Bits of Knowledge

Smart Social Media

2011-02-20T23:55:00.000-08:00

Facebook. Twitter. Linkedin. Foursquare. Myspace. Digg. Flickr. Youtube…

And the list goes on.

Over the last decade, social media extended its reach from high school and college students to literally every age-group, every business and non-profit, every band and artist, and citizens of most developed/western-influenced countries. Great, right?

As the video above shows, social media is no longer a simple, independently managed creative outlet for our emotions. On the contrary, social media technology is the most rapidly-expanding, effective method of brand management in several years. In fact, look at any commercial in the last year or two; they don’t ask the viewer to go to their website, they ask them to find the company on facebook. Social technology is fast becoming the most accessible media outlet available in our society.

“Okay, but I’m not a business”

I beg to differ. You as a person may or may not be a business. Perhaps you are a freelance worker, partner or sole-proprietor, an investor or thinking of forming an LLC. Regardless of whether or not you are in one of those positions… as a person, you are a collection of skills, ideas and experiences; you are a brand.

So what are you doing to promote your brand? Are you posting things that associate your “profile” with mature/rational thought, topics/media relevant to you, and are you staying consistent with the message that you would like parents, in-laws, potential employers and supervisors to see? Or are you the person who complains about life, work conditions, professors and bosses, calls people out, makes fun of groups, glorifies substance abuse and posts pictures of yourself in compromising positions?

Corporate recruiters (headhunters), schools/universities, reporters and investigators alike openly use social media to create first impressions (often times even before a phone interview or formal introduction). The great thing about this is that you (or your chapter) have the opportunity to create a brand identity online (for free) that crafts a positive (or negative) image of yourself. Remember, even if you “remove” a post or photo, it’s been uploaded and it can be found again.

It’s all up to you, represent yourself and your organization well…Tweet wisely!

"Change-Agents"

2010-12-20T17:07:00.000-08:00

As we enter into the Spring (deferred) recruitment season, I thought it best to share a very relevant message with all of you...

I heard a story during a chapter visit this month that, for many reasons, resonated with me. While visiting Ohio Theta (Ashland University), I had the privilege of speaking with a number of undergraduates and alumni brothers that get it. [fraternity life]

Founded in 1966, Ohio Theta had a very similar history to my own chapter. Originally a local organization on the rural Ohio campus, the chapter members sought something larger and more meaningful that would impact the campus community for years to come.

Since its inception, the group has received countless awards, including the highest national award of “Grand Chapter”. What has been the biggest proponent? Self-Evaluation. This is a chapter of men that consistently edit and amplify their own performance.

In the 1990’s, like most “stereotyped” Greek chapters across the nation, the group had developed a culture of hazing and minimal risk management procedures. The status quo was to only take men that they thought would “make it through”. One year in particular, all of the fraternities on the Ashland campus were salivating (figuratively, of course) over a certain young potential member. This was THE recruit of the year: type-A personality, socially excellent, attractive, and involved… and by all accounts, a natural-born leader/fraternity member.

Needless to say, this young man went through recruitment. And like so many underclassmen, he went through recruitment with his best friend. As the recruitment process began, all of the fraternities wanted our type-A leader, but none took interest in his friend (essentially because he wasn’t the most socially remarkable man in the pool). As the recruitment process came to a close, both men accepted bids into Phi Kappa Psi, the only fraternity that chose not to base their decision simply on the superficial and offer membership to both of them.

Weeks after the new member education (in this case, hazing) came to a close, the newly initiated class quickly took over most leadership positions, including our two protagonists listed above in the president and vice-president roles, respectively. Within months, a new precedent was set in the chapter: hazing was to come to an end, and policy was to be enforced. Brothers began holding one another accountable. In essence, the true meaning of fraternity was restored because a chapter was brave enough to put aside petty judgments and offer membership based on character. Years later, the chapter continues to have an impressive, respected and mature membership.

However, I’m not just writing this to tell the world an inspiring chapter story for fun. Within the past week, I was in the presence of two very notable Phi Psi’s at the launch of the bi-partisan social-political movement “No Labels” at Columbia University in New York. Senator Evan Bayh (IN Beta) and Mayor Michael Bloomberg (MD Alpha) were at the forefront of this launch that pushes political cooperation to ensure a better tomorrow.

