Small Business Strategy_ Planning for Chaos & Scaling. #callcenter #sale...

The iNNOVATION Insights Podcast, hosted by Dr. Eulanda Sanders, welcomes a mosaic of voices from different backgrounds, industries, and expertise, converging on a singular goal: exploring the multifaceted realm of innovation. The insightful Dr. Eulanda Sanders hosts the iNNOVATION Insights podcast, which welcomes a mosaic of voices from different backgrounds, industries, and expertise, converging on a singular goal: to explore the multifaceted realm of innovation. Eulanda deftly navigates conversations that unearth the macro and micro nuances of what it truly means to innovate, from entrepreneurs to researchers to thinkers to creators. But this is not just a podcast. It is a challenge. It is a challenge to ignite a flame of curiosity in every listener and to inspire them to look at the world through the lens of possibility. At iNNOVATION Insights…We transform our clients' career journeys through the art of storytelling via our consulting, coaching, and career management services. Eulanda Sanders the founder of INNOVATION Insights Some podcast guests leave a lasting impression not only for their insights, but for the energy they bring into a room—even virtually. Richard Blank, CEO of Costa Rica’s Call Center and self-described linguist, motivator, and arcade enthusiast, is one of those rare people. We connected through PodPage, and from our very first interaction, I knew this would be more than an interview—it would be a deep dive into leadership, communication, and innovation through a Gen X lens. Our shared cultural touchstones, from The Breakfast Club to old-school landlines, set the tone for a rich, inspiring conversation about building businesses with integrity, heart, and humanity. https://youtu.be/h5Ylk-QnjL0 https://youtube.com/shorts/QfpKyLIushE https://youtu.be/pM8S8-giwNY https://youtube.com/shorts/EF05zP-w0Zs https://youtube.com/shorts/H6yiDAc9co4 Richard Blank hired bassist Garry Gary Beers of INXS. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieGjN5H4xPQ iNNOVATION Insights Podcast, Eulanda Sanders, 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 From Philadelphia to Costa Rica: A Linguist's Journey to Leadership Richard’s journey from Northeast Philadelphia to founding a call center in Costa Rica was anything but linear. After graduating from Abington High School, he chose to major in Spanish at the University of Arizona—against conventional advice and expectations. His early professional experiences with Corona and Telemundo sharpened his communication skills, but it was a bold decision at age 27 to teach English at a friend’s call center in Costa Rica that sparked his entrepreneurial fire. Over time, he learned the call center industry from the inside out, eventually launching Costa Rica’s Call Center with his wife. Eighteen years later, their business stands as a testament to slow growth, strategic planning, and deep respect for culture. Soft Skills as Innovation: The Art of the Phone Call Richard sees call centers not simply as job sites, but as arenas for mastering “the art of speech.” In an era dominated by non-voice communication—texts, emails, emojis—he emphasizes the irreplaceable power of voice-to-voice connection. “You can say something that someone will remember for fifty years,” he told me. His training philosophy includes removing ego-challenging language (“help” becomes “assist,” “sorry” becomes “for clarification”), and embracing discomfort as growth. His call center is a training ground where diplomacy, emotional intelligence, and real-time storytelling are constantly honed. Building a Business with Integrity and Arcade Games In our conversation, Richard emphasized that innovation is not about scaling rapidly or chasing investors. Instead, he champions “acting your wage,” ethical decision-making, and pacing growth with sustainability in mind. He started small—renting space, building rows one at a time, investing in technology—and only purchased his building when it made financial sense. But it is not all spreadsheets and strategy. Richard created a workplace culture that includes retro arcade games, pinball machines, and communal break spaces designed to foster fun and decompress stress. Why? Because people do their best work when they feel valued and balanced. As he said, “Recess was the best part of the day anyway.” The Hero’s Journey and the Gen X Work Ethic One of the most poignant parts of our conversation was Richard’s take on the hero’s journey—how stepping off the conventional path gave him the clarity and courage to create his own future. As Gen Xers, many of us grew up having to earn connection through direct communication—calling friends on landlines, knocking on doors, riding bikes around the neighborhood. Richard channels that same resourcefulness and hustle into everything he does. He reminded us that the best leaders are not always in the corner office. Sometimes they are jumping on calls, mentoring staff, or simply being present with their teams. His brand of leadership is humble, human, and deeply grounded in relationship-building. Innovation as Energy, Emotion, and Action When asked to define innovation, Richard gave a beautiful and layered answer: “Innovation is image streaming... a feeling that turns into a focus, that turns into an idea.” His most personal example? The moment he envisioned his company’s logo in a dream—an art deco-style image with CCC glowing in neon—and brought it to life with clay the next day. Innovation, to Richard, is not reserved for the lab or boardroom. It happens in everyday moments, creative sparks, and courageous decisions. It can be a new approach to customer service, a softer way of speaking, or a business built around caring for employees instead of squeezing profit margins. Final Thoughts: Leadership Lessons from a Pinball-Wielding CEO If there is one takeaway from this episode, it is that innovation starts with authenticity. Whether you are a Gen Xer tired of corporate life or a millennial founder launching your first venture, Richard’s story is a reminder to lean into your uniqueness, slow your pace when needed, and never underestimate the power of a well-placed compliment or a well-timed risk. OUR FOUNDER I founded iNNOVATION Insights, LLC with the mission to offer a window into the minds of today's thought leaders, industry disruptors, and visionaries from diverse backgrounds to inspire our community. We challenge you to be moved, to explore, reimagine, and innovate within your spheres of influence. Let's be the catalysts of change and the harbingers of progress. - Eulanda A. Sanders 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/ #iNNOVATIONInsightsPodcast #EulandaSanders #RichardBlank #CostaRica #CallCenter #Outsourcing #Telemarketing #BPO #Sales #Entrepreneur #B2B #Business #Podcast #Gamification #CEO #trend #trending #listennow #subscribe #podcastclip #podcastvideo #videopodcasting #podcastguest

Call Center Attrition_ Shocking Truth & How To Fix. #business #telemarke...

