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Servant leadership is a concept which holds that adopting a service-focused mindset simultaneously benefits corporations, their employees, and the community at large. At Cydcor, the Agoura Hills based leader in outsourced sales, we know first-hand that our “People helping people” motto is more than just good PR; it’s good business. The benefits of participating in community service stretch well beyond creating a “feel good” vibe around the office (though they include that, too). Servant leadership empowers employees, builds critical skills to succeed in business, and fosters a sense of teamwork, community, and renewed commitment to the organization’s shared goals.
1) Empathizing with Others: Acting as servant leaders helps team members better relate to customers and to each other. Finding common ground is a necessary first step for building trust and is a key ingredient for forming strong and lasting partnerships.
2) Learning to Listen: Serving others forces employees to master the skill of listening. Indispensable and hard to teach in these times of selfies and tweets, the ability to hear and process information from others offers inarguable advantages in sales or any kind of business interaction.
3) Getting the Message Out: Servant leadership is all about gaining and raising awareness for critical issues affecting the global community. This push to spread a message for good can help employees hone the marketing and sales skills they’ll also use to advocate on behalf of their clients.
4) Dreaming Big: In order to envision a better world, servant leaders must set ambitious goals and create plans to achieve them. In business, the ability to think big and devise viable action plans to attain goals is critical to realizing personal and organizational growth and success.
5) Looking Ahead: Having foresight helps servant leaders anticipate and sidestep roadblocks in advance and create contingency plans to overcome the challenges that might lie ahead. Employees who master this skill through service can support their organizations with the strategic planning necessary to sustain business growth in a competitive business landscape.
6) Changing Minds: A critical task of servant leaders is to effectively persuade others to care, to give, or to volunteer to help achieve a common goal. They learn how to use consensus, not manipulation or coercion, to bring others on board and reframe thinking. This power to unite teams, recruit participants, and boost enthusiasm for causes and goals can give employees an edge when selling and promoting products, training direct reports, and building their crew.
7) Being Model Mentors: A defining characteristic of servant leadership is stewardship. Servant leaders see their role as one of developing others and helping them hone their skills to take on greater responsibility. Growing the leaders of tomorrow benefits the individuals, promotes growth within an organization, and trains future advocates for the community at large.
8) Committing to Growth: Good servant leaders make it their mission to help others achieve their goals and reach their full potential. They push others to venture outside of their comfort zones and create bold visions for the future. This passion for growth can help organizations stay competitive, inspires innovation, and builds a culture where employees believe success is achievable.
9) Building Community: A concept that spans employee teams, organizations, and society at large; employees who feel a strong sense of community view themselves as vital parts of something larger. They are motivated to perform because they know that what benefits the community, benefits them as well.
10) Taking Joy in the Journey: The greatest servant leaders are those who help spread excitement throughout organizations and into the community. They help maintain a positive outlook and thrive on the thrill of overcoming challenges. Acknowledging employees’ hard work and rewarding them for their achievements helps foster a community of servant leaders who express pride in themselves through excellence at their jobs.
Encouraging employees to act as servant leaders has benefits across every aspect of a business. It improves moral and unity, it fosters a positive relationship between companies and their communities, and it helps develop a workforce that is well prepared for the complex challenges of tomorrow.
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.--Cydcor, the leading provider of in-person sales teams, announced that team members recently donated 114 gifts to children at nearby EARTHS Magnet School. “Being able to give them presents – ones they really wanted – is a great feeling for all of us.”
Cydcor team members regularly volunteer time on a weekly basis to children at the school and wanted to make their holiday season one to remember. The 51 team members each picked a child’s “wish tag” on Cydcor’s Christmas tree and purchased the gift or gift card requested for the individual child.
Last week, several team members personally delivered the gifts to the school, including one who dressed up like Santa Claus. Gifts ranged from clothing and shoes to toys and the gift cards. The children were all between the ages of five and eleven years old.
“Everyone at Cydcor was so excited to help these kids have an awesome holiday,” said Chief Operating Officer Vera Quinn. “Being able to give them presents – ones they really wanted – is a great feeling for all of us.”
