Do you struggle with managing your call center and telemarketing operations? Are you looking for ways to improve your customer service and expand your business appeal? Our guest today is here to help. He's a leader in the call center industry, with over a decade of experience training and managing top-performing telemarketers in Central America. With a background in communication and Spanish, he knows how to effectively motivate and inspire his teams to achieve success.

Episode 1156 . Now, let's welcome to the show the CEO of Costa Rica's Call Center, Richard Blank.

The Business Bros Podcast's goal is to help you create wealth today and generational wealth for tomorrow by effectively adding insurance in to your existing business and through the power of podcasting to help you take control of your branding and marketing.

Hernan Sias has a number of certifications and professional designations like High School Financial Algebra Teacher, Real Estate Sales License, Life and Health License, a partner at Pipeline Insurance, CTEC Certified Tax Professional and a bachelor’s degree in Accountancy.

We have a plethora of education and a number of experiences that we utilize every day to build businesses, invest in real estate and secure our financial freedom. We invite you to be a part of the conversation, ask us questions, critique our advice, share your opinions, and help us to grow as we work hard to help you too achieve success.

Ethical Telemarketing and First Impressions

I still find telemarketing is a means to an end, and I think you should gauge the calls you make in regards to ethics. You feel comfortable making the call, or you're being shady, or as you say, just spammy. And so since I'm a guest in a Catholic country, the agents have leveraged it, and I need to make sure that they can go home and tell their parents what they do for a living. But let's be realistic here. You're looking to buy time. You're not gonna get the 10 minutes that Hollywood shows you. There's a lot of gatekeepers out there. So my suggestions for people that are doing, let's just say business-to-business type of phone calls, your first impression should be a company name spike. As much as I want to know how well Ernance CS is doing today, if you answer the call, I'm going to say, hey, Business Bros Podcast, how are you doing today? I'm going to say it better than you do. And so what it's going to do is use my anonymity as good faith. It's almost like a mystery shopper. I've been there before. So these gatekeepers reduce it a little bit. They start asking me my name and politely I will introduce myself, but I'll take it a step further.

Introduction to Traditional Marketing's Relevance

Boom all right ladies and gentlemen i know we communicate a lot through social media but some of these traditional ways of marketing and getting uh you know your message out like picking up the phone if that sounds interesting to you because there's still money to be made in that industry a lot of it we're going to talk about that on this episode let's get this thing going here we go shut up and sit down look A business can give you everything you want in life, prestige, wealth, freedom. It can also take everything away from you. This show is for those who are willing to take that risk. These are the real-life stories of entrepreneurs. But before we start, I have one small favor to ask.

https://youtu.be/U7hpx0d0GiI

https://youtu.be/jXPstDpwBNc

https://youtu.be/afih4W2AG1E

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Brain Work Frame Work, where seasoned professionals Adam and Chris share their wealth of experience and insights in the realms of Business, Sales, and Entrepreneurship with other like-minded business owners. Share your wins and loses, tips and tricks, and your journey through entrepreneurship.

Join us in this episode as we dive into the incredible journey of our guest Richard Blank, who embarked on a vision quest at 27, moving abroad to Costa Rica and founding Costa Rica's Call Center (CCC) from scratch. Our guest, Richard Blank, shares insights on taking chances, advanced telemarketing strategies, conflict management, soft skills, customer support, rhetoric, gamification, pinball machines, employee motivation, and the art of phonetic micro expression reading. Discover the secrets behind CCC's success and the lessons learned along the way.

Entrepreneurship: Slaying Dragons and Personal Growth

A lot of people will decide to live their own life and not fulfill the lives of others. And so did it break some hearts? I guess. But then again, my friend, We all need to leave our own castles to slay dragons and save princesses. And if someone's holding you back, you're never going to go on a roller coaster and experience life. And so my argument was to live. And I could have always clicked my heels and come home and been in the family business. But I wanted to try. I had some grit. I had some vigor. And I know that at the end of the day, I wanted to look at myself in the mirror and know that I went 15 rounds. That's the kind of forced march that people are on as entrepreneurs. Those are the sort of moments of clarity you have when you ask yourself, do I continue or do I stop?

Reinventing Work Relationships: Checkpoints Over Burnout

Of course, you had mentioned the six-month mark where people, you know, they fall out of love. I don't believe in that. I believe in checkpoints. I believe in positive reinforcement. Let me give you specifics for my industry because most people don't like telemarketers and I do not think the majority of your audience are CEOs of call centers. They didn't sell their soul like I did for this golden fiddle. So anyway, in my industry, there are certain things that I can do. It's a luxury trade. Besides making or receiving phone calls, these individuals are bilingual, which bears the mark of higher education.

