Discover practical advice, inspiration, and insights to help you succeed in business and grow both personally and professionally.
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We get it. You can run ads on social media, make cold calls, and leverage ALL sorts of technologies to find new customers.
Why would you want to go door to door anymore?
But when you consider how starved our society is for human connection — and consider how effective face-to-face communication is… there’s a BIG case to be made for good, old-fashioned door-knocking.
This blog highlights 5 key reasons that D2D is more relevant than ever
Do you ever feel guilty for taking a break? You shouldn’t be. When we’re able to find the right moments to step away, we are empowered to show up far better when we return!
Keep burnout at bay. Get your creative juices flowing again. There are many practical and scientific cases to be made about the importance of a little R&R.
And if you have reservations about taking a some time away for yourself…
Give this a read!
At a time when automation and digital interactions have captured the attention of the business world, one tried-and-true customer acquisition model remains a key contributor to business growth—face-to-face sales. And for many Fortune 500 companies across sectors and industries, the “old-fashioned” face-to-face approach is here to stay.
Just ask Cydcor, which over the last three decades has cemented its place as a market leader in outsourced sales. While the California-based “people helping people” business has embraced and innovated with technological advancements since its founding in 1994, its true magic—interpersonal connection, problem-solving, and custom solutions realized through person-to-person interaction—remains as powerful as ever.
“Face-to-face connections are not just a nicety; they are vital for building lasting relationships and driving business success,” notes Vera Quinn, CEO and President of Cydcor. “Personal interactions foster trust, understanding, and a deeper connection with customers, which are essential for acquiring and retaining new business.”
In a market where consumers and clients often feel like just a number, Quinn sees immense potential for entrepreneurs who understand the power of building relationships, solving problems, and presenting opportunities that truly make people’s lives better. She believes that those who embrace building personal connections that technology cannot replace will define the next generation of impactful business leaders.
To help its clients acquire new customers, Cydcor contracts with a field network of nearly 400 independent sales companies across North America. The owners of these companies are entrepreneurs with proven track records in sales. Each company is responsible for hiring, training and leading its employees, thereby building its own culture of performance and leadership. They allow their teams the opportunity to build a track record in sales to start their own businesses. This entrepreneurial mindset not only fuels growth for Cydcor and its clients but also empowers entrepreneurs within Cydcor’s network with opportunities for independence and ownership.
Cydcor’s network of independent sales companies is owned and operated by a diverse group of entrepreneurs, each inspired and motivated by the opportunity to represent Cydcor’s impressive client roster. This network includes individuals from all backgrounds—including, musicians, journalists, professional athletes, teachers, and former corporate leaders—each bringing unique perspectives and experiences. Fueled by the opportunities provided through Cydcor, their drive and mindset allow them the opportunity to transition into successful entrepreneurial ventures in sales.
“You can learn a lot,” Quinn says, recalling her own experiences in door-to-door sales, where she started her career. “It’s not just about sales skills—which will serve you for the rest of your professional and personal life. It’s also about learning how to understand others, take accountability for driving results, and collaborating and building teams to help you get there.”
Looking at it this way, face-to-face sales has a lot of merit when it comes to empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs. These types of interactions require crucial life skills such as active listening and emotional intelligence, as professionals need to read subtle body language cues, understand unspoken concerns, and respond appropriately based on the specific customer they are speaking to. “These skills translate into your personal and business relationship capabilities,” Quinn says, “no matter what your goals are or what career you want to pursue. I’ve even learned how to be a better leader, friend, spouse, and parent thanks to the lessons I’ve learned in face-to-face sales.”
The ability to communicate and tailor products and services to each customer’s unique situation is essential for business growth. The network of independent sales companies Cydcor works with are uniquely skilled at the art of articulating ideas clearly and building rapport with customers. Whether in negotiations, presentations, or team management, these timeless abilities will always be in demand.