In November, Cydcor team members also donated Thanksgiving dinners to the EARTHS families and plans to continue volunteering and giving back for years to come.
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.
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., June 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Cydcor, the leading provider of outsourced, face-to-face sales teams, recently held a company-sponsored "Casino Night" to raise funds for Operation Smile, a children's medical charity that provides free cleft lip and cleft palate reconstructive surgeries worldwide. Cydcor team members have been raising funds for Operation Smile over the past several months with an overall goal of raising $150,000 to fund a medical mission to remote locations in Peru, Cambodia, or Rwanda.
Planned entirely by Cydcor team volunteers, the casino event was created to bring team members, family, and friends together in a fun environment to raise funds for Operation Smile. During the event, more than 50 participants, including Cydcor friends, family and team members, enjoyed a poker and blackjack tournament, a costume contest, a raffle, and prizes.
Donations from sponsors included Dodger tickets, restaurant gift certificates, teeth whitening from a local dentist, a gym membership, a tanning gift certificate, a tennis racket, and an American Airlines gift card. Cydcor's blog contains more information about the prizes, donors, and prize recipients.
"The positive energy and attitude of everyone who participated was inspiring," said Vera Quinn, senior vice president of sales operations. "This is just another example of everyone coming together to reach a common goal – raising $150,000. We're almost there and it's such an accomplishment; it shows that people working together make the biggest differences. Our team members have embraced this goal, as they do all of our goals – and it's that kind of energy and focus that changes things."
About Cydcor, Inc.
Cydcor, Inc. is the leading provider of outsourced, face-to-face Cydcor sales teams to a diverse client base of companies in a 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 independently owned corporate licensee (ICL) Cydcor sales offices providing clients with access to more than 2,700 sales professionals and nearly 200 offices in North America. The privately held company is based inWestlake Village, California. For more information about Cydcor, log on to www.cydcor.com.
SOURCE Cydcor
In early June, Cydcor, the leading provider of outsourced, face-to-face sales teams, sent company leaders and owners of each independently-owned sales office to the Arizona Grand Resort in Phoenix, Arizona. The Cydcor sponsored retreat, R&R Weekend, comprised a blend of business, social functions, entertainment and relaxation for business attendees and their friends and family members.
“Cydcor designed this weekend as a thank you for all the hard work and dedication of the owners of Cydcor’s network of independent sales offices, field executives and selected Cydcor corporate office team members,” said Gary Polson, chief executive officer of Cydcor.
The approximately 550 attendees enjoyed a Consultant’s Invitational VIP reception, a general session and organizational lunch meetings, a pool-side themed dinner, lounging by the impressive pool, floating in the lazy river, and exhilarating fun on the resort’s water park slides. The weekend concluded with attendees “getting into the groove” for a Cydcor-style 1980’s themed dinner party. Randomly selected teams competed for top honors in “Family Feud – 80’s style” and the winning five person team split a cash prize of $1,000.
A highlight of the Cydcor weekend event was the second annual five-on-five basketball tournament, organized as a challenge between various Cydcor’s network of independent corporate licensee (ICL) sales offices as well as an opportunity to raise money for a charitable donation. The ICLs raised a total of $1,100, with Cydcor matching the amount—providing a total donation of $2,200.
This year, the money raised was donated to the owner of one of Cydcor’s independent sales offices whose infant daughter was born with Congenital Heart Disease called Hypo Plastic Left Heart Syndrome. The donation will be used to assist with medical expenses that have been accrued while treating her condition.
“We are a business that values giving back to the people we work with, and we are especially happy that we can assist a family we know personally and care deeply about. Because the sales offices do so much for Cydcor, we’re happy to give back to them through this weekend of R&R,” said Jim Majeski, president of Cydcor.
For the first time Cydcor joined the ranks of Ventura county businesses for some friendly competition during the 2009 Ventura Corporate Games this spring. The company kicked off its participation by lending a hand (and a shovel) at one of the group’s community service events – the Harbor Wetlands Restoration Project.
More than 60 business entities in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties join together every spring to compete in the Corporate Games hosted by the City of Ventura. Last year, nearly 10,000 employees competed against each other and took part in community service events. Each company earns points based on how teams do in each event – with 30 events in 30 days.
