Failing school on purpose.

The business brain podcast by ST Rappaport of LifePix University. A Fun-tastic Workplace Culture with Richard Blank. ST Rappaport - LifePix University If you’re an ADHD entrepreneur who wants to optimize your brain to grow your business with more ease, you’re in the right place. Here we discuss how to optimize ADHD by working on the core of the issue instead of putting on a band-aid. You're brain will learn how to understand time, be organized, get things done efficiently, and more, all while getting the incredible benefits of ADHD! Who says work has to be boring? Richard Blank shares with us how he built his cool business and building relationships at the same time. A Workplace Culture via play: Building a Thriving Business Environment. Get ready for some real change as with each episode we’ll discuss a real-life challenge, why you might be struggling with it, and give you practical strategies so all areas of your life will improve. In this episode of The Business Brain podcast, host ST Rappaport of LifePix University interviews Richard Blank, CEO of Costa Rica's Call Center, to discuss creating a thriving company culture. Blank shares how he replaced traditional, sterile corporate environments with a "neon-lit sanctuary" featuring vintage pinball machines and jukeboxes to inspire employees. Key takeaways from their conversation include: Humanizing the Workplace: Blank emphasizes the importance of making employees feel happy and valued to create a "happy circle" that drives long-term business success. Leadership through Crisis: He discusses the resilience required to lead through challenges, such as losing major clients and navigating the chaos of the pandemic. Cognitive Optimization: Consistent with the podcast's focus on helping entrepreneurs (particularly those with ADHD) optimize their brains, the discussion explores how workplace environment impacts cognitive performance and decision-making. Effective Communication: Blank provides insights on training thousands of voices and the importance of "claiming your own" voice in leadership. The episode originally aired on July 18, 2024 Richard Blank appeared on "The Business Brain" podcast hosted by ST Rappaport, where he discussed creating a fun workplace culture, optimizing business leadership, and leveraging ADHD traits in entrepreneurship. Episode Overview In this episode, Richard Blank, a successful entrepreneur and CEO of Costa Rica's Call Center (CCC), shares his personal and professional journey, highlighting: Fun and productive workplace culture: Richard emphasizes the importance of fostering an environment where employees feel engaged, motivated, and empowered to contribute creatively to business goals Neurodiversity in entrepreneurship: The podcast is tailored toward ADHD entrepreneurs, discussing how to optimize brain function to drive business growth while addressing challenges related to focus and productivity Leadership and growth strategies: Richard shares insights from building a cross-border business, including lessons in delegating, building team trust, and developing effective sales and customer support operations Personal development and mindset: He reflects on key life experiences that shaped his approach to business, emphasizing resilience, strategic decision-making, and the value of learning from both successes and failures Key Takeaways Engaging company culture drives results: Employees thrive when workplaces support both personal and professional growth. Leverage unique traits: Entrepreneurs with ADHD can convert potential challenges into strategic advantages by understanding and harnessing their thought patterns. Practical business insights: Richard provides advice for aspiring and established business leaders on handling growth, leadership, and international operations. Storytelling approach: Through candid experiences, Richard illustrates lessons in perseverance and innovation, providing actionable guidance for listeners https://youtu.be/95glWY7Fdic https://youtu.be/830M8PH8rE4 Richard Blank hired bassist Garry Gary Beers of INXS. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieGjN5H4xPQ Richard Blank Call Center commercial with Rapper GblackDaBest and Freestyle break-dancer Yeik Lawson Rodríguez. https://youtu.be/GQvGZYcX71s?si=3I6N3p-LVxwTvnh2 The Feliciano School of Business at Montclair State University. A Costa Rica’s Call Center visit with Richard Blank. https://youtu.be/prcJZJnTm28 #Thebusinessbrainpodcast #STRappaport #LifePixUniversity #RichardBlank #CostaRica #CallCenter #Outsourcing #Telemarketing #BPO #Sales #Entrepreneur #B2B #Business #Podcast #Gamification #CEO #learnpodcasting #podcastepisode #podcastguest #podcasting #podcastinterview #podcastplaylist #podcasts #podcastskills #podcastshow Hosted by ST Rappaport, founder of LifePix University, The Business Brain is a podcast designed to help ADHD entrepreneurs optimize their cognitive performance to grow their businesses with greater ease. Key Focus Areas Brain Engineering: ST Rappaport, a self-described "brain engineer," uses the Feuerstein Method to help listeners improve 28 core thinking skills, known as cognitive functions. Root Cause Strategy: Rather than providing temporary "band-aid" hacks, the show focuses on identifying the root causes of business challenges like procrastination, poor time management, and disorganization. ADHD Optimization: The podcast highlights how to leverage the unique strengths of ADHD—such as creativity and dynamism—while addressing specific hurdles like working memory and overwhelm. Actionable Episodes: Weekly episodes discuss real-life challenges and provide practical