Most adults know the metaphor, "Don't throw the baby out with the bath water." We will look at applications of that and the following in a few moments. Decades before the remake, the original movie "Cheaper by the Dozen" had a delightful message of efficiency and staying the course, even in the face of losses, such as the ultimate loss of death.

CFED's Andrea Levere recently had a guest column in the New York Times. Rather than go point by point, let's just link it below and say we agree on much, but disagree on some. Those points of disagreement ought to be addressed as much as possible off the radar.

CFED and other non-profits are more allies than "enemies" (as a pair of other MH publishers referred to them a few weeks ago). Let's not throw the baby out with the bath water.

The non-profits need us and we need them. Here's the link to Andrea's NYT guest column:

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/05/03/going-mobile/

Welcome Home

The Ohio Manufactured Home Association is about to undertake what could be a highly significant public show. Others have tried in recent years, with various levels of positive outcomes. New York's rapidly approaching 2^nd Factory Built House on the Hill is another laudable effort that merits applause and support.

Be it placing a home(s) at a state fair or other public events (Maine, Oklahoma, PA others come to mind) such exposure are a valuable component of our industry's recovery.

We wish all such efforts – including online ones – all the best. We as an industry need them. Let me note that capturing these events digitally (photos, videos, interviews, etc.) makes tremendous sense, because they can live on for months or years beyond the event, for a cost not much greater than the investment for the original live event and promo.

A lifelong MH Resident Gains Visibility

A series of communications (phone, email, etc.) took place recently with a lifelong MH resident who created two interesting web-based platforms.

The lady in question asked for my help in making introductions with factory home builders. She wants to interview them.

She frankly admits she is no journalist, but she works hard at what she does. She sees herself as a consumer first, but has some sympathy/appreciation for the MHIndustry. She also told me candidly she has reservations about the Industry, besides admiration.

There needs to be a process of engagement followed with such individuals – who akin to those non-profits – are potentially more ally than opponent. We should embrace such individuals, not fear them.

In FL, NY, OH and elsewhere, associations are sitting down with home owners and working with them as much as possible.  High fives to those who do so!

In managing from 7 to 17 MHCs, from my first-hand experience, getting residents re-motivated about their lifestyle works for those homeowners and for the communities involved too. Positive, uplifting changes made were profitable for the businesses, and it was good for the home owners. FYI, we've done similarly at the MH street retail level too.

The principle of "prove one" applies. Once something has been done or 'proven' something – even once successfully – then you, me and others know that we can do it too.

Thomas Edison's first light bulb was followed by billions that have been produced since.

Jim Clayton in his video interview with us speaks of processes or systems that advance a plane on course, a doctor in practice or a business/professional. Let's learn from the legends and those who have been successful.

So while there are Ishbel Dicken's types that think of MH businesses as 'the enemy' who might never come around, there are many more who are strong potential allies.

We need to craft win-win outcomes that enhance the prestige and quality-of-life residents get, and that in turn will earn us a better image, more referrals and more profits.

Zig Ziglar was right (see below).

Hiding a Great Story

Chris Fisher – the Thursday keynote speaker at MHI's fine Congress and Expo – outlined all of the economic and demographic reasons why Manufactured Housing is poised for a potentially robust future.

It was music to my ears, because others we've showcased (or even my own musings) over the years have brought up the same or similar thoughts.

Among Mr. Fisher's points, MH needs to pull together to capitalize on the Opportunities we have. Please see the link above. We also plan to bring you a video interview and report with Chris in our June issue.

I can't tell you how often people in and outside of our industry state the obvious. We have a great story to tell, a great product, an amazing service. They say, why are we as an industry or as a group of companies and associations not pulling together better to share our terrific stories?

We've not just talked about it, we started that effort almost a year ago at MHLivingNews.com – which is advancing nicely.

But let's be clear. More could be done.  To the degree that more pull together in a common cause that pools resources, it will boosts outcomes for everyone in the mix!