“This competition is similar to Cydcor’s own culture,” said Vera Quinn, senior vice president of operations for Cydcor. “Creating a strong sense of unity and teamwork among fellow employees is important to our business’ core and we’re happy to share the experience with other companies in our community.”
As one of the first to assist in the creation of the Ventura Harbor Ecological Reserve, Cydcor team members, their friends and family members, removed invasive non-native plants in order to restore the spot to its natural state and began to clear an entry pathway to the reserve – a place that will soon be designated a scenic area along the coastline. This promotes nesting for migratory birds that have trouble nesting in the current environment.
“It’s a pleasure that Cydcor joined this year’s Corporate Games and we look forward to future years of fun and networking,” said Rosie Ornelas, Volunteer Coordinator for the City of Ventura. “We do our best to bring the community together – not only for old-fashioned fun and competition, but for a common cause.”
Cydcor hosted a toy drive to benefit the Children's Hospital Los Angeles during its annual corporate kick-off meeting.
About 70 participating Cydcor team members were given $50 each to create warm and fuzzy companions at Thousand Oaks’ Build-A-Bear and then deliver them to chronically and critically ill pediatric patients at the hospital. With the help and generosity of Build-A-Bear’s 10 percent discount, Cydcor was able to donate $3,000 in furry friends.
“As uncertainty looms throughout the country, Cydcor is thrilled to kick off 2009 with this positive team-building event,” said Gary Polson, chief executive officer of Cydcor. “We’re grateful we’re able to both give back to local business and brighten the day of a sick child as we continue to create a company culture of giving back to the communities in which we thrive.”
Childrens Hospital Los Angeles distributes approximately 500 toys a week. Children receive toys after a week-long hospital stay, when they’re preparing for a painful procedure or operation, have a birthday or simply don’t have toys from home.
“As a diversionary and a therapeutic approach, toys play an important part in enhancing the well being of hospitalized children,” said Wendi Kellaris, Manager – Volunteer Resources of Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. “Cydcor’s efforts are greatly appreciated and provide our patients a positive experience that is so vital to their recovery.”
About Childrens Hospital Los Angeles
Founded in 1901, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles has treated the most seriously ill and injured children in Los Angeles for more than a century, and it is recognized throughout the country and around the world for its leadership in pediatric and adolescent health. Childrens Hospital is one of America’s premier teaching hospitals, affiliated with the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California since 1932. It is a national leader in pediatric research. For more information, visit www.childrenshospitalLA.org.
More than 70 employees from Cydcor, the leading provider of outsourced, face-to-face sales teams, and their network of independent corporate licensee (ICL) offices rolled up their sleeves on April 26, 2008, as they participated in a Build-A-Bike team-building event to provide bikes for kids at Casa Familiar, a community-based organization in San Diego that serves as a resource for border community clients in areas of human services, community development and education.
The teambuilding day was part of a Cydcor-sponsored Promoting Owners Retreat event for top owners in the network of sales offices that Cydcor supports. Event attendees volunteered their free time to help Casa Familiar and make a positive difference in the lives of underprivileged children.
“Cydcor is proud to have sponsored this team-building day as part of a larger event. Helping those who are less fortunate not only feels good, it’s the right thing to do,” said Gary Polson, chief executive officer for Cydcor. “Just like the enthusiasm our nationwide sales force brings to our client for outsourced sales, the top sales office owners were excited to volunteer as we all realize the benefits of giving back to communities and making a positive difference.”
This is the first year that Cydcor included a philanthropic activity as part of the Promoting Owners Retreat, and it was a big success. Eight teams competed to win parts for the two bicycles they were responsible for building, which created healthy competition and fun. At the end of the build, the Casa Familiar recipients of the bikes came to the park to receive their gifts. This came as a surprise to the bike-builders and was a very emotional moment.
“Many of these children have never had bikes before and so this truly was one of the highlights of their life,” said Andrea Skorepa, President & CEO for Casa Familiar. “Having the support of businesses like Cydcor is invaluable for us to further our mission and develop brighter futures for children of this community.”