Much like the two “re-founders” of the chapter mentioned above, these two Brothers identified a problem and are going against the grain, to the best of their ability to address it. The moral of the story is simple: Never refuse membership because of something superficial alone, you never know what kind of great potential is out there. Go find the next agents of change for your own chapters!

The Greek Image

2010-11-09T09:13:00.000-08:00

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.” - Aristotle

Working primarily in recruitment, there is ONE conflict that I face every day… the Greek stereotype.

Image can certainly be a tricky subject. Typically, we Greeks want to be the center of attention. We also claim to be a “cut above the rest”, having taken oaths that hold us to higher standards. While in many cases, the good works performed by our organizations can attract a lot of attention, the reality is that it is all too often that our shortcomings and admitted bad judgment take the prize.

Take for example, an organization hosting a large-scale philanthropic effort for the campus and community. At best, the organization may get non-Greek attendees, a press release in the local paper and if the results are spectacular, a small article in the campus newspaper about the event.

However, if the same organization were to host an off-campus party with several underage students being served, an offensive theme, binge-drinking encouraged and pictures taken (all of which are unfortunately common), the result will be much different. Administrators will begin talking about the irresponsible Greeks on campus as party photos circulate public domain(s)…one of the most frustrating things to see. Campus (and perhaps community, depending on your location) newspapers and blogs will jump on the opportunity to investigate yet another Greek issue while more students, staff and parents will continue to wholeheartedly believe their preconceived images of our organizations at large.

So how do we combat these things?

Live your values:

Simple concept…not so simple in practice. The values expressed in our respective rituals are enough to bring a good reputation and defy the stereotypes that plague the Greek world. Be what you say you are.

Foster a continuing relationship with the university:

Despite what many may think, the university IS your friend and should be regarded as such. Participate in university events/activities, join other organizations that support the campus and it’s many outlets. Maintain open lines of communication with faculty and administrators. In short, make friends with those who can assist you and your organization.

Recruit only the right people:

Changing a member’s behavior is nearly impossible, thus it is important to always remember that “you are what you recruit” (see the previous entry). Seek potential members who will add to a tradition of excellence, rather than serve as a detriment. Look for exemplary academic performance, campus engagement and true social excellence (no this doesn’t mean the guy who becomes the life of the party after a few natty’s). Recruiting the right members will make all the difference in the years to come.

Moral of this blog:

People expect more of you because of the oath you took. Therefore, give the non-Greek public something to be impressed by. Don’t publicize the poor decisions made on an individual basis that could jeopardize the well-being of the organization. Instead, promote the good that your organization does to serve as a reminder of what you stand for.

We believe that we represent not only our own organizations, but indeed the spirit of all Greek groups. It’s a culture, not a club… and a privilege, not a right.

You Are What You Recruit...Choose Wisely

2010-10-14T23:45:00.000-07:00

Well, I left the University of Texas the day before the shooting, and I’m currently at the University of Oklahoma (where a 4.3 level earthquake struck yesterday), so I should probably catch up on this blog before my luck runs out. I digress…

“Even if you're on the right track, if you just sit there you'll get run over‎”

-Million Dollar Consulting, Alan Weiss

As you all know, my primary responsibility as a traveling consultant is to establish new colonies on campuses where Phi Kappa Psi is not currently represented. Additionally, I travel, assess and offer guidance/strategies for our chapters that are struggling with recruitment. Though almost every chapter has their own unique recruitment issue, be it branding, communication, competing chapters, previous reputation, lack of tangible assets, and the list goes on… there is ONE recurring issue at the very core of each problem… the current membership. This “golden-rule” in the fraternity/sorority movement can be summarized by one statement…

“you are what you recruit”

Take that in. Simply put, in order to guarantee any sustainable success, your chapter has to recruit the best. More often than not, the “best” men on campuses are the ones that avoid fraternities like the plague. The unfortunate truth is that we, as Greeks, have an awful image in society. Thus, the only way to combat this image is to systematically seek and engage prospective members who seek a TRUE fraternal experience (i.e. a values-driven group of like-minded individuals).

