30 Years of Being PREMIER

What’s it like to be PREMIER for three decades? We’re celebrating Boss’s Day by chatting with PREMIER Bankcard CEO Miles Beacom on his 30 years at the organization and what he wants the next generation of leaders to know.

What has been the highlight of your 30-year career at PREMIER?

The people. PREMIER has an incredible success story because of our teams. Thirty-plus years ago, we started the credit card division. We had a handful of employees and zero customers. Today, we have more than 1,500 employees and four million customer accounts. We’re the 9th largest issuer of Mastercard® credit cards because our employees care about our customers and want to help make a difference in their lives.

What’s the best part of your day? 

Watching the sunrise. It’s a great way to start and puts me in a positive place.

What’s the most challenging part?

There are only 24 hours in the day and there is always something I wanted to accomplish but didn’t get to it. There’s always tomorrow, right?

What makes a successful employee?

Someone who works hard, stays positive and is willing to work as a team. A successful employee doesn’t give up when faced with workplace difficulties. They work through them. Every job has its unique challenges and changing employers every couple of months or years, doesn’t change that. Successful employees – successful people – persevere through the hard times and believe they can overcome anything.

What makes a successful boss?

Taking care of the people who take care of you and your customers. Give your teams the tools they need to be successful. Recognize people for doing a great job and celebrate success. We have made this a vital part of our culture at PREMIER and that’s why people work here for 20 or 30 years. They feel valued and appreciated, and in turn, they do a fantastic job of taking care of our customers. You must also invest in your employees. Help them grow both professionally and personally. Provide them opportunities to move around in the organization and find the position that fits them.

What has changed in the past 30 years? 

Technology has changed the way we connect with our customers. Thirty years ago, we called them on the phone. Today, we still call but we also communicate via text, email and chat. Thanks to technology, we’re also able to compete with any company, anywhere in the world, right here from South Dakota.

What hasn’t changed? 

There will be challenges. We have had our share of difficulties over the years but overcame them because we saw them as opportunities. Unfortunately, many people are tempted to throw in the towel when things get tough. That’s when it’s crucial for a leader to stay focused and positive. It’s easy to get down when the team is discouraged. But if you stay optimistic, you can help your team see the opportunity hidden in the challenge they are facing.

As a boss, what do you want people to know about you?

I care about our employees and I want them to succeed. I love this organization, and I especially love the impact we’ve had on the community. I couldn’t have asked for a better place to spend the last 30 years.