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February 3rd, 2012
Recruitment Done Right
February 2nd, 2012by Vince Fabra
Where can we see recruitment done right? Let’s look at a few examples.
NCAA Athletics
The Military
Innovative Companies
From these examples we can learn powerful recruitment lessons. Recruit with… INTENTIONALITY, FERVOR, VALUES, TRANSPARENCY, and focus on TOP TALENT.
NCAA Athletics – Let’s use an example of recruitment from a major sport and the reigning champion team from said sport.
How do you think Coach Nick Saban recruits a quarterback for the Alabama Crimson Tide? Do you think that he walks around campus with a football and says, “Hey son, if you can hit me with a tight spiral then we’ve got a spot for you?” Or do you think that he has a list compiled of every player at each position that he is interested in by the time they are a sophomore or junior in high school? He sends these players letters in the mail, visits them in there homes and invites them to campus for a VIP tour of the facilities. He and his staff are persistent and make a recruit feel wanted and important.
The two key elements of recruitment that are most present in college athletics are INTENTIONALITY and FERVOR.
Intentionality – Players don’t choose schools and schools don’t choose players on accident. There is a reason that they call the commitment letter a high school player signs “The Letter of INTENT”. Teams seek out, identify, and court top talent with an unrelenting FERVOR.
FERVOR – Why does Nick Saban, his staff and every college football staff recruit with such a passionate fervor? Answer: Because they want their team to be the best. Nick Saban works hard at recruiting because he wants his team to be the best.
Recruit with INTENTIONALITY because you believe that recruitment does not happen by accident.
Recruit with FERVOR because you recognize that the members in your chapter are directly related to the quality of your chapter.
Next level – The Military
Now, I don’t know too much about the specifics of any of the branches of the military. I do not have a military background nor does anyone in my family. However, I recognize that the military does an amazing job recruiting with their VALUES. They are TRANSPARENT about the sacrifice and expectations of an airmen/soldiers/marines/sailors, and joiners are aware of those sacrifices and expectations.
Recruit with your VALUES because you are proud of what your organization stands for and you want potential joiners to feel that pride as well.
Recruit with TRANSPARENCY because you know that it is pointless to recruit 30 people and initiate 9.
Next example - Innovative Companies
Among the innovative companies of the day, Apple and the products they produce are on the cutting edge of innovation. It is safe to say that some of the most creative minds around are tinkering with and building the Apple products that most of us use each and every day. Let’s speculate about how these “creative minds” come to work for this leading company. Do you think that Apple posts ads on Craig’s List – “WANTED: A really smart person that can design the new iPhone 5”? Or do you think that Apple IDENTIFIES TOP TALENT in the field and actively pursues them. “You think different, and so do we. Come join our team.”
Recruit by IDENTIFYING TOP TALENT because you want people in your chapter that ‘think different” when it comes to fraternity or sorority.
Survey Newest Members
February 1st, 2012
Step 7 in The Eight Steps to Limitless Possibility (from Good Guys & I Heart Recruitment) is “Grow Wiser.” How often do we intentionally make the time to do this? Ring of Phire member Clark Buckner recently had an idea that he felt would help his fraternity grow wiser. His idea was to create a resource that his fraternity could use each semester to help them grow wiser about what worked, what did not work, and how things could improve during their recruitment process.
Clark created a post-recruitment survey that asked critical questions of his new members to determine what areas his fraternity could grow wiser in.
As Clark explained it:
Do you feel like your organization goes through the same challenges every year with recruitment? Do you feel like you don’t really make any innovative changes to your recruitment effort?
I’ve noticed that much time is spent developing a recruitment plan and executing it, but as soon as recruitment is over, everyone just forgets about it and moves on. If your recruitment effort is static chances are you haven’t been asking the right questions to make decisions to improve your current position. This resource is about creating an opportunity to monitor and learn how recruitment went for your chapter so you can improve your recruitment efforts.