Beyond communication, face-to-face sales teaches problem-solving and resilience. “You have to be able to think on your feet,” Quinn says, “handle rejection with grace, and persist through difficulties while maintaining a positive attitude. And with every step forward, it gets easier, as you’re more able to identify needs, propose solutions, and handle objections professionally. It becomes natural and continues to serve you in the office, in the field, and in your life.”
As the business landscape continues to evolve, Cydcor remains committed to its core philosophy of face-to-face sales. While technology undoubtedly plays a larger role in the future, Quinn believes that personal interactions will grow into an even more valuable and specialized skill among entrepreneurs. This is the true power behind the network Cydcor works with. “Technology can enhance our efforts, but it cannot replace human interaction in person,” she says. “Our goal is to keep innovating while staying true to what has always made us successful—understanding and connecting with customers directly.”
Cydcor is empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs by providing an opportunity to those entrepreneurs dedicated to face-to-face sales—a testament to the enduring power of personal connections in business. By combining this time-tested method with a culture of excellence and a commitment to innovation, Cydcor continues to drive success for its clients and its people.
As Vera Quinn puts it, “Business success is simple: build genuine connections, understand people’s needs, and help solve their challenges. That’s a winning strategy that never goes out of style.”
Cydcor wouldn’t be what it is without a culture of generosity. Here’s a look at some of the incredible things that our team has accomplished (plus initiatives that will keep us busy well into the future).
Our 30th year in business is almost over. This has been a chance to recognize the hard work that’s taken us to where we are today… and remind ourselves why all of this effort is important.
Of the many causes we have supported in Cydcor’s first three decades, Liberty Children’s Home in Belize has been incredibly important to our team and the network around us.
Home to more than 50 abandoned and once-neglected children, Liberty is restoring and rejuvenating lives, helping kids overcome incredible odds. For years we have been proud to assist their team as much as possible, and have raised over $130,000 to date.
Philanthropy is deeply rooted in Cydcor’s “people helping people” culture, and this was on full display at our National Conferences last August. When we put out a fundraising call during our Awards Ceremony, the Cydcor family answered — Raising $10,000 across our three events.
Our team got creative to make this fundraising a fun and meaningful experience. We sold merch, tickets for opportunity drawings, and even pins with Liberty’s signature butterfly (a representation of hope).
These weren't just fundraising activities; they were moments of connection, reminding everyone that business success and social responsibility can coexist beautifully.
These funds go towards everything from school supplies to major facility upgrades. They also help Liberty provide essentials, such as medical supplies, food, and clothing. We are proud that every dollar is spent in support of growth and new beginnings for these children. It's not just about giving them the essentials they need to live happy lives — it’s also about supporting and nurturing the dreams they have for the future.
And as the holiday season approaches, so does our annual drive for clothing, shoes, and toys. Every child deserves a spectacular Christmas morning, and we aim to show up big for Liberty every year.
While Liberty Children's Home holds a special place in Cydcor's heart, our commitment to giving doesn't stop there. As the holiday season approaches, our team will soon transform into a force for local good in Ventura County. For many years now, the annual Spark of Love initiative sees us collaborating with local businesses to help ensure no child goes without during the festive season.
This isn't your typical corporate toy drive. Picture Cydcor employees donning elf costumes and holiday garb, packing toys, sports equipment, and non-perishable food items — all destined for thousands of local children and teens. It's a reminder that true corporate responsibility starts at home… and that we don’t have to look far to find people who need our support.
From our local community to worldwide philanthropy, giving back sits at the heart of Cydcor’s DNA. Our "people helping people" culture isn't just a slogan — it's evident in every fundraising event, every volunteer hour, and every initiative they undertake.
And looking back at our last three decades of impact, the message is clear:
Corporate success and social responsibility aren’t mutually exclusive — they’re mutually reinforcing. And if you’re someone looking to take the next step in your career, or you’re a business leader looking to keep growing your team, this is where the true impact and legacy lies.
You don't need to raise thousands or transform an entire organization overnight. Start where you are. Join local initiatives like Spark of Love. Organize workplace fundraisers. Support causes that speak to your heart.
