The Masthead

A very successful retail center, one of the top 100 in the country, has the following practice that I though was brilliant. Every day, people in their office read stories from sources like ours.  Then they discuss them!  I’m told the ideas that come from that discussion are part of what makes and keeps these pros as some of the top performers in the U.S..  In fact, they are so good at sales, that any one of their sales team members averages more sales a month solo than the typical licensed manufactured home retailer does with their entire team combined.

Every business day, we publish the Factory Built Housing Daily Business News.  We typically have 5-6 stories a day, including market reports on manufactured housing and related stocks. These stories may include modular, prefab and HUD Code manufactured home as well as ‘general housing’ news that could be important to Industry professionals.

Many times a week, sometimes many times daily, you will find articles that can – when properly used – either save you and your operation money or help you earn more money.

Examples include news accounts about federal or state programs that companies or associations may be able to tap their members into for the Industry’s benefit.  Other recent examples may include stories about distressed properties that community operators and investors seeking new opportunities may find useful.

Screen Capture of part of today’s Daily Business News

Other examples of how you can earn more money by using modular, prefab and manufactured housing news may be more subtle.

Speaking as someone involved off and on since 1981 in manufactured home retailing, I know the types of questions and concerns that may arise from retail buyers. We know the types of questions or concerns bankers, investors or public officials may have too.  These are individuals who are likely to come from a ‘general media’ perspective or our Industry.  Which is to say, these and others may well be opposed or cautious about us, until they see new information which may help them ‘see the light.’

The recent Daily Business News article that mentioned Goldie Hawn and Tom Cruise owning factory built homes in CO was more than just “interesting.”  If I were in sales, I would download the article, save the link and show it as coming from MHProNews.com (or MHMSM.com).  I’d put it on the wall in a decent frame or make sure it is in a nice binder (or both) so that prospective retail customers, bankers, media or other guests can see it.

Millions read People Magazine. Some of those ‘gee, the rich and famous’ do this or that INFLUENCES others.  The fact that actors, politicians and savvy investors are in the modular or manufactured home world can influence people, but ONLY if you use it.

Our monthly Feature Articles and blog postings can also make you money or save you money.  Articles on sales training, marketing, personal ‘soft skills’ or management development, financing, legal articles and much more are a part of our monthly offering. As an example, I can picture how some communities violate ‘fair housing law’ principles taught by attorney Nadeen Green on our pages.  Others who want to improve their community will want to read Don Westphal and Chrissy Jackson.

Investors, regulators, association leaders and Industry pros are coming daily by the thousands.  Traffic continues to rise, so August 2011 is poised for yet another record month.  In fact, we should again have more page views than self reported totals from MHI, the National Communities Council, the National Modular Building Council, the Journal and George F. Allen’s blogs combined.

When leaders, investors, movers and shakers are here daily by the thousands, this suggests that at least one savvy, forward looking person in your office or company needs to invest a good 10-15 minutes a day on our site.  Read a feature article a day.  Read the news and the latest blog posts.  Read the Daily Business News.

So if you are someone who wants to advance your business or career, volunteer to make that reader You.

“Knowledge is power,” Sir Francis Bacon said.  Or as the Chinese proverb says: “Those who do not read are no better off than those who cannot.”

You are here, reading.  Good for you! Now take it to the next level. Are you making the news pay?

Are you an manufactured housing executive?  A manager?  Owner?  If so, make sure your people are reading.  Brainstorm the news with a trusted associate.  Make the news pay for you and your organization.

When our new MHProNews.com website format comes out, do encourage your associates to watch the ‘headlines news’ that will be available business daily here on MHProNews.com.   To earn more, learn more, right here.  Minutes a day can save you boatloads of time and make your more money too. # #

 

LAS VEGAS, NV – Wednesday, April 27, 2011.  Members of the MHMSM.com team continue to share news and videos from MHI’s 2011 National Congress & Expo for Manufactured and Modular Housing.

Joe Stegmayer (Chairman & CEO, Cavco Industries and present Chairman, MHI) heard that Land Lease Communities (LLCs) have done better than most sectors of the housing industry, which has been confirmed by the optimism expressed at MHI’s National Communities Council (NCC) forum.  The Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) is a leading advocate for the industry, working cooperatively with law makers in Washington to improve access to affordable housing and improve financing options to create a bright future.

