Cydcor Blog

Discover practical advice, inspiration, and insights to help you succeed in business and grow both personally and professionally.

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Cydcor at EARTHS

Nov 13, 2013

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Cydcor volunteers at EARTHS
Cydcor volunteers at EARTHS

Cydcor began a project working with EARTHS magnet school this year to mentor and tutor students for the elementary school.

Each day of the week, two different team members from Cydcor volunteer for an hour in one of these classrooms, working with children and teachers on a variety of projects and learning sessions.

Last year, Cydcor team members created literacy kits for faculty, which contained games and activities for students to encourage reading comprehension. Volunteers also assisted the school in a gardening project – in line with the earth science focus of the magnet school.

“Cydcor volunteers are a true gift to our students! Our kindergarten children look forward to interacting with the Cydcor staff, and their presence allows students to receive individual and small group time,” said Jennifer Boone, principal of EARTHS. “The time and impact mentors have on our children is priceless. Cydcor is a true example of a business that gives back to the community.”

“Our goal is to support EARTHS by mentoring the kids, helping them cultivate confidence in their own skills and abilities,” said Cydcor Chief Operating Officer Vera Quinn. “Gaining the academic skills to succeed is just one part. Mentorship is so important to the overall development of children, and we really want to make a difference in their lives.”

To see more of Cydcor's work at the EARTHS magnet school, head over to the Cydcor Flickr page.

Cydcor Team Members Volunteer at EARTHS Magnet School

Nov 12, 2013

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Team members will continue to spend time with children in lower elementary school grades each week.

Cydcor has renewed its commitment to EARTHS Magnet School and is continuing to send team member volunteers to the Environmental Academy of Research Technology and Earth Sciences (EARTHS) Magnet School to work with children in grades K/1 and K/2, further demonstrating their commitment to their community.

Each day of the week, two different team members from Cydcor volunteer an hour in one of these classrooms, working with children and teachers on a variety of projects and learning sessions.

Last year, Cydcor team members created literacy kits for faculty, which contained games and activities for students to encourage reading comprehension. Volunteers also assisted the school in a gardening project – in line with the earth science focus of the magnet school.

“Cydcor volunteers are a true gift to our students! Our kindergarten children look forward to interacting with the Cydcor staff, and their presence allows students to receive individual and small group time,” said Jennifer Boone, principal of EARTHS. “The time and impact mentors have on our children is priceless. Cydcor is a true example of a business that gives back to the community.”

“Our goal is to support EARTHS by mentoring the kids, helping them cultivate confidence in their own skills and abilities,” said Cydcor Chief Operating Officer Vera Quinn. “Gaining the academic skills to succeed is just one part. Mentorship is so important to the overall development of children, and we really want to make a difference in their lives.”

This year, Cydcor will also be hosting their annual Thanksgiving Canned Food Drive for the families in need at EARTHS. Last year, they were able to help 100 families; this year, they plan to make a difference in 115 families’ lives. Additionally, over the next year, Cydcor team members will continue volunteering time and their role as a community partner with the school.

Want to learn more? Check out Cydcor on Facebook and Twitter.

About Cydcor

Cydcor is the leading provider of outsourced, face-to-face Cydcor sales teams to a diverse client base of companies in a wide range of industries, including telecommunications, office products, retail, energy, and financial services. Serving Fortune 500 and emerging market clients in the business-to-business, residential, and retail channels through in-store marketing initiatives, Cydcor works with a network of more than 350 independently-owned corporate licensee (ICL) Cydcor sales offices, providing clients access to more than 4,300 sales professionals. The privately-held company is based in Westlake Village, California. For more information about Cydcor, go to www.cydcor.com.

Contact:

Cydcor
Gail Michalak, 805-277-5500

Songs to Pump You Up for Sales

Nov 11, 2013

0 min read

There is nothing like a perfect song to get pumped up for the morning.  At Cydcor, we know working in sales takes energy and motivation.  Here is a list of some of our favorite songs to get you ready for work.

  1. Roar by Katy Perry.  You went from zero to your own hero, and now the world will hear you roar.
  2. We Come Running by Young Blood Hawke.  Even they name of the band is enough to get fired up.  The sound when we come running should motivate you to make those calls.
  3. Lose Yourself by Eminem.  You only got one shot, don’t miss your chance.  Intense lyrics mixed with a catchy riff make this song a classic motivator.
  4. Revolution by The Veronicas.  This Aussie duo brings high energy dance pop to garage band punk rock.  “I am a revolution, close your eyes, I’ll blow your mind.”
  5. Beautiful by Christina Aguilera.  Sometimes you just need a boost of self esteem.  Don’t let others get you down.  This passionate ballad of self-love can make you smile when you look in the mirror.
  6. Can’t Hold Us by Macklemore.  Tonight is the night. This is the moment.  Make that sale.  Throw your hands up like the ceiling can’t hold you.
  7. Bust A Move by Young MC.  The old school hit tells you exectly what you need to hear: don’t just stand there, bust a move!
  8. Under Pressure by Queen.  One of the best riffs in music history alone is enough to keep this timeless classic on your playlist.  No need to pay too much attention to the lyrics on this one, but rather think about beating the pressure and coming out on top.
  9. Best Day of My Life by American Authors.  This sweet little ditty will have you believing that today is going to be the best day of your life.
  10. The Middle by Jimmy Eat World.  It just takes some time, you’re in the middle of the ride, everything is going to be just fine. This is a nostalgic, danceable throwback to the late 90s.

