The Masthead

In recent weeks, we’ve had Marty Lavin, Al Cole and Pat Curran among others sounding off on Industry related issues via our popular Industry Voices Guest Blog.  For those who have not followed that blog, shame on you!  if you aren’t a regular reader, you are missing out on some often bright minds sharing keen insights on how to turn-around the Industry’s blues into more profitable good news.

The purpose of the Industry Voices guest blog is to offer Industry professionals a platform to share an OpEd style article.  Think New York Times, Wall Street Journal or any major publication’s guest columns.

Do you have an opinion?  Are you ready to write a guest column on a topic of Industry interest?  Some think of this as a letter to the editor.  It could be that, but an OpEd or Guest Column article is usually more robust.

We’ve had association leaders, retail, lending and community professionals among those who have graced our pages recently.  We are holding a three columns, two from a well know executive and a third from an MHC owner, because we had a record number of submissions at the first of this week.

Let’s be honest.  You have your own list of topics to get off your chest! You have an opinion on what is going on (or not) at the Capitol, state or national. You might have thoughts on an event you attended, or plan to attend. Industry Voices is the place to do so in the Manufactured and Modular home world.

I’d love to see people sounding off on industry turn-around strategies.  We can and should be selling more new manufactured and modular homes!  How do YOU think that can get done?

Or sound off on ideas on how to handle issues such as Dodd-Frank.  CFPB goes live on July 21st.  When will their rule making go into effect?  MHI hopes rule making will be 18-30 months from now.  But what if it is sooner?

I’ll briefly mention again the following of interest:

iReportMHNewsTips@MHMSM.com is your fast and easy way to share news items with us for publication.  This can be anything from an Obituary, to a People and Promotions item, to some local, political, association or business news related to factory built housing or housing in general.  Please put iReportMHNewsTips in the subject line for fast identification.

Want to submit an Industry Voices Guest Column?  Please Put Industry Voices in the Subject line of your email to me at tony@mhmsm.com, and suggest a headline you like.  Keep in mind all articles are subject to editing, see about is and the terms of use.

Our new format is getting closer by the day!  MHMSM.com will soon be re-branded as MHProNews.com.  The new site will boast a modern news-site look, with more features and easier navigation.  When the switch takes place, planned for the end of summer, be advised our IT guru tells us we will go off line for about half a day to accomplish the switchover.

Are you signed up for our twice weekly emailed newsletter updates?  It’s free, so You should be!  About 15,000 messages go out via email that bring thousands to daily to MHMSM.com to read news, tips and views you can use.

Finally, posted comments from readers are available via our Disqus system 24/7.  We typically get lots more calls and emails than posted comments, but either way, your feedback matters.

Let’s close with a common theme that Marty Lavin’s, Al Cole’s and Pat Curran’s articles all had.  They:

get into the meat of an issue, in their cases, chattel financing, which is the fuel for 60% of our Industry’s home sales.
The looked at not just problems, but suggested possible solutions.  How can we protect our remaining 3d party lenders?
How can we get more third party lending?

Please read their thoughts and you will see some interesting common points, even though each are writing independent of the others.

Watch for some interesting news and commentary in the days ahead.  It is all right here at MHMSM.com a.k.a. MHProNews.com. Thanks for letting us bring you All the Best. ##

This blog post will be somewhat like pieces for a jig saw puzzle; each piece can stand alone, but together it will form a picture.

Let’s take piece one, a true tornado survival story.

1.

They went into the bathroom of the partially underground lower level of their house.  The tornado that hit the Merrill area of WI was ripping trees and the top level of their house apart. My friends huddled in their bath tub. Part of their message read as follows:

“As the intensity of the Tornado increased, so did our unceasing prayers…” They lived unscratched, but… “All of our beautiful majestic white pines are now a thing of the past.  Our area truly looks like a bomb exploded.  But again we are safe and that is what counts most.”

