They say that “All good things must come to an end.” It is never fun for me to talk about endings. When the Manufactured Home Merchandiser Magazine closed last summer, it was painful. I feel pain too at the news this week that The Grissim Report (TGR) has closed due to insufficient numbers of subscribers. George Allen has stepped into the breach with a very thoughtful offer of ‘finishing up’ the balance of the subscription terms for TGR readers with his own Allen Letter.
We wish John Grissim the best, and truly hope there will be a decision or means for him to continue writing about Manufactured Housing Industry news. Regardless, the bottom line is that we as an industry have lost another publisher, just as we hear periodic word about the closing of a plant or retail center, etc.
Every loss is a wake up call. It is a reminder to focus on what matters most and not let little things drag your time and attention away.
Last weekend in his blog, George Allen reported on our meeting in Springfield last Wednesday with him, Ken Rishel and myself present to discuss ways to collaborate on Industry reporting. I think this is not only a noble effort, but a wise one.
We need more efforts like this in our industry. I’d love to see The Journal, Automated Builder and others join into such an effort. I’ve made such outreaches in the past, perhaps the fall of TGR will give people pause and cause them to think anew of how ‘teaming up’ can be done for the good of all concerned – most especially, the Manufactured Housing Industry.
Here at www.MHMSM.com we feel fortunate – blessed as it where – that our readership continues to grow at a rapid pace. We are happy to see new advertisers coming on board. But this doesn’t seem like an appropriate time to celebrate, when we have lost another publication in our industry; when we’ve lost another ‘one of our own.’ What this does for me is spark anew this thought – the wisdom of teaming up whenever possible – and the crying need for solution orientation in our industry.
I spoke to a gent today who was very excited about the ‘good news’ about the Chicago area redeveloper I blogged about some weeks back. This caller then shared the joys of the first years in their family owned retail business that opened about 7 years ago. That has more recently been followed by a period of painful realities for them as a lack of financing is steadily hurting their business. I shared some resources and ideas.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if there was a magical solution to all that ails their firm and others too? I‘ve digressed, back to his story…
There was a number of things I liked about this enthusiastic professional’s approach. First, he wasn’t just sitting on his hands. They have a strategy in mind that they are working to keep revenue flowing in. This gent believes in positive thinking and goal orientation. All of these are good things, and these are marks that are needed to turn the corner when times are tough!
What is certain is that a failure to change from what isn’t working to what can or will work is a recipe for business closure. Don Westphal passed along a timely message for Industry Voices this week that I think we all should take a few minutes and follow up on.
If you want a boost for your business, follow Don’s advice, see the blog post linked above!
MHARR and MHI have in their own ways come out with statements on the pressing needs in our industry, and financing tops the list of both associations. Leaders from both national associations assure our readers that they have and will focus on issues such as finance, implementation of MHIA 2000 and work to protect pre-emption.
Every business if unique. Perhaps you have financing readily available, and I know of firms who do. Perhaps your needs are different. If you can get financing for your clients, but need marketing. Then seek out marketers or get tips on how to ‘do it yourself.’ If you have customers but aren’t closing, make the adjustments yourself or with the help of professionals who train or coach in that area, seek to move ahead.
Some of you will find resources for such services such as www.MHMSM.com/Solutions.
But whatever segment of the industry you are in, whatever your challenges, the key is to focus on identifying what is wrong and working to fix it. Easier said than done? Perhaps. But what alternative does a struggling enterprise have?
Let me go back to the top. All good things…if it is good, then work to keep it!
If it isn’t good, if it is dying, then work to prune what needs pruning and save what you can. Just as the publishers of 5 Industry publications have decided to collaborate more in the months ahead, so too other forms of collaboration can be found that can effect the turn-around for those who need that.
Not to be overlooked, there are those who are doing well today. Some are growing. Last week, at the Great Southwest Home Show, I spoke with a man who shared with me the growth his Texas based firm is experiencing. They are looking to expand again. They are profitable. Dare I say it? I’m told his firm is debt free. As I’ve heard this from a number of sources, I have no reason to doubt the veracity of this statement.
Another caller recently shared his plan to OPEN a new retail center! Is his firm in a boom area? Frankly, no. But that pro has is the right stuff in every sense, and has formed a creative plan to tap into the business that is available in his target market. With a long history of success, that quiet giant of a man will no doubt make it happen in his market with his new venture.
In every period of economic turbulence there will historically be ‘winners and losers.’ The winners are not always the biggest, although that often helps. The losers are not always the smallest.
What is common to the winners in difficult times is that they don’t lose their heads, they maintain their composure as they work to solve problems and take advantage of opportunities. The winners feed their minds with helpful insights. The winners don’t bury their heads in the sand. Winners may not call it the Silver Bullet Challenge, but they are precisely the ones who know they need to grow and so they read and look for new insights, new information and the ideas, tools and people to keep them moving ahead.
Let’s cut to the chase. We sell affordable housing! We can offer ‘All good things…’ to good people who need what you have! With affordable housing, there are ways to position yourself for success.
Don’t ignore the bad, you probably can’t anyway. But look at the good things. Look at how you can tackle the real issues and overcome them. See how you can move from where you are to where you want to be.
“Do or do not. There is no try.” – Yoda, a fictional character in the original Star Wars trilogy.
“The fate is largely in our hands, provided that we know clearly what we want and we are determined to get it”.
Enzo A. Ferrari (Driver and Entrepreneur, Founder of the Automaker that bears his name)
“Whether you think you can, or think you can’t, you are right.” – Henry Ford, (Entrepreneur, Founder of the Automaker that bears his name)
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