Recruitment is NOT Rush… indeed, quite the opposite. Recruitment is a simple concept: Deliberately make friends, evaluate their alignment with the values of your organization, invite them to join and benefit from the experience that you offer. While Rush focuses on mindless events ranging from chicken wings/karaoke twice a year… Recruitment is a concentrated, individual interaction between a member and a prospective that creates a sense of comfort for assessment. It sounds daunting, but in reality, it’s just making friends.

I can promise that your best friend did not come from a random interaction at a bar, party or other major event. Instead, the friendship was fostered over a period of individual meetings, coffee dates, throwing a Frisbee, etc… These environments foster meaningful conversation and assist in the facilitation of open questions. Conversely, large social events inherently cause introversion and invite only generic conversation. The great thing about this is, it doesn’t have to happen once or twice a year, it’s continuous! Major corporations don’t hire once a year, and neither should your chapter! Offer membership whenever the time is right. Just because member education isn’t happening currently, there’s no reason to not involve someone in the chapter.

Anyone can be your friend, within reason. However, not everyone is fit to be your Brother/Sister. Therefore, recruit the right way and set a standard. Our organizations were not created with the idea of “filling the house”, they were created to contribute positively to the campuses and communities that we represent. Leave your organization in a better position than when you joined, pay it forward.

Good friends. Good food. And a job well done.

2010-09-17T17:59:00.000-07:00

“It’s not where you went that you’ll remember, it’s the good food, the great experiences and the amazing people that you shared them with.”

If you’re as much a Travel Channel © enthusiast as I am, you recognize a statement like the one above with ease. Since my last entry, this absolute truth is something that has become absolutely true of my time in Houston.

Last Friday, Jon (the recruitment consultant I’m traveling with) and I had dinner at the home of a fellow employee at headquarters in Indianapolis… the difference was, she wasn’t there. Taylor Schuh, for any of you Phi Psi’s out there, works for the Phi Kappa Psi Foundation arranged for the two of us to meet her family over dinner and drinks at their home just north of Houston. Having been confined to cooking in our condo and cheap food on campus, this was a welcome excuse to get away for the evening. We found our way north, after fighting our way through copious amounts of freeway traffic (thank you Houston rush hour) and arrived around 8:00pm.

When we arrived we were (understandably) a little unsure of what to expect, but were greeted immediately with fine white wines and an amazing meal of beef, potatoes and roasted peppers and mushrooms. Though the cooking was amazing, it wasn’t what stood out about the evening. The four of us sat around the table until a little after midnight that night. We talked a little about everything, our careers, our ambitions, travel experiences, sites to see…The kindness and generosity of strangers to open their home out of good will made all the difference and in twenty years, that’s the kind of thing we’ll remember about Houston.

Aside from this amazing night, the company I’ve been in since our arrival is something I’ve overlooked. Over the past five weeks I’ve become a lot closer to both Corey and Jon, two amazing young brothers that I probably wouldn’t have known without this assignment. It’s the small things… the inside jokes, trying to figure out how to set up a tent in 100+ degree weather, the excitement of recruiting a guy you know will benefit from the organization, dining with a view of the city from the 49^th floor with an alumnus… it’s the intangibles that come with this job.

The only thing that can top the previous examples is the satisfaction of a job well done. Last night, Jon and I installed the newest Colony of Phi Kappa Psi at the University of Houston. As we led 25 founding fathers through their first oaths as Colony members, I couldn’t help but get nostalgic as I vividly remembered going through the same ceremony September 12, 2009 when my group was colonized. 25 young men, each with their own unique backgrounds and reasons for joining came together in the presence of fraternity staff, alumni and undergraduates from the greater Houston area and accepted, happily their obligations of membership.

Okay okay, so I know that’s all a little heavy for those of you non-brothers reading this…but there is something to be said about seeing a result of hard work unfold in front of you. Of all things, seeing this group come to fruition is what will stand out as the single most memorable part of Houston, Texas.

Thanks for reading!

What's In Your Backpack?