Remember, every butterfly pin sold, every toy packed, and every dollar raised creates ripples of change that extend far and wide. In a world that often seems divided, these acts of generosity are more important than ever.
The question isn't whether you can make a difference - it's how will you choose to do so,
As Cydcor has shown us for thirty years, the greatest business success stories aren’t just written in profit margins, but also in lives transformed.
30 publishers thought Steven King’s writing just couldn’t cut it. So you know what he did? He got better.
Nobody has it easy — not even the big names who are now leading industries. What separates the greats is a willingness to step through failure, heartbeat, and tragedy — and come out stronger on the other side.
Here are some of the most touching true stories on surviving setbacks, and thriving in spite of everything that’s come before.
From Failure to Fame: 7 Celebrities Who Survived and Thrived After Setbacks
Seek wisdom and actionable advice from some of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs.
"Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do."
There’s a good chance you’re reading this on a device first imagined by the late Founder of Apple. And without pride and passion, it’s unlikely that Jobs could have ever left such an impressive thumbprint on our world!
"Dreams do come true, but not without the help of others, a good education, a strong work ethic, and the courage to lean in."
Over the course of 30 years, Burns climbed the ranks of Xerox, going from intern to CEO. Your dreams won’t come easy, but don’t be afraid to chase them!
"I knew that if I failed I wouldn't regret that, but I knew the one thing I might regret is not trying."
There’s an alternate reality where Jeff Bezos lived a boring, safe, regrettable life. Don’t let that be you!
"As a leader, I am tough on myself and I raise the standard for everybody; however, I am very caring because I want people to excel at what they are doing so that they can aspire to be me in the future."
The former CEO of PepsiCo continues to be considered one of the most powerful business leaders in the world. Now we know how she’s been able to command such a compelling influence!
“Play by the rules, but be ferocious.”
Leave it to this Nike co-founder to give us a quote that fits on a T-Shirt! Business is a game. Be fair, be competitive, and leave nothing on the court.
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't—you're right."
You don’t have to be a woo-woo manifestation nut to see the point Ford is making here. If you don’t believe in yourself… who will?
"When something is important enough, you do it even if the odds are not in your favor."
Do we need electric cars to reverse the impact of climate change? Absolutely. Do we need a plan to get humanity to Mars? We hope not (but it’s always good to be prepared). Even the most “impossible” problems can be solved when we recognize the severity of inaction.
"Do every job you're in like you're going to do it for the rest of your life and demonstrate that ownership of it."
Barra’s first job at GM was to inspect fender panels. Without taking pride and responsibility in this small task… would they have made her the company CEO 34 years later?
To those who have, more will be given.
"One of the questions I ask [potential employees] is: "Tell me some of the riskiest things you've ever done in your life?"
As one of the leading hedge-fund managers… Cohen lives in a world where multi-million dollar mistakes are “just another Tuesday.” Risk-taking IS a skill that’s necessary for success. Make peace with the idea of losing, or you may never win!
"Don't sit down and wait for the opportunities to come. Get up and make them."
For this last quote, we went back over 100 years, to an entrepreneur who really should be a household name. Walker was the first child in her family born after the Emancipation Proclamation and went from destitute poverty to a haircare empire. She is on record as America’s first self-made millionaire. Emphasis on self-made.
There we have it — 10 inspiring quotes from 10 incredible business leaders. Which one resonated with you the most? Which one will you act on today?
3 decades of creating opportunity later… our 2024 National Conferences empowered the future while recognizing the incredible achievements in our rear-view mirror.
It's very hard to "Celebrate 30 Years of Opportunity" without this thought coming to mind:
"How do we continue to create opportunity for ANOTHER 30 years?"
To keep our business running for generations to come, we have to recognize past achievements while also preparing for future opportunities.
At Cydcor's National Conferences 2024, we got to do both!