The Power of Silence in Communication

So you're not going to really know the sound unless you have the silence. And the silence, in my opinion, speaks much more than your tone, your rate, and your pitch, because that is inside of you, right? And so if you're looking for certain tell signs, if people are facetious with you or you need additional clarification, those would be the times, in my opinion, that you should interject and ask for that clarification question because something's just not right.

https://youtu.be/reNbjStx784

https://youtube.com/shorts/LhKt4ppKCiM

https://youtube.com/shorts/igv8n_PTztk

https://youtube.com/shorts/rF3UnvS70bU

https://youtube.com/shorts/7OZxs__yvg0

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An inspiring story about pushing his car in the rain with a client, which turned into a memorable bonding experience. The conversation highlights the importance of vulnerability, human connections in business, and the dedication to overcoming challenges. Richard also discusses his business and the unique opportunities in Costa Rica.

The time when I turned misfortune into a memorable moment with Richard Blank.

https://youtu.be/v0fPM23c5qE

https://youtube.com/shorts/Hf1i2TcUfaU

https://youtube.com/shorts/MScEQSntPyo

Ana Gonzalez

Ana helps businesses multiply their productivity by automating their sales and support with AI. She has an unrelenting passion for learning, constantly seeking new knowledge and getting excited by new discoveries. Originally from Mexico City, Ana now calls Austin, Texas her home.

What if you could 4x your lead conversions without changing a thing in your business?

That’s exactly what I help businesses do with my Conversational Funnels at Anabots, an AI-powered method that turns every lead into an opportunity, every interaction into a conversion, and every business into a success story.

Originally trained as an architect, I now build sales systems that never sleep, never miss a lead, and always show up when your customers are ready to buy.

AI isn’t about replacing you or your team; it’s about giving you the tools to work smarter. The best part is that you don’t need to be a tech expert to make it work. Conversational Funnels is simple, effective, and built for business owners who value their time.

Beyond building AI strategies, I co-host two podcasts, Basic Business AI and BizHaps, where I break down complex AI strategies into simple terms and highlight real stories from entrepreneurs. I’m always looking for fresh voices, so if you’d like to share your insights or story, let’s talk about having you on as a guest!

If you’d like to know about how this could work for your business, let’s chat.

Vulnerability and Growth

I could have done the easy thing and punked out, but I did the tough thing and just sucked it up. And little did I know that this individual might've been in this situation before, And so they extended some empathy, got out there and pushed with me. And I can also take the jokes and the jabs. That's what it's all about. It only gives you more foundation, more bonding and a funny sort of talk about during cocktails. I knew this in business. If you can make yourself vulnerable, my good friend, Anna, it makes you powerful. And that was one of the days I shed some skin and actually grew as a person.

Ana Gonzalez, Bizhaps 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

#AnaGonzalez #BizhapsPodcast #RichardBlank #CostaRica #CallCenter #Outsourcing #Telemarketing #BPO #Sales #Entrepreneur #B2B #Business #Podcast #Gamification #CEO

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Big conversations with bold thinkers—where curiosity meets connection. On the Big Performance Podcast, Alex hosts unscripted, thought-provoking conversations with fascinating guests, exploring ideas that challenge, inspire, and entertain.

For Curious Wanderers, Critical Thinkers, and Seekers of Meaning drawn to spirituality, philosophy, and knowledge.

Featuring Authentic Storytellers, Big Thinkers, and Bold Explorers unafraid to tackle life’s biggest questions.

Subscribe and join a community that values exploration, growth, and meaningful dialogue.

Today, we speak with Richard Blank, a remarkable entrepreneur who transformed his dream into a thriving reality. Richard's journey from renting desks to running a 300-seat call center in Costa Rica is nothing short of inspirational.

Guest Introduction:

Richard Blank is the CEO of Costa Rica's Call Center, a powerhouse in the telemarketing industry. His unique approach, combining old-school values with innovative strategies, has not only helped him grow his business but also fostered a strong, resilient company culture. Richard's story is a testament to the power of relationships and perseverance.

Key Takeaways:

1. Journey of an Entrepreneur: Richard's transition from a communications background to a call center mogul.

2. Building a Company Culture: How Richard's focus on relationships and trust helped him navigate challenges, including the pandemic.

3. Surviving crisis: Strategies Richard employed to maintain business continuity and employee morale during the pandemic.

