When you’re in a business, you better know as much about what influences your profession as you can.
That’s a view that billionaires Warren Buffett and Donald J. Trump had in common, 3 years ago. No doubt, both see it similarly today too.
Knowing how to maneuver in an often complex regulatory world can mean the difference between being successful or failing in business. We’ve all known people who were good at their profession. But for whatever reason, they failed in business.
Why? The reasons can be many, let’s consider one thought for only a paragraph.
Bernie Sanders and Donald J. Trump both spoke in 2016 about a “rigged system.” But they each approached the matter quite differently. Then Democratic National Committee (DNC) chairwoman, Donna Brazile publicly said and wrote that she found evidence that the campaign between then Secretary Hillary Clinton, and Senator Bernie Sanders for the Democratic nominee for president in 2016 was rigged against Sanders. Sanders campaigned for Clinton anyway. We won’t go into the why of that today, but merely note the facts and assertions.
The Need to Know
The first point is that information and understanding are crucial for businesses or professionals. “If MHProNews is writing about it, I want to know about it,” said an executive in a message to MHProNews earlier this year. A community owner wrote us in an email, “I think I see what you’re [MHProNews] trying to do. I want to help in any way that I can.”
What we do on MHProNews isn’t always easy. It isn’t all fun or free. If there is broad agreement that ‘the system is rigged,’ and that reliable information is important or vital, those factoids helps explain why MHProNews, after a dip, skyrocketed over the last year in readership.
We followed the facts, follow the evidence, and are asking the questions others in MHVille have often overlooked, downplayed or ignored.
There will be new stories and reports next week, before and after the midterms, that will reflect the research, fact-checks, and evidence that we’ve uncovered on issues that impact your bottom line. Issues on hot-button themes like finance, capital, placement [zoning/regulations], becoming more profitable, and more.
Stating the Obvious Can Bring Clarity
Systems get rigged to benefit those who rig it. That rigging isn’t necessarily done in the dark. Some rig things quite openly. But most people don’t have the time or manpower to hunt the facts down.
MHProNews helps level-the-playing field between those, such as Clayton or 21st, who have ‘spies’ and other sources of information, that small-to-mid-sized operations may lack.
Clayton Homes and 21st Mortgage’s Manufactured Housing “Spies”
Let’s be clear. Politically, gender, race, religion – or by any other metric – our audience spans the gamut, and yet the readership stays engaged here.
Not everyone likes every article. Our sponsors don’t have to like every article.
That used to be the mark of mainstream media reporting, that some news stories made people cringe, based upon evidence. What happened?
When there is wide agreement within and outside of MHVille that news gets weaponized, then fact-checks, evidence, probing questions, and common sense become all the more valuable.
Our sources inside large companies tell us that our readers are like a who’s who in MHVille. But then there are small to mid-sized businesses that are thirsting as much for insight as the larger firms do. That’s why thousands check in here each and every day, in an industry that MHI (we think, mistakenly) says has some 40,000 total full time equivalent (FTEs) in it.
Our manufactured housing professional market penetration is stunning.
That level of engagement is unparalleled in manufactured housing history. Why?
Two Broad Ways
There are broadly speaking two kinds of clients that MHProNews, MHLivingNews and our business development services units each serve. Open clients and ‘stealth’ clients. Here’s what a recent client, whose company is a MHI member, had to say. The word heard is that their two events had strong sales.
In the last days of October, there were 2 new inquiries for client services from Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) members. Needless to say, we as publishers and service providers, like any business, we want more sponsors and clients. As has been noted before, but it bears repeating, our former MHI clients told us in various ways, and in their own words, that they found value with us. But that they also said that they purportedly felt pressured. Heck, Tim Williams and the late Howard Walker are among the thousands that have praised our work too.
Some past clients who were MHI members may or may not come back. That’s life.
That said, we have taken a very specific stance with these potential newcomers from MHI or anyone else. Let’s lay it out, publicly. We’ve edited out the name of the firm, and the president of said firm from the extended quote below. It will save time, and clarify this part of the column.
— start quote, addressed to MHI member, Asking For Services —
— end quote, highlighting was in the original, only names edited out as shown —
MHProNews is poised in several ways to change the dynamics of the industry for good. The late Howard Walker was right. Transparency matters. Getting good, bad or ‘meh’ news out matters. Prudent publicly traded firms do so. Others should see that value too.