strategies to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and inner peace. Hey! I'm ST Rappaport I help ADHD entrepreneurs optimize their brain to grow their business with ease. The reason you are struggling with ADHD is because some of your thinking skills are weak. You see, thinking is not one big thing. Thinking is made up of 28 thinking skills called cognitive functions. Naturally, we all have stronger and weaker cognitive functions. These weak cognitive functions can get in our way of doing what we want to do. But it doesn't have to stay that way! By improving the thinking skills behind the challenging tasks, it all becomes a lot easier. Yes, even focusing, time management and impulsivity! Subscribe to the channel to learn how to optimize your brain and run your business with more ease. Helping ADHD entrepreneurs optimize their brain to grow their business with more ease. | Brain Engineer Are you frustrated because your procrastination has led to a loss of business and opportunities? Imagine being an ambitious entrepreneur who has found a way to handle clients, business operations AND marketing with ease. You actually experience the freedom you started the business for. More time for family and friends. More time to do what you love. Not because you're playing it small. But because everything is in place. Podcast episodes for the next 3 months are recorded. Marketing emails for the next month are written. And short-form social media videos? Those were done ages ago! You connect with your clients in a way that others haven’t been able to. You understand them in deeper ways and serve them in the best way possible. Your clients get such high results that referrals are always coming in. And when those new clients come in? The onboarding process is smooth and meaningful. You focus on building the relationship right away because you don’t have to get bogged down with administrative tasks. Although you know problems will arise (‘cuz that’s part of life!), you never have to worry about them. You know you're equipped to deal with any challenging situation and will figure out a creative solution quickly. You have a team of employees who are well-trained and motivated to help run and expand the business. You developed a positive and productive work culture, where the employees get the work done on time, feel valued for who they are, and are willing to do anything for the company. You don't break a sweat. While everyone else panics, you stay calm. You're the walking embodiment of personal excellence and high performance… And because of that, you're in a goal-smashing cycle of achievement without limitations. In fact… You're so effective… so outrageously on top of your game… Those around you just want to know, “HOW DO YOU DO IT?!” Doesn’t this sound like bliss? Well, what if I told you that… This didn't have to be a dream. This could be you in real life. The only difference between you and the dream is training your brain for peak performance… Wondering how your brain is currently working? Take the Thinking Skills Assessment to find out: www.lifepixuniversity.com/cf Are you an entrepreneur with ADHD (or ADHD tendencies) who feels frustrated, stressed or overwhelmed? Take this FREE Thinking Skills Assessment to see what the real cause is. While many people suggest enhancing productivity, exploring new software, or attending motivational events, scientific research indicates that the root issue lies in specific gaps within your thinking skills that demand your attention. The first crucial step involves identifying how strong each of your 28 thinking skills are, determining which ones you can leverage effectively, and which ones require improvement. I'm ST Rappaport, a brain engineer and in 5th grade I still couldn't read properly. After endless hours of tutors that left nothing but high bills, it was time to take another approach. Let’s rewire the brain and solve the real problem. Usually, when a person has a problem, they solve what they see at the surface. Let’s say, for example, you never make the deadlines you set for yourself and it’s getting really frustrating, so you decided from now on you’ll finish all your tasks 24 hours early. It might work for a week or two but pretty quickly you’ll be late again. Why? This is because there is a reason WHY you are constantly being late. You’re not trying to but there’s another problem. Maybe it’s because you never know how to start or maybe it’s because once you get distracted it’s extremely difficult to refocus or maybe doing research just messes with your brain and you can’t seem to do it. When you solve the real core problem (and there might be a few!) then everything else will fall into place. You’ll not only be making your deadlines at work, you’ll also be making deadlines with your personal goals. How awesome is that? The way your brain is wired, and thinks is incredibly important. You see, there are 28 cognitive functions, 28 parts to thinking. When one or more of these cognitive functions are weak it affects many areas of your life. Do you ever get overwhelmed when you begin a new project? Not sure where to start? It may be because your cognitive function called “Focusing & Perceiving” is weak. It doesn’t mean you're bad. It doesn’t mean you’re incapable. It just means you’ve got a weak thinking skill and it can be fixed! Or maybe you decide to plan your day every morning but for some reason it’s not working out and you’re feeling really frustrated because you're putting in so much work. You’re trying really hard to implement a specific method to help more things done but your brain is just not able to do it. What's really