NatCon hit Toronto, Ontario in July, before heading to Arlington, Texas in August for our B2B/Residential and Retail events. Across all three events, close to 2,700 entrepreneurs, business leaders, and professionals from our network of ICLs attended.
It's a far cry from where Cydcor was in 1994… when the entire business was just an idea in Founder Jim Majeski's head. Looking at the scene at NatCon 2024, and feeling the energy from the crowd, it's truly inspiring to see how far things have come.
And if you think Cydcor has been growing fast these past few decades, you should see the party at NatCon 2054 (when we hit 60)!
It's next to impossible to come out of the latest NatCon without the sense that the biggest is still on the way. While we were there to "Celebrate 30 Years of Opportunity," the programming was designed to challenge, motivate, and arm everyone with insights that will put new wins on the horizon.
Breakouts were run by CEO & President Vera Quinn, CRO Rich Mangafas, Executive Chairman Gary Polson, and top managers from independent ICLs from across the country. These breakouts blended wisdom from the years spent building and growing Cydcor, along with some cutting-edge business innovations that will forever change how ICLs maximize results and achievement in the field.
And along with their insights, these leaders were also able to tell some personal stories about their entrepreneurial journeys and their role in Cydcor's first 30 years. Every single NatCon attendee has their own Cydcor story to tell, and it's exciting to see how they're evolving!
Special breakouts highlighted women in business, Black entrepreneurship, and veterans in business. Meetings where ICLs working on shared national campaigns could discuss strategy and insights. One incredibly eye-opening General Session where Cydcor leadership discussed the latest wins (in addition to what's coming in the near future). This was a full-steam-ahead conference… and we left with years' worth of actionable advice to take to our work!
And it wouldn't be NatCon without our highly-anticipated Award Dinner (and the Cocktail Reception that comes before it). We were able to recognize and honor top performers from across Canada and the United States, and celebrate a number of people — both from independent ICLs and our own corporate office — who have recently hit major career milestones.
We even got to honor one of our Platinum Consultants, who has been with Cydcor for the ENTIRE 30-year journey (and counting)!
And if that wasn't inspiring enough, the Award Dinner was also an opportunity for us to come together, share in the amazing results we all have achieved, and give back. Over the course of the dinner, we raised over $10k for Liberty Children's Home.
Liberty Children's Home is a Belize-based orphanage that Cydcor has been philanthropically supporting for the past 7 years. Home to over forty children, many who have experienced abuse, abandonment, and neglect in their lives, Liberty continues to be a cause that's close to our heart.
The massive fundraising success at NatCon will help Liberty continue to support these amazing children and nurture a better future for them.
And as exciting as it's been to celebrate our 30th anniversary and the amazing business achievements of professionals across our industry… seeing everyone band together for a bigger cause was the standout moment at NatCon 2024.
That's one thing that hasn't changed since 1994 — and it won't be changing anytime soon. Cydcor is a business where people help people… and we're working hard to instill that into the next generation of our business.
We weren't just at NatCon 2024 to "Celebrate 30 Years of Opportunity"...
The event quickly became about "Creating 30 More Years of Opportunity."
And while a lot is going to change in the next three decades, ONE thing is certain.
At NatCon 2054, we will be:
And if you WEREN'T at NatCon 2024, the next-best time to get on board is now.
Lots of people try to bend the truth to get ahead — but this is probably the worst way to build alasting career or business in sales.
From embellishment and omission — to outright lies that completely misrepresent what’s being sold — we all know how frustrating it is to deal with a dishonest salesperson. That’s why honesty can make you far more successful in sales — because people will always choose to do long-term business with the person they can trust.
And if you want more reasons why being 100% forthright is always the way to go...
Here are 7 Reasons Why Honesty is the Most Effective Sales Strategy
Vera Quinn joins top business podcast hosts to discuss leadership, her entrepreneurial journey and more. Here are our three favorite takeaways!
Jack Welch, the former CEO of General Electric, once said “Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others.”
And no matter where you are in that journey — whether you’re taking the first step into entrepreneurship and trying to grow yourself, or you’re leading a team you want to develop, it’s important to examine the advice that has made other leaders successful.