Ron Thomas Sr., Chuck Fanaro and Mr. and Mrs. Don Westphal are among the strong turnout.

Dr. Mark Dotzour (Chief Economist and Director of Research for the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University) was the Keynote Speaker this morning.  Dr. Dotzour is currently conducting market research to monitor how global and national trends are likely to impact residential and commercial real estate markets.  Noting that this is a time to “take back the country,” to protect and improve the business climate, he sees room for optimism.  We need a president and a congress that says, what do you businesses need?  “The business of America is business,” as Calvin Coolidge said.  And “Being a politician is not a worthy profession, but being a public servant is a noble one,” per Woodrow Wilson.  Housing and construction leads economic recovery.

Among the things Dr. Dotzour sees as solutions:  People will start to buy again. The natural demand is there for housing; people are just postponing decisions for a later date.  News on the housing market will turn better in August with exiting new or manufactured homes.  April, May and June will leave us with bad headlines compared to last year.  But come August or September, home sales will look better vs. last year.

We need to shine a light on shadow inventory. Stop mortgage modifications. Pass legislation to balance the budget. Protect and improve the business climate, which is what groups like MHI do.

Steven Lefler is about to receive the National Manufactured Housing Design Award.  Industry in Focus Reporter Matthew Silver is to his left.

Stay tuned for more MHMSM.com reports coming from this enriching event! # #

March Madness is history and UConn fans revel in their team’s win over favored Butler. Now the NBA playoffs begin April 16.

A more brilliant history has been made in Louisville… Tunica… and is coming up in York… Tulsa… the venues of this year’s great manufactured home shows. Irving Berlin said it first about the Greatest Show on Earth, but there’s no reason why it can’t apply to these Industry Shows as well: the HOMExpo 2011, billed as the Only Factory Built Housing Show in the Northeast Region, and the 2011 Great Southwest Home Show, the Biggest Indoor Home Show:

There’s no business like [MH] show business
Like no business I know
Everything about it is appealing
Everything the traffic will allow…
Let’s go on with the show
Let’s go on with the show!
The show!
The show!

Scheduling these Industry shows in the first four months invigorates and motivates, inspires and propels the vendors and attendees – professionals and public alike – to fresh enthusiasm for the remaining eight months of the year. Fresh enthusiasm for the excellent product we call factory-built homes: HUD code manufactured, modular, panelized… Fresh appreciation for the Industry pros you can meet in person, for the seminars and workshops, the products and services that surround and support these homes and the variety of locations in which they can be sited. Fresh enthusiasm for buyer-affordability and vendor-profitability in what can be an Industry Turn-around Year!

Which shows did you attend and/or will you be attending? What features were most helpful for you and your business? What didn’t happen that you would like to see included in next year’s shows? MHMSM.com would like to hear from you on these subjects. Use our Discus system to leave a public comment at the bottom of this article, or email Tony@MHMSM.com or Catherine@MHMSM.com for a private one. We respect your privacy, and share names/contact information when you give permission to do so.

Speaking of winners and Industry pros who always make their shots, let’s get to our new line-up of Featured Articles and Reports! This month we introduce our Featured Articles according to Subject Category, listed alphabetically. We hope by doing so to optimize your time with us by allowing you to more quickly identify a topic that interests you. We also welcome four new contributors this month: Mark Hunter, Tracey C. Jones, Donna Rishel and Kirk Chittick. So here are “All the Best” Top-Talent professionals!

Featured Articles and Reports

for Vol. 2, No. 7, 2011

Alphabetically by Category

COMMUNITIES

Edward ‘Eddie’ Hicks – Manufactured Home Communities
• Who the H*ll Wants to Live in a Trailer Park?

Chrissy Jackson – Land Lease Community Management
• Guidelines for Living: What Should this Guideline Achieve?

Joanne Stevens – Manufactured Home Community Value
• Top 10 List: What Community and Park Owners Think Makes Their Property Worth More

Don Westphal – Manufactured Home Community Planning
• Extreme Makeover, Community Edition – aka Ryder Park, Milford, CT – Introduction

FINANCE

Paul Bradley – Manufactured Housing Industry Financing
• IBIS Report on “Dying Industry” Misses the Mark

Dave Shanklin – Manufactured Housing Industry Financing
• Record-Low Loan Rates Attracting Buyers of Manufactured Homes in Leased Land Communities

Donna Rishel – Manufactured Housing Industry Finance Commentary
• Are Outside Investors Doomed to Fail?