What are your favorite songs to fire you up for work?

Cydcor Halloween 2013

Nov 8, 2013

0 min read

At Cydcor, we work hard. Sales is a difficult career that anyone can succeed at through determination and strong relationship building. That's why it's important as a team to have as much fun as we work! Check out the pictures from our Halloween party below:

How Posture Can Make You A Better Salesperson

Nov 4, 2013

0 min read

How Posture Can Make You Powerful

Cydcor power stance
Notes on the Power Stance Talk via Philip Ingham/Flickr CC

In sales, people have to have to interact with each other all day.  Success in sales comes from being able to feel confident and comfortable in most situations.  At Cydcor, we do our best to present the most effective sales teams around.  One way to easily improve your sales confidence can be as simple as taking two minutes to stand powerfully.

Nonverbal communication has a lot of value in society.  How we interact with each other can lead to very important decisions in life, such as whether someone is hired, sued, or accepted for a date.  One second of political candidate facial expressions can predict election outcomes 70% of the time.

Cydcor power stance
"Fake it until you become it" via heath bar/Flickr CC

In addition to using body language to judge others, social psychologist Amy Cuddy has reported research that the way we move and carry ourselves also affects the way we judge ourselves.  Further, many body expressions and postures reflect similar positions in the animal kingdom.  When we are afraid we make ourselves small and meek, trying to appear insignificant.  When we want to display power, we make ourselves big and open.

Power stances are known across the animal kingdom.  Also, that powerful people express power chronically as well as in moments of victory.  Even people who were born blind have been showed to display the upward v shape with the arms after winning something, the way racers do when they cross a finish line.

When powerful people and fearful people interact, body language reflects this as well.  People unaware of fear will often shrink in the face of an open power stance without realizing it.  Professor Cuddy realized the difference in power stances in the classroom, and decided to try an experiment to see if grades would improve on students she trained to stand powerfully.
The results were stunning. It turns out that powerful stances for two minutes actually increase hormones that contribute to self-confidence and assertion. So the fake-it-till-you-make-it strategy actually has a physiological affect that helps people be more confident and assertive. See the amazing talking by Professor Cuddy below:

Halloween at Cydcor

Nov 4, 2013

0 min read

We had a happy Halloween here at Cydcor! The office was full of great costumes and creative pumpkins for the holiday.  Check out our great pictures and our album on Cydcor Flickr!

Cydcor Halloween
The minions won best group costume. We loved their coordination.

cydcor halloween
The most original: our own office fairy godfather!

cydcor halloween
The lost blue man was voted the scariest.



cydcor halloween
The funniest costume was the Staples' Easy Button!

How was your Halloween?

Diet for Confidence

Nov 1, 2013

0 min read

Health and wellness are an important part of Cydcor company culture.  We value our team and want them to the be the best fleet of sales people in the business.  We also want Cydcor team members to feel like their best selves.

Confidence and good moods are key building successful sales relationships.  There are some good personal exercises to build confidence, but the best practice for mood boosting is to incorporate foods that will energize and provide balance.  We all know nutrition and exercise play a huge role in our overall health, but did you know that eating for good moods is possible as well?

Getting essential nutrients like B vitamins, magnesium, antioxidants and omega fats are great for feeling good and getting out into the world.  While they may not provide super powers right away, some great foods to keep on hand might just give that competitive edge in the world of sales.

Avocados are high in fiber, vitamin K, and folic acid.  Fiber and the healthy fat in an avocado will make you feel invigorated and full.  Vitamin K keeps your skin fresh and bright, and folic acid is helpful for mood boosting.  These green fruits are ideal for bringing out your best self.

Hazelnuts are also rich in fiber and good fats, but their secret ingredient is their high magnesium level.  Magnesium helps to keep stress levels low by regulating blood pressure and helping with calcium absorption.  It can also help regulate heart beats.

Eggs are an excellent source of choline, protein and omega-3 fats.  Choline is a micronutrient that helps to regulate the brain.  They are also one of the few foods that contains vitamin D, which helps fight against depression and ward off disease.

What are your power up foods to get you ready for the sales floor?

Cydcor Reviews Talent Masters

Oct 31, 2013

0 min read

Cydcor Reviews Talent Masters

Cydcor review by: Gail Michalak, Chief Marketing Officer at Cydcor

Book: Talent Masters by Bill Conaty and Ram Charan

Description:  This book is a description of how to judge exceptional talent within organizations and how to leverage that talent into success for the business.  Bill Conaty has worked closely with legendary CEO Jack Welsh of General Electric and Ram Charan is a consultant that has worked for large corporations all over the world.  Both authors contend that smart leaders put their people first, which leads to better revenue and company culture.  Much like Talent Wars, the previous Cydcor Review, Talent Masters details an effective system for managing talented team members and getting the best results.

