Richard’s vision quest journey is filled with twists and turns. At 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 over two decades. 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.Richard Blank is the Chief Executive Officer for Costa Rica’s Call Center since 2008. 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, entered into the 2023 Hall of Fame for Business along side other famous alumni. Paying it forward 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. https://costaricascallcenter.com/en/outbound-bpo-campaigns/ YAHAVY ST CLAIR, The Stclairspeaks show,Richard Blank, Costa Rica's Call Center, Outsourcing, Telemarketing Call Centre, BPO, Nearshore Contact Center, Sales, Entrepreneur, B2B, Business, Podcast, Gamification,Leadership, Marketing, CX, Guest, Money, B2C education, BPO trainer, #YAHAVYSTCLAIR #TheStclairspeaksshow #RichardBlank #CostaRica #CallCenter #Outsourcing #Telemarketing #BPO #Sales #Entrepreneur #B2B #Business #Podcast #Gamification #CEO #learnpodcasting #podcastepisode #podcastguest #podcasting #podcastinterview #podcastplaylist #podcasts #podcastskills #podcastshow Special nearshore BPO guest Richard Blank on The Stclair speaks show featuring YAHAVY ST CLAIR. https://youtu.be/1wFdOrNAuQ4?si=M3dWNtwV0M4BOt8H

Why Live Interaction Beats Working from Home

Why Live Interaction Beats Working from Home shows Matthew and his colleague Richard Blank exploring the significant impact of in-person collaboration on productivity. They highlight how working side-by-side, sharing high-fives, and fostering a team spirit can boost productivity by at least 20%. The conversation draws vivid comparisons between in-person and remote work, likening it to the difference between a movie and live theater or a microwave meal and a homemade dish. Tune in to discover why in-person collaboration is essential for getting the best out of your team.

Episode 25: Dialing Success: Richard Blank’s Masterclass in Telemarketin...

Join us for Episode 25 of the No Excuse Pro Podcast, where host Kevin Brierton sits down with Richard Blank, CEO of Costa Rica’s Call Center. In this episode, Richard dives deep into his telemarketing expertise, sharing insights from over two decades of leadership in the call center industry. Richard’s journey began when he moved to Costa Rica to train over 500 employees for one of the country's largest call centers. Now, he’s a recognized leader, known for his motivational speaking and skillful training in telemarketing. Learn how Richard built Costa Rica’s Call Center into a powerhouse by focusing on motivational leadership, personalized training sessions, and his deep understanding of communication and customer service. This episode is packed with actionable strategies for anyone in sales, customer service, or leadership roles.

Be Home By Six... See Ya!

Be Home By Six... See Ya! is a short clip reflecting on how technology and social media have changed childhood nurturing. We discuss the importance of balancing screen time with real-life experiences and the value of those precious moments spent outdoors and with family. Join us as we reminisce about the good old days when being home by six for dinner was the norm. 🌳📚🚴‍♂️

Winter Wonderland Getaway: Rockies vs Alps Adventure

Winter Wonderland Getaway: Rockies vs Alps Adventure is where I, Matthew Gray ask Richard where he'd like to travel. He replied with something quite different than Costa Rica where he's living. He reminisces about his ideal winter getaway, contrasting the Rockies and the Alps and describes the charm of a mountain village during wintertime, with the comforting smell of wood burning in fireplaces, warm stores filled with the scent of cinnamon, and the joy of sledding and ice skating. The conversation explores the allure of both the Rockies and the Alps, ultimately leaning towards the Rockies due to personal connections. Tune in to experience the magic of a winter wonderland adventure and the nostalgic memories it brings.

Grateful Reflections: The Power Of True Friendship

Grateful Reflections: The Power Of True Friendship is heartfelt. Richard Blank reflects on the power of true friendship and the importance of gratitude. He shares how the unwavering support, confidence, and love from his friends have shaped his journey. Despite his success, returning home reminds him that he is still the same person his friends knew back in 1987. The bonds formed through shared experiences, laughter, and tears have created a beautiful story of growth and loyalty. Tune in to hear his touching tribute to the friends who have always been there for him.