Kenneth Rishel – Manufactured Housing Industry Finance Commentary
• Is Lease to Own a Safe Harbor from the SAFE Act?

GENERAL INDUSTRY/COMMENTARY

George F. Allen – Manufactured Housing Industry Commentary
• Will Euphemisms Save the Manufactured Housing Industry?

Michael Barnabas – Manufactured Housing Industry Solutions
• A look at Randy Rowe’s 5 Point Plan for Manufactured Housing Industry Recovery

Tracey C. Jones – Resources for Manufactured Housing Business Success
• 23 Ways You Can Grow Your Manufactured Housing Community Business

L.A. ‘Tony’ Kovach – Manufactured Housing Industry Perspective
• The Manufactured Housing Rut

George Porter – Manufactured Housing Retail and Media Education
• Adapt, Migrate or Die – Part I: Adapt

INSPIRATION/PEOPLE SKILLS

Greg McClanahan – Soft Skills and Personal Development
• Thanks, Joe!

Zig Ziglar – Motivation & Inspiration
• ZigOn…Listening to the Coach

Zig Ziglar – Motivation & Inspiration
• ZigOn… Employment Security

LEGAL

Nadeen Green – Legal, Fair Housing
• Top Dog – or, Man’s Best Friend Is Fair Housing’s, Too!

MANAGEMENT

Tim Connor – Management
• 8 Reasons Why Employee Development (Training) Is a Waste of Money!

MARKETING

Chad Carr – Internet Marketing and Sales
• By the Numbers – Part 2

Bob Stovall – Manufactured Housing Use of Internet & Social Media
• Is Cloud Computing Just Pie-in-the-sky?

SALES

Tim Connor – Sales
• Overcoming Sales Slumps

Mark Hunter – Sales
• Your Customer’s Price Investment Ratio (PIR)

Mike Moore & Kirk Chittick – Sales
• 12 Step Program to Recover from the Effects of Traditional Sales Training

Are you looking for ways to earn more income this year?  Want to drive more business in 2011?  Learn the secrets from award-winning companies and recognized pros!  Join an estimated 1200 Industry professionals who will attend the Tunica Manufactured Housing Show free.  Among the homes and services, you will find the seminars indicated below to help you build YOUR business in 2011.

Let’s preview these events.

Gone are the days when most manufactured home communities ‘fill up’ because retailers are pumping homes into them.  How can you attract and retain more quality residents and customers?

MHMSM.com is solution oriented, so we provide tools online and in person to help professionals advance and owners succeed!

We will be co-sponsoring seminars focused on Manufactured Home Communities (MHCs) and manufactured home retailing.  You can attend these seminars FREE at the Tunica Manufactured Housing Show.

Does your community look old and out dated?  Do you need a makeover and want to do it on a budget?  Residents are attracted to and stay in communities that appeal to them.  They want to live in a neighborhood that makes them proud to live there.  Learn how to attract and retain more good residents!  Check out this award winning, veteran community owner and development pro’s seminar on

“Grow Your Market Share with Easy Community Upgrades!“

by Don Westphal, 1-2 PM Wed, March 30, 2011.

The HiTech digital age is here.  Today’s residents overwhelmingly want up-to-date digital products and services.  Even most seniors crave their digital goodies.  Do you want to offer your residents and prospects HiTech services that cost you ZERO?  Do you want to earn money that someone else pays to provide for you?   Sounds too good to be true, but, yes, you can!  This award-winning national firm can show you how.  Learn how free at the:

“Generate Additional Income from Your Community – at no cost to you!”

by Grant Kitching, Connexion Technologies, 2-3 PM Wed, March 30, 2011

Community Operators! Retailers! Manufacturers, Vendors and Suppliers!  Want to develop a low cost, high return on investment marketing approach?  Want to learn how to invest $1.00 in marketing and get $45.00 back?  Learn what 60 MHC operators and dozens of other industry pros did at Louisville!  Get the edge on your competition.  Learn from these award-winning and recognized Manufactured Housing Marketing pros how to:

“Dominate your Local Market!” - Bob Stovall and I (Tony Kovach) will present for MHMarketingSalesManagement.com (MHMSM.com), 3-4 PM Wed, March 30, 2011.