While our understanding as publishers of why the manufactured housing industry has been limited in its comeback has evolved somewhat over the years, our mission and passion to serve this great industry has never changed. Both the past, and the current needs point to these realities. Many more new home sales are possible. There must be good reasons why they aren’t taking place. That means, can do minds open to the truth can find the way.
When you look at what was done before, it is an indicator of what can be done again. Or even more. Our belief in the industry and its ability to grow to a size that is several times larger than it is today. We cite as evidence experts like Lawrence Yun.
We’ve worked with manufactured housing industry clients that covered an array of the industry’s sectors in markets from border-to-border, and coast-to-coast. A number of those firms witnessed significant and profitable growth. A look at LinkedIn or other letters and video statements have praised our work. But there are more that have kept their names and data proprietary, unless we mutually agree otherwise. Those are ‘stealth’ clients.
Our philosophy is simple. We’re pro-free enterprise. We are pro-constitutionally limited government. We believe that customers – retail or wholesale – deserve to be well served by all companies, media, and their government too. We think money can be earned honestly and with pride in our great industry.
An Executive Said…
A state association executive emailed us to say that the number of independent retailers in a state he named has plummeted since 2011. That of course lines up with Smoking Gun 3. It may be stupid to admit this, or simply honest – transparent. An MHI company leader apologized to us for not advertising with us. That high-level person then explained what he and our publisher both knew to be true. No worries.
That said, there are several ways to support our work, and for your company to benefit in the process. Carefully review the options linked here.
It speaks volumes that this may be necessary in 2018 America. But it is what it is. We don’t whine over spilt milk, we do something about it.
It would be a mistake to think that this kind of system rigging only happens in manufactured housing. There are mainstream media personalities who have their advertisers attacked too. In the automotive industry, the movie Tucker exemplifies the same principles that took place then, that are occurring in recent years in MHVille too.
As another sponsor told us, “you should consider it a badge of courage and a point of pride that you have certain forces lined up against you.” It was a sincere compliment, which we value.
Freedom isn’t free. It never has been, and it never will be.
But think about yourself and your operation. Is it smart to be the last one eaten alive by a giant? Far wiser to recognize the trends, see what’s coming, and take prudent action today, against a rigged system, while it can still be stopped.
The midterms will likely be resolved by Wednesday morning, perhaps even late Tuesday night. Whatever happens, MHProNews has plans to continue to address the industry’s potential and the roadblocks to that potential.
- Covering real issues in an authentic way brings readers from the largest operations to the smallest companies in our industry.
- We have federal officials who inform us that they logon routinely. Media and other researchers come here. Investors come and call.
- Glossy magazines with weaponized ‘news’ may look pretty. They may get read by some, but the masses have already spoken, we have several photos just like the ones at the left from several events in 2018.
The fact that MHI and their purported string-pullers feels the need to ‘go after us,’ the new national community association (see one of the stories, linked further below), and MHARR speaks volumes, doesn’t it? They fact that they and their allied media hide information from most of their own members speaks volumes too, right? See those related reports, among the stories from the weak that was.
It Can Be Better
There are only a few things that MHI does that benefit most members, and they can easily be done by others better. See Saturday’s report, linked further below. We’ll examine all of that and more, after the midterm results are known.
If you and/or some of your colleagues haven’t already cast your ballot, think of your vote this way. The Democratic billionaires, per even British newspapers, are trying to buy this election. The Guardian covered that story about 2 weeks after we did a similar report to MHVille.
We have Democratic friends, colleagues and family, as well as Libertarians, Republicans or those who hate all politics and parties. But Bernie Sanders found out, the system is rigged. As political independents, we believe that neither major party, nor any candidate is perfect. We therefor have to chose among the imperfect, just as you or we are imperfect.
- Who among the two major parties is delivering results for small to midsized businesses and their workers?
- Who is bringing more capital into America?
- Who is trying to secure a border that costs America over $100 billion a year, per federal data?
- Who is trying to restore American manufacturing, and other industries that the prior administration or Hillary Clinton said would never come back?
Freedom isn’t free. Reality checks matter. Being in business or investing is a risk.
Reduce your risk. Increase your freedom. Act and vote wisely. Support those who support you.
Many a giant that rigged America’s system in the past was eventually neutralized. 2016 continued that revolutionary tradition. Political and economic challenges against a rigged system are rarely easy, but they are periodically necessary.
For folks in Omaha, Knoxville, Arlington or elsewhere, please take note. If it wasn’t already clear, let’s make it like crystal. We plan to win. Honestly and ethically win. Others who don’t want to be the last one betrayed or eaten at a big discount will come with us.
