In August 2009, shortly after the venerable MHMerchandiser Magazine quietly closed, my truly better half and I made the decision to launch an eZine for manufactured housing industry pros. We have a vision of what we launched as being the virtual first step in creating platforms that would inform and inspire innovation that would lead to industry recovery and growth.
Don Glisson Jr., President and CEO of Triad Financial Services candidly said he thought we were crazy to launch during the worst downturn in MH history (and the worst economy in the U.S. since the Great Depression). As Steve Lefler of Modular Lifestyles said, quoting Apple’s Steve Jobs,
“Here’s to the crazy ones!…They are the ones who change things…”
Let’s quickly say that while we’re happy to play various roles, including that of the spark plug, we’ve never been alone in this great pro-MH Industry adventure. This and MHLivingNews.com have been about collaboration and team work, aimed at ever greater industry success and growth.
The original eZine evolved into two, full blown trade media sites. This site has the first and still only Daily Business News and the most robust emailed news updates – delivered twice weekly – found anywhere in MH.
Before introducing this month’s Featured Articles and their authors, let me take a moment to acknowledge and thank all those who this year are and have been involved in supporting MHProNews.com, MHLivingNews.com and/or the MH Alliance/Partners in Progress plan.
These are the firms, like Hart-King’s mailer shown suggests, whose leaders see the value in providing the Information, Inspiration and Innovation for Industry Pros the and the image building and education found on ManufactutedHomeLivingNews.com.
Manufactured and Modular Home Producers
Manufactured and Modular Home Retailers
Manufactured Home Communities
Financial and other Industry Services
Please note the fine cross section of industry involvement and support represented by the firms above. Noted too they range from ‘mom and pop’ operations to some of the biggest in the industry in their respective fields.
Each of our sister sites – MHProNews.com and MHLivingNews.com – are the runaway most popular in their category. The pro-Industry insights possible on both sites are only possible due to the support of those noted above – and others whose names could still be added to this list, as we plan to update the above soon.
With no further Adieu, let’s dive into Amazing August 2015’s Featured Articles.
Featured Articles and Reports for Vol. 6, No. 11, 2015
Alphabetically by Category
COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT & FAIR HOUSING (LEGAL)
• Piketty Vs. Rognlie: Land Use Restrictions Inflate Housing Values, Drive Wealth Concentration
by Chuck DeVore
Thomas Piketty in “Capital in the Twenty-First Century” frets that wealth inequality will grow because capital’s share of income will grow faster than the economy. Thus, the “1 percent” will be richer.
• Doctor, lawyer…Indian Chief? Does a Community, Company, Product or Service Name Create Risks?
by Nadeen Green, JD
In my role as Senior Counsel with For Rent Media Solutions™ I actually have more job responsibilities than my (favorite!) role as “Fair Housing Lady.
GENERAL MANUFACTURED HOUSING INDUSTRY TOPICS
• How to Track Your Online Reputation
by Wayne Coakley
Misinformation and rumors about your MH business can dominate search engine results.
• The Lights Are On, But You’re Not Home?!?
by Ron D’Ambra
When I first started in code enforcement for our industry, I was handed a desk copy of the “Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards,” known as Part 3280, and told to read it, understand it, and never forget it, so I did.
• Experience and Innovation – Our Industry Needs Both!
by Tom Fath
The MH Industry was originally built by entrepreneurs with a dream.
• New Manufactured Home Charity Launched
by Katie Hauck
MHGives, the new manufactured housing industry charity, is designed to bring together people with business skills and expertise to make a difference in the lives of children around the world.
•Manufactured Homes + Communities – “An Incredible Message” – Inside MH Video with John Caron
by L. A. “Tony” Kovach
We’ll let John Caron – whom we interviewed for this episode of Inside MH – tell you about his significant history in manufactured housing, MH Communities and in real estate investing in his own words.
• Another Cup of Coffee with… – MH Industry Leaders Exclusive Interviews
Are you having A Cup of Coffee with… withdrawals this summer? Every month, there are THOUSANDS of hits on the exclusive interviews revisited below!
• It’s All About Happy Customers, Experts and You!
by L. A. “Tony” Kovach
If we had to summarize in a sentence a guiding principle of the Inside MH Road Show, it could start with the headline to this article.
•New and Updated Websites for Manufactured Housing – 4 Way to Make them Pay
by Soheyla Kovach
If we had to summarize in a sentence a guiding principle of the Inside MH Road Show, it could start with the headline to this article.
• Manufactured Housing and Achieving Net Zero
by Steven Lefler
Since 2010, Modular Lifestyles has been seeking to build and prove that affordable manufactured homes can reach “Net Zero” quicker than site-built homes in CA.
• Texas Town Reverses Decision, Votes to Allow Manufactured Housing
by Matthew Silver
In a July 9, 2015, MHProNewsDaily Business News (DBN) post, the city council of Huntsville, Texas was set to prohibit manufactured homes (MH) from being sited within the city limits unless they are in a manufactured home community (MHC).
•Questionable FEMA “Request For Information” Regarding Standardization Of Manufactured Housing Floor Plan Designs
by M. Mark Weiss, JD
Attached for your information and review is a copy of a self-explanatory MHARR communication to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator W. Craig Fugate regarding a FEMA “Request for Information” (RFI) addressing the “Standardization of Floor Plan Design for Manufactured Housing Units.”
MANAGEMENT
• Do you have any “Emotional Deadwood” hiding out in your organization?
by Tim Connor, CSP
Just what is emotional deadwood?
PERSONAL REFLECTIONS, MOTIVATION and INSPIRATION
• 3 Weekly Wisdom Tips for a better life
by Tim Connor, CSP
One of the major contributors to stress and therefore illness and even death is the lack of patience.