The first 25 in the door at our seminar can get a free print copy of the power point,

How to Get 150 Inbound Calls a Week at Your Location FREE.

Click here to register for the Tunica Manufactured Housing Show and see these great seminars.

To see other upcoming events, see our events calendar or go to these links below:

• The 2011 Great Southwest Home Show at the QuikTrip Center in Tulsa OK.

• HOMExpo 2011 at York Center in York PA, brought to you by the PMHA – Pennsylvania Manufactured Housing Association.

The MHMSM.com team will be exhibiting and presenting in Tunica, Tulsa and Vegas.  Please stop by and say hello.  We hope to see you there. # #

Three Manufactured Housing News topics today:

1. Post MHI DC meeting comments
2. Reality Check/Getting Mad, and
3. Business Building in the Spring of 2011

So let’s jump in and get started.

1.  Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) Winter Meeting and Legislative session

Duties here in Chicagoland kept me from attending the Manufactured Housing Institute’s (MHI) Winter session and Legislative Meeting in Washington, DC. The good news is that multiple attendees have thoughtfully shared their comments for you, our reader’s, benefit.

Comments from attendees received here ranged the gamut from enthusiastic to nonplused. Some snapshots of comments from attendees included:

• Best MHI meeting I’ve ever attended, outside of MHI’s annual Congress in Vegas
• Smallest turn-out for the MHI legislative meeting in years
• Important speakers, topics and issues addressed
• You were wise to stay home, focused on your core business
• Concern was expressed over more dark clouds over housing in general, and manufactured housing in particular
• Note was made of a possible new wrinkle in how the SAFE Act might treat lease purchase programs *
• Discussion among NCC members regarding inclusion of ‘mom and pop’ MHC operators **
• Briefings, meetings and the reception with members of Congress and federal staff seemed to please many.

You can see the meeting agenda and topics covered here.

We will be looking forward to the official reports from MHI, which should be available on our site by this weekend.

* While there was discussion about a possible ‘loophole’ for the SAFE Act using lease-purchase, it should be noted that it would not be available in all states, and may not be available without risks.  The wise move would be to consult a SAFE Act expert or expert attorney before proceeding on any strategy that uses lease purchase as a ‘long term’ strategy.

** While the idea was floated of creating a two-tier system in NCC to allow smaller community owner/operators to become members, this idea may be DOA.  Stay tuned.

For future reference, events and meetings like this are on our MHMSM.com Events Calendar. To add your association or industry event, please email it to Catherine@mhmsm.com and Tony@MHMSM.com – thanks.

2.  Manufactured Housing Industry Reality Check

I went through my meeting notes from last year’s legislative session meeting, and ran across this note. Thayer Long made the statement that every HUD Code Manufactured home built represented one job. At first that statement surprised me; does it you? But let’s take it at face value.

Using that formula of 1 manufactured home equals 1 job, our Industry has lost about 1/3 of a million jobs since 1998 in manufacturing alone.

Most economists talk about the ripple effect of a dollar lost or gained and a job lost or gained through the U.S. Economy. The loss of a manufacturing job hurts suppliers, sellers, community operators and so on through the Industry list. Arguably, the most stable part of our Industry today is in the Manufactured Housing Communities (MHC) segment.

Half way through our Associations Issue month, we need to take another look (or if you missed it, the first look) at last weekend’s Masthead post, Madder Than Hell…

…because we need a fire in our bellies to effect needed change. Association members and leaders often mention apathy these days. Others speak of changes needed. Consensus is often lacking.

What is certain is that few industries can suffer an 85% decline over 12 years and make it. No wonder we have lost so many hundreds of factories, retail centers, suppliers, vendors, jobs and businesses in the last dozen years.

FYI, for those aficionados of the MH land lease community business, you will want to see the exclusive interview our Industry in Focus reporter Matthew Silver did with George Allen that is live on our Industry Voices Guest Blog: George Allen Sounds Off in Exclusive Interview on Key MHC and Industry Issues.

3.  Business Building in the Spring of 2011.

Are there bright spots?  Yes.

Parts of the nation, like the Dakotas, are experiencing their own mini-boom, with HUD Code manufactured home shipments going up. I’ve spoken with upper-end modular builders who say their business is strong. Some MH community operators and retailers in various states are learning how to navigate these turbulent waters, and are seeing more sales, filling vacancies and are making more money.