The iNNOVATION Insights Podcast, hosted by Dr. Eulanda Sanders, welcomes a mosaic of voices from different backgrounds, industries, and expertise, converging on a singular goal: exploring the multifaceted realm of innovation. The insightful Dr. Eulanda Sanders hosts the iNNOVATION Insights podcast, which welcomes a mosaic of voices from different backgrounds, industries, and expertise, converging on a singular goal: to explore the multifaceted realm of innovation. Eulanda deftly navigates conversations that unearth the macro and micro nuances of what it truly means to innovate, from entrepreneurs to researchers to thinkers to creators. But this is not just a podcast. It is a challenge. It is a challenge to ignite a flame of curiosity in every listener and to inspire them to look at the world through the lens of possibility. At iNNOVATION Insights…We transform our clients' career journeys through the art of storytelling via our consulting, coaching, and career management services. Eulanda Sanders the founder of INNOVATION Insights Some podcast guests leave a lasting impression not only for their insights, but for the energy they bring into a room—even virtually. Richard Blank, CEO of Costa Rica’s Call Center and self-described linguist, motivator, and arcade enthusiast, is one of those rare people. We connected through PodPage, and from our very first interaction, I knew this would be more than an interview—it would be a deep dive into leadership, communication, and innovation through a Gen X lens. Our shared cultural touchstones, from The Breakfast Club to old-school landlines, set the tone for a rich, inspiring conversation about building businesses with integrity, heart, and humanity. https://youtu.be/h5Ylk-QnjL0 https://youtube.com/shorts/QfpKyLIushE https://youtu.be/pM8S8-giwNY https://youtube.com/shorts/EF05zP-w0Zs https://youtube.com/shorts/H6yiDAc9co4 Richard Blank hired bassist Garry Gary Beers of INXS. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieGjN5H4xPQ iNNOVATION Insights Podcast, Eulanda Sanders, 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 From Philadelphia to Costa Rica: A Linguist's Journey to Leadership Richard’s journey from Northeast Philadelphia to founding a call center in Costa Rica was anything but linear. After graduating from Abington High School, he chose to major in Spanish at the University of Arizona—against conventional advice and expectations. His early professional experiences with Corona and Telemundo sharpened his communication skills, but it was a bold decision at age 27 to teach English at a friend’s call center in Costa Rica that sparked his entrepreneurial fire. Over time, he learned the call center industry from the inside out, eventually launching Costa Rica’s Call Center with his wife. Eighteen years later, their business stands as a testament to slow growth, strategic planning, and deep respect for culture. Soft Skills as Innovation: The Art of the Phone Call Richard sees call centers not simply as job sites, but as arenas for mastering “the art of speech.” In an era dominated by non-voice communication—texts, emails, emojis—he emphasizes the irreplaceable power of voice-to-voice connection. “You can say something that someone will remember for fifty years,” he told me. His training philosophy includes removing ego-challenging language (“help” becomes “assist,” “sorry” becomes “for clarification”), and embracing discomfort as growth. His call center is a training ground where diplomacy, emotional intelligence, and real-time storytelling are constantly honed. Building a Business with Integrity and Arcade Games In our conversation, Richard emphasized that innovation is not about scaling rapidly or chasing investors. Instead, he champions “acting your wage,” ethical decision-making, and pacing growth with sustainability in mind. He started small—renting space, building rows one at a time, investing in technology—and only purchased his building when it made financial sense. But it is not all spreadsheets and strategy. Richard created a workplace culture that includes retro arcade games, pinball machines, and communal break spaces designed to foster fun and decompress stress. Why? Because people do their best work when they feel valued and balanced. As he said, “Recess was the best part of the day anyway.” The Hero’s Journey and the Gen X Work Ethic One of the most poignant parts of our conversation was Richard’s take on the hero’s journey—how stepping off the conventional path gave him the clarity and courage to create his own future. As Gen Xers, many of us grew up having to earn connection through direct