Our CEO, Vera Quinn, has recently joined a few top podcasts to discuss the Cydcor approach to leadership — and how Vera continues to develop the team.
While a lot was discussed on these shows, we’ve highlighted a few of our favorite takeaways — which will expand your definition of leadership and teach you how grow the people around you.
Culture is a bit of a buzzword in most corporate circles — with many leaders taking a “do as I say, not as I do” approach to their values.
But in discussion with Chris Waters on To Lead is to Learn, Vera presents a different way to go about culture:
Lead by example.
“I can say whatever I want to say, but it’s about my actions,” Vera says. “If we’re in a meeting and I’m not modeling the culture, someone on the team will speak up. We hold each other accountable. We call each other out.”
Vera and Chris go on to discuss the self-awareness and courage this requires as a leader.
We may think of the “courageous” leader as someone who’s always right and becomes a poster-child for the company’s values. But we are all human — and true courage comes from a leader willing to put themselves on the same level as their team.
Vera explains that if we shed the idea that we have to be “perfect” and instead make ourselves an ingrained part of the culture (just like everyone else), we can attract a team that enhances our strengths and sures up our weaknesses.
So, as you lead and build culture with your team — remember this:
A good leader is someone who allows their team to hold them accountable.
That takes courage.
To listen to the full episode, click here.
On the Leadership is Female podcast, Vera and host Emily Jaenson discuss strategic leadership.
To break the concept down, Vera highlights the two things a leader has to do:
At a glance, this may just sound like “telling people what to do.” But that’s what a boss does, while leaders take a different approach.
The keyword for Vera is “point.”
The leader can guide a team to where it needs to go — but it is by everyone’s own volition that the actually work gets done. As Vera and Emily discuss, it takes empathy to lead this way.
Vera explains that the best way to do that “pointing” is to “match opportunity with ambition.”
By taking the time to learn the individual goals of your team, you can align their ambition to the opportunities that need to be captured within the business.
Then, the team member can be personally invested in taking on that responsibility, rather than being forced to do it.
That’s how you end up with a team that you are leading, rather than having a group of people you are bossing around. Big difference.
To listen to the full episode, click here.
You may have read the last point and wondered:
“Ok… how do I empathize with my team and learn what their ambitions really are?”
And that’s exactly the topic that Vera dives into with Teri Schmidt, host of Strong Leaders Serve.
Vera tells Teri about her rise to leadership — and how a coach once told her that she needed to transition from “being interesting to being interested.”
“At the time,” she recalls, “I wanted to be the best. I wanted to be the bright, shining star.”
But a leader who tries to do that will not be a leader for long.
Vera highlights the importance of attracting talent around you — and moving from being the person everyone wants to learn about to being the leader who’s actively invested in learning more about their team.
“It changed my paradigm of being a leader,” Vera says, “and it even changed how I approached being a spouse, mother, and friend.”
Funnily enough, when you put the focus on “being interested,” you’ll draw more people to you compared to when you’re trying to be the most “interesting.”
People want to follow a leader that’s invested in their interests, story, and expertise. They don’t want to follow someone that makes it all about themselves. And while building rapport with your team is a big benefit to this mindset shift — doing this also sets you up to learn more than you ever could before.
To listen to the full episode, click here.
And when it’s all said and done, learning is the number one thing that a leader should be doing. That’s why we always get excited when Vera gets on a podcast to share some of the lessons, she’s learned at Cydcor.
You now have three actionable insights that you can act on today. So, get out there, keep growing as a leader and developing your team!
If Yoda was a sales manager, what would he say at the team meeting?
Blake from Glengarry Glen Ross isn’t the nicest of characters, but he still has the most quotable sales lines of all time.
Citizen Kane isn’t just the greatest movie of all time because it has a good story — it also teaches us a thing or two about what business success really is.
Business and Hollywood collide in this blog. Here are 10 inspiring sales quotes from movies.