4. Gamification in the Workplace: The importance of creating a fun, engaging environment for employees.

5. Communication Strategies: Tips and techniques for effective telemarketing and client interaction.

6. The Role of Empathy in Business: Why human interaction will always have an edge over AI in customer service.

7. Richard's Passion for Pinball: How vintage arcade games play a role in his business and personal life.

https://youtu.be/NjYHz2TbKv4

https://youtu.be/ZQq683zhx_U

https://youtu.be/JyNWO9jrLcA

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Life experiences are definitely worth sharing with the world. You would ask, "WHY" should I share my story with the world. We are more similar, and our life experiences are basically the same in a different format. By you sharing your story, that helps to encourage others into navigations of rough waters. Now more than ever, people need someone else story to motivate them. People going through mental health issues, traumas and other problems need to know they are not the only ones going through it. Your story can save a life. Join Beauty of Colors Podcast and listen to these stories of people who have overcame trauma, anxiety, depression, mental health issues, suicide and more. Grow at changing your life and help others cope with difficult circumstances, especially during these times.

Beauty Of Colors podcast hosted by Cleanne Johnson where the talk is about loving self, the power of I AM, getting out of the box, and helping others along their journey in life.

Adapting to Costa Rican Culture and Finding Stability

So how was that like when you moved to Costa Rica? How was the feeling and the culture and was it different? Well, that's a wonderful question. Costa Rica has an expression. They say Pura Vida, which means pure life. It's ecotourism. So you're talking about natural, beautiful rainforests with flowers and the plants and the natural beauty. of this paradise and so you're overwhelmed and after the honeymoon stage wears off and you realize you're living there you start to explore more places just not the touristy areas yeah and so when you're sitting underneath a palm tree by a waterfall with the love of your life having a wonderful day you you really become one with so many things and you shed some skin and you want more of it and so how is Costa Rica Well, I had to get past certain expectations and parents' guilt. Decided to make some roots there and learn the business from the inside out to give myself stability. And between me and you and even my mama sitting next to me, I needed a little bit more maturity in order to make certain decisions to live the rest of my life. These were things you had to make the full dedications. and to understand your limits. And I had to be exceptionally realistic.

Life Shouldn't Be a Forced March

we know that it's a distance, but it just doesn't have to be a forced march. You can wear comfortable shoes, have the wind in your back and maybe some currents in the water to move you along there. Certain times you're given natural gifts where the stars are aligned. And so I believe you should take advantage of those moments and you should embrace them.

The Power of Human Touch and Positive Escalation

And a lot of people are depending now on AI, which is omni-channel non-voice support like chats and emails and bots. I see that my friend is more gathering, gathering the information and then they bring it to us in the kitchen to cut, slice and dice and to serve it out this. I need that human touch. I will always press zero to speak with somebody because I might be disclosing something personal.

https://youtu.be/MG7MP9ossL4

https://youtu.be/PGNLBzKCiJg

https://youtu.be/L7bvF_sR8pI

https://youtu.be/kFpFTy2sXn0

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Awakened Titans Podcast by Lily Patrascu.

Mind-Blowing Conversations with Influential Business Titans

Awakened Titans Podcast - with Lily Patrascu shares mindblowing conversations with influential business titans so you can manifest abundance, love, joy, success, through exponential business growth, innovative products and services, time/money management, property investment, funding, startups, quantum awakening, quantum manifestation, quantum healing, quantum miracles, motivation, high achiever habits and more!

Follow us for more interviews with world's most influential business titans providing you with the insights to awaken to your full potential, so you can get paid to be yourself, find true happiness, and manifest anything you desire.

Timestamp

0:00 Introduction

0:22 Multi-Million Dollar Business with Telemarketing

0:26 Interview with Richard Blank

0:34 Secrets to Success

2:05 Leveraging Telemarketing

5:09 Training & Skills Development

7:56 Typical Closing Rates and Metrics

10:48 High-Ticket Products

14:47 Transmitting Knowledge to Telemarketers

21:05 Handling Objections

26:32 Introduction and Air Conditioning Discussion

27:07 Building a Unique Company Culture

27:22 Importance of Gamification

29:55 The Power of Delegation

30:41 Leadership and Employee Relationship

33:59 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

https://youtu.be/wgISvvW3NL0

About The Host

Lily Patrascu is an ultra-creative book publisher and personal brand strategist for thought leaders, CEOs, luxury influencers. As an influencer, bestselling author, copywriter, global speaker, she supports busy entrepreneurs to find their message and share it with millions of people.

Lily Patrascu can make you an iconic brand, bestselling author and share your message with millions of people on global stages and media.

Lily is an ultra-creative book publisher for entrepreneurs, thought leaders, CEOs, personal branding strategist, influencer with 140k+ followers, bestselling author of multiple books, copywriter and property investor.

Lily organises influential millionaire entrepreneur/investor events to connect with opportunities.

Lily is a podcaster – host of Awakened Titans Podcast, with 100+ episodes with conscious multimillionaires.

Lily is a superconnector and referral machine for your business and loves to refer trusted high vibe entrepreneurs to your business to create win/win longterm collaborations.

She is the founder of “Brand For Speakers” book publishing and the co-founder of “Speakers Are Leaders”.