David slew Goliath with a well placed rock.
With no further adieu, let’s look at the headlines from the big week that was.
What’s New on MHLivingNews
Compelling Information for Renters and Manufactured Home Owners – manufacturedhomelivingnews.com
In all 50 states, it is difficult for renters to afford rental housing, based upon a wage of $15 an hour. According to the National Association of Realtors, the typical renter could own a manufactured home for less than the cost of their rent.
What’s New from MHARR
MHARR Communication with HUD Assistant Secretary Brian Montgomery Regarding Program Monitoring Contract | Manufactured Housing Association Regulatory Reform
October 26, 2018 VIA FEDERAL EXPRESS Hon. Brian Montgomery Assistant Secretary U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Suite 9100 451 7 thStreet, S.W. Washington, D.C.
The Daily Business News on MHProNews
Saturday 11.3.2018
· Next Federal Contract, MHARR and What National Trade Association Leadership Looks Like
Next Federal Contract, MHARR and What National Trade Association Leadership Looks Like
Friday 11.2.2018
· October Jobs “Astonishing” Report, Mark Levin on Midterms, and MH Market Updates.
· Manufactured Home Businesses, Employees, and Single Payer Health Care – Facts for the Midterms
Manufactured Home Businesses, Employees, and Single Payer Health Care – Facts for the Midterms
· Tara Reardon, ROC’s-On Sharing Manufactured Home Solution with Thousands
Tara Reardon, ROC’s-On Sharing Manufactured Home Solution with Thousands
Thursday 11.2.2018
· Due Credit, Warren Buffett, Media, and Manufactured Housing’s Historic Achievement
Due Credit, Warren Buffett, Media, and Manufactured Housing’s Historic Achievement
· “Girls of Steel,” 3 Untold Stories of Job Creation, Growing Opportunities for MHVille
“Girls of Steel,” 3 Untold Stories of Job Creation, Growing Opportunities for MHVille
Wednesday 11.1.2018
· Top Industry in 50 U.S. States At-A-Glance, Infographic and Chart
· Manufactured Housing’s Halloween Lighter Side, Cartoons and Video Tip
Manufactured Housing’s Halloween Lighter Side, Cartoons and Video Tip
Tuesday 10.31.2018
· Lies in Disguise? Robots in the Workplace, Plus Manufactured Housing Industry Stock Updates
· Mayor Sounds Off on UMH Properties – Data, Documents, & More
Mayor Sounds Off on UMH Properties – Data, Documents, & More
· Bipartisan Call for FEMA to Intervene, Now
· Markets, Money, Medicinal, Madness, and Manufactured Housing
Markets, Money, Medicinal, Madness, and Manufactured Housing
Monday 10.30.2018
· U.S. May Increase Tariffs on China, Stocks Drop, Plus MH Market Updates
· Short, Medium, Long Term Strategies – Step One – Manufactured Housing Marketing Sales Monday Meeting
Short, Medium, Long Term Strategies – Step One – Manufactured Housing Marketing Sales Monday Meeting
Sunday 10.29.2018
We take our publishing, consulting, marketing and other roles seriously. We work to win for our clients, and for the industry at large.
When people trust you with their time, that means we are responsible for trying to get it right. We strive to make sure that we focus on the issues that others can’t, don’t or won’t mention.
Among the nicer comments from competitors is the one that said that we cover the stories that others talk about in bars and restaurants. There are nice people in our industry’s trade media. But we cover the reports that others who may be bought and paid for won’t touch.
There are still some professionals that tell us they’d rather not see anything political here on MHProNews. We understand and respect that view. But we disagree, and here’s why. Warren Buffett and his buddies are highly political. They debatably use politics to help get what they want for their businesses. Furthermore, placement issues are all about local or state politics.
Ignore political considerations at your own peril.
The manufactured housing industry is marching towards the midterms, now just over 2 days away. No one in manufactured housing even comes close to the kind of breadth of coverage for the issues that impact your business. Maybe that’s why we’re number 1 by a country mile.
Our sincere thanks to readers like you, our business development clients and sponsors for making it so.
Together with honest people of good will, we can make our industry and our nation achieve its great potential. “We Provide, You Decide.” © ## (Sunday Morning, weekly headline news review, analysis, and commentary.)
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Related Reports:
The Coming Breakup of Berkshire? MHI? Plus Sunday Headline Recap 10-14-2018 to 10-21-2018