Criticism is an opportunity for growth — but only if you know how to properly deal with customer complaints.
Let’s face it — everyone’s a critic these days, and it’s all but impossible to work a job without getting some negative feedback at some point in your career.
Even the most successful people deal with valid criticism. In the end, their ability to handle and interact with that feedback is what sets them apart.
Knowing how to isolate, identify, reflect on, and act on negative feedback is a skill they have developed over time — and doing the same will help you grow in your career or in entrepreneurship.
The next time you need to respond to negative feedback, turn to this four-step framework.
It’s all too easy to view negative customer feedback as a personal attack. There’s a fine line between constructive criticism and insult — and sometimes the feedback is just downright mean. But even when something falls into the category of constructive criticism, it can still hurt!
The first thing you need to do is isolate the feedback. It is not reflective of you, the person. It is reflective of the experience the customer had with the product or service.
Isolate the feedback as if you were a neutral, third party to the situation. This will remove any emotions, disappointment, or anger that you may be feeling about the situation and allow you to interact with the customer’s concerns in a positive way.
A lot of the time, the spirit of the negative feedback is valid, but the way it’s said isn’t. Your job is to not let the presentation of the criticism bother you (even if it comes in the form of yelling or choice language) while trying to identify where the real problem lies.
After you’ve isolated the feedback — you can identify where the real concern lies.
This may seem like a simple step, but it’s usually anything but. Customer feedback doesn’t happen in a vacuum. There are usually factors outside of the situation that impact how the response is worded or expressed.
A customer may rant about 10 different things that you did wrong — when all of those 10 things boil down to one specific concern that the customer can’t quite put their finger on. Or they may simply state that “this is bad” without explaining any of the reasons why they feel that way.
To work with negative feedback, you sometimes need to play detective. Ask questions that allow the customer to fully express their feelings. This won’t just help them feel heard, it will also give you the context you need to get to a solution.
Don’t just aim to listen, aim to empathize and understand.
Don’t say “I hear you” while someone is complaining — say “I understand.” Big difference there.
When the customer is finished explaining — repeat back what you’ve heard, but remove the emotion out of it. Be matter-of-fact as you walk through what’s just happened. This will prime the customer to start viewing the situation as a solvable problem (and not an emotion-crushing disaster).
As you go through your recap with them, focus on the handful of issues that are really at the crux of the issue. Even if these are things outside of your control. Take responsibility for them. The worst thing you can do is “try and pass the buck” — and in a world where everyone’s trying to point fingers, most customers will respect you for taking accountability.
At first — negative feedback can seem overwhelming and impossible to fix. But when you get good at finding the one thing that sits at the heart of the complaint it becomes manageable.
When the key issues are identified, act swiftly. Show the customer you’ve listened to them in the way you go about resolving the matter.
The most important work happens after the specific situation has been put to bed. Your job now is to evolve so that the problem does not happen again with another customer. It can be useful to discuss the negative feedback with your boss or peers — not to gossip or complain about it, but to get their opinion about how you handled things and how you can improve.
The odds are that they’ve gotten the same kind of feedback at some point in their careers. Listening to their experiences will help you grow — and will also reveal that getting criticism is normal (so you shouldn’t feel too bad about what that customer said!).
Reflecting helps you fix a problem before it becomes a trend. When you invest the time to think about how customers are responding to your product or service — you can start developing a tangible list of action items that are going to help you grow.
The best businesses are the ones that listen and adapt based on their customer’s needs and concerts. The greatest entrepreneurs have a spotlight on them at all times — and are criticized relentlessly. Knowing how to turn a negative piece of feedback into an opportunity for growth is a skill that directly correlates with success.
So, remember that everyone gets negative feedback sometimes — and if you know how to interact with it, that feedback can be a positive turning point in your career or entrepreneurial journey.
The last step in these situations is always to act. Take time to improve based on feedback and move forward with confidence and integrity.
There will always be negative feedback. But if each complaint is different than the last… you’re going in the right direction!