The first step in finding a solution to this problem is creating a post assessment tool for recruitment. You can create a free online survey (I prefer Google Forms) for all of your newest recruits to complete. View a sample here. The questions cover just about everything while staying short enough to fill out in a few minutes. Google Forms even lets you view easy to read graphs to actually see the results showing you what your survey participants said revealing what the chapter did well and the things you have opportunities to improve in.
This is not an exclusive tool to fraternities and sororities. Any membership organization that is committed to finding the highest quality members could benefit and learn from the results of this type of assessment.
Could your chapter benefit from a tool like this? What do you need to know as an organization looking to grow wiser?
Super Bowl Recruitment Strategy (Download and Use Today!)
January 30th, 2012[Reposted from 2/2/2011 - The downloadable resource is updated for 2012]
Want to know a recruitment tool we’re using this week with amazing success? It is timely, and it is getting amazing results.
Download this right now to use it yourself.
Phired Up’s own Vince Fabra is helping to recruit fraternity men at East Carolina University this week, and in just a few hours yesterday he used this resource to add 140 names to that group’s Names List! That’s 140 people that they now have a chance to recruit that were strangers before. This is a pretty good tool, eh?
At both an “info table” and then just approaching strangers, this little 1/4 sheet of paper provided a great reason to engage with new friends. They used these sign-up sheets to enter people into a drawing/pool, gathered names and contact information, and most importantly started genuine conversations with tons of students. (Vince had a 100% success rate with his cold approaches). It helps that he has a high level of Social Excellence.
We’ve recommended something similar before for March Madness (plan ahead).
So click, download, print, and go make some friends… and enjoy the game this weekend.
Look Up
January 27th, 2012by Matt Mattson
Look up. Yes, you. Just do me a favor and look up from your phone, your computer, or your tablet for a moment. Look at the people around you. Look at the bustling world of real human beings surrounding you (if you’re alone right now, just pause for a moment next time you’re at a coffee shop or the grocery store and… look up.)
Look up — not just so that you might be able to meet your new friend or soul mate. Look up — not just so that you can find the next person to recruit to your organization or who might buy your product. Look up — not for any other reason than to be engaged with the world and to care about the people around you. Sometimes we forget those are real people. There is proof that we forget it. It is called Bystander Behavior.
According to our friend, and Bystander expert, Mike Dilbeck, “Bystander behavior is the social phenomenon where we see something happening that we know is wrong and we are compelled to do something, to say something. We actually want to make a difference in that moment. Yet, we don’t. We do nothing and we say nothing. We are bystanders and this is bystander behavior.” Notable examples can be found here, but it happens every day in small ways. There are moments far too many of us (me included) can easily recall when something bad was happening, we could have helped, but we didn’t — we just ignored it, we passed it by.
Social Excellence is a philosophy, a lifestyle, a way to approach the world that challenges each of us to engage with the people around us. Smile at that stranger. Say hello to that lady. Thank that bus driver. Ask a question out of pure curiosity to that veteran. Compliment that person’s tattoo. Communicate. Be social. Social Excellence is about shaking hands, having conversations, building relationships, and connecting with others to make the world a better place. Perhaps, Social Excellence is an excellent prevention strategy for Bystander Behavior.
Dilbeck teaches his audiences and readers to be Every|Day Heroes (take the pledge here). He inspires people to take action in moments when they can make a difference in the lives of others. Being an Every|Day Hero — not being a bystander — is about making the right small momentary choices to engage socially in the lives of others. It is about choosing to Be The Person who intervenes, who connects, who cares.
Phired Up’s work teaching Social Excellence, and Mike’s work teaching people to be Every|Day Heroes is about the same thing. Our messages are about connecting, caring, and acting. Social Excellence teaches people to be the best version of themselves. The best version of yourself includes generously acting to help others any chance you get.
So, if this stuff is new to you, start here: Look up. Look up at the people around you. Look up Bystander Behavior. Look up Social Excellence. Look up at the people around you just waiting to be impacted by your presence in their lives.
Be The Person who looks up. Be an Every|Day Hero.
*Read about what it means to #BeThePerson by following that hashtag on twitter or checking out Phired Up’s new book Social Excellence: We Dare You. Also, check out the exciting collaboration between Phired Up and Response Ability — Be The Person 2012.
Formal Rush Works
January 24th, 2012by Matt Mattson
For fraternities & sororities, formal rush works. It does exactly what it is designed to do. For people already interested in joining your organization, it provides a really easy way to join.
It’s like opening the big Greek door on campus. Most people get in. It is perfectly designed for people who show up to college looking for the traditional fraternity/sorority experience.
But there is one thing I should mention. If you want the highest quality people on campus, they probably won’t show up. There are lots of reasons why, but the important thing is that most of the highest quality, highest performing, measurably best men and women on campus probably won’t participate in formal rush. It’s not designed for them.
So, if you want people… do rush. If you want to make sure you always get really high quality people… do more than rush.
Recruitment Productivity
January 24th, 2012by Josh Orendi
Ever notice that when you need something really important to get done, you usually ask the busiest person to help (not the person with tons of free time)? Isn’t it amazing how some people are paralyzed by trying to accomplish 2-3 projects on their plate, all the while others manage to get dozens of things done while balancing relationships, work, school, and more. Ever notice how recruitment immediately separates the “doers” in the chapter from the “talkers” in the chapter?
We all know highly productive people. We all know highly unproductive people. At times we have all been both types of people. So what is the secret to maximizing productivity — especially during recruitment seasons when there seems to be so much to do? Here’s a great article by Ilya Pozin called “7 Things Highly Productive People Do” featured in Inc Magazine. Seriously, click the link and read the suggestions. These are simple, practical, and effective.
It turns out there’s some science behind the pleasure attached to distractions. Yes, our dopamine levels actually spike and our I.Q. literally drops. Crazy right!? Though multitasking seems to be a celebrated strategy, there’s a more effective way to actually get things done. Focus.
Most days it feels like technology is designed to make us LESS effective. So many options. Too much noise. Too little is actually getting done. If you’re having a New Year’s resolution sort of day, start with these 7 techniques from Pozin:
- Work backwards from goals to milestones to tasks
- Stop multi-tasking
- Be militant about eliminating distractions
- Schedule your email
- Use the phone
- Work on your own agenda
- Work in 60 to 90 minute intervals
Phired Up’s team of recruitment experts has a mantra we live by when recruiting. There’s 100+ hours of work to be done every day. Since that’s not possible, let’s choose to focus on “results producing activity.” We choose to be laser focused on only the most important things that get results and we do them in the exact order of their importance. In full disclose it takes a lot of practice, will power, and willingness to say no. I’m still working on it too.
I hope you enjoy the article. I hope you have a productive day. Now stop reading blogs and go recruit.
Why Social Excellence Matters for Greeks
January 18th, 2012by Matt Mattson
We talk often with fraternity/sorority leaders about the importance of adopting Social Excellence as a shared Greek mission. We have suggested that the key to fraternities and sororities to remain relevant to today’s campus communities is to, in fact, be more social.
Here’s an article that describes why.
If you’re a member of a fraternity/sorority, take a minute to read this article about the isolationism practiced by Greek chapters. Whether you agree with the author or not, understand that there is a strong perception in the minds of non-Greek students that so-called “SOCIAL” fraternities and sororities often display something closer to “ANTI-SOCIAL” behaviors.
Now, consider the solution: Handshakes.
To change the way non-Greek members think about you, demonstrate positive social behavior. Shake hands. Have conversations. Build relationships outside the Greek bubble. Connect with people. Learn from those who don’t wear fraternity/sorority badges. Shake their hands.
The more hands you shake…. The more conversations you have… Real relationships are the right way to earn respect, recognition, and a reputation you can be proud of.
Negative Nancy or Positive Paul?
January 17th, 2012I saw a tweet recently from @kevannoord that read, “Be the type of person that you want to meet. #BeThePerson #SocialExcellence.” That’s such a simple, poignant message about what the Social Excellence lifestyle really is.
At Phired Up, we often speak about one of our core values: the power of one. However, we rarely write about another important power that each of us has the potential to exercise. That power is the power of positivity. Think about it: what are some of the conversations and feelings you’ve had about your life and goals so far this year? Have you been excited, enthusiastic, and dedicated to achieving them… or are you worried, overwhelmed, and pessimistic about the barriers and roadblocks that stand between you and your success? If you’ve developed a pessimistic attitude do not fret! There is still plenty of time to exercise your power to be positive.
Start by smiling. Smiling puts out a sense of positivity and happiness to those around you, and in turn could help to make the environment you’re a part of more positive. Continue your positivity by being friendly to others, engaging strangers in conversation, learning about new things, and discovering the ways that you can go about achieving your goals. In fact, by making a conscious effort to be more positive you may be able to spark a sense of positivity in others. With each additional person that you’ve helped develop their own positive attitude, you’re going to multiply the power of positivity you possess. Clearly, the power of positivity is just one important tool in your Social Excellence arsenal.
Be conscious of the attitude, actions, and words that you are displaying to others. Instead of telling the world that you’re dreading an upcoming meeting, you don’t want to finish an assignment, or you’re stressed out about your financial situation… you could let others know that you’re looking forward to potentially learning something new at that upcoming meeting, that you’re almost done with that assignment, and that you’re looking into creative solutions to solve your financial problems. By changing your attitude and vocabulary, you’re also changing the way you present yourself to others. The power of positivity is important. Here’s why…
Who would you rather talk to: Negative Nancy or Positive Paul? Every moment you’re choosing one of these characters. Be The Person who chooses Positive Paul. Let’s be clear, I’m not talking about Preposterously Positive Pollyanna, just Positive Paul.
Instead of letting 2012 be the year that we focus on the negatives, why can’t dedicated and passionate individuals make a difference? Who is to stop us from saying that we could solve world hunger, cure cancer, end genocide, and reduce the effects of global warming by the end of the year? The power of positivity is limitless; think about how your choice to be positive can impact the world.
There was another tweet recently that reinforced this message, particularly for people my age. @_KeithCollier_ said, “If #Detroit is going to return to greatness, it’s going to take us 20 something’s to invest our time, willpower, and our optimistic mindset.” As someone from Michigan myself, I can look at the challenged city of Detroit in two ways… a) It is a mess, b) like @_KeithCollier_ suggests. Keith is a Positive Paul. I’d like to hang out with him.
Recruitment Motivation - The “Middle” Members
January 17th, 2012by Matt Mattson
Still — nearly 10 years into doing this Phired Up work — the number one question we get from college student organization leaders continues to be, “How do I motivate my members to recruit?” We’ve answered this in a number of ways — our Horse/Mule analogy being the most common response. But we’re always on the lookout for further advice to offer. And we found some recently.
Our friend, and fellow collegiate speaker, T.J. Sullivan recently released a book called, “Motivating the Middle.” In under 65 pages, this short, quick, easy-to-understand book provides practical, specific, actionable recommendations for college student leaders to fight apathy in their organizations. The book focuses student leaders on the middle 1/3 of their organization who often get completely ignored.
Our primary advice holds true — don’t ask, “How do I motivate my members to recruit?” Instead ask, “How do I recruit with my motivated members?” However, as T. J. reminds us, there is probably a large contingent of your organization that are actually motivated members, but they feel left out, ignored, or otherwise invisible in the constant battle between the Stallions of the organization and the Jackasses. These “middle” members might not be the thoroughbreds that you are, but they can be very important workhorses if you saddle them up and give them a path to ride on.
T.J. and I will be speaking at the same school this week (Washington State University), so I thought this might be a great time to strongly recommend that organizational leaders read his new book. Enjoy!
