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Here is Cydcor's review of Start with Why by Simon Sinek
About Start with Why: Author Simon Sinek studied leaders all over the word, researching how they thought, worked and communicated. With this information, he wanted to determine how these leaders were alike and different. Drawing upon a wide range of real-life stories, Sinek weaves together a clear vision of what it truly takes to lead and inspire, using such examples as Steve Jobs, Martin Luther King Jr., and the Wright Brothers.
Why Cydcor recommends Start with Why for future leaders: Simon Sinek's Start With Why is a must read for any entrepreneur or leader struggling to create a long-term vision and guiding principles for their company or cause. Sinek’s book helps provide inspiration that one needs to get started in the right direction. He teaches important lessons on what future leaders need to figure out in regards to their company, and why such lessons should be meaningful.
Start with Why provides great insights for developing long-term strategies to combat issues such as price-wars, customer churn and competition. Sinek also talks about how important it is to understand that your product and its features might be replicated by others. He explains that no one can copy your confidence and customer service style or how your clients feel about you and your organization. Those feelings come from intangible values and beliefs that only you share with your customers.
While several moments in the book feel a tad repetitive, it’s an easy read—and sometimes great points need to be repeated to be ingrained into our minds.
Our favorite part: Sinek’s Golden Circle Concept is an interesting notion to help ask us “why?” This line of thinking can be applied to multiple facets in life, whether personal or customer relationships, business decisions or career choices.
Looking to join Cydcor? Head to CareerBuilder to view our latest job openings.
The overall consensus when meeting someone new is that you have thirty seconds to make a good impression. From the handshake to your following conversation, it can feel like a lot of pressure to nail such an interaction on the first try. But what can you do if you make a poor first impression? Whether you forget their name or a joke falls flat, top networkers say there are ways to bounce back.
“It is much easier to turn a good first impression into a bad overall impression than it is to turn a bad first impression into a good one,” said Anna Musson, an etiquette expert. When we meet someone new, our sensitivity and guard levels go up. "We like to think that we're right and once we've made up our mind about a person we need to be persuaded otherwise.”
Sometimes our insecurities get the best of us, and it’s easy to assume that others might think the worst of you. However, what we imagine is often far worse than reality. Own up to your feelings, and don’t make assumptions. Time is of the essence when it comes to damage control, but take the time to formulate your next interaction to address the issue.
Acknowledging where the breakdown might have stemmed from –-a joke or a curse word, for example— can be cleared with a simple, “I apologize for how I behaved and I realize I might have offended you.” Don’t over-apologize; so keep it polite and concise. Don’t put the other person in the uncomfortable position of having to reassure you.
For more information about Cydcor, check out our photos on Flickr, which have been updates with images from our recent Operation Smile Guatemala mission trip!
Be sincere, and own up to any breakdown during an impression without blaming others or circumstances. Depending on the situation, self-deprecating humor can really help you. Be mindful that it’s only directed at yourself, and does not make others uncomfortable. This can provide an opening for you to recover, but remember that too much humor can have the same effect as over-apologizing.
Every impression you create is a learning experience and can help you improve your body language and communication skills. Overcoming a poor first impression requires total ownership of your behavior and adds to your confidence and ability to learn from such mistakes. It’s also an opportunity for you to be mindful of appropriate interactions, and to monitor your behavior to make the best impressions possible in the future.
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November marks the start of the holiday season for many businesses, and there’s no better time than now to begin preparing a holiday strategy. Be sure to take into account that in 2014 there is a shortened selling season, with only 26 shopping days between Thanksgiving and Christmas, so planning is key. Here are some tips to help you boost your online and sales presence during the biggest retailer and sales months of the year.
Research
During the holidays, everyone is vying for attention from potential consumers, so how do you get yourself to stand out from the rest? Start internally, by determining what message you want to send, what products you want to focus on, and what your customers have been interested in in previous years during similar time periods. Are you aware of online social trends? Where do you find the most social engagement, and what hashtags and images are doing the best in your sphere?