communication—calling friends on landlines, knocking on doors, riding bikes around the neighborhood. Richard channels that same resourcefulness and hustle into everything he does. He reminded us that the best leaders are not always in the corner office. Sometimes they are jumping on calls, mentoring staff, or simply being present with their teams. His brand of leadership is humble, human, and deeply grounded in relationship-building. Innovation as Energy, Emotion, and Action When asked to define innovation, Richard gave a beautiful and layered answer: “Innovation is image streaming... a feeling that turns into a focus, that turns into an idea.” His most personal example? The moment he envisioned his company’s logo in a dream—an art deco-style image with CCC glowing in neon—and brought it to life with clay the next day. Innovation, to Richard, is not reserved for the lab or boardroom. It happens in everyday moments, creative sparks, and courageous decisions. It can be a new approach to customer service, a softer way of speaking, or a business built around caring for employees instead of squeezing profit margins. Final Thoughts: Leadership Lessons from a Pinball-Wielding CEO If there is one takeaway from this episode, it is that innovation starts with authenticity. Whether you are a Gen Xer tired of corporate life or a millennial founder launching your first venture, Richard’s story is a reminder to lean into your uniqueness, slow your pace when needed, and never underestimate the power of a well-placed compliment or a well-timed risk. OUR FOUNDER I founded iNNOVATION Insights, LLC with the mission to offer a window into the minds of today's thought leaders, industry disruptors, and visionaries from diverse backgrounds to inspire our community. We challenge you to be moved, to explore, reimagine, and innovate within your spheres of influence. Let's be the catalysts of change and the harbingers of progress. - Eulanda A. Sanders 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/ #iNNOVATIONInsightsPodcast #EulandaSanders #RichardBlank #CostaRica #CallCenter #Outsourcing #Telemarketing #BPO #Sales #Entrepreneur #B2B #Business #Podcast #Gamification #CEO #trend #trending #listennow #subscribe #podcastclip #podcastvideo #videopodcasting #podcastguest

The iNNOVATION Insights Podcast guest Richard Blank short clip #1 #busin...

The iNNOVATION Insights Podcast, hosted by Dr. Eulanda Sanders, welcomes a mosaic of voices from different backgrounds, industries, and expertise, converging on a singular goal: exploring the multifaceted realm of innovation. The insightful Dr. Eulanda Sanders hosts the iNNOVATION Insights podcast, which welcomes a mosaic of voices from different backgrounds, industries, and expertise, converging on a singular goal: to explore the multifaceted realm of innovation. Eulanda deftly navigates conversations that unearth the macro and micro nuances of what it truly means to innovate, from entrepreneurs to researchers to thinkers to creators. But this is not just a podcast. It is a challenge. It is a challenge to ignite a flame of curiosity in every listener and to inspire them to look at the world through the lens of possibility. At iNNOVATION Insights…We transform our clients' career journeys through the art of storytelling via our consulting, coaching, and career management services. Eulanda Sanders the founder of INNOVATION Insights Some podcast guests leave a lasting impression not only for their insights, but for the energy they bring into a room—even virtually. Richard Blank, CEO of Costa Rica’s Call Center and self-described linguist, motivator, and arcade enthusiast, is one of those rare people. We connected through PodPage, and from our very first interaction, I knew this would be more than an interview—it would be a deep dive into leadership, communication, and innovation through a Gen X lens. Our shared cultural touchstones, from The Breakfast Club to old-school landlines, set the tone for a rich, inspiring conversation about building businesses with integrity, heart, and humanity. https://youtu.be/h5Ylk-QnjL0 https://youtube.com/shorts/QfpKyLIushE https://youtu.be/pM8S8-giwNY Richard Blank hired bassist Garry Gary Beers of INXS. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieGjN5H4xPQ iNNOVATION Insights Podcast, Eulanda Sanders, 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 From Philadelphia to Costa Rica: A Linguist's Journey to Leadership Richard’s journey from Northeast Philadelphia to founding a call center in Costa Rica was anything but linear. After graduating from Abington High School, he chose to major in Spanish at the University of Arizona—against conventional advice and expectations. His early professional experiences with Corona and Telemundo sharpened his communication skills, but it was a bold decision at age 27 to teach English at a friend’s call center in Costa Rica that sparked his entrepreneurial fire. Over time, he learned the call center industry from the inside out, eventually launching Costa Rica’s Call Center with his wife. Eighteen years later, their business stands as a testament to slow growth, strategic planning, and deep respect for culture. Soft Skills as Innovation: The Art of the Phone Call Richard sees call centers not simply as job sites, but as arenas for mastering “the art of speech.” In an era dominated by non-voice communication—texts, emails, emojis—he emphasizes the irreplaceable power of voice-to-voice connection. “You can say something that someone will remember for fifty years,” he told me. His training philosophy includes removing ego-challenging language (“help” becomes “assist,” “sorry” becomes “for clarification”), and embracing discomfort as growth. His call center is a training ground where diplomacy, emotional intelligence, and real-time storytelling are constantly honed. Building a Business with Integrity and Arcade Games In our conversation, Richard emphasized that innovation is not about scaling rapidly or chasing investors. Instead, he champions “acting your wage,” ethical decision-making, and pacing growth with sustainability in mind. He started small—renting space, building rows one at a time, investing in technology—and only purchased his building when it made financial sense. But it is not all spreadsheets and strategy. Richard created a workplace culture that includes retro arcade games, pinball machines, and communal break spaces designed to foster fun and decompress stress. Why? Because people do their best work when they feel valued and balanced. As he said, “Recess was the best part of the day anyway.” The Hero’s Journey and the Gen X Work Ethic One of the most poignant parts of our conversation was Richard’s take on the hero’s journey—how stepping off the conventional path gave him the clarity and courage to create his own future. As Gen Xers, many of us grew up having to earn connection through direct communication—calling friends on landlines, knocking on doors, riding bikes around the neighborhood. Richard channels that same resourcefulness and hustle into everything he does. He reminded us that the best leaders are not always in the corner office. Sometimes they are jumping on calls, mentoring staff, or simply being present with their teams. His brand of leadership is humble, human, and deeply grounded in relationship-building. Innovation as Energy, Emotion, and Action When asked to define innovation, Richard gave a beautiful and layered answer: “Innovation is image streaming... a feeling that turns into a focus, that turns into an idea.” His most personal example? The moment he envisioned his company’s logo in a dream—an art deco-style image with CCC glowing in neon—and brought it to life with clay the next day. Innovation, to Richard, is not reserved for the lab or boardroom. It happens in everyday moments, creative sparks, and courageous decisions. It can be a new approach to customer service, a softer way of speaking, or a business built around caring for employees instead of squeezing profit margins. Final Thoughts: Leadership Lessons from a Pinball-Wielding CEO If there is one takeaway from this episode, it is that innovation starts with authenticity. Whether you are a Gen Xer tired of corporate life or a millennial founder launching your first venture, Richard’s story is a reminder to lean into your uniqueness, slow your pace when needed, and never underestimate the power of a well-placed compliment or a well-timed risk. OUR FOUNDER I founded iNNOVATION Insights, LLC with the mission to offer a window into the minds of today's thought leaders, industry disruptors, and visionaries from diverse backgrounds to inspire our community. We challenge you to be moved, to explore, reimagine, and innovate within your spheres of influence. Let's be the catalysts of change and the harbingers of progress. - Eulanda A. Sanders 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/ #iNNOVATIONInsightsPodcast #EulandaSanders #RichardBlank #CostaRica #CallCenter #Outsourcing #Telemarketing #BPO #Sales #Entrepreneur #B2B #Business #Podcast #Gamification #CEO #trend #trending #listennow #subscribe #podcastclip #podcastvideo #videopodcasting #podcastguest

Gen X Adventures_ Unlock Creativity with Playful Ideas!.#business #callc...