Imagine living through what must certainly have been such a harrowing experience.  Their once manicured and park-like rural acreage was suddenly covered with downed trees and the debris of their now destroyed residence.  Everything changed in a matter of minutes.

The media by its nature tends to cover ‘bad news.’

Disasters, wars, murders, corruption… if there is ‘drama’ attached to a story, a reporter is likely to be on hand.  As some news professionals used to say, “If it bleeds, it leads.”

Sometimes politicians or government officials jump on such stories, promoting some idea they may well intentionally consider ‘a fix.’  But the SAFE Act was a ‘fix,’ too – one of many ‘unintended consequences’ of what Doug Gorman reminded us in a recent Industry Voices blog post when he said the most feared words are, ‘I’m from the government and I’m here to help.’

Media and politicians can understandably get hyped up about something that is indeed tragic, such as the loss of life, property and so on.  But in so doing, are they serving the public interest?  Are they educating and truly informing, or are they perhaps a bit carried away as they try to sell more papers, page views and broadcast ratings?

Last week people died in storms across the country, and commercial and residential property was damaged or destroyed.  The media is naturally on it again.  What should be our Industry’s response?

How about some facts to share with the local or national media?

 

 

Video credit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7v7LWHQ8l1U. Note (Note: phone number to call is 847-730-3692.)

2.

Business success depends on consumer success.  Consumers and businesses should have a natural synergy.  Any business that delivers a good product or service should yield happy customers.  Happy customers should result in more business.

Our Industry’s success depends on our ability to generate new happy customers.  It also depends on our ability to reach out to and connect or re-connect with past customers.  I’m told one of our featured writers will have a story that touches on this, which we hope to have for you with our new May issue.

Until then, we need to think about the various ways we can connect with more customers.  The Engaging the Media panel discussion and workshop on how to ‘Make Good PR for the Industry a Reality‘ is coming up.  If you are going to the MHI’s Congress in Las Vegas, please attend with your colleagues. Most Industry professionals can attend this Engaging the Media panel discussion free in Tulsa OK at the Great Southwest Home Show.

In Tulsa OK, York PA and in Las Vegas NV, you will have three great opportunities to learn practical ways to grow your business.  There will be seminars focused for retailers, community operators and those in other segments of the manufactured housing industry.  Please plan to attend.

If you are in Tulsa or Vegas, kindly stop by our booth and attend our free Dominate your Local Market seminars as well.

Learning to grow your sales results via good marketing is a must in this economy.

3.

At the top of this blog post, we noted that this post will be like pieces of a jig saw puzzle.

We need media to present a balanced view of our Industry’s homes!  That is good for manufactured home owners, it is good for our businesses and it is good for the country.

Misinformation can be as destructive as a deadly storm.

Will we stop selling bath tubs?  As the video above reminds us, you are 70 times more at risk of dying in your bath tub than in a mobile or manufactured home.

Are we going to stop driving cars?  You have 1600 times more risk in an automobile than in a mobile or manufactured home.

But we must also pause and think about the mixed terminology the media uses.

It may well be that these were MOBILE HOMES, meaning pre-HUD Code homes, that were destroyed.  They are the more likely place that people tragically lose their lives. But as true industry pros know, we have not had a mobile home built in the U.S. since June 14, 1976.

Those who survive a storm in factory-built construction are in fact likely to be in a manufactured home.  Why?

Because today’s manufactured homes are stronger, smarter, safer, stylish and offer all that with great savings.

Our Industry needs that message out there.  It is one that the HUD Code should provide us with, because performance is guaranteed by the code itself.

We need our customers and home owners to understand that message.

Manufactured home owners are as negatively impacted by inaccurate media stereotypes as those who sell manufactured homes are!

Every time someone gets the false impression that today’s manufactured homes are not safe, millions of mobile or manufactured home owners suffer a loss of value unjustly!

