Matthew Silver in our Daily Business News department reported on what ought to be one of the many reasons manufactured housing professionals ought to be jeering and cheering at the same time.
If you didn't read the article:
http://www.MHProNews.com/blogs/daily-business-news/affordable-housing-in-short-supply/
please do so before continuing. Because the 'read between the lines' message is that we in MH have opportunities aplenty.
The reason for cheering is obvious, we have what the nation needs. The jeering? We need to do more to tap those opportunities. We individually and collectively need to be smart enough to tap them! We are either part of the problem or part of the solution.
We also need to stop feeding or encouraging those who would accidentally or purposefully derail positive efforts to advance the Industry – and thus YOUR – opportunities, be they professional or corporate.
Sticks and Stones
I would not completely agree with the kids adage, "sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me." Fair Housing laws exist and many a trial lawyer earns their keep precisely because of the impact of wrongful name calling.
That said, it seems that my recent column on Leadership, linked below:
The Masthead
The manufactured housing industry has seen a significant level of change at the national level. There are new faces at the state association level too. So a general look at the topic of leadership makes sense. Leaders come in all personality types and styles.
must have struck a pair of nerves.
One "leader" who objected to that column sent an unveiled threatening, demanding letter to me that echoed his previously emailed threats and complaints.
Another "leader" has continued their rant against MHI and the NCC – and resumed a periodic rant against little ole me – privately and publicly. That fellow's public rant does everything but mention me by name. It does mention MHI and the NCC by name.
Part of what is really "funny" is that the same two parties previously praised my work, verbally and in writing. In one case, that praise came in front of a packed room of some 100 Industry professionals. Oh, well…
Let me be clearer. There are many kinds of leaders. Adolf Hitler, Mao Tse Tung and Joseph Stalin were all leaders. But where did they lead their people?
Those who are on a tear about MHI's/NCC's staff or volunteer leaders don't carefully read (or remember) their own comments very carefully. In fact, you can say they back-handedly compliment them.
First, they seem unaware – or will not properly acknowledge – that MHI and the NCC are working hard in concert with state/community associations to advance the Industry's needs in DC.
Second, they seem unaware – or will not acknowledge – that just as state associations have a score card of accomplishments for the year, that so does MHI. The fact that you don't get every goal accomplished in a given year doesn't mean you haven't accomplished important ones.
For example, MHI's PAC had something like a 93% victory rate in 2012. 93%! That is important to insure future successes.
Meanwhile, those two finger pointers – who from time to time also point fingers at each other – what can they point to that they have accomplished to improve the industry lately? Like in the last 3 or 4 years? Anything? Where are their score cards of success?
Me thinks they doth protest too much.
It seems that some leaders are good at a legal form of picking pockets and cashing checks 'earned' by complaining about others and calling that "leadership."
That said, let me hasten to say that some aligned at a level with those pair of fellas are very honorable people, who are earning their daily keep. Some of those keep-earners are working hard to accomplish course changes that would benefit all involved. Some of them are involved in critical efforts to support and advance the industry.
Well, benefit "all" save the two complaining finger pointers.
It is with patient encouragement that those working behind the scenes for positive change of those aforeunmentioned public 'leaders' deserve our support.
The silent majority in our industry – those without press releases, newsletters or blogs – tell me routinely that they feel pretty much the same way.
Washington: Progress!?
Meanwhile, there is news out of DC that we can't publish, not yet anyway. Let's simply say that those who are belly-aching have not a clue, or again, are not going to acknowledge the good work being done by state and community associations in concert with MHI. We hope to have a report for you on that topic in about 30 days.
It could prove to be a big one.
It is also a reason why the "sticks and stones throwers" need to zip their lips. That should all come out in our exclusive report.
One more thought before touching on another positive effort that MHI and the NCC are involved in.
When Robert Bork passed away recently, one of his colleagues made an insightful statement. The radio host said that Judge Bork admitted years after his Supreme Court nomination was derailed by smear attacks that Bork erred in not responding to his critics. That friend of Bork's said that by making no reply – which at the time Bork thought was the high road approach – that Bork's enemies made him look guilty through his silence.
My point is this. Those who know what is right and wrong need to stand up for ALL good associations now, because they are working hard for professionals like you and me
So I can understand why MHI and the NCC don't publicly reply to the two nameless names referenced above. No one – not even MHI – says they as an organization are perfect. But I will select them and their leadership hands down – in a heartbeat – over the two vocal finger pointers for truly working to advance the industry.
Let's shift gears.
Builder Radio
Scott Stroud at BuilderRadio and I have chatted off and on at various Industry events and emailed in between meetings too.
Recently, Scott published this blog post below which has an interview about a Louisville Show related outreach that I hope you will listen to and share with others.
http://builderradio.com/blog/?p=4789
This interview goes out to thousands of conventional builders who ought to be taking a different look at the MH business.
My personal thanks to Scott. Your feedback is welcome. On a related topic, see the latest Cutting Edge blog post. The link above describes one of a number of forward looking initiates that MHI and the NCC, along with the MMHF states, are involved in.
Back to The Future of Affordable Housing!
There is no better place early in 2013 for Industry professionals to grow their business than in Louisville, KY at the Kentucky Expo Center where the next www.LouisvilleManufacturedHousingShow.com is going to be held.
We could boil the attendees into two major groups:
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Those who are forward looking, and always seeking ways to advance their businesses.
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Those who are concerned that their business or career is stuck in a rut and are looking for solutions and a way ahead.
We could mention a third group, which is very tiny indeed (much less than 1%), but will save that for another time, perhaps even post-show. But suffice it to say that groups 1 and 2 both have the right reasons to come!
If you are in one of those two groups, you won't be alone. HUNDREDS or pros have already signed up at the website linked above to come! Pre-Registrations are running AHEAD of 2012. The signs for another great event are lining up.
All those who come will find plenty of educational, profit making, networking, deal making reasons to spend 2 or two and a half days in Louisville to see every one of the 39 homes on display, all of the exhibitors and all of the onsite educational events!
Please see the last post here on the Masthead blog for some pre-show insights. More will come in the January 2013 issue.
Thanks for making MHProNews.com the run-away #1 in factory-built housing news, tips and views that pros like you can use. Please have your team and associates join us in Louisville, Tunica and here. Together, we can make affordable manufactured and modular homes ever more accepted and profitable. ##
PS: Check our many Exclusive and Red Hot Featured Articles for December and see the
other new stories at MHLivingNews.com too.
L. A. "Tony" Kovach
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