2010-09-04T21:26:00.000-07:00

For those of you that have not seen the Paramount film “Up in the Air”, starring George Clooney, this question serves as the protagonist’s analogy for life. Though the delivery in the film is a bit jaded, several of his points are precisely on key. In many ways, you can decipher a person’s lifestyle by how they pack. In the spirit of making this blog “relatable” for you, dear readers, I’ll use this entry to share my inventory for the Fall 2010 travel season.

First and foremost, please understand that as a traveling consultant, I spend approximately eight or nine months of the year on the open roads of the continental United States. Thus, packing efficiently for a variety of situations and climates is pivotal to a consultant’s success.

Vehicle:
2001 Honda Civic LX (white), Approximately 260,000 miles, 1/8” audio adapter for iPod/Blackberry streaming to avoid local radio. Tom-tom GPS, recently updated maps and a plethora of comical navigation voices for the 10+ hour hauls.

Suitcase: (1, standard size-large suitcase)
The packing of a suitcase is a true art. If done properly, with a rolling technique, you can avoid wrinkled clothing while leaving space for three times the amount of clothing you could normally fit with a folding method.

-Underwear. Necessity, no one likes dirty underwear. 2 weeks worth to accommodate for longer stays in hotels.
-Socks: Black socks x5, Tan socks x 5, no-show athletic socks x5…Enough for a mixed week before laundry on the weekend.
-Under-shirts: 10
-Jeans: 2 pairs
-Shorts: 5 pairs
-Shirts: 4 polos, 5 graphic tees, 4 casual button-ups, 1 hoodie
-Toiletry bag:

…Not bad for one suitcase, eh?

Shoe Box: (take what I need, when I need them)
1 pair black dress shoes, 1 pair brown dress shoes, 2 pairs of flip-flops (one leather, one for showers…), 1 pair tennis shoes, 1 pair boat shoes (yes, I know.)

Car Box: (auto-maintenance)
1 set of jumper cables, 1 quart of motor oil, 1 gallon of engine coolant, 1 quart of wiper fluid, 1 bottle of fuel system cleaner, 1 pair of cabin filters, 1 pseudo-complete first aid kit and 1 sleeping bag.

File Box: (Yes, I’m organized and carry a mobile-file organizer)
-File folders for each chapter/colony on my schedule with the previous three years worth of consultant reports/action plans
-Consultant Resource Binder
-Presentation Binder
-Colony Expansion Binder
-Alumni Resource Binder
-Official books: 1 copy of “the ritual”, 2 copies of “the manual"
-500 business cards
-Marketing/informational documents for Phi Psi Foundation

Garment Bag: (the important clothes)

-3 suits (one pin-stripe, one solid black, one tan)
-2 pairs of casual slacks (navy blue and khaki)
-4 Dress shirts
-10 ties

Laptop Bag:

-Dell Latitude laptop (company issued, with access to remote business server/database)
-Expense report documentation
-Verizon wireless remote network access card

And that my dear followers, all fits comfortably into the compact, yet impressive trunk-space allotted in the 2001 Civic LX. Though I do live out of a car, you couldn’t tell from the outside.

Not to get philosophical, but I have packed light for this trip both tangibly and intrinsically in order to make the most of the experience. I know that no matter what, I have everything I need…no matter what. I’ve looked forward to this experience and have prepared adequately…I can’t wait for what’s to come

Why I'm Here

2010-09-01T00:16:00.000-07:00

Hello valued readers,

In keeping with all accepted formalities, I suppose I’ll introduce myself…and this blog with a keystone entry that will (hopefully) keep you coming back for more. My name is Adam Miller and I’m a 2010 graduate of Capital University in Columbus, Ohio. As of June, I’ve started my professional life as a Recruitment Consultant for Phi Kappa Psi, a moderately-sized, national men’s social fraternity; thus placing my occupation (technically) in the non-profit/higher education sectors, a far cry from my undergraduate discipline in audio/media production. Though my passions for music and all things media are unparalleled and I can see myself in music-city producing records for a living, I am certain that at this point in my life, this is the job for me.