There are ways we can and should collaborate with our customers to everyone’s benefit.  Every smart business person wants happy customers. Everyone in business for the long haul wants good relationships with their customers.

A public looking for better values in housing are robbed of the opportunities they should caused by negative stereotypes.

This is not to say that we do not have matters than need addressing as an industry.  We do.

We will explore these topics more at MHMSM.com in the days ahead. # #

“A phoenix is a mythical bird with a colorful…tail…near the end of (its life) it builds itself a nest of twigs that then ignites; both nest and bird burn fiercely and are reduced to ashes, from which a new, young phoenix…arises, reborn anew to live again.”

Quote from Wikipedia online encyclopedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoenix_%28mythology%29

Let me say what you know. We aren’t the only ones out there with turn-around ideas! In the last few weeks, a number of positive efforts are underway, new initiatives have been revealed, soon will be publicized or will be launched. This is important for an industry that has been hungry for good news. While this doesn’t mean that we are out of the woods, it does mean that many keen minds and dedicated parties are at work to effect the great turn-round for Manufactured Housing.

Here is a partial run-down, in alphabetical order:

• George Allen – will unveil details on his concepts for an industry turn around. George needs no introduction, and you know that something he and his associates present should have a lot of careful thought behind it. Stay tuned!
• Eddie Hicks – see the exclusive interview we recently posted on his initiative, which is bound to get people talking and thinking. Click here for what many are already calling a great read on an innovative concept.
• Ken Rishel and company also needs no introduction. Ken continues to promote the gospel of captive finance, a message that is spreading far and wide. We will share an exclusive interview with Ken Rishel in about two weeks, so stay tuned to learn more.
• Stephen Wheeler – soon will announce details on our pages about a program already underway that has big players in the MHCommunities world already involved, with more sure to follow. Wheeler is one of those keen minds with the drive that leads to successful results for all involved. We will either do an interview with Stephen or will present an article by him, with our target being the next issue which goes live in mid-March. Watch and listen closely to this gent’s successful program; stay tuned for details!

We’ve noted in our pages before the saying, quoted by President John Kennedy years ago, that the Chinese character for crisis also spells opportunity. You will see that in the thinking of Rishel, Wheeler, Hicks and while the details of Allen’s plan are not yet unveiled as I write this, it is bound to be there too.

Now besides these well known players, there is ongoing work in Washington and in your state capital as well by association leaders dedicated to making the turn-around of our great industry a reality. Please lend them your time and you diligent support. We are all in this together. Without our associations, where would be in the efforts at various capitals? Associations need us and we need them!

Now besides insights from these pros previously referenced, others were in the mix of recent conversations at www.MHMSM.com head quarters.

Another respected industry veteran made the comment to me recently that ‘We don’t have a product problem, we have a communications problem.’ He went on to say that winning over more of the home buying/home owning public will naturally lead to lining up the financing and resolving the regulatory challenges that our industry has struggled with.

Another key statement share with me in recent days was this: if more sales people were more focused on closing the business that is already coming to their locations, our industry could easily double sales this year even without a ‘new image or marketing strategy!’ This is one reason why our pages routinely feature articles on sales skills and on the marketing that brings those customers in.

Do the basics right every day, and those basics will take care of you and your firm.

There are Industry locations and enterprises that are making money in this economy. My philosophy always was, if someone else can do it, I can learn from those leaders and get a similar result too. I’m sure that is the attitude most presidents, executives and sales managers would want their front line sales agents to have! Which, by the way, is a great reason to have YOUR TROOPS reading solution oriented veterans like ours every day.

Another thought shared by a key leader in a conversation with me this past Wednesday:

• We as an industry have three and only three critical things to focus on:
1) Implementing the Congressionally mandated Duty to Serve,
2) Bringing Congressionally mandated FHA Title 1 Financing online and
3) the full implementation of the MHIA of 2000.
• Rapidly do the above, this veteran said, and we’ll grow by 50,000 shipments in one year!
• Since total shipments for 2009 are 49,789, down 39.2 percent from 2008, read ‘doubling the Industry’s business’ by     doing those 3 things!
• It should be noted that the same gent felt that more support needs to go to MHARR to make that a reality.