Decorate
Decorate your brand with the holiday spirit! Use fall or winter themed cover photos, profile images, backgrounds and the like. A few falling leaves or snow covered logos and images can really refresh your social pages and show customers you are doing proper upkeep on your assets and are on point with trends.
Traditional
A shout-out to a user via Twitter or a tag on Facebook is what’s popular these days and is certainly a quick way to reach out, but don’t undersell the value of the traditional approach. A handwritten holiday card to your key clients or circle figures can go a long way. In such a digital age, don’t neglect the small, personal touches that others can see going above and beyond to reach them.
Head to Cydcor Reviews for reviews of books regarding business, leadership, and productivity.
Can you believe it? Cydcor has three weeks until our scheduled move date of Friday November 21st! Last week the carpet and furniture installation started. Rooms are being painted, desks and furniture are being brought in. Looking at the pictures the black frames are the structures for the cubicle workstations.
Our new office space will be modern, clean, and professional and employees will take this into consideration when determining personal items for their new space. T-minus 14 days (work days) before our move!
Follow Cydcor on Twitter to keep up with our latest company news and office updates!
A business is nothing without the customers it serves. Truly great businesses also understand that it is important to foster rapport with clients to ensure that you can do business more than once—the key is to have an ongoing relationship with your client instead of just a one-time business dealing.
Clients can provide your business with so much more than money. Happy clients act as advocates, spreading the good word about a business on their own. If done correctly, you might even find fulfilling, long-term partnerships with some clients.
Here are some vital ways to turn your contacts into clients, and clients into trusted friends/partners.
Networking the right way
You are probably familiar with the idea of networking: connecting with a large group of people (business colleagues, business partners, acquaintances, past and current clients) in the hopes of helping each other in some way. The problem is that sometimes it is easy to forget that networking is a two-way street. If you use your network the right way, you can add value to the connections you make instead of only worrying about the value others give to you.
Follow Cydcor on Twitter for our latest company announcements and updates.
Keep in contact
Networking is wonderful, but it must be nurtured to survive past the short-term. No matter how engaging or memorable you are when meeting a contact for the first time, you’ll have to remind them that you exist or inevitably they will forget you. Even if your contact is uninterested in what you have to offer at the current time, that might change—and you’ll be there if it does.
Add value to the relationship: reward your returning customers
As mentioned above, be sure to add value to the relationship. This might be in the form of tangible rewards like coupons, discounts, or free merchandise—or it could be something a bit more abstract like passing along useful information or sending friendly messages about new products, services, or deals that they might be interested in. The goal is to not only receive from your clients, but to give back in the hope that they return the favor. This is crucial because, as many studies have found, returning customers spend more on average than first-time customers.
Care about your clients
Care about your clients as both important business transactions (by providing them the best of your services as possible) and as people. Be honest with them at all times and keep your word: it might seem like a no-brainer, but you are dealing with people, so you should treat them with the respect they deserve. They will appreciate it!
The final step: from client to partner
If you do everything right, you can begin forging a partnership with your clients. They will grow in value for you today and in the future—and you for them. They will add value to the relationship as advocates of your business wherever they go. View this partnership like a great friendship, and you will both be very happy.
In March of this year, Cydcor volunteers went to San Cristobal de las Casas, Mexico, thanks to our Operation Smile fundraisers—which have raised over $480,000 for the children’s medical charity to date. Helping to fund cleft palate surgeries for needy children around the globe, Cydcor has previously volunteered in Brazil in 2012, where more than 600 surgeries were provided to children.
Cydcor is proud of this partnership with Operation Smile, and with the great success of our Week of Smiles campaign, we are funding another medical mission trip to Guatemala in November 2014. Spending a week in Guatemala, our volunteers will support the screening process, helping families through the procedure and entertaining children while they wait for their procedures.
The mission involves sending doctors, volunteers and equipment to an area where access to healthcare is difficult, providing screenings and surgeries for children. Cleft palates often result in complications to eating, drinking, speaking and even breathing, and many infants do not survive. Operation Smile and Cydcor hope to restore millions of smiles and give those children a better chance of thriving.
