It is my hope this upcoming weekend to carve out enough time to do justice to Bob Thieman and all who made Lobby Day at the IMHA annual meeting such a fine function. It is also my intent to share some aspects of the Chairman’s Reception at the IMHA last night – or at least those parts of it that event which can be publicly shared…
…for example, I could tell you that I must vow to never, ever again to be without my ‘good camera’ close at hand. There were too many Kodak moments (okay, my current preferred camera of choice is a Sony) where words alone will not do justice, and where my cell phone’s camera won’t produce the quality or clarity that was needed!
For example, it was quite impressive to see a room full of adults be dazzled as George Allen performed feats of legerdemain before our very eyes, to the delight and applause of all concerned. To have all in a room crowded around his table watching and waiting, was insightful as well as just good, clean fun. “Amazingly Allen” came to my mind, but I would then have to name a host of other names…Ken, Donna, Jodi, Chuck, Kevin, Randy, Mike and the list would go on and on so I better wait until I do the full report for you in the near term.
It would be tempting to say that more important than successfully executed magic tricks are discussions that are focused on the future of our Industry. But we do need a bit of “magic,” so mentioning those who successfully perform magic is important.
Those other discussions took place at Lobby Day and at the Chairman’s Reception. But they also took place at the Crown Plaza bar, where Mr. George Allen and the Rishels – Ken and Donna – very graciously shared not only their time, but generously their insights and ideas with me on how the Industry can be moved ahead, and how we could collaborate in that noble endeavor. That discussion had for me a magical quality that went beyond a trick to a truly attainable treat for all.
“Heady” would be one of the one word summary’s that would come to mind as a descriptor for that 2 hour 30 minute discussion with George, Ken and Donna. I will review my notes from the meeting and borrow a paraphrased line from a big city newspaper and say, I will soon share with our readers all the news that is fit to print, which at the same time doesn’t violate a confidence.
During the course of the afternoon and evening, I also acquired signed copies of George’s latest books, and so much more. Part of the “so much more” was the fact that the books were personally autographed, and the inscription certainly meant a lot to me. The take-aways for me intellectually, professionally and personally were numerous.
One of my new treasures was an update of a book from GFA that I’ve already read many times, because it is packed with insights that are in a word “invaluable.” But GFA’s The Chapbook of Business and Management Wisdom is only invaluable to those willing to read, study and then put them to good use! Allen and company’s new Manufactured Housing Primer is ‘fresh off the press’ – and I plan to share some insights and excerpts from that with you in the weeks ahead.
The industry’s future lies in many places and in literally thousands of hands. Among those hands are great leaders who were gracious in sharing time with me yesterday. Among those hands are yours as well. No matter how insightful one or two quiet or public meetings may be – as these for me where note worthy and significant indeed – it isn’t there alone that ‘big doings’ takes place…
…The key events also take place every day at the front lines of factories, retailers, communities, developers, suppliers, lenders who make the world go round, consultants, associations and others at all levels of the Industry. They take place where you and your associates walk in and ‘punch the clock’ daily.
Reading, listening, learning, growing and implementing.
“Today a reader – tomorrow a leader” as W. Fusselman once said.
Each one of us needs the other. Each one of us brings something unique to the great table that is our Industry! Each one needs to share what we have in the way of skills and experiences, but each of us needs at times to do what I needed to do so much yesterday…listen. Ask questions. Take notes. Say “thank you,” please, extend a hand – a gesture so simple and yet so full of meaning.
One of the famous “Seven Habits of Highly Successful People” is understanding. Understanding requires listening, questions to deepen understanding and then sharing of perspectives to move one towards a future full of promise and hope.
Why am I so confident in the future of our Industry?
The reasons are too many for this one blog post. But what I can say is this, I’m confident because of the types of people I’m referring to above. It is people who make up an Industry. It is people who face challenges head on, and take difficult circumstances and make them into something manageable and later into something that becomes highly beneficial. Turn arounds can begin in the blink of an eye, with that ‘aha!’ moment. But they then need to be put into motion and that my friends is a process.
The process is underway. Together, we can do it. Together let us share and care, let’s dare while others gape and stare.##