The iNNOVATION Insights Podcast, hosted by Dr. Eulanda Sanders, welcomes a mosaic of voices from different backgrounds, industries, and expertise, converging on a singular goal: exploring the multifaceted realm of innovation. The insightful Dr. Eulanda Sanders hosts the iNNOVATION Insights podcast, which welcomes a mosaic of voices from different backgrounds, industries, and expertise, converging on a singular goal: to explore the multifaceted realm of innovation. Eulanda deftly navigates conversations that unearth the macro and micro nuances of what it truly means to innovate, from entrepreneurs to researchers to thinkers to creators. But this is not just a podcast. It is a challenge. It is a challenge to ignite a flame of curiosity in every listener and to inspire them to look at the world through the lens of possibility. At iNNOVATION Insights…We transform our clients' career journeys through the art of storytelling via our consulting, coaching, and career management services. Eulanda Sanders the founder of INNOVATION Insights Some podcast guests leave a lasting impression not only for their insights, but for the energy they bring into a room—even virtually. Richard Blank, CEO of Costa Rica’s Call Center and self-described linguist, motivator, and arcade enthusiast, is one of those rare people. We connected through PodPage, and from our very first interaction, I knew this would be more than an interview—it would be a deep dive into leadership, communication, and innovation through a Gen X lens. Our shared cultural touchstones, from The Breakfast Club to old-school landlines, set the tone for a rich, inspiring conversation about building businesses with integrity, heart, and humanity. https://youtu.be/h5Ylk-QnjL0 https://youtube.com/shorts/QfpKyLIushE Richard Blank hired bassist Garry Gary Beers of INXS. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieGjN5H4xPQ iNNOVATION Insights Podcast, Eulanda Sanders, 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 From Philadelphia to Costa Rica: A Linguist's Journey to Leadership Richard’s journey from Northeast Philadelphia to founding a call center in Costa Rica was anything but linear. After graduating from Abington High School, he chose to major in Spanish at the University of Arizona—against conventional advice and expectations. His early professional experiences with Corona and Telemundo sharpened his communication skills, but it was a bold decision at age 27 to teach English at a friend’s call center in Costa Rica that sparked his entrepreneurial fire. Over time, he learned the call center industry from the inside out, eventually launching Costa Rica’s Call Center with his wife. Eighteen years later, their business stands as a testament to slow growth, strategic planning, and deep respect for culture. Soft Skills as Innovation: The Art of the Phone Call Richard sees call centers not simply as job sites, but as arenas for mastering “the art of speech.” In an era dominated by non-voice communication—texts, emails, emojis—he emphasizes the irreplaceable power of voice-to-voice connection. “You can say something that someone will remember for fifty years,” he told me. His training philosophy includes removing ego-challenging language (“help” becomes “assist,” “sorry” becomes “for clarification”), and embracing discomfort as growth. His call center is a training ground where diplomacy, emotional intelligence, and real-time storytelling are constantly honed. Building a Business with Integrity and Arcade Games In our conversation, Richard emphasized that innovation is not about scaling rapidly or chasing investors. Instead, he champions “acting your wage,” ethical decision-making, and pacing growth with sustainability in mind. He started small—renting space, building rows one at a time, investing in technology—and only purchased his building when it made financial sense. But it is not all spreadsheets and strategy. Richard created a workplace culture that includes retro arcade games, pinball machines, and communal break spaces designed to foster fun and decompress stress. Why? Because people do their best work when they feel valued and balanced. As he said, “Recess was the best part of the day anyway.” The Hero’s Journey and the Gen X Work Ethic One of the most poignant parts of our conversation was Richard’s take on the hero’s journey—how stepping off the conventional path gave him the clarity and courage to create his own future. As Gen Xers, many of us grew up having to earn connection through direct communication—calling friends on landlines, knocking on doors, riding bikes around the neighborhood. Richard channels that same resourcefulness and hustle into everything he does. He reminded us that the best leaders are not always in the corner office. Sometimes they are jumping on calls, mentoring staff, or simply being present with their teams. His brand of leadership is humble, human, and deeply grounded in relationship-building. Innovation as Energy, Emotion, and Action When asked to define innovation, Richard gave a beautiful and layered answer: “Innovation is image streaming... a feeling that turns into a focus, that turns into an idea.” His most personal example? The moment he envisioned his company’s logo in a dream—an art deco-style image with CCC glowing in neon—and brought it to life with clay the next day. Innovation, to Richard, is not reserved for the lab or boardroom. It happens in everyday moments, creative sparks, and courageous decisions. It can be a new approach to customer service, a softer way of speaking, or a business built around caring for employees instead of squeezing profit margins. Final Thoughts: Leadership Lessons from a Pinball-Wielding CEO If there is one takeaway from this episode, it is that innovation starts with authenticity. Whether you are a Gen Xer tired of corporate life or a millennial founder launching your first venture, Richard’s story is a reminder to lean into your uniqueness, slow your pace when needed, and never underestimate the power of a well-placed compliment or a well-timed risk. OUR FOUNDER I founded iNNOVATION Insights, LLC with the mission to offer a window into the minds of today's thought leaders, industry disruptors, and visionaries from diverse backgrounds to inspire our community. We challenge you to be moved, to explore, reimagine, and innovate within your spheres of influence. Let's be the catalysts of change and the harbingers of progress. - Eulanda A. Sanders 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/ #iNNOVATIONInsightsPodcast #EulandaSanders #RichardBlank #CostaRica #CallCenter #Outsourcing #Telemarketing #BPO #Sales #Entrepreneur #B2B #Business #Podcast #Gamification #CEO #trend #trending #listennow #subscribe #podcastclip #podcastvideo #videopodcasting #podcastguest

The iNNOVATION Insights Podcast hosted by Dr. Eulanda Sanders. Special g...