Your thoughts on these 3 points and related?

We at www.MHMSM.com have initiatives of our own on tap, like the Virtual Louisville Housing Show © aka Virtual Housing Show 2010 © , please see our IT Manager and StarShip Commander Bob Stovall’s post on that subject. Hundreds have expressed interest, so statistically that means there are thousands of Industry Pros out there who are interested but just haven’t formally raised their hand, yet!

We will be talking with MMHF leaders regarding the ideal name for this event, and what makes the best sense for advancing a cause that many feel can ‘double business’ in 2010; and move our industry ahead for years to come. Stay tuned!

Part of the turn around of the industry will come from voices new to the national stage but naturally ‘turn-around’ efforts and plans will also include the work of seasoned veterans like the ones noted above. It should go without saying that it takes understanding to effect change. Paraphrasing one pro last week, ‘we have to stop looking for the silver bullet.’ It is in large part about getting financing and doing the basic correctly. Our writer Mike DuPure said months ago here on www.MHMSM.com that the great Industry turn-around will be effected this way:

“It is about back to the basics and back to the Future.”

To help get both the basics and to encourage the rise from the ashes of a brightly burning, brilliant future, we routinely provide great content in our online trade journal to help you make the most of the business that is already at hand.

Alphabetically:

Joe Adams – exclusive new series coming up in March. Adams says this will be his first of the kind ever for our industry! I’ve seen the initial installment, an eye opener, stay tuned!
Chad Carr – a guru in the world of prospect and lead management. We are pleased to have a gent of this caliber sharing his fine writing with you here.
Tim Connor – we love featuring this renowned author, trainer, coach and speaker; we routinely get great feedback on his articles and blogs!
Suzanne Felber – the LifeStylist, with great insights on trends and in design, décor, building around the client’s LifeStyle and more! I’m a personal fan of “Z” and if you read her, you will be too!
Doug Gorman – periodic contributor and one of the most volunteer minded leaders at the state and national level. Doug is super-involved, so we are glad to get his time when he can spare it. Please let him know that you appreciate and respect his efforts, and may many more women and men in our Industry follow his example of self giving for the good of all.
Tony Kovach – your editor, writer and blogger.
Greg McClanahan – exemplifies the meaning of the word, gentleman. Greg’s unique, accredited and memorable Around the Campfire soft skills development and training approach are found here exclusively, and with our thanks.
Bob Stovall – Bob’s skills are amazing, the IT and web wizard behind our rapid growth and success! If you want to know how to do more online, you’d better tune into Bob’s articles and blogs routinely.
John Underwood – exclusive new series, launched with the Industry Voices Guest Blog. John is already stirring up positive reviews among industry pros who are pleased to see him writing here on www.MHMSM.com!
Don Westphal – exclusive, new content that should get community owners and developers thinking! Watch for an exclusive A Cup of Coffee with…DON WESTPHAL interview in March.

We’ve brought you a number of professionals, like Dan Rinzema, Don Westphal and Suzanne S. Felber who will be presenting ideas at MHI’s April Congress and Expo that in some cases you’ve already seen previewed right here on our pages.

We are bringing you America’s Motivator Zig Ziglar.

We’ve brought you articles by attorney and author Nadeen Green.

You can go to the archives and read Association Leaders such as Thayer Long or Danny Ghorbani, Ross Kinzler, Amy Bliss and Jaime Hammons.

We’ve brought industry rank and file, owners, presidents, marketers and more; dozens of names old and new! We done this so that you and our thousands of other INdustry readers can dig more deeply into issues and consider the many possible ways to move ahead into the future were opportunity awaits.