happening here is you’ve got a cognitive deficiency. It doesn’t mean you're doomed, we all have them, but if we don’t fix the core problem, you’ll continue with the same struggles, day in and day out. The cool part is that as you improve your cognitive functions, all areas of your life begin to improve. I mean when do we not need to “Focus and Perceive” or use “2+ pieces of information”? By rewiring my brain and improving my 28 thinking skills, not only did my reading improve, but so did all other areas of my life. I did better in school, I made more friends and my favorite, my confidence went through the roof, But it didn't stop there- At 17 I started getting training in the Feuerstein method. During that time, I took Tony Robbin's RPM program, which I found really interesting, but struggled to implement. Don't get me wrong, I tried. I really did. I just couldn't do it. So, I dropped it. A few months later I took another training in the Feuerstein method that focused on improving the cognitive function of categorizations. Aha! This is the reason I couldn't do Tony's program. My cognitive function of categorizations was weak and getting the way. Once I improved the cognitive function, magic happened! I was now able to implement the program with ease. Have you ever taken a course or program & didn't get your desired result? It's possible you too got a weaker thinking skill getting in your way like I did. But it doesn't have to stay like that. As soon as you improve your cognitive functions, you'll see real magic your life too. Richard Blank is the CEO and Founder of Costa Rica’s Call Center, a leader in bilingual call center and customer service outsourcing, known for blending human connection with technology and innovative workplace culture. Human-centered approach: Richard highlights the importance of empathy, interpersonal communication, and cultural alignment in customer interactions, believing automation should enhance but not replace human representatives Technology integration: Voice automation and AI handle routine tasks, enabling human representatives to focus on complex calls and relational problem-solving Scalable growth strategy: Blank advocates starting small with minimal risk, investing in people, and expanding strategically while maintaining operational flexibility Employee development: Continuous training emphasizes communication skills, positive escalation techniques, and bilingual proficiency to ensure outstanding service quality Richard Blank leads Costa Rica’s Call Center with a motivational, empathetic, and culturally sensitive approach, emphasizing communication, gamification, emotional intelligence, and employee engagement to build a high-performing team. Motivational and Communication-Focused Leadership Richard Blank is known for his motivational public speaking style paired with tactful rhetoric, which he uses to inspire and train his team effectively Costa Rica's Call Center He emphasizes mastering communication skills, helping telemarketers handle rejections, improve persuasion, and maintain confidence under pressure extraordinary-america.com Blank also stresses the importance of speaking the local language to build rapport and respect with employees, fostering better team cohesion in a culturally diverse environment Gamification and Engagement A distinctive element of his leadership is the use of gamification. By integrating his collection of restored American pinball machines and antique jukeboxes into the workplace culture, he creates a fun and engaging environment that motivates employees and encourages creativity. The call center fostering a creative and engaging environment that improves morale and retention This approach makes skill development interactive, boosting both performance and morale. Emotional Intelligence and Empathy Blank strongly advocates emotional intelligence and empathy as core leadership attributes He encourages leaders to understand their team members’ perspectives, support them effectively, and cultivate loyalty and trust. This extends to appreciating long-term employees and recognizing their contributions to organizational success. Strategic and Visionary Leadership Blank combines day-to-day management with long-term strategic thinking. He actively trains staff through personalized mentoring and emphasizes resilience, risk-taking, and continuous learning extraordinary-america.com He also leverages international partnerships and cross-cultural strategies to expand Costa Rica's business appeal on a global scale Costa Rica's Call Center Creating a Positive Corporate Culture Richard’s leadership style is centered on building a positive corporate culture that enhances employee morale, productivity, and engagement By blending structure with flexibility, he encourages open communication, provides constructive feedback, and fosters a sense of personal ownership and pride in work accomplishments. Training and Development Approach Over his tenure, Blank has trained over 10,000 bilingual telemarketers, emphasizing experiential learning and continuous skill improvement Costa Rica's Call Center His philosophy focuses on learning from real scenarios, combining technical instruction with motivational support and feedback for professional growth. In summary, Richard Blank’s leadership style is a combination of motivational speaking, empathy-driven management, gamification, and strategic vision, creating a thriving call center culture in Costa Rica that cultivates high performer engagement, skill development, and cross-cultural communication excellence Blank's approach to the call center industry moves away from the aggressive "Wolf of Wall