About Cydcor Inc.
Cydcor Inc., is the leading provider of outsourced, face-to-face sales teams to a diverse client base of companies in a range of industries, including telecommunications, office products, retail energy and financial services. Cydcor works with a network of independently owned corporate licensee sales offices providing clients with access to more than 3,000 sales professionals and 200+ offices in North America. The privately held company is based in Westlake Village, Calif.
About Casa Familiar
The mission of Casa Familiar allows the dignity, power and worth within individuals and families to flourish, by enhancing the quality of life through education, advocacy, service programming, housing and community economic development.
Cydcor
Suzzanne Fleet
818-706-9500
Cydcor, the leading provider of outsourced, face-to-face sales teams, has introduced Cydcor Cares – Volunteer Day, a new internal program to encourage team members to get more involved in their local communities.
The company’s new Cydcor Cares Volunteer Day benefit provides eight hours paid time off annually to its team members, giving them the opportunity to donate their time and talents to non-profit, community or charitable organizations of their choice.
“Cydcor is dedicated to giving back and getting involved with charitable causes – it is food for our company’s soul,” said Gary Polson, chief executive officer for Cydcor. “The success of our company can be measured, in part, by looking at how we can contribute to the well-being of the community, and we want to encourage our team members to get involved in causes they are passionate about.”
Volunteer Day extends Cydcor’s culture of community involvement. Since 2007, Cydcor has maintained a relationship with Casa Pacifica, a residential treatment facility in Camarillo for abused, neglected and emotionally disturbed children. Employees have helped organize its community donations, and Cydcor recently donated $2,500 to support the Casa Pacifica’s programs.
About Cydcor Inc.
Cydcor Inc., is the leading provider of outsourced, face-to-face sales teams to a diverse client base of companies in a range of industries, including telecommunications, office products, retail energy and financial services. Cydcor works with a network of independently owned corporate licensee sales offices providing clients with access to more than 3,000 sales professionals and 200+ offices in North America. The privately held company is based in Westlake Village, Calif.
Cydcor
Gail Michalak
818-706-9500
CYDCOR HAS CULTIVATED an award winning culture, not through slogans or surface-level programs, but through intentional strategies rooted in values that help both its people and business thrive. Led by CEO Vera Quinn, Cydcor has created an environment where people grow, performance scales, and giving back is part of everyday operations. This values-first approach has earned the trust of Fortune 500 clients, as Cydcor delivers in-person customer acquisition solutions that help major brands stand out in an increasingly digital world.
GROWTH THROUGH DEVELOPMENT
At Cydcor, growth begins with people. The company invests in personalized, ongoing development, from AI to public speaking to leadership training. Mentorship, feedback, and hands-on learning are embedded into the culture. This commitment has helped fuel record-breaking results, including doubling revenue over the past two years—an unprecedented milestone in Cydcor’s 30-year history. It has also earned Cydcor recognition as a 13-time Los Angeles Business Journal Best Places to Work honoree.
PERFORMANCE THROUGH ALIGNMENT
Cydcor’s performance culture is built on clarity and communication. Team members understand the company’s goals, their role in achieving them, and how success is measured. Momentum is driven through regular one-on-ones, performance check-ins, and monthly companywide meetings.
Cydcor is also relentless about delivering consistent, high-quality results for its clients. “When you build a culture where people understand what’s expected and feel supported in achieving it, they can deliver with strong performance, purpose, and pride,” said Quinn.
COMMUNITY AT ITS CORE
Cydcor’s “people helping people” philosophy is more than a belief. It is a way of thinking and operating. It attracts individuals who want their careers to create impact in business and beyond. Each year, team members volunteer hundreds of hours and raise thousands of dollars for causes ranging from child welfare to hunger relief and environmental efforts. Helping others is not extra; it is part of how Cydcor does business.
Through local partnerships and national initiatives, Cydcor’s commitment to community is deeply embedded in how the company shows up in the world.
This is all more than culture. It’s a competitive edge that strengthens teams, drives measurable success, and ignites future growth.
To learn more, visit cydcor.com.