In addition to the names previously mentioned, you’ve met here at www.MHMSM.com:

Faith Barr, Linda Beem, Jerry Bennett, Rachael Biermann, Beth Monicatti Blank, Douglas D. Chasick, Mike DuPure, Sherrie Franklin, Susan Frost, Ken Geljack, Scott Jones, Greg Katanick, Richard J. ‘Dick’ Klarchek, Steven Lefler, Michelle Nichols, Chris Olvera, Dennis Peters, Michael Sater, Tim Saville, Kent Stichter, Tim Siahatgar, Joe Summers. James J. Talerico, Jr., Heather Vela, Tom Zagorski and more!

Authors writing here for you with names literally From A to Z! If I’ve missed someone, my apologies, but we’ve had dozens of authors as you can see from so many different disciplines in our industry.

We invite other industry professionals, to join our growing ranks of fine writers. If you have ideas you want to share in writing or via a video with thousands of industry pros every week, please see the about us page on our main website. The stage is broad here and we love to share it with you. Because…

…this is the time and this is YOUR place to be heard!

This is a key place for Industry Voices to be seen and read.

From an exclusive interview which will be published in our next issue – which will appear in Mid-March – I’d like to preview a compelling quote from a respect leader:

“Each of us should start the day asking ourselves: “Is what I have done in the past working for me today??????????????? If the answer is “no”, then commit to change or step aside and pass the torch to a new generation.”

I think that is a compelling thought. Let’s ask ourselves that question every day, is what I have done in the past working for me today? If the answer is “no,” then commit to change. Change yourself, bring onboard or team up with skilled agents of change that can move you to where your business should be! Because…

Crisis spells opportunity for those who see it and act upon it.

Fire can kill, but in nature what fire often does is burn away what is already dead. Like the legendary Phoenix – that rises to new life from the ashes – there are movements and signs of a turn-around and a brighter future. That is a type of new birth, a resurrection, a Phoenix Rising.

From out of the fire and ashes, there are rising ideas and efforts that can transform our industry for years to come. We want YOU to be a part of it!

At the same time, let’s not kid ourselves. There is work to be done, quite a lot of it. If you drilled down what each of the professionals who writes for us, they might say something like this:

We need to follow best practices. We need to take care of our customers. We need to focus on the basics. We need to bring the best of the past and unite that with the best of the new to build a brighter future!

People are making money in our Industry – today, in this economy, with our current challenges – so still more can profit today in our business too.

Be Informed.

Study the issues. Study the plans, without prejudging them. We need to analyze and move with what works and what shows promise. With hundreds of thousands in our industry, there will never be 100% consensus on anything. So don’t wait for total unity! Rather, after some study: pick your favorite strategies, efforts and associations, and support them with your time, talent and treasure.

From out of the ashes of past and current challenges, there are efforts like those noted above that can lead us to new glory days ahead. We plan to be a part of them, and to give voice to them

Stay engaged, stay tuned, reading daily industry news updates, numerous weekly blog posts including our hot new INDUSTRY VOICES Guest Blog, our great featured writers and more. You can be a part of the conversation in many ways, see our about us pages for details or just post your comments on articles, email or call them in.

We want YOU to be a part of the Phoenix rising like a new dawn for our industry! Working together for that great goal, we can make it happen!

The name practically says it all.  Take the best of the past. Unite that with today’s technology and marketing.  Offer every segment of manufactured housing a well deserved boost towards a brighter future! Announcing the Virtual Louisville Housing Show ©!

The Virtual Louisville Housing Show © will be a new vehicle used to create a sustainable business model for wholesale and  retail manufactured housing sales.  Financial, insurance, suppliers, support and all other segments of manufactured housing are invited to ‘exhibit!’  All industry members are invited to attend – and unlike the past – today’s technology can literally make that possible. Modular and pre-fab home building are naturally welcome too for…“THE Factory Built Housing HOME Show!”

Associations, marketing firms and others with INdustry INtersts will be provided robust opportunities to participate.  Here comes YOUR Red Carpet treatment!