Lily has reached over 1 million people via social media & over 10,000 people on worldwide stages in the UK, Singapore, Peru, Mexico, UAE.

Lily would like to empower you and 100 million people to be happier, believe in yourselves and go after what you want so you can share your stories in books that transform the world, online courses/workshops that transform the world on global stages and create wealth.

Lily has managed a property business for 12 years and has increased the revenues for that business leveraging the power of a book and adding value.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Author Your Brand show takes a deep dive into becoming a best selling author, sometimes without writing a word. The host, Doug Crowe, interviews CEO’s of multi-million dollar firms, successful entrepreneurs, and “slightly” famous people. Guests include the former CMO of Starbucks Asia, the Inventor of GPS (who sold the company he founded for $6.6 Billion) & NYT bestselling authors. This daily LIVE show uncovers the mindset of these visionaries & their success tips

In a lively podcast interview hosted by Doug Crowe, Richard Blank, founder and operator of Costa Rica's Call Center (CCC), a thriving call center in Costa Rica, shares his passion for surfing, bilingualism, and the challenges of operating a call center in a global market. Richard explains the high-quality services his call center provides to clients across North America, Central America, and Europe, emphasizing the importance of bilingual, college-educated agents dedicated to specific campaigns.

The conversation then turns to the benefits and drawbacks of non-voice omnichannel support, as Doug and Richard discuss the value of personal engagement when it comes to creating a rapport with customers that extends beyond the immediate transaction. This interview will be relevant to anyone interested in call center operations, customer support, and building lasting customer relationships.

Understanding Call Center Contracts and Compliance

One seat for one month is my minimum contract. But if it were my own personal opinion, I like odd man outs. I'd prefer three seats for three months just to at least see. Yeah, right. And do you do any list bill stuff or the client's got to provide the list to call on? Not only does the client provide me the list, but it has to be scrubbed through the DNC because my company is inscribed in the United States that follows all U.S. business and banking laws. Okay. And for clarification, those who don't want to mention, DNC stands for do not call list, which I'm not sure if that actually works or not. They should know because I know a lot of people that have been hit for that. And so you have to be very careful.

AI vs. Human Touch in Customer Service

The pros and the cons. I think when people have these non-voice omni-channel supports, which are chats and emails, which could be generated and used, fine, that saves time and can move things forward. But how about this? You've been a client a long time somewhere and you'd like to speak with somebody. And if no one speaks with you or their office hours are better, you're in a queue a long time. When you finally get someone, you're going to pop. And there's a very good chance you're gonna curse, you're gonna scream, and you're just gonna let it out. And so these relationships cost a lot of money to build. And as much as AI can assist you, it really won't put the ball in the end zone because me and you talking about your dog or your trip to Egypt, or your being a magician, or these fun things that both you and I do in lives with pinballs in Costa Ricas, your AI will not catch that. And that's where the situation is going to be.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8awjWIfJAc

https://youtu.be/CCbCZ-gi8e0

https://youtu.be/eFZHKjI4aA8

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Amsterdam Talk podcast is about keeping individuals aware of what is happening in the community, the world, the culture, etc. Amsterdam Talk is not your average podcast; we like to have those tough conversations. Our guests provide excellent insight and give authentic stories from a personal point of view to give the listener details about what they have learned from their experiences. Our motto is that we never know what someone is going through, and the podcast allows listeners to hear that they are not alone in this world.

Season 4 | Episode 21

In this episode of Amsterdam Talk, we talk with Richard Blank CEO of Telemarketing Company in Costa Rica. Betting on yourself is a powerful concept. It means having confidence in your own abilities and potential. It’s about setting goals, taking risks, and investing in your own growth and development, even when the path isn’t guaranteed.

Here are a few key aspects to consider:

Self-Belief: Trust that you have the skills and drive to achieve your goals. This belief can be a strong motivator and help you push through challenges.

Setting Goals: Define what you want to achieve and create a plan to reach those objectives. Having clear goals gives you direction and helps measure progress.

Continuous Learning: Invest in acquiring new skills and knowledge. The more you learn and adapt, the better equipped you’ll be to face new opportunities and challenges.

Resilience: Be prepared for setbacks and failures. Betting on yourself means you’ll face obstacles, but resilience helps you recover and keep moving forward.

Taking Risks: Sometimes, you need to step out of your comfort zone. Calculated risks can lead to significant rewards, and they’re often necessary for personal growth.

Self-Care: Take care of your mental and physical well-being. Betting on yourself also means ensuring you’re in a good place to pursue your goals effectively.

https://youtu.be/sI4l28jrn48?si=KVc7fF284XF94Hzp

https://youtu.be/YHLdcFHb5ao

https://youtu.be/RoXpY8rsFOY

https://youtu.be/GyPqEGYugs0

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.