One of the most rewarding aspects is our chance to spend time with the families of the children being operated on and see them through the transition of surgery. A large part of Operation Smile’s strategy is to assist facilities in the field, helping enable them to provide treatment of cleft palates and other facial deformities.
You can make a donation to Operation Smile today and support this great cause!
Here is Cydcor's review of Business @ The Speed of Thought by Bill Gates:
About Business @ The Speed of Thought: Microsoft founder Bill Gates is the author Business @ The Speed of Thought, which focuses on the importance of technology. In the book, Gates shows how technology can help businesses better today and gives predictions on how that technology could transform the nature of business in the future.
Gates speaks to the business managers reading and stresses the importance of viewing new technology as a strategic asset, not as overhead or something to be dismissed. He gives detailed examples from Microsoft and Dell, among other successful companies, who have taken the latest technology and used it to their business advantage.
Why Cydcor recommends this book to future leaders:
Bill Gates is essentially the definition of “successful business person,” and he does a fine job explaining how the new digital age can impact all offices across the world. While the book itself might be more interesting to IT folks, as Gates goes in-depth into technology, he does speak to business strategy. In regards to technology, he doesn’t delve too deeply into the pitfalls and problems that can arise from depending too much on such tech.
However, for those who believe that technology will continue to grow and intertwine with business and those who believe it will play an increasingly significant role in the marketplace, this is a must read.
Our favorite part: Gates provides a 12-step program to implement a “Digital Nervous System,” which is a useful guide to integrating IT with existing business resources. Business @ The Speed of Thought also gives detailed case studies of large companies such as Microsoft and other businesses outside of the tech industry, making the “Digital Nervous System” relevant to a broader audience.
Check out Cydcor's YouTube page for a re-cap of our recent R&R 2014 event in Nassau, Bahamas!
Cydcor is growing! The build out crew in our new space has been hard at work and they have made considerable progress! Take a look at the pictures and you’ll see that the framing for most offices and the hallways is close to completion. The next steps were wiring in the office walls and drywall – exciting!
The offices that are along the internal wall have been constructed so there is now clear division. A lot of work has been done on the lobby. The ceiling and walls have been opened up so that the staircase can be built. First, the construction crew needs to put in large heavy steel beams for support.
There has been so much progress made in the past two weeks. The glass frames have been installed for each office and all walls are up and prepped for painting.
The lobby is completely opened up and the staircase is nearing completion. In just two and a half short weeks furniture and fixtures will start being delivered and placed.
Stay tuned for more information on the move!
Head over to Cydcor Media for advice regarding business, leadership, and office life.
Communicating in a clear and effective way is always important, both in real life situations and especially in business communications. We converse so much that we often forget to stop and think about what we are saying. When communicating in a professional context, you need to be aware of the little nuances that are held in your words and actions.
Here are some tips for becoming an influential communicator:
Have a clear goal and benefits for all parties.
Transparency is important. The worst thing that could happen is having your conversation be misunderstood. Therefore, you will want to make a clear goal when talking with a client, or potential client. It also helps to make sure that you frame your message in a way that presents the benefits for that party.
With that said…
Know your audience.
Your audience is whomever you are communicating with. Who are they? What do they want? How do they speak? What do they know? Understanding your audience is incredibly important because it provides you all the information you need to tailor your communications to be the most effective for that specific person or group of people.
Knowing your audience makes it less likely that you will waste time explaining things that are already known, glossing over important details that you assume are understood.
Connect with Cydcor on LinkedIn today!
Be sure to ask the right kinds of questions
Learn to strategically drop “leading questions” that prompt longer answers than “yes” or “no.” This will help guide your conversation in a productive direction.
Ask important qualifying questions to ensure that your leads will turn into a prospect. Largely, you’ll be asking questions that are focused around answering these key questions: Can and will you be able to authorize on the sale? What can I do for you to close on this sale?
Naturally, you should take information you learned from your audience and tailor the question accordingly for them, but these simple questions capture the essence of what you need to find out from your prospect.