More information will be found in the new February 2010 issue of www.MHMarketingSalesManagement.com coming online later this week.  For now we will say:

• More customers for all segments of the INdustry, wholesale and retail
• Dramatically lower costs,
• Higher ROI,
• Regionalized INdustry image building,
• Exhibiting,
• Social,
• Educational, inspirational and other presentations,
• Fun
• Time savings
• Speaking opportunities
• and More!

The time for the INdustry Turnaround is NOW.

You are reading about it here first and exclusively.  The  Manufactured Housing INdustry’s road ahead for the 2010 Turn-around will include the Virtual Louisville Housing Show ©.

For more info on the Virtual Louisville Housing Show©, see the MHMSM Home Page

Stay tuned and be a part of this bright future!##

“…put your family’s financial future behind operating a retail location in today’s economic climate. You will find that fear will quickly become your constant companion if not a driving force.”

The above is a snippet posted anonymously in reply to an article in the January issue on finance. The point made above will no doubt resonate with many today. With a host of challenges that threaten retailers, suppliers, MHC operators, manufacturers and others in our industry and beyond, fear is indeed a ‘constant companion if not a driving force.’

In Susan Frost’s article, Is there financing for today’s manufactured homebuyer? which drew the posted reply above, she stated in part:

“Fear is a driving force. Fear can cripple action; and, action is the very first requirement to the success of any activity. If the secondary market fears loss… they pull back. If a borrower fears they will miss a better deal…they pull back. If we fear there are no solutions…we will pull back. Our greatest fear is fear itself. Now more than ever, it’s important that we try (like the eagle) to head into the storm and rise above the situation and take a comprehensive look at the real issues that we face in our every day practice. Only then can we begin to identify possible solutions for developing more business.“ (Note: highlighting and bold added above for emphasis).

It is self evident that lending in America has dramatically changed, especially in the last 24 months. It is also likely that as tough as lending is, that those still in business have found SOME level of lending to access; wholesale and retail. Obviously, Ms. Frost’ s mortgage firm is still operating because it is still placing mortgages.

Lending may come from self-finance, as many in the MHC business offer, it may come from some government backed program, or a well qualified client who can get conventional money or has cash, but to the degree that someone is still in business it means that some degree of solution has been found.

As Sue suggested, the essence of wise marketing and its companion sales effort is to ‘read’ the scenario one is in and then to devise marketing and sales approaches that address your unique set of circumstances. The obvious key is adapting to your conditions successfully. That is Path One. The parallel path, Path Two is to work to create more avenues of lending, either through elected officials, association efforts, researching and developing out-reaches for new sources of credit, etc. Work both paths! Path One keeps you going, Path Two leads to new solutions going forward.

In a sense, both Sue Frost and this anonymous writer’s posted reply agree on this: Fear is indeed a powerful motivator! Sue is correct in saying, it can paralyze or it can be harnessed to drive one ahead, to face the fear, to embrace the problems and pains and overcome it.

All of us have faced a fear at some point in our lives, some of us many, many times. Professionally speaking – we can run from our fears, or face them. In the 1980s it was popular to say, we must chose between ‘fight, flight or deal with it.’

People I personally know or do marketing for have each had to face the problems – the fears – of the financial/economic climate. As challenging as it may be to step back emotionally, to step back from one’s fear, and read the situation with new eyes – objectively – that’s precisely what must be done. IF you are too close to the issue, bring in a friend or trusted associate. Get another set of eyes looking at your issue. If your circumstances permit, bring in an outsider if you don’t have someone you know to ask. But by moving beyond fear to action, by marketing/selling your way using what you have now, by using the solution(s) and options that fits your scenario, you and your clients become the winner.

And take that anger, that frustration and direct it towards those who created this mess! Let your elected representatives in Washington know that you are tired of the excuses and the delays!

http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml

They passed billions in bailouts to get lending moving! You know the list of frustrations, take a few minutes and sound off to them! Make that part of Path Two.