Why people should read Talent Masters: Leaders should read this book to learn ways to move talent from the lower rungs up the corporate ladder.  This is the best way to assure teams perform at their top level.  Entry-level employees should read this to take notice of what traits to embody and how to prepare for success at a higher level.  Any professional can benefit from this book by learning how to think about running a team or an organization more effectively.  The book is also a good reminder that top performers at one level won’t necessarily perform the best at all levels.

My favorite part: Differentiation breeds meritocracy, sameness breeds mediocrity.  This is a good way to summarize the idea of celebrating the individual talents of employees and how to capitalize on their strengths.  It is also important to remember that recruiting people from other companies is often a good way of bring fresh ideas and more energy to a position, as long as the new person can assimilate into company culture.

Interested in more from Cydcor? Don't forget to Like us on Facebook or follow Cydcor on Twitter.

Check Out Cydcor Sites!

Oct 30, 2013

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Check Out Our Great Sites!

At Cydcor, we want to stay connected with our stakeholders and promote the company culture that has made us one of Los Angeles County’s Best Places to Work.  That’s why we’ve decided to make sure we provide a rich digital landscape for our team and network to see what we’re up to and any advice we can offer for success in the sales industry.  We encourage you to like, share and comment on things such as our Day of Smiles Fundraiser, our Cydcor Team Night Out, and other great events this year.

If you haven’t already please start by liking our Facebook page and following us on Twitter.  These social media platforms are the best way to interact with the team and see all of our company news and events.  Meanwhile, our LinkedIn Page is a great place to find job postings and see what business articles we are reading this week.

When you are looking for ways to improve your sales skills, we’ve built some excellent resources. Cydcor Reviews has an archive of great sales and business book suggests and reviews from company team members.  We are also accepting submissions for reviews of your favorite business books.  Over on Wordpress, our sales blog provides advice for the budding sales person inside you.

For inspiration, Cydcor Community is a place to promote success and company culture. The community blog is a place to learn more about Cydcor, our charitable work, and things that motivate us.  We also share pictures, provide a portal to our Merlin training program, and provide information on why Cydcor is a great place to work. For our favorite motivational quotes, resources and team fun, please follow us on Pinterest.

Do you use any of our sites and enjoy them? Let us know!

Cydcor's Favorite Books

Oct 29, 2013

0 min read

At Cydcor, we believe strongly in personal and professional development.  We want our sales rock stars to move on to become management super stars.  Part of our effort to do that is to provide advice and resources for team members to build their communication and leadership skills. We like to collect our favorite books that have inspired us to be better leaders and share them with you on our Cydcor Reviews website.  Here’s a roundup of some of our favorite book reviews from Cydcor team members.

Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg is a memoir by the Chief Operating Officer at Facebook.  Sandberg discusses the importance of women sticking up for themselves and advancing in the workplace.

The Secret by Rhonda Byrne discusses the laws of attraction.  Many people believe that success lies in the realm of the mind, and that you can bring yourself to your goals through positive thinking.  The book has many stories and examples to help you get in the right mindset to achieve the things you want in life.

The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell is a deep look at that moment where a marketing campaign becomes a success. What does it take to make something viral on the web? According to Gladwell, it’s very much like how a disease becomes an epidemic. All it takes is one person, a small and targeted push, to make a campaign worthwhile.

Why We Buy by Paco Underhill is a variety of case studies that make up the mind and behavior of consumers.  Underhill tells us what customers really want and what you can do to get their attention.

What’s your favorite sales book? Who are the authors and business people that inspire you?

Want to join the team at Cydcor and be in a work environment that values your professional development?

Current Jobs At Cydcor

Oct 25, 2013

0 min read

jobs at Cydcor
Join the team today! Find jobs at Cydcor

The Cydcor team is hiring! Cydcor is the outsourced sales expert that customers say yes to. Cydcor professional sales representatives sell products and services to more than 4,000 new customers each business day. Cydcor's dedicated sales force penetrates markets - achieving results traditional marketing strategies can't touch. Through more than 32,000 in-person sales visits in the last 12 months, Cydcor continued growing our clients' business - and got results. We protect our clients' brands and deliver quality sales.

Why you want to work for Cydcor: we put our team members first.  We believe in serving a higher purpose at work and that includes developing our team members personally and professionally.  We also give back to our local and global communities through corporate charity work and paid volunteer hours.

Currently there are five available jobs at Cydcor:

Campaign Management Specialists (2): Responsible for reviewing and coordinating all data sources from our external sales teams and clients, integrating that data into our internal systems, and reporting sales numbers and results to stakeholders.

Digital Communications Manager: Responsible for managing all social media accounts and content marketing strategy.

Accounts Receivable Specialist:Responsible for handling all accounts receivable at the Cydcor office.

Controller: The controller works with our accounting team to oversee financial statement preparations and the general ledger.

Come and join one of the funnest teams around! Apply today on our jobs board.