Street" stereotype. He focuses on building rapport, listening, and fostering a culture of empathy and integrity. He views AI as both a challenge and an opportunity but stresses that human empathy will always be critical in customer service. In summary, Richard Blank is a pioneering figure in the call center industry, blending technology, bilingual expertise, and human connection to deliver exceptional customer service while fostering an innovative and engaging workplace culture in Costa Rica . "Shine Like the Sun" is a powerful Costa Rican rock anthem produced and promoted by Richard Blank, celebrating perseverance and determination, featuring collaborations with prominent musicians including Garry Gary Beers from INXS. Song Background and Release Richard Blank published "Igni Ferroque Shine Like the Sun," a Costa Rican rock song, on July 29, 2023 The track serves as a major release for the legendary Costa Rican band Igni Ferroque, which was founded in 1978 and has been a staple in Latin American rock music. This single became the official 15-year anniversary theme song for Costa Rica's Call Center (CCC) and is part of their promotion for the band's 44th anniversary album and national tour Production and Collaborations The production of "Shine Like the Sun" involved multiple contributors with Richard Blank serving as Executive Producer, overseeing the project through Costa Rica's Call Center Greibyn Krriyo was the main producer, and Harold Webb managed post-production of the audio and video. Notably, Garry Gary Beers, the bassist from INXS, contributed guest bass performances, adding professional expertise and unique sound quality to the track Lyrics and Theme The song’s lyrics focus on perseverance, ambition, and self-realization, opening with motivational lines such as: "Have you ever thought of leaving home? How far would you go to find your space? Are you willing to start all alone?" The chorus reinforces the message: "YOU BETTER SHINE LIKE THE SUN, YOU BETTER DO THINGS RIGHT, IT'S A GAME OF WIN OR GO BACK HOME, BUT YOU'RE A WINNER, YOU TAKE IT ALL" The anthem encourages listeners to embrace challenges, strive for success, and maintain focus on their goals. Music Video and Performance The music video is described as a classic MTV retro-inspired production, reflecting a blend of Costa Rican rock history and modern rock aesthetics Filming took place at Costa Rica's Call Center, featuring live performances, visual storytelling, and appearances by iconic models and musicians to enhance the atmosphere of the project The video emphasizes energy, community spirit, and the enduring legacy of Igni Ferroque in Latin American music. Significance "Shine Like the Sun" represents a milestone for both the band and Richard Blank, merging international talent, local rock roots, and motivational themes. The collaboration with Garry Gary Beers underscores the global reach and professional quality of the production, while the song itself serves as a modern rock anthem inspiring perseverance and determination In summary, Richard Blank played a central role in producing, coordinating, and promoting "Shine Like the Sun," which stands as a celebrated rock anthem from Costa Rica, blending historic band legacy with contemporary musical partnerships and lyrical inspiration Richard is a Keynote speaker for Philadelphia's Abington High School 68th National Honors Society induction ceremony. In addition, inducted into the 2023 Hall of Fame for Business. Giving back to Abington Senior High School is very important to Mr. Blank. As such, he endows a scholarship each year for students that plan on majoring in a world language at the university level. Mr. Richard Blank holds a bachelors degree in Communication and Spanish from the University of Arizona and a certificate of language proficiency from the University of Sevilla, Spain. With a mix of motivational public speaking style backed by tactful and appropriate rhetoric, Richard shared his knowledge and trained over 10 000 bilingual telemarketers. Richard Blank has the largest collection of restored American Pinball machines and antique Rockola Jukeboxes in Central America making gamification a strong part of CCC culture. Richards journey in the call center space is filled with twists and turns. When he was 27 years old, he relocated to Costa Rica to train employees for one of the larger call centers in San Jose. Richard Blank is the Chief Executive Officer for Costa Rica s Call Center since 2008. Our main focus has been, and will always be to personally train each and every Central America call center representative so that we may offer the highest quality of outbound and inbound telemarketing solutions and bilingual customer service to small and medium sized international companies, entrepreneurs as well as fortune 500 companies. Costa Ricas Call Center (CCC) is a state of the art BPO telemarketing outsource company located in the capital city of San Jose, Costa Rica. https://costaricascallcenter.com/en/outbound-bpo-campaigns/ The business brain podcast , ST Rappaport, LifePix University, 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,trend, trending, entrepreneurship, cold calling tips, sales psychology, communication skills, bilingual telemarketing, Costa Rica call center, Richard Blank interview, starting a call center business, call center CEO interview, young entrepreneur tips, sales coaching, business growth strategies, cold calling masterclass, leadership in sales, customer communication techniques, telemarketing training, A Fun-tastic Workplace Culture with Richard Blank.The business brain podcast by ST Rappaport of LifePix University.