All righty thank you for for joining me it's a pleasure to talk to you i feel like i know you for the viewers that just joined i want to introduce to you richard blank behind this magical smile there is one phenomenally strong entrepreneur. You have grown your business from renting desks to a 300-seat call center in Costa Rica. That's right. Your business is taking care of hundreds of employees and you build a strong company culture that lets you carry on through COVID and you're going strong in the face of AI apocalypse with your... on the ground business with the people that you hold dear, the people who work for you.
Big Performance Podcast hosted by Alex Elish. Gamifying the Workplace with CEO Richard Blank.

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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.