Finally, look at what those who are successful – yes, successful – in this business climate in our industry. See what they are doing. As much as you can, mimic what works today by those making it, or see if there is some way ‘to go one better’ than what you are seeing the successful ones do.

Ms. Frost’s message was one of hope and encouragement. Editorially and professionally speaking that is what www.MHMSM.com is all about. Frost proposed some good options, while not claiming to be exhaustive on the subject. All of us want to see lending move back to ‘better’ times. Yet the realities of the day must be dealt with.

Lending and the fear factor. We can ‘fight, flight or deal with it.’ ##

====================> If you’ve not read these posts yet, please check out the following links <===================

http://www.mhmarketingsalesmanagement.com/blogs/tonykovach/positives-in-positives-out/

http://www.mhmarketingsalesmanagement.com/blogs/tonykovach/the-view-from-the-trenches/<====== A current marketing/retailing success interview story

http://www.mhmarketingsalesmanagement.com/blogs/tonykovach/optimist-vs-pessimist/

http://www.mhmarketingsalesmanagement.com/blogs/tonykovach/excuses/

In this time of reflection, as one year winds down and another is ready to dawn, the desire to recognize and honor the service of others bubbled forth within like a fresh spring. It is easy to begin with those whom we know: parents, teachers, role models in your business or profession. Beyond those note worthy’s are our nation’s service men and women – who have set aside months or years of their lives (or laid down their limbs and lives…) to protect the borders, patrol the skies and seas which make us as free a people as any on earth!

There are our law enforcement officials. Movies, books or news accounts may give us a glimpse into the lives and sacrifices that our military, police or fire fighters make to protect us…and far more important than their pay-checks and pensions are the sincere thanks due those who do their jobs well. We Salute you!

Turning next to our industry!

It is difficult to truly imagine all that a few noble souls do in Washington and in various state capital’s around our great land in their work of advocacy, lobbying, education and more that makes the day to day of our manufactured housing businesses more doable! You know who you are…and so, with deep thanks,

We Salute You!

Then there are those who volunteer to serve on boards and committees. One of many such individuals who comes to mind shares about a month out of the year of their time – involved both locally and nationally – to make this a better industry. How many more like that noble soul are there that makes what you and I do possible? What word of thanks are enough?

We Salute you!

Coming closer to home is you.

As a Manufactured Housing Industry professional, you’ve invested education, time, energy and money into yourself and your operation. You’ve survived the melt-downs. Some of you have even thrived during these challenging times. For those who have succeeded and for those still on the path…take heart! “Winter is followed by spring! It is always darkest before the dawn!” By doing a bit more, learning a bit more, reaching out more…day by day, your time is coming. You won’t allow the downturn to put you down and keep you down. You won’t let your education, time, energy and money to go for naught!

You do what it takes every day.

Then you get up, and do it again.

We Salute you!!

Let’s also be candid and clear. For many, the next 12-24 months is ‘do or die’ time. We don’t have another 10 years to turn this industry around. Many independent HUD Code factories would have already closed if not for Canadian orders and all sorts of gymnastics. Sure, some HUD Code and modular builders will make it for years…but we dare not lose all those independents who in some cases have fought the good fight by building good homes for less…for a generation, two or three!

As I talk with and read messages from industry pros and various leaders from across this land, it is obvious that for many (for all…?) it is a time of crisis and decision. It is do or die. When someone faces economic death, it is not lightly that one lifts up a lamp and says, “Don’t give up! Make the needed adjustments! Fight the good fight! Keep on going!”

Quitters never win, and winners never quit. We may fall – or get dragged down – but the next move is always the same. Get up! Be smarter and more engaged than you’ve ever been! If what you are doing is working great, keep it up. But if what you are doing isn’t getting the job done, bring in the talent and line up the resources that will get it done for you.