The iNNOVATION Insights Podcast, hosted by Dr. Eulanda Sanders, welcomes a mosaic of voices from different backgrounds, industries, and expertise, converging on a singular goal: exploring the multifaceted realm of innovation. The insightful Dr. Eulanda Sanders hosts the iNNOVATION Insights podcast, which welcomes a mosaic of voices from different backgrounds, industries, and expertise, converging on a singular goal: to explore the multifaceted realm of innovation. Eulanda deftly navigates conversations that unearth the macro and micro nuances of what it truly means to innovate, from entrepreneurs to researchers to thinkers to creators. But this is not just a podcast. It is a challenge. It is a challenge to ignite a flame of curiosity in every listener and to inspire them to look at the world through the lens of possibility. At iNNOVATION Insights…We transform our clients' career journeys through the art of storytelling via our consulting, coaching, and career management services. Eulanda Sanders the founder of INNOVATION Insights Some podcast guests leave a lasting impression not only for their insights, but for the energy they bring into a room—even virtually. Richard Blank, CEO of Costa Rica’s Call Center and self-described linguist, motivator, and arcade enthusiast, is one of those rare people. We connected through PodPage, and from our very first interaction, I knew this would be more than an interview—it would be a deep dive into leadership, communication, and innovation through a Gen X lens. Our shared cultural touchstones, from The Breakfast Club to old-school landlines, set the tone for a rich, inspiring conversation about building businesses with integrity, heart, and humanity. https://youtu.be/h5Ylk-QnjL0 Richard Blank hired bassist Garry Gary Beers of INXS. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieGjN5H4xPQ iNNOVATION Insights Podcast, Eulanda Sanders, 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 From Philadelphia to Costa Rica: A Linguist's Journey to Leadership Richard’s journey from Northeast Philadelphia to founding a call center in Costa Rica was anything but linear. After graduating from Abington High School, he chose to major in Spanish at the University of Arizona—against conventional advice and expectations. His early professional experiences with Corona and Telemundo sharpened his communication skills, but it was a bold decision at age 27 to teach English at a friend’s call center in Costa Rica that sparked his entrepreneurial fire. Over time, he learned the call center industry from the inside out, eventually launching Costa Rica’s Call Center with his wife. Eighteen years later, their business stands as a testament to slow growth, strategic planning, and deep respect for culture. Soft Skills as Innovation: The Art of the Phone Call Richard sees call centers not simply as job sites, but as arenas for mastering “the art of speech.” In an era dominated by non-voice communication—texts, emails, emojis—he emphasizes the irreplaceable power of voice-to-voice connection. “You can say something that someone will remember for fifty years,” he told me. His training philosophy includes removing ego-challenging language (“help” becomes “assist,” “sorry” becomes “for clarification”), and embracing discomfort as growth. His call center is a training ground where diplomacy, emotional intelligence, and real-time storytelling are constantly honed. Building a Business with Integrity and Arcade Games In our conversation, Richard emphasized that innovation is not about scaling rapidly or chasing investors. Instead, he champions “acting your wage,” ethical decision-making, and pacing growth with sustainability in mind. He started small—renting space, building rows one at a time, investing in technology—and only purchased his building when it made financial sense. But it is not all spreadsheets and strategy. Richard created a workplace culture that includes retro arcade games, pinball machines, and communal break spaces designed to foster fun and decompress stress. Why? Because people do their best work when they feel valued and balanced. As he said, “Recess was the best part of the day anyway.” The Hero’s Journey and the Gen X Work Ethic One of the most poignant parts of our conversation was Richard’s take on the hero’s journey—how stepping off the conventional path gave him the clarity and courage to create his own future. As Gen Xers, many of us grew up having to earn connection through direct communication—calling friends on landlines, knocking on doors, riding bikes around the neighborhood. Richard channels that same resourcefulness and hustle into everything he does. He reminded us that the best leaders are not always in the corner office. Sometimes they are jumping on calls, mentoring staff, or simply being present with their teams. His brand of leadership is humble, human, and deeply grounded in relationship-building. Innovation as Energy, Emotion, and Action When asked to define innovation, Richard gave a beautiful and layered answer: “Innovation is image streaming... a feeling that turns into a focus, that turns into an idea.” His most personal example? The moment he envisioned his company’s logo in a dream—an art deco-style image with CCC glowing in neon—and brought it to life with clay the next day. Innovation, to Richard, is not reserved for the lab or boardroom. It happens in everyday moments, creative sparks, and courageous decisions. It can be a new approach to customer service, a softer way of speaking, or a business built around caring for employees instead of squeezing profit margins. Final Thoughts: Leadership Lessons from a Pinball-Wielding CEO If there is one takeaway from this episode, it is that innovation starts with authenticity. Whether you are a Gen Xer tired of corporate life or a millennial founder launching your first venture, Richard’s story is a reminder to lean into your uniqueness, slow your pace when needed, and never underestimate the power of a well-placed compliment or a well-timed risk. OUR FOUNDER I founded iNNOVATION Insights, LLC with the mission to offer a window into the minds of today's thought leaders, industry disruptors, and visionaries from diverse backgrounds to inspire our community. We challenge you to be moved, to explore, reimagine, and innovate within your spheres of influence. Let's be the catalysts of change and the harbingers of progress. - Eulanda A. Sanders 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/ #iNNOVATIONInsightsPodcast #EulandaSanders #RichardBlank #CostaRica #CallCenter #Outsourcing #Telemarketing #BPO #Sales #Entrepreneur #B2B #Business #Podcast #Gamification #CEO #trend #trending #listennow #subscribe #podcastclip #podcastvideo #videopodcasting #podcastguest

Growth, Gratitude, and Pinball Machines: Richard Blank’s Unconventional ...