If they can, you can. Not all of the success stories are connected with an energy boom or localized demand phenomenon.

One major place to learn how to earn more is in the upcoming manufactured housing shows in and around the country!

Tunica – a new line of business-building Manufactured Housing Community Focused Seminars has been added to the Wednesday line up in Tunica!

• “Grow Your Market Share with Easy Community Upgrades!“ by Don Westphal. Don is one of our popular featured writers, see Don’s latest article linked here. As an MHC owner himself, Don can show you how this is done! Don’s presentation will begin Wed at 1 PM.

• “Generate additional income from your community – at no cost to you!” by Grant Kitching, Connexion Technologies. If this sounds too good to be true, then let Grant show you how! In these days when maximizing appeal and revenues for MHCs is ‘in’ – community owners and operators won’t want to miss this topic.

• “Dominate your Local Market!“ – Bob Stovall and Tony Kovach. Our seminar attracted the following comments from George Allen, who introduced us by saying, “These guys are the future of manufactured housing!’” at the Louisville Show. George reported the following after the show about our presentation:

Tony Kovach and his team of marketing specialists, introduced the day’s largest audience, of more than 60 LLCommunity owners/operators, to the exciting new world of online marketing, of new and resale homes, via web site design, blogging, social networks, and much much more.

All of these seminars are free to attendees. Out thanks to Dennis Hill and the Tunica Show for making these business-building events possible.

Beyond Tunica, you will find the 2011 Great Southwest Home Show in Tulsa OK. This is the largest show of its kind west of the Mississippi, and the largest Indoor manufactured housing show in the nation!

You will also find HOMExpo 2011 in York PA.  HOMExpo 2011 (also shown in places as Home Expo 2011) feature the largest manufactured housing show in the mid-Atlantic and New England states.

Mark your calendar for one or more of these great events. We will see you In Tulsa, Tunica and Vegas! # #

1.
March Madness

Have you seen our burgeoning Calendar of Events? ?  There are Industry Shows galore in March and April as state and national associations across the country sponsor Home Shows and Expos with Trade and Public Days.  In 2010, it would have seemed madness to think that some Shows, cancelled because of the economy, would return only a year later.  March will launch the Tunica Manufactured Housing Show and Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI)’s Winter Meeting and Legislative Conference, in Washington, DC. plus annual Association meetings and other events in at least four states (Maine, North Dakota, New York and California). Other state Association meetings and events occur in Maine, North Dakota, New York and California as well.  April will feature the 2011 Great Southwest Home Show in Tulsa, OK; HOMExpo 2011 in York, PA, and the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI)’s 2011 National Congress & Expo in Las Vegas, NV.

Suzanne Felber, LifeStylist® has been reporting on the various Shows, and continues with a Feature Article this month on how to apply what you learn at a Show to your own retail center or community.

This month is also the celebration of March Madness, the NCAA Tournament held at courts and sports arenas all over the country. Fans think nothing of traveling hundreds or thousands of miles to Be There and share the excitement and triumphs of their teams playing for the NCAA crystal trophy. Those who haven’t the time or means can watch wall-to-wall basketball from noon to midnight from their own TVs or phone apps. If thousands of fans can do this to support and enjoy their team, can we not do the same for our manufactured homes?

Hmmm, basketball fans… manufactured housing fans…

2.
To Associate, or Not to Associate, that is the Question… Or is it?

Doesn’t that divide the manufactured housing world of associations into the simplistic ‘black and white’ world of yesteryear, when the 21st-century world has gone from shades of gray to limitless hues of multi-spectrum color?

Maybe the real question is how to associate? Or why join an association? These MHMSM.com pages, especially The Masthead Blog and Industry Voices Blog, are customarily filled with answers to why and reasons for encouraging association membership.  In this issue, we are doing something a bit different, presenting multiple perspectives on associations for your consideration.  Are associations headstrong or member driven? Why join… or why not to? We have drawn two feature articles from the respective material of George F. Allen and Ken Rishel, who bring out both the pluses and minuses of association membership.  In addition, Michael Barnabas, Amy Bliss, Don Westphal and new voices Paul Bradley and Deanna Fields speak for association membership and address some of the concerns that Allen and Rishel have raised.

