How do you build? Back in the days before factory-built HUDs and MODs, wasn't one way brick by brick? Well that is the way that the RV/MH Hall of Fame is still building. Brick by Brick.
Dynamic Darryl Searer has earned this monicker! He has done wonders for the Hall of Fame in the short months since he has taken the helm there. Among the programs they promote is the "buy a brick" program. Scoot on over to the RV/MH Hall of Fame website and see how you can support their worthy efforts.
Darryl thoughtfully sent me the photo shop view of the brick I bought as it will look pending the install of real brick that will be near the entrance of the Hall.
My fellow professionals, we need to do all we can to improve the image of our Industry. The Hall is one of the ways we can accomplish that goal. I know for a fact that some of you could write the check to build a wing that would do on the manufactured housing side of the Hall what the RV pros have done on their side.
But the least that almost anyone can do is buy a brick. If you don't have one, please do what I did and give them a call and get one!
Imagine how many more homes we would sell every month if more visitors to the Hall knew what today's manufactured homes are really like! That is also the purpose of the ManufacturedHomeLivingNews.com website linked above when you click on the brick. Please check it out and pass the link onto your staff, residents and customers.
PEP or PIP
Beyond a brick, we need to invest in PEP or PIP too. We have seen our industry hammered for so long in the down turn that began after 1998 that in recent years, some associations were forced into total defense mode. The first P in the acronym above is Protect. We all learn the adage that the best defense is a good offense. So we also know that good associations must Inform or Educate (the middle letter above) and also need to Promote. A three legged stool stands with more stability than just one or two.
The brick linked above is one easy way to promote our Industry. You can link to that site too. But to see another option, please click this link for another way to Inform and Promote. PEP or PIP, take your Pick!
MHI and State Association Meetings
Speaking of investing. Are you investing the time to attend meetings like your state associations annual meeting? Here is an example of what Joe Kelly and Iowa has on tap. The calendar of events is linked here, if your association's event isn't listed, please send us an email with Calendar in the subject line that shares the association name, dates, location, etc.
For those involved in the national scene, are you packed and planning on going to San Antonio this Sunday? I plan to be there, certainly hope to see you there too.
Here below is the MHI meeting Schedule for your convenience.
Want to download the MHI Annual meeting schedule? Please click the link below.
Election 2012
Let me begin by saying that as with any commentator, my viewpoints may or may not reflect those of sponsors, writers, et al. We welcome various viewpoints on Industry Voices. That said, the flash polls indicate that our Mo Mitt flash report last night was on target. A Democratic source said about the president's performance: “We got our clock cleaned.”
James Carville said Romney came with a chain saw. Jon Stewart on Good Morning America kidded how both men were so good looking, but clearly expressed the view that the president lost the debate and may have lost the election too. A NYTimes column referenced Barak's “Xanax” performance. CNN's poll indicated that 67% of those polled thought Romney won.
In my mind, Team Obama will not give up nearly so easily. The D campaign team may have had a D night, but watch for any and all efforts on their part to re-direct their A game as rapidly as possible. What Obama's team is strongest at is campaigning.
Why did the president fair so poorly?
As some observers opined, the president has not been challenged by an often fawning press. Further, it is not as easy to debate a real person as it is a "straw man" caricature. So when Obama had to take on Mitt Romney the Man vs. the 'straw man' of the governor the Democratic campaign presents, of course Mitt would look better and the stunned incumbent looked worse. With our domestic economic and foreign news both bad, let's not underestimate the idea that voters are ready for someone new to renew their spirits.
As with most topics of Industry interest, MHProNews has covered this election more than all the major factory-built housing news sources combined.
We have a fine column by Nathan Smith this month as a Featured Article, for example. If Nathan had shown up at last night's debate to stand in for the incumbent, his column certainty indicates he would have done a far better job of presenting the president's case than Obama himself did.
We have articles by retailers such as Dick Moore and Doug Gorman, who favor what I've dubbed the 3Rs of Romney/Ryan and conservative Republicans who want to get out economic house back in order. At the end of this article will be links to articles election related that impact our Industry so deeply.
Certainly after the election we will need industry pros from all political persuasions along side associations to rally the troops to insure our issues are heard.
Speaking as an independent, the reason I believe we need to see a 3R sweep is that path represents the surest, fastest road to rolling back the mess that is Dodd-Frank and the regulatory regime that has choked off our Industry and housing in general. White House, House and Senate. Let's not forget too that the next president will likely put his stamp on the Supreme Court.
DDART
Campaign Obama has had – at least until last night – what I would call a DDART strategy: Distort, Distract, Attack, Run-out-the-clock (on the election) and Talking points that support a narrative that imply we are better off than we would have been without the incumbent.
Romney/Ryan are saying you had your chance. You didn't deliver on your key promises. We Can Do Better. They are itching to present their plan directly to the public, getting past the Obama DDARTs and often biased mainstream media noise filter. This is not unlike what has worked for Republican rising stars such as Scott Walker, Nikki Haley, Chris Christie, Susana Martinez, Marco Rubio, Alan West or others in their respective state contests. These rising star R's represent a true diversity of ethnic, gender and passionate, principled approaches that are leading the way to economic recovery in their states.
The 3Rs, the Elections and Manufactured Housing
Housing is in many ways the economic back bone of our nation. As former Governor Romney pointed out in the debate last night, when you create uncertainties about what makes for a qualified mortgage, or lending or what the tax polices are going to be, capital tends to sit on the sidelines. We need to bring capital out, roll back and simplify regulations. That will create jobs, increase tax revenues and get our Economy rolling again.
We as an Industry can do that and more in one fell swoop to advance our cause should Romney/Ryan and Republican conservatives (the 3Rs) become the next President, Vice President with a Republican controlled House and Senate.
We also need to be mindful that Romney and Ryan have appeared at factory built housing plant and a FL land lease community too. Is that a signal to our industry? Let's hope so!
We here as the Industry's leading online trade journal for manufactured and modular housing have long favored what Dick Jennison says in his column this month. Grass roots engagement is critical. But the fastest path for us and the nation as a whole is a 3R win in the 2012 election.
To Protect Educate and Promote (PEP) our Industry's home owners and business pros, few things could accomplish more faster or better than a change back to free enterprise and limited government from the policies of recent years.
This will be my weekend blog post early, so let's catch up here on the Masthead blog next week to see what's hot, happening and not.
In the mean time, please set the example and encourage your team to take the time every day to read the most Industry News, Tips and Views You Can Use. Please thank our sponsors by calling them when you need their products and services.
Brick by brick, when we share a little and pull together, we are building the Industry of our Future. My personal thanks for being here and for actively taking part in that effort. ##
PS: Check our many Exclusive and Red Hot Featured Articles for September and see the
other new stories and 'Purely Political' cartoons at MHLivingNews.com too.
L. A. "Tony" Kovach
MHLivingNews.com=Re-Discovering and Spotlighting the MHLifeStyle
MHProNews.com = MHMSM.com = Industry News, Tips and Views Pros can Use
Services:B2BandB2CAds, Proven MH Marketing & Sales Systems, Websites other Industry Solutions.
Office –815-270-0500
latonyk@gmail.com or tony@mhmsm.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/latonykovach= connect with me on Linkedin.
http://pinterest.com/latonyk/manufactured-home-lifestyle/
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Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you're right. – Henry Ford