Mentoring and Growing with the Next Generation. #business #callcenter #t...

Growing Up B2B Podcast. Dialing Into Success: a Call Center into a Legacy with Richard Blank How do you build a business during a recession—and turn it into a legacy? In this episode of the Growing Up B2B Podcast, Ed Delia, PCM Delia sits down with Richard Blank, CEO of Costa Rica's Call Center, who shares how family values, relentless perseverance, and people-first leadership helped him scale a company with heart. He discusses the dynamics of working with family, including his wife and nephew, and the importance of open communication and respect. Richard also explores the future of the call center industry amidst technological advancements and offers advice for couples in business. In this episode of Growing Up B2B, Richard shares his entrepreneurial journey, starting his call center during the 2008 recession, and the influence of his family's entrepreneurial background. From hiring his 13-year-old nephew to co-leading with his wife, Richard's insights into succession, culture, and growth are a masterclass in legacy-driven business. Challenging Workplace Stereotypes about Couples It's so interesting you say that. You know how some kids will go to mommy and say, hey, mommy, can I have some ice cream? She goes, no. Then they go to daddy, Eddie. He goes, of course you can. I love you. And so there are some people that play the middle. They hedge their bets. And I don't like that. I don't like that at all. Or they said, Richard said that I could. I go, Richard said I could. And I don't like that sort of game. And then some people might, as I mentioned, when they see us, they might not see us even as a couple. They see us as owners and bosses and whatever. But you have to realize something. It's like when you saw your teacher ever ride a bike, you're like, they ride bikes? And no, we have a beautiful life. And if you see us outside the office, you'll see us strolling and arm and arm and smiling. And what are we supposed to be yelling at each other at work? Seriously. And so I think we need to shatter some misconceptions that even though people might have a position or responsibilities, you have no idea what they do behind closed doors. How AI and Technology Are Transforming the Industry The labor pool. I can get anybody anywhere in the world now because of VPNs and the technology. It just took away the synergy in my pizzazz of knowing people and walking the rows. But where do I see this industry going? Just like the buggy whip. Eventually. AI will take over 90% of my business. There is something called the uncanny valley theory, where if it gets too much like human beings, we freak out and then we got to readjust again. I get it. That's why when you have these integrated voice response, the IVRs or these robo calls or Judy trying to sell you time life descriptions, it sounds perfect, but the timing is a little off and still it just doesn't seem 100% correct. It's like a mannequin, something off in nature. Leadership Through Compassion: Earning Loyalty in High-Attrition Industries Don't tell anybody. Of course, I'm not going to say anything. They go, you're the best boss ever. I go, yeah, because I know your name and I care. And so through natural filtration and the rotation and the high attrition in my industry, I get the solid rocks because I was there when they needed me most. And I asked for nothing in return. pulled him off the phone, or I gave him the public acclimates. And so I did the right thing that resonated. Do you understand? I made them feel better when they were the most vulnerable. And I could have broken them at that moment, but I didn't. Mentoring and Growing with the Next Generation And so this young man, Jason, who has been with me since he's been 13 years old, invested. Look at those beautiful years of late teens and 20s. With me, that is a serious responsibility on my end. And so I didn't want to put too much in the backpack, too much weight. I wanted to make sure he was getting stronger. And I gave little things, had him sitting in on meetings and telling him what's going on. And the things you would do at when you're butting a squire to a knife. Yeah. Yeah. I love that. I love that mindset because a lot of times people, I think sometimes they give up on people and they say they can't get to that next level or they can't do this or they've got shortcomings. And I think that's sometimes that's the opportunity to break through. And if you can break through with somebody, you may have an awesome person on your team for life or for the tenure of their career. And it sounds like you have that in your nephew. https://youtu.be/RetVWs1-VTk https://youtu.be/PtpUiPgd_6k https://youtu.be/nWDKqsA-J2E https://youtu.be/98-WIxIQjiM https://youtube.com/shorts/USm7tYZcVWI Richard Blank hired bassist Garry Gary Beers of INXS. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieGjN5H4xPQ Delia Associates , Ed Delia, Growing Up B2B 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 In this episode of Growing Up B2B, Richard shares his entrepreneurial journey, starting his call center during the 2008 recession, and the influence of his family's entrepreneurial background. Building Real Connections with Social Grace Richard Blank, President of Costa Rica's Call Center, talks about how showing up on time, asking follow-up questions, and being sociable can make all the difference in building meaningful connections. Tough Love at Work? Why It Still Works Richard Blank’s leadership playbook is pure old-school: accountability, honesty, and deep love. He shares how family-style mentoring at work shaped a high-performance, values-led culture. “Hit the Governor Switch. Take the 10 down to a 2.” In this Growing Up B2B clip, Richard Blank shares how a moment of self-awareness—and a little laughter—can completely shift the tone in tense conversations. Delia Associates Branding & Marketing Description BUSINESS BRAND EXPERTS THAT GET YOU TO YOUR NEXT… We are a team of creative, knowledgeable, client-focused professionals who develop highly distinctive brands, supported by integrated marketing services. Your Brand is the Most Valuable Asset to Your Business. When it’s decision-making time, a prospect’s lasting perception of your company as a brand is what’s remembered, appreciated, and acted upon. Ultimately, perception becomes reality because at point of first contact, that’s what prospects are buying; the positive anticipation of using your product or service for their benefit. Branded corporations have consistently outpaced unbranded ones, realizing greater market share, higher margins, happier personnel, and delighted clients. As business brand experts, Delia Associates can take your brand to the next level. Delia Associates is your dedicated branding, marketing planning, web design and development, social media, PR/press & tradeshow, and strategic search engine marketing and SEO partner. We specialize in the brands behind the brands. Are you in Specialty Manufacturing, Industrial, Materials Development, Product Development, Financial Services, or other B2B verticals? Let us show you how to elevate your brand. When your brand happens in the mind of customers, will success follow? As a brand-centric company, we offer strategic ways to deploy your brand, gain recognition and drive business in your market including: - Integrated SEO & SEM Programs - Analytics Reporting - Website Design and Development - Video Development - Marketing Plan Development - Trade Show Communications and Asset Design - Strategic Marketing & Messaging Guidance - Content Strategy & Development - Custom Integrated Annual Communications Programs Ed Delia: TRUTH #1: B2b brands are in my DNA. Yes, it’s true. I’m the second-generation leader of Delia Associates, a full-service b2b branding and marketing firm founded in 1964 by my dad, Mike. TRUTH #2: Exceptional b2b brands don’t just happen. It takes a clear and deliberate brand strategy and a lot of focused, tactical effort directed towards achieving specific goals. After launching, revitalizing, and re-engineering hundreds of b2b brands with our team at Delia Associates, that’s what experience has taught me. Over and over again. TRUTH #3: Companies that take the time to properly cultivate their brand consistently outpace all others, which leads to greater market share, higher margins, outstanding employees, and lifelong clients. Experience has taught me that, too. Now, let’s talk about you. TRUTH #4: Your brand is the most valuable asset to your business. It gets you noticed, remembered, and ultimately, chosen over all others. TRUTH #5: Emotion is what ultimately moves customers, prospects, even your current and future employees, to choose your brand. It goes way beyond what you do. It’s about the emotional connection. The shared experience. How it makes them feel. TRUTH #6: You don’t have to be the biggest company to be the most successful, but you do have to be the best brand you can be. Is yours? Are you sure? Now, let’s talk about us. We’re the firm that can take you to a position of brand leadership; quickly and efficiently. We work exclusively with B2B organizations like yours, empowering them through a proprietary, patented system of brand strategy, foundation, and engagement to achieve absolute distinction and sustainable growth. Our results prove it. Over and over again. Now, let’s talk. 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/ #Delia Associates #EdDelia #GrowingUpB2BPodcast #RichardBlank #CostaRica #CallCenter #Outsourcing #Telemarketing #BPO #Sales #Entrepreneur #B2B #Business #Podcast #Gamification #CEO #trend #trending #listennow #subscribe #podcastclip #podcastvideo #videopodcasting #podcastguest