For those of you who don’t know my story, my involvement in Greek life was much different than many. I came to college with a general disdain for all things fraternal. I saw groups of “frat boys” and “sorority girls” arrogantly parading around campus and thought the system immediately to be flawed and lacking in substance…after all, why would I want to be that “bro”? Well, weeks passed and the friends that I had been close with were busy forming their own campus niches, whether they were commuter students, athletes etc… In other words, I was bored and aside from my girlfriend at the time and a few low-commitment groups that I had joined, I was alone on campus.

Spring semester came and several of my classmates, as well as my girlfriend, chose to rush. On a whim, I attended the Greek information night completely intending to leave unimpressed. After having met representatives from nearly every organization, I approached a table belonging to a local fraternity with campus reputation I had been warned about for being “the arrogant guys”. To my surprise, I felt more comfortable in 30 seconds with this group than I did with any other organization. A senior member reached his hand across the table to shake mine, gathered information about me and was able to relate without any hesitation. I knew walking away that night that I wanted to join. For any potential recruiters out there, remember this one piece of information:

People don’t join organizations…People join people.

As the recruitment process continued, my best friend at the time made a promise that we would both choose the same organization and finish our pledgeship with one another. The purpose of this promise was the result of a campus-wide reputation for the particular fraternity’s hazing. As most people will admit, many students preparing to join a Greek organization assume that some hazing will occur, simply because of media portrayal and rumors. Though this is NOT by ANY means a universal truth... some hazing does occur and the organization that we had chosen was one of those groups.

A week into our pledgeship, my friend depledged and removed himself from the organization. In fact, over half of my pledge class left the organization that night. These were men of character, men who achieved academically and men who others on campus regarded highly. Because of the culture of the organization however, this intolerance for humiliation deemed them of lesser caliber.

Needless to say, I remained and was initiated in the Spring of 2007. Quickly thereafter, I too saw all of the changes commonly associated with new Greek members: higher self esteem/social poise, academic improvement, greater campus involvement etc… and this was great for a year or two following my initiation. Joining the fraternity opened my eyes to many people that I would never have known otherwise, it encouraged my involvement in residence life, orientation and our campus admissions office and it gave me that little “chip on my shoulder” that we all seem to have, wearing letters on campus.

During my third year, I left campus on my “professional semester” which consisted of additional courses in audio production at a trade school and an internship, both of which were incredibly influential in my development. When I returned the following semester, something just felt different when I was around my chapter. Disgruntled upperclassmen were removing themselves to move on to the next stage of their lives and members were still hazing new members as a right of passage. What once seemed like the pride of my involvement became threat of lawsuit, a lack of support and a culture of tension.

I finished that year with my election as chapter president and the officers under me had some lofty aspirations. “we need to stop hazing” said one, “we need to do better in classes” said another, “we need to teach our younger members how to run the group when we’re gone” and the list goes on… Though these were all great things (and true) I…the lone senior…did not have the resources to tackle this. Enlisting the help of a few members, we began researching national, NIC fraternities with which to affiliate, knowing that our affiliation would bring resources, recruitment appeal and network capabilities after graduation.

Within two months, we’d chosen to expand with Phi Kappa Psi. Meetings with fraternity directors, Greek and Student Life directors, university officials and area alumni dominated my schedule. Later that semester, our colony was recognized and six months later, we became a chapter after having a more than 70% increase in member recruitment/retention. These accomplishments are a direct reflection of our goals to: end hazing, achieve academically, involve younger members and set a new standard. I’m proud to say that because of the vision of a few and the work of many, my home chapter now has access to resources and networks that were unimaginable a year ago.

That’s why I’m here. I’ve seen the capability of organizational involvement to impact a young man for the better. Conversely, I’ve seen the bad. My charge during my contract is to deliver the motto of Phi Kappa Psi to all of our established chapters and soon to be established colonies… “the great joy of serving others”. Though this motto references community service, it is our duty as an organization to serve the members that we wish to recruit and retain.

As I write the conclusion of this entry, I’m nestled in a condo on the southeast side of Houston, Texas, establishing a new Phi Psi colony at the University of Houston. People ask me all the time why I’m not working in my field right now, but when I wake up and see the same enthusiasm in the eyes of the undergraduates that I felt less than a year ago, I remember that this is where I need to be right now.

Thank you for reading and as I move from city to city, you’ll know!