Hot July nights and even hotter days have yielded to August and the frenzy of back to school and so much more. Manufactured housing is still on a general two year uptick in new home shipments. As you will see in some of our August Featured Articles, while there are still plenty of challenges to navigate, we also have business building opportunities and good news too.
I'd like to pause and thank Tim Connor, CSP, who has certainly been our most stalwart and dependable featured author. Tim's articles on management, sales and inspirational reflections have made him one of our must read writers. Perhaps that is why some 200 times, factory home building pros have turned to him for coaching, speaking, training and other services.
I'd be remiss if I didn't thank Chrissy Jackson, who has shared dozens of articles on the community side of the manufactured home industry. Chrissy has graced us with a number of fine articles. I used to read her in the Merchandiser, now you can read her here on MHProNews.com!
Nadeen Green, JD has been writing articles on Fair Housing and legal issues for about 2 years, and the topic she picked this month – inspired by the Travon Martin/George Zimmerman case – is as thoughtful as some of her prior ones are witty and insightful.
Attorney Kurt Kelly (JD) has also been sharing insights with our readers for going on 2 years. His latest one this month on Cyber Liability is an eye opener!
Finance writer Dave Shanklin's “Cold War” is another insightful read for this increasingly popular loan broker in our industry.
We have not one, but TWO of our exclusive and wildly popular A Cup of Coffee with interviews this month! A Cup of Coffee with…Phyllis Knight with Champion Enterprises. We asked Phyllis about topics like – the so-called “glass ceiling” in our industry – and much more. Then, we are joined by another industry veteran, with our A Cup of Coffee with…Nancy Geer, with New York Housing.
Most of what you will read in Can Captive Finance be done Successfully in today's Environment? has been penned by Industry pros like Dick Ernst, Barry Noffsinger, Howard Banker, Bob Crawford, Ken Rishel and Steven Rabago, among others! So don't let my 'by line' fool you, this report is packed with the insights of pros that you know, should know or will come to know by reading their insights on a topic that impacts literally thousands of manufactured home communities – and many retail operations – from coast to coast. You may find headaches, heartaches but also surprising SOLUTIONS in this must-read for our industry.
The Open Window will give you an update on the new Image Campaign, so please be sure to check it out.
With no further ado, let's dive into the FULL line up from Amazing August's many gotta have it reads here on MHProNews.com. Thanks as always for being a regular reader, because readers are – or will become! – leaders. And please thank our sponsors too.
Featured Articles and Reports for Vol. 4, No. 11, 2013
Alphabetically by Category
COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT & FAIR HOUSING (LEGAL)
• Trayvon Martin/George Zimmerman: Kelsey, the Princess and Manufactured Housing
by Nadeen Green, JD
In light of all of the recent – and continuing – dialogue related to the Trayvon Martin/George Zimmerman matter, I thought I would update and post some thoughts first penned more than 4 years ago that may apply…
• Americans With Disabilities Act: Does Your Mobile Home Community Have to Comply?
by John H. Pentecost & Christopher R. Elliott
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On July 26, 1990, President Bush signed into law the Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA"). The Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (the “1991 Regulations") were developed shortly….
• Promoting Your Community: “Word of Mouth is the Best advertising you can get . . .” (WOW!)
by Chrissy Jackson
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Resident Referrals . . .Most communities with vacancies have some sort of resident referral program in place. The value given to the resident varies, but almost always it is for a home coming into the community,…
by Scott Mastley
You don’t want to look over the rim of your coffee cup on a Monday morning and hear a Department of Labor auditor say, “I’m here to perform a wage and hour compliance audit.”
FINANCING
• Manufactured Housing and Captive Finance: Can it be done successfully in Today's Environment? Part II
by L. A. “Tony” Kovach
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On July 26, we posted an article on the Masthead blog about the topic: Manufactured Housing and Captive Finance: Can it be done successfully in Today's Environment? That post brought numerous comments and sparked conversations from professionals across the spectrum.
• The Cold War Against Short Sale Loan Scenarios Has Been Thawing
by Dave Shanklin
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In recent articles I have written about our industry's lenders' staunch disapproval of applications from borrowers with any record of mortgage delinquency, short sale, or foreclosure.
GENERAL MANUFACTURED HOUSING INDUSTRY TOPICS
• A Cup of Coffee with…Nancy Geer
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1)Who, What and Where: (Your name and your formal title at New York Housing).
Nancy Geer, Executive Director at New York Housing Association 19 years, on staff 25 years.
• Business Cyber Liability Growing Fast
by Kurt Kelly, JD
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In the past, most lawsuits against small business revolved around bodily injury or tangible property damage. Product liability, slip and fall claims, injured employees and damaged property accounted for most losses.
• A Cup of Coffee with…Phyllis Knight
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1) Who, What and Where: (Your name and your formal title at Champion Commercial Structures).
Phyllis Knight President, Champion Commercial Structures EVP, Champion Home Builders, Inc.
MANAGEMENT
• What employees want vs. what you think they want.
by Tim Connor
Over the years, I have observed any number of approaches to getting employees to work more effectively, smarter and harder. You would be amazed at how naïve many managers are today when it comes to understanding human nature, motivation and the emotional needs and drives of their employees.
• Are You Accountable?
by Scott Stroud
Duh. Dumb question. You’re accountable to everyone – your customers, your homeowners or residents, your boss (or employees), your spouse…
That’s the thing about us A-Personalities – we take on everything we need to handle to keep things moving ahead. In the end, the buck stops with us.
MARKETING
• The Open Window
by L. A. 'Tony' Kovach
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Have you heard this saying? “When God closes a door, He often opens a window.” This is an article on marketing – and never quitting – so without getting too theological or spiritual, let me share a real life, 'never quit' example of The Open Window.
PERSONAL REFLECTIONS, MOTIVATION and INSPIRATION
• ZigOn Overcoming Fear
by Zig Ziglar
Fear has been correctly identified with the acrostic False Evidence Appearing Real. The truth is that if we think something is to be feared, that perception becomes the cruelest form of reality.
SALES
• How do you measure your value?
by Tim Connor, CSP
Customers today want results not effort, solutions not idle chit chat, value and not promises. Retail or wholesale, pay attention to your factory built home customers, and you'll see just what this article is focused on.