So it comes back to the fundamental question, how to associate. But the underlying principle that unifies all these perspectives is: YOU – we – (the members) are the ones to make the difference.  This isn’t about being for or against. It is about being FOR the good of the Industry. In these particularly difficult times, how can we afford not to be members of one or more associations? We’re association members. How about you?

L.A. ‘Tony’ Kovach’s Feature Article is a call to recognize our need for others, and that the clasp of a helping hand up can mean all the difference in the world. This theme was preceded by his recent contribution to the Inspiration Blog, “Working Together – A Teamwork Puzzle.” He wrote, “If any piece gets minimized or isolated, the rest lose balance and suffer. If the integrity of the circle – if associations or trade media – suffers, all will pay the price. Each party – each piece of the puzzle – needs the others.”

Hmmmm, basketball teams and fans… manufactured housing associations, organizations and fans…

Let’s hear how the basketball greats put it:

“One man can be a crucial ingredient on a team, but one man cannot make a team.” ~ Hall of Fame Player Kareem Adbul-Jabbar

“Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there.” ~ Legendary basketball coach John Wooden

“Basketball doesn’t build character. It reveals it.” ~ Unknown

“Talent wins games, but team work and intelligence wins championships.” ~ Acclaimed player Michael Jordan

And what is our MHIndustry Trophy? How about classy, quality, affordable homes for millions of Americans. HUD Code homes. Modular homes. Pre-fab and panelized homes. All factory built with pride and precision right here in the U.S.A.

3.
Now the greats of the manufactured housing Industry get on the court to share their experience, insights, wisdom, creativity and challenges to help YOU “win the game,” make your sales rise, and succeed and prosper in your MH business. This month we welcome new contributors Paul Bradley, Deanna Fields and Tracy Saville. So here are “All the Best:” Top-Talent professionals from A for Allen to Z for Ziglar! Let’s get started with your big new line up…

Featured Articles and Reports
for Vol. 2, No. 6, 2011

George F. Allen – Manufactured Housing Commentary
• What MHAssociations LACK

Michael Barnabas – Manufactured Housing Industry Solutions
• To Be, or Not to Be: Die, Survive or Thrive & Manufactured Housing

Amy Bliss – Value of Association Membership
• Associations and the Value Proposition

Paul Bradley – Value of Association Membership
• Association Membership: A Member’s Perspective

Paul Bradley – Resident-owned Communities
• Defying conventional wisdom, and winning to write about it!

Chad Carr – Internet Marketing and Sales
• By the Numbers – Part 1

Tim Connor – Management
• Mixed Top-Down Messages

Tim Connor – Sales
• Getting to the Decision Makers

Suzanne Felber – Practical Application of Industry Shows
• Bringing It Home: Using What We Learn at Shows in Our Own Sales Centers

Deanna Fields – Value of Association Membership
• Why Belong to an Association?

Nadeen Green – Legal, Fair Housing
• Eeeewww, That Smells…

Edward ‘Eddie’ Hicks – Manufactured Housing Financing
• Who says there are no more profitable investments in land lease communities?

Chrissy Jackson – Land Lease Community Management
• Guidelines for Living: Will the Guidelines Be Accepted?

Susan Knowles – Manufactured Housing Community Service Options
• Make the Most of an Existing Asset

L.A. ‘Tony’ Kovach – Manufactured Housing Industry Perspective
• Rodin, Art and Advancing Manufactured Housing

Greg McClanahan – Soft Skills and Personal Development
• An Amazing Person

George Porter – Manufactured Housing Retail and Media Education
• How Level Is Level?

Kenneth Rishel – Value of Association Membership
• Are Industry Associations Worthy of Active Support?

Kenneth Rishel – Manufactured Housing Industry Finance Commentary
• The Importance of a Written Loan Policy

Tracy Saville – Leader Strategy in the New Economy
• The New Economy Workforce Challenge

Joanne Stevens – Manufactured Housing Real Estate
• Top Ten Signs that You Have Stopped Thinking of Your Manufactured Home Community as an Investment

Bob Stovall – Manufactured Housing Community Resources
• What’s Around Your Community? People Want to Know

Don Westphal – Value of Association Membership
• Participation in State and National Organizations: Manufactured Housing Associations by the Number

Don Westphal – Manufactured Housing Community Planning
• Community Upgrades: Part IV: Level Four Renewal

Zig Ziglar – Motivation & Inspiration
• ZigOn…Integrity Leadership

Zig Ziglar – Motivation & Inspiration
• ZigOn…Teamwork

No, not that four letter word…

…Many say the most powerful 4 letter word in marketing is Free. Certainly, free is used to bring more people to an open house (“Free food and drinks!”), more people to a store, more people to a website. Now, what if you could combine Free, with business development (BD) and manufactured housing news?