I don’t want to re-write here what was said elsewhere in articles or posts like

Short and Sweet – Just how easy the Industry Turn-Around Could Be: http://www.mhmarketingsalesmanagement.com/featured-articles/189-short-and-sweet-just-how-easy-the-industry-turn-around-could-be

Optimist vs. Pessimist:
http://www.mhmarketingsalesmanagement.com/blogs/tonykovach/optimist-vs-pessimist/

TWO WORDs
http://www.mhmarketingsalesmanagement.com/featured-articles/192-two-words-the-case-for-why-the-hud-code-home-industry-can-survive-and-prosper

Synergy and the 7 Habits of Highly Successful People: http://www.mhmarketingsalesmanagement.com/featured-articles/191-synergy-and-the-7-habits-of-highly-successful-people

Be Open to Change:
http://www.mhmarketingsalesmanagement.com/blogs/tonykovach/be-open-to-change

and
Excuses:
http://www.mhmarketingsalesmanagement.com/blogs/tonykovach/excuses/

But suffice it to say, that those who DO adjust, who DO turn the corner are looking at the brightest possible future, because the economics and demographics of the country are very good for our Industry!

Let me also salute the many volunteers who write for us. Some do so with no interest in being hired or to get a fee for consulting. Others naturally want to let you know that they are open for business and offer the tools and experience needed to make your business sing in specialized areas! Please thank them, with your reading, with your messages and posts, by sharing their articles and when appropriate by calling on them for their services.

Now let me close on the note that we all hope for…the positive one.

We have a number of initiatives being prepared and lined up for 2010 here at www.MHMarketingSalesManagement.com Each of these in their own way we hope will contribute towards increased sales for retailers, suppliers, community operators, developers, more housing production for builders, shipments and service work for consultants and other industry professionals. We want to see more homes built, transported and set, more loans closed, more policies written, more services done – just as much as you do.

When the year 2010 winds down 12 months from now, if we are looking at increased new home shipments for the industry, no one person or organization will be able to claim to be the white knight. It will be a group effort! Good men and women like yourself will do the doing at your place, just as we will do the doing in ours or for those whom we do work for in this industry.

What we hope at www.MHMSM.com  to provide in part is a unique online platform of innovation, information and inspiration for industry professionals. One of the things that makes this Factory-Built Housing Trade Journal special is that each of us are in the trenches. We aren’t spouting some theory…

…we get our checks the old fashioned way. We earn it. Through marketing, sales and management! Through taking risks, facing the challenges, shrugging off the naysayers and enjoying the thrill of seeing the efforts pay off.

We want to thank all of you who pass along our articles, web address, blog posts and more to others – a big reason we have moved ahead so rapidly is due to readers like you.  We Salute You!

We thank you too for your calls, posted and emailed comments.   We appreciate your feedback, and encourage it.  For those who tell us about similar ideas floating around out there, I think it is grand!  First, it is a big planet, and we are bound to have some similar ideas.  Some may seek to imitate – that’s okay – it is the most sincere form of praise.

Some will keep on doing what they’ve always done – that’s okay – it is their life, and they have to live it.

Some will climb aboard…you are welcome!  Bring an associate, or bring your entire list of industry connections!

But make no mistake. The long-hoped for turn-around won’t be the work of one or two, or even a few. It will be the work of many, many thousands – like you! – who make this industry the best value in new homes out there!

“No man is an island.” John Wayne and other hero or heroine movies can be great, but the reality is that each of us needs others. The higher the horse, the further the fall off of it. If you don’t want to fall, team up with the right people and resources, let others help you get your balance, put you on the path and do what it takes.

So when a year from now, we all look back and measure what has been accomplished in 2010, we can say…we did it! We each played a role, we each did our part.

It is do or die.

We will either act out of fear, ego or firm faith in our future!

Which will it be for you?
Here comes the year 2010…We Salute You!

###