Raising the Bar

During Congress and Expo, about a dozen professionals connected to this or that operation – some of them large players in their segment of MH – not only thanked us for our work, but also said, they'd like to support our professional image and educational efforts in tangible, win-win ways.

Sure, that's good for us at MHProNews, but let's focus on the value that would bring to the associations and companies that make up our great industry. Because

"You can get everything out of life you want, when you help 

enough other people get out of life what they want." – Zig Ziglar

Interestingly, among those who wanted to discuss and explore what those relationships between their operation and ours might look like (via advertising, sponsorships, content, synergies, etc., etc.), two specifically used the terminology "you (MHProNews) are raising the bar in Manufactured Housing trade publishing."

We know there are areas for improvement, and say so.  But these pros all felt that what we are doing already is important for the future of manufactured housing.

One such pro, talking in front of ten (or more) peers circled up in discussion said (paraphrasing) 'Tony,

you beat the crap out of a few people who need it. No one is doing it
better than you at tackling the issues that will advance our industry.'

FYI, we don't enjoy the digital analysis (a.k.a. “beat the crap”) of a few naysayers, do it only when we think its the only way and all other off-the-radar options were exhausted.

And more to the point, what we do now is far from a solo effort!  This is already a collaboration between the current sponsors and contributors to our efforts. Our vision from the start was to share and broaden a digital stage that showcases all here positively. 

There are a variety of ways that forward-looking associations, businesses, professionals and trade publishers can synergize to advance the cause of all involved, and through them, the industry at large.

What is certain is that we are better off together than apart!

Like a flight of geese, we will travel farther and faster together – with less energy expended – than by traveling apart.

That's a lesson that geese give every year as they fly overhead. Geese fly farther, faster and easier together than by flying apart. The lead bird swaps out from time to time, everyone gets some rest, everyone benefits.

It doesn't take everyone, just enough others!

• Some hate this or that association(s), for their own reasons.
• Some hate this or that publisher (sure, some include us), for this or that reason.
• Some hate this or that non-profit, or for-profit enterprise, for this or that reason.

We need to learn how to set aside the little things in favor of the bigger ones. We won't stress about those who fail to get it, rather, we will focus on those who understand and want to be a bigger part of the industry's robust future.

Save the Baby

Let's not throw the baby out with the bath water.  We are better together.

Every tool, every resource we need is available, right now, today.

But the flight path ahead is improved when more of us fly in formation. Some geese go solo, they tend to fall behind and some even die that way.

To again paraphrase ROC's fine tag line, We are Better Together.  It is less costly to invest part of your marketing or education/training dollars for a joint 'lift' effort than it is to do it all alone. Successful industry trade shows such as the Louisville Show – while different – also vividly proves that such thinking is practical and true.

It is more efficient – cheaper by the dozen – building homes in a factory, or marketing/educating and improving our image jointly than one-at-a-time.

The better our image,

• the stronger our political clout,
• the more sales we'll collectively make and
• the more community sites we will collectively fill.
• Everyone in the mix wins.

We have our thoughts and plans on how this "teaming up" for advancement could work, but welcome your inputs and ideas, on or off the record.

What is certain, is that we and our advertisers/sponsors/contributors will continue to do what we can to raise the bar.

We will continue to spotlight issues that harm MH, while focusing on opportunities and successes that can advance forward thinkers willing to be more profitable doers.

Let's discuss this more, perhaps as soon as this weekend's Masthead  blog post.

We have been and will continue to be Agents for profitable, upLIFTing change. Join us. Ask your peers, team mates and associates to join us too.

The more of us who are working together, will create manufactured housing's metaphoric magic. ##

L. A. 'Tony' Kovach ManufacturedHomeLivingNews.com | MHProNews.com | Business and Public Marketing & Ads: B2B | B2C Websites, Contract Marketing & Sales Training, Consulting, Speaking: MHC-MD.com | LATonyKovach.com | Office 863-213-4090 Connect on LinkedIN: http://www.linkedin.com/in/latonykovach