Well, you can!

Before looking at that, let’s take two quick quotes from the Jim Collins’ book, How the Mighty Fall. We plan a review here in the near future, but let me share those two snapshots that relate to our Industry and this topic.

“Whether you prevail or fail, endure or die, depends more on what you do to yourself than on what the world does to you.” ~ Jim Collins

I can already imagine the reasoning being used by some as to why this DOESN’T apply to manufactured housing, but let’s not go there today. Please save it for the more in-depth review to come. The second quote is this:

“If you’ve fallen into decline, get back to solid management disciplines – now!” ~ Jim Collins

Solid management disciplines. Best practices. Common sense. These make for great sporting teams, great companies, great industries and careers or personal success stories. They set apart the companies that are profitable in our Industry today from those who struggle or are dying.

Stop and think about the successful firms in our Industry – don’t they have good management disciplines and best practices in place?

Take YOUR reality. Look the cold, hard brutal facts you face in the eye. Then, adopt a plan of action that addresses those specific realities.

Personnel development leads to business development. On our pages you can find FREE:

1. Marketing tips and strategies. See the authors on our home page or left navigation menu.
2. Sales Training. Ditto above, MHMSM.com.
3. Management coaching. MHMarketingSalesManagement.com
4. Soft Skills or people skills tips
5. Manufactured housing community upgrade articles by Don Westphal or Chrissy Jackson. If you haven’t checked out Susan Knowles‘ articles lately, learn how to get upgrades for your community that will drive revenue for you, with no cost on your MHC’s part.
6. Feeling blue, depressed, down in the mouth? Go to the INspirations blog for a lift, or Tim Connor’s blog for a weekly motivational booster.
7. Podcasts of all feature articles – why not download and listen while driving or exercising?
8. Podcasts of our Factory-Built Housing News at Noon, with manufactured housing news market reports
9. Associations page and associations news
10. Manufactured Housing Association for Regulatory Reform (MHARR) news and Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) news – all at this same convenient place, and archived for later access.
11. Manufactured housing news updated every business day on our Daily Business News blog, which comes complete with Daily Market Reports! You can track manufactured housing Industry stock results here daily.
12. Exclusive interviews, A Cup of Coffee with… and Industry in Focus news reports, all available with a free sign up
13. Twice-weekly emailed news updates (MHNewsLine) and action alerts; if you don’t get them yet, sign up for free now at this link.
14. Corporate Press Releases – these are from industry firms – is yours here?
15. Manufacturing, technology and community or chattel finance articles, check out the home page or see the left-hand navigation menu for this month’s feature articles.
16. Events – check this out regularly for updates; and if your organization is having an event of general industry interest, email it in to catherine@MHMSM.com and tony@MHMSM.com for posting.

Speaking of events, please join us at the 2011 Great Southwest Home Show – FREE – to see the latest homes, Industry products and services, financing updates, contents, networking, industry mixer and seminars, including our FREE ‘Dominate your Local Market’ Seminar. Get more information at these links:

• Show Page
• Latest Press Release and Video
• Dominate Your Local Market Seminar page

Experts tell us that part of taking control is facing the facts. The more you know, the better you are able to face the facts, weather the storms that may surround you and emerge stronger and more profitable.

We strongly believe that part of the mix for survival and success today are found in associations that protect and promote our Industry. We belong and attend meetings and events. Most of our writers belong and see value. We hope you do too.

The other part consists of the day-by-day ways you learn, practice and grow. Do what 37,044 visitors did in January 2011: log on here for news, tips and views you can use.

Use whichever of these URLs you wish to mark as a Favorite to access our pages:

www.MHMarketingSalesManagement.com or www.MHMSM.com or www.MHProNews.com

where will find:

Innovation – Information – Inspiration for Industry Professionals

When you grow, when your team members grow, your business will grow. When businesses grow, so will the factory built housing industry. Now, these are manufactured housing news tips and views you can use. # #