Each month we are highlighting at least one NACUSO member with an interview style format that is meant to be fun and informative. This month our focus is on Buzz Points, a new NACUSO member and first time exhibitor at the 2017 NACUSO Network Conference in Orlando on April 10th – 13th.
PART ONE: Life Story and Experiences
What’s your current position and can you give me a brief overview of what it is you do in your work?
EVP Direct and Channel Sales. I work to create strategic partnerships to expand the Buzz Points footprint. Our ultimate mission as a company is to leave the credit unions we partner with and their communities better than they were before we came. Supporting local is more than just a feature of the Buzz Points platform, it’s what our company stands for. It’s why we do what we do.
What would you say most motivates you to do what you do? What are you most excited or passionate about?
I have been in the community banking arena for almost 10 years and have worked with some great people. In doing so, I have seen firsthand how credit unions truly are mission-driven and are always looking for ways to provide better value to their members. I love being part of a team at Buzz Points that helps credit unions to increase member value and strengthen the local communities where they live and work.
I want to hear the story of how you came to work with credit unions. What attracted you to work for Buzz Points?
It goes back pretty far for me. I was raised by a single mom with five children, so times were hard. When finances were tight, it was her local credit union that was there to provide help. I was attracted to Buzz Points mainly because I am passionate about helping credit unions succeed, compete against the big banks, and strengthen their local communities. It was a no brainer for me to align myself with a company that gives me the chance to give back…
Now if we can go even further back, where did you grow up and what was it like living there? Where did you go to school?
I grew up in a small town in Wyoming. Casper is where I was raised and went to school (Go Cowboys!). It was a great place to grow up as I worked at the local grocery store, following in my dad’s footsteps, so I knew the community very well.
Who were your mentors along the way? People who deeply influenced who you are, what you believe in and what you’re committed to in your work and life? Tell me about them.
This is hard because I have been very fortunate to work with many great people. Each one seemed to teach me something different, whether it was about finances, people, culture, or being an honest leader.
Some of those people are still my mentors today. Our CEO at Buzz Points, Dwayne Spradlin, is always pushing me to stretch my skill set while offering continuous support. Jim Quinn, a sales leader who is a dear friend and mentor to this day, Gabe Krajicek, a CEO who taught me about culture and truly believing in what purpose I am working for, Dave Prost, a man of integrity that taught me about developing long-term relationships with customers, and last, but not least, Chris Burgess, a man who came into my life as a colleague and is now one of my truest friends. His belief in having a well-balanced life in his professional, family, social, and spiritual realms taught me how important each of those components are to a successful life.
Finally, can you share something interesting about you that would surprise our readers? It can be anything, a hobby, an adventure, sports, the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to you,
My real name is Ralph! I have always been embarrassed by my traditional first name and gone by my middle name, much to my mother’s chagrin!
PART TWO: The Business Story
Tell me the story of how your CUSO/Company was created – the early days. Tell me about some of the memorable characters in the history, some that brought your story color, drama, comedy, conflict?
Buzz Points originally started as a company named FISOC. Our first app allowed you to do your entire internet banking as a Facebook app. Hence the original name of fisoc. FI + SOCial! Our first office was so small and inexpensive that we used snuggies to keep warm. Ha! From there, we cooked up the rewards piece over a few beers with some brilliant people and began developing the company into what it is today.
We are lucky enough to have built a team of very committed people. While we all have a few 80+ hr weeks, there’s not much drama as we’ve cultivated a great culture with top talent, and our team believes in what we are doing. We’ve learned a lot from our credit union partners, listened to their feedback and ideas for how to make our program, technology and services even more impactful. Today, we are a well-oiled machine with a strong leadership team and dedicated employees poised to support credit unions across the country.
What were the key relationships that mattered most? What were the key sources of support or resistance you encountered?
Dwayne Spradlin, our CEO, was, and still is, a big influence on why I am at Buzz Points. He is a visionary and a great leader who is always willing to help. Jay Valanju, our founder, was great in the way of on-boarding and translating why he developed the company and adding color to the history, wins and challenges that make us who we are today.
What have been the greatest successes in your opinion?
People for sure. The people I work with internally and the people I get to know as prospects and customers. Everyone has a story, idea or opinion. Seeing every interaction as meaningful, whether it is with an entry-level employee, senior manager, prospect or customer is what makes a company successful.
PART THREE: Reflections and Lessons
If you could start your CUSO/Company all over again, would you do anything differently? Why and what would you do?
Hindsight is always 20/20. However, part of the excitement is change and development. Adding more employees while maintaining our collaborative culture and remaining focused on the vision continues to be a focus and priority as we grow.
Finally, when you think of the future for credit unions, what gives you hope and what makes you concerned?
The NCUA’s new field of membership and member business lending rules are giving credit unions a unique opportunity to drive home what it is that makes them different from other banking options. It would be a mistake if credit unions did not find cost-effective ways to reach potential members by driving awareness and understanding around what makes credit unions different than their national competitors. A big challenge is that many Americans still don’t know what credit unions are. Some credit unions are more cautious about doing the amount of marketing and advertising that their more commercially-focused competitors do. However, each credit union has a tremendous opportunity to differentiate and extend engagement with their members and prospective members in an environment where local communities need it more than ever before.