Here is Cydcor's review of Cutting Edge Marketing Analytics: Real World Cases and Data Sets for Hands On Learning by Rajkumar Venkatesan, Paul Farris, and Ronald T. Wilcox:
About Cutting Edge Marketing Analytics: Cutting Edge Marketing Analytics calls itself a practical guide to modern marketing analytics. It looks to introduce today’s most valuable marketing methods and tools by introducing case studies that apply analytic techniques to real problems.
Each chapter of the book provides technical notes that look to show statistical background as well as case studies. All the case studies provided are accompanied by real date and used by the protagonists to make decisions. Methods and tools provided by the author include product analytics, customer analytics, and the effective implementation of such analytics into your business or organization.
The authors look to help people identify the right data and analytic techniques by conducting the analysis and obtaining the insights from those data points. They also look to connect those insights to strategic decision-making.
Head to Cydcor's YouTube page for additional information about the company.
Why Cydcor recommends this to future leaders: This book is an excellent roadmap for managers looking to make the most out of marketing resources. The material presented strikes the right balance of rigorous analysis and strategic relevance.
Our favorite part: Cutting Edge Marketing Analytics takes an excellent look into how the Internet and mobile technologies available have combined to create an unprecedented level of insight into consumer behavior and customer preferences. This mastery of marketing and customer analytics has become the ‘table stakes’ for understanding and pleasing the customer. This is a great book for practitioners looking for real world applications.
Have you checked out Cydcor? Click here to view our Cydcor blog with leadership, business, and sales advice!
When you think of productivity, being constantly active might come to mind. But while always being in motion can improve your productivity at times, it can also lead to mindless “productivity” where you waste time doing something that you don’t need to do.
The real trick is to work intelligently. Great time management skills are the first step to becoming a smart worker. Here are some helpful time management techniques that will help increase your productivity.
Do regular reviews of your productivity and take action to resolve issues with your productivity. You might want to do reviews either weekly or monthly—not so often that you begin wasting time evaluating everything, but not so far apart that their benefit is diluted.
Be sure to follow Cydcor on Facebook to keep up with our latest news and updates, including our upcoming Bahamas event, R&R 2014!
Cydcor was founded in 1994 on a simple yet powerful principle: people still want to buy from people they trust. While much of the business world in the 1990s was moving toward automation and call centers, the founders of Cydcor recognized that something essential was being lost. Technology could handle transactions, but it could not replace trust, loyalty, or the personal connection that uniquely comes from a face-to-face conversation. That insight shaped the company’s mission and continues to guide it today. Headquartered in Agoura Hills, California, Cydcor partners with Fortune 500 leaders as well as emerging brands across the U.S. and Canada. The company specializes in outsourced, in-person customer acquisition through a network of independently owned sales companies across North America. These companies operate in the residential, retail, business-to-business, and event services channels, creating flexible and scalable solutions to meet each client’s needs. Some clients rely on Cydcor to complement their existing sales force, while others count on Cydcor’s network as their exclusive customer acquisition channel. In both cases, the goal remains the same: driving measurable growth through meaningful interactions.
What sets Cydcor apart is its ability to combine the timeless art of relationship building with modern systems and accountability. While independent sales companies focus on customer engagement, Cydcor provides the backbone that makes scaling possible. This includes compliance oversight, detailed reporting, operational systems, and performance tracking that give clients confidence in both the process and the results. The approach has earned the trust of top Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 brands that turn to Cydcor when they need more than just numbers on a spreadsheet. They need real conversations, genuine connections, and long-term customer relationships.
Under the leadership of Vera Quinn, President and CEO, Cydcor continues to evolve without losing sight of its core belief: that business has always been built on human connection. In a marketplace where digital noise grows louder every day, Cydcor proves that face-to-face sales remain not only relevant but essential. It is a model that honors tradition while embracing innovation, ensuring clients have the reach, structure, and results they need to grow.
In conversation with Vera Quinn, President and CEO of Cydcor
“We see technology as a way to make the in-person experience even better. Our platforms, sales tools, and data systems deliver the information clients need—precisely when they need it."
– Vera Quinn, Cydcor President and CEO
Cydcor has been a trusted partner to Fortune 500 companies for more than three decades. How has your face-to-face approach helped brands stay competitive in today’s automated world?
In today’s automated world, the value of human connection and quality continues to rise because people’s needs are not one-size-fits-all. Brands spend heavily trying to break through the noise, but nothing cuts through like a real conversation. When the field teams engage face-to-face, whether in a business, at a retail store, at someone’s doorstep, or an event, it creates authenticity, accountability, and connection. That personal approach builds trust and loyalty, delivering long-term growth instead of one-off transactions. There is no substitute for the clarity and trust that comes for genuine two-way conversation.
You work across very different verticals—B2B, retail, residential, and event services. How do you customize each campaign?
It starts with listening. We take the time to understand what matters most to the client—what outcomes they want to achieve and who they’re trying to reach. From there, we apply proven strategies while piloting and refining until the approach is right. We don’t believe in copy-and-paste campaigns; every engagement is designed around the client’s goals, with a clear commitment to measurable results.
We’re also highly nimble. Offers, hours, and territory plans can shift quickly, and we adjust with speed, going where customers are and where opportunities exist. For example, in retail environments customers may need product education at the point of sale, while in B2B settings the focus is often on efficiency and ROI. Each campaign is tailored to those realities, ensuring both clients and customers feel understood.
Leading companies often credit Cydcor with helping them expand into new markets. How does your model drive that kind of growth?
We help clients grow because we’re built to scale responsibly. The companies in our network are locally run by entrepreneurs who care deeply about performance and quality. That ownership mindset allows us to move fast when a client wants to expand while still delivering consistency and quality. We’re able to test, adapt, and ramp with speed—without sacrificing the fundamentals. Because we take such pride in the brands we represent, our clients trust us to deliver with consistency and care.
Cydcor works with a network of independently owned sales companies. How does that support innovation and client outcomes?
Entrepreneurs think differently. They’re invested in doing things right because it’s their business. That ownership mindset creates a ripple effect: higher standards, better execution, and more accountability. When a client partners with us, they’re not just accessing sales teams; they’re tapping into a culture of ownership and drive. That translates into stronger performance in the field and sustained results for the brand.
You’ve been recognized as a Great Place to Work. How do culture and leadership play into your business success?
Our culture is built on the belief that people succeed when they help others succeed. That philosophy drives how we lead, how we collaborate, and how we show up for our clients and each other. Our values aren’t just words on a wall. They act as our constitution, guiding decisions and holding us accountable. Because of that, leadership at Cydcor isn’t about hierarchy; it’s about creating an environment where people support one another, push for excellence, and celebrate shared wins. That’s why our culture has become a competitive advantage and why clients trust us to represent their brands with pride.
Technology is clearly important to your operations. How do you balance that with the human side of your business?
We see technology as a way to make the in-person experience even better. Our platforms, sales tools, and data systems deliver the information clients need—precisely when they need it. AI is making our systems smarter and faster, improving everything from compliance to reporting to campaign insights. At the end of the day, technology is there to empower people. It supports the work; it doesn’t replace the human connection that makes in-person sales powerful.
What’s next for Cydcor? Any exciting plans on the horizon?
Cydcor is entering an exciting new chapter of growth. We’re expanding into new industries while continuing to strengthen relationships with the Fortune 500 and emerging brands we already serve. A big part of that future is leveraging AI and advanced platforms to enhance both the client and customer experience, delivering faster insights, sharper tools, and more seamless interactions. Driving results through the power of people remains constant, but the ways we deliver on it are evolving quickly. We also see opportunities in industries undergoing disruption, or where customers are clamoring for personalized solutions where face-to-face engagement can help brands establish trust and drive growth. That’s where our model truly shines.
Meet the leader behind the success of Cydcor
Vera Quinn, President and CEO of Cydcor, is recognized for her leadership and the business impact she continues to drive. She began her career entry-level in the field. Then seizing an opportunity at Cydcor, and rose through nearly every level of the organization, a path that gives her unmatched perspective on building teams, growing leaders, and scaling a business with integrity.
