Snow has fallen. Turkey's have been gobble-gobbled. Another Black Friday has come and gone. Christmas shopping is in full swing. Holiday plans are made or are being firmed up.
Our friends, industry peers, clients, contacts and colleagues up north remind us why our moving to Florida in advance of winter was a good thing (at least for us ;-). We sit outside and look at palm trees in shorts (our son and my case) or a skirt (my better half's). But it's still unusual to see palm trees with Christmas lights!
Like millions of you, we love the run-up to Christmas (the Advent season). There is so much to wrap our minds and hearts around, and of course the presents being wrapped and unwrapped.
This is also the reflection and analysis time to look back and the look ahead that so often happens for professionals at this time of year. We are three years into our uptick in new manufactured home construction. What direction will we now go? Every day, in every way, by our actions – we decide!
These are some of the many reasons this will be a December to Remember.
But there are others, to be sure.
Between now and the Louisville Show's wrap up, a lot will happen on the political front in DC. Please see this report on where we stand on regulations, and my thanks to all those who have thanked us and are sharing this report with others. What we do (or fail to do) will also make this a December to Remember.
This month's A Cup of Coffee is with industry finance veteran, Richard 'Dick' Ernst. For unique “insider insights” on DC lobbying activities, for solutions on vexing financing questions, you won't find better. Please check it out and share widely. Scroll down and see his article tucked between all the other fine reads for our MH December to Remember.
Did you see the display home that Fairmont placed at the RV/MH Hall of Fame? Let's tip our hats and please check it out at the link shown above!
Speaking of hat tipping, I can't thank our featured writers and sponsors enough. Readership has soared in 2013, I'll have a formal report for readers soon. Team work and industry support makes all that we do here at MHProNews possible! Please support those who support this, the factory built housing industry's runaway #1 trade journal.
Speaking of thanks, my thanks to those who commented, emailed, posted on their Facebook pages our Masthead Thanksgiving reflection.
We have 15 fine reads for your insight and enjoyment this month!
I'd be remiss if I didn't take a few words to point out that my better half joined us this month, with her first – debut! – column, Shopping with Soheyla!
Yes, I'm partial, but those of you who have gotten to know my better half's personality know that she is a not-to-be-forgotten delight. Some of that may shine through in her December to Remember column. I confess I'm a little nervous that Soheyla (pronounced So Hey La, just like it is spelled) will blow past me in popularity as time goes on, or that she will give away too many insights about moi…okay, I've said it, now we can move on!
With no further adieu, here is our 2013 December to Remember line up. Do let us know what you think.
Featