Are You Happy?

by Branden Stewart

I stumbled upon (using Stumbleupon) this picture and it got me thinking…

areyouhappy_a2_web_1024-600x848When you meet a member of the Phired Up staff, you’re probably hoping for the chance to find out the best way to fix your recruitment process.  While I haven’t traveled the country as extensively as my colleagues, I do know that many fraternity men and sorority women walk into a Phired Up presentation hoping to learn how they can find a quick fix their recruitment problems.  What they may not be ready to accept is that if they really want to be happy, they’re going to need more than a quick fix.  You’re going to need change.

Yes. I said change.

For some, this is a dirty word.  But just because you’ve “always done it this way” doesn’t mean that it is the right way.  In fact, it could be the reason you’re not happy.

Think for a minute.  Are you happy with your recruitment process? Sure you may have gotten the most people, you may have the highest grades, or you just had the largest recruitment in history.  But is that enough to be truly happy?

I know that I wouldn’t be happy unless I knew that I’ve reached my ultimate potential.

So if you’re completely happy then that’s great.  Keep doing whatever you’re doing. And if you don’t want to be happy, then by all means please continue being miserable (or mediocre).

But let’s be real. You want to be happy.  And the only way you can do that permanently isn’t with a quick fix.  We can help you get started with a few quick fixes by visiting resources here, here, and here.  But what you’ve got to do is change something.

Real change.

Are you happy? Do you want to be?  Then change something.

Don’t Skip Part One

by Matt Mattson

I was reminded recently of a common habit of human interaction… skipping part 1 of a conversation/relationship. “The Introduction.”

This happens to me on planes a lot.  It happened to me at the Phillies vs. Braves game I went to in Atlanta the other day.  It happens to many people in typical social situations (in line at the coffee shop, in class, at the DMV, at the bar, etc.)

I’m talking about when you engage in a conversation with someone new, but you skipped the part where you reach out your hand and introduce yourself.  You just go straight from stranger to conversation-partner without coming back to the, “My name is ______.  Nice to meet you.”

This blog is just a simple reminder to come back to part one a.s.a.p.  “By the way, I’m ______. Sorry I didn’t introduce myself.”

If you don’t do that (and many times we fail to), you’ll leave the conversation with a smile on your face but a network that isn’t any larger.

It’s probably also a smart idea to say, “I’d love to connect again sometime.  Here’s my contact info. Do you mind if we trade E-mail addresses?”

If you accidentally skip that first part, just go back to it before you leave.

In the bottom of the 8th inning at Turner Field last Friday, I finally turned to my incredibly baseball-smart conversation partner and said, “By the way, I’m Matt.”  His name is Al.  He’s a part of my social network now.  Great ballgame too.

Smack Talk

[RING OF PHIRE: The Ring of Phire is a team of undergraduate fraternity and sorority members dedicated to delivering the messages of Phired Up Productions to their peers around the country.]

by Amelia Mieth (Phired Up Intern and Ring of Phire member)

smacktalkAs a disaffiliated member of my sorority for the past two recruitment seasons, I get to see a lot of the mechanics of sorority recruitment from a Panhellenic standpoint. It’s wonderful to get to know the potential new members, answer any questions they may have, see their excitement build through the week, and help them make what I think to be one of the most important decisions in their college career.

One of the biggest problems that I have noticed with formal sorority recruitment across many campuses is the incessant wonder of talking about other chapters during recruitment parties. Now, I can assure you that these conversations aren’t going like this:

Member: We are definitely a Panhellenic sisterhood!
Potential Member: Oh, that’s so wonderful to hear!
Member: Oh gosh, we absolutely love the philanthropy work that ABC sorority does and the girls at XYZ are always studying at the library! It’s so great!

Laugh if you must, but you know it’s true! Many chapters spend their time during recruitment parties talking to the potential members about what’s wrong or bad about other chapters. WHY? The parties are already short as it is, you don’t have much time to form a lasting relationship (but still try!)- why would you want to spend your valuable time and one shot opportunity talking down on another chapter?

There is a quote that says, “Great people talk about ideas, average people talk about things, small people talk about other people.”

[NOTE: SEE A RELATED POST ABOUT FRATERNITY TRASH TALK HERE.]

You want to be known as great. We want you to be great. You have the ability and the resources to do so. Spend the precious time that you have with these potential members- potential lifelong sisters- sharing your values, the benefits of being in your organization, and the friendships you’ve made that will stay with you for a lifetime.

Wearing Their Cause

by Matt Mattson

arm-bands-crI’ve been wearing one of these Peace Cords for a few months now.  I love it!  People ask me about it all the time, and it always leads to great conversations (about women’s empowerment, the war in Afghanistan, loved ones serving in the military, survival tools, and more).

I feel like 65% or more of the people I bump into are wearing something that represents something they care about.  They’re wearing it SO THAT YOU’LL ASK ABOUT IT.  So, ask.  “Tell me about that bracelet.”  “You’re a fan of TOMS too?”  “What does that necklace represent?”  “What’s that hat/t-shirt/bag all about?” “Did someone give you that ring?”

People are begging you to start a conversation with them (and about the stuff that’s important to them) through their choice of clothing and jewelry.  Take their invitation for conversation. Ask.  You’ll probably learn something, and most importantly you’ll get to connect with them on an important (non-surface) level.  This helps with Social Excellence and Dynamic Recruitment.  So, ask.