Vera has been honored as CEO of the Year by the Los Angeles Business Journal, and under her leadership, Cydcor was recently named to the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in America. She is known for her ability to develop leaders by instilling confidence, clarity, and accountability. Today, she continues to guide Cydcor’s growth with a clear mission: when people succeed together, businesses and communities thrive.
“We don’t believe in copy-and-paste campaigns; every engagement is designed around the client’s goals, with a clear commitment to measurable results.”
– Vera Quinn, Cydcor President and CEO
Agoura Hills, California--(Newsfile Corp. - September 3, 2025) - Cydcor is proud to announce that CEO Vera Quinn has been recognized as the CEO of the Year Honoree at the Los Angeles Business Journal's 2025 Valley Women's Leadership Symposium & Awards. The program spotlights influential leaders across the San Fernando Valley and greater Los Angeles who are driving innovation, cultivating inclusive workplaces, and shaping the future of business.
Under Quinn's guidance, Cydcor has become a company synonymous with a culture of growth, performance, and community. Highlights of her leadership include:
"It is an incredible honor to be named a CEO Honoree among so many remarkable women," said Quinn. "I am proud to represent a community of women leaders who are inspiring the next generation and driving meaningful change in business."
For more on Cydcor's culture and Quinn's leadership, visit: A Culture Strategy of Growth, Performance, and Community.
About Cydcor
For more than 30 years, Cydcor has provided outsourced sales solutions to Fortune 500 and emerging companies. By combining the power of relationship-driven sales with innovative strategies, Cydcor helps its clients acquire, grow, and retain customers at scale. Founded in 1994 and headquartered in Agoura Hills, California, Cydcor remains privately held.
Visit: www.cydcor.com.
For information contact:
media@cydcor.com
805-277-5500
Agoura Hills, California--(Newsfile Corp. - August 11, 2025) - For the 13th time, Cydcor has earned a place on the Los Angeles Business Journal's (LABJ) Best Places to Work in Los Angeles list. This recognition, determined by detailed employee surveys conducted by Workforce Research Group, celebrates Cydcor's enduring commitment to a collaborative, employee-centric workplace culture. As a leader in outsourced sales and customer acquisition services, Cydcor continues to set the bar for what it means to build a workplace where people grow, thrive, and find purpose.
Recognition Driven by Employee Survey and Culture
Hundreds of small, medium, and large companies across LA participated in the 2025 LABJ survey. The process evaluates workplace policies and practices, with 80% of the score drawn from confidential employee feedback. The result: a curated list of LA's top employers, with Cydcor standing out for its consistent leadership, supportive environment, career development focus, and the company's foundation lies in its culture and core values.
A 13-Year Legacy of Workplace Excellence
"We are very intentional about building both a high-performing culture and a high-performing business," said Vera Quinn, CEO of Cydcor. "We want Cydcor to be a place where people are inspired to grow, feel proud of their work, and know they're part of something meaningful."
Cydcor uses the feedback collected through the survey process not only to celebrate what's working but also to highlight areas where the company and departments can improve. This ensures continuous growth, adaptation, and accountability across all levels of the organization. Cydcor fosters a culture where people helping people isn't just a saying, it's the way business is done.
"Consistency matters. Being recognized year after year is a result of our people showing up for one another, staying grounded in our values, and always aiming to get better," Quinn added.
What Makes Cydcor a Top Employer
Cydcor continues to set the standard in creating an environment where employees feel seen, supported, and challenged to achieve their potential.
How does Cydcor continue to earn recognition? Here are just a few reasons:
Explore Career Opportunities at Cydcor
Want to join one of LA's top workplaces?
Explore career opportunities at Cydcor today: www.cydcor.com/careers
About Cydcor
For three decades and counting, Cydcor has provided award-winning customer acquisition solutions to Fortune 500 and emerging companies in a wide range of industries. Cydcor has mastered the power of building relationships with consumers while harnessing technology to acquire, grow, and retain customers for its clients. Founded in 1994, the privately held company is based in Agoura Hills, California. For more information, visit www.cydcor.com.
Media Contact
Gail Michalak
805-277-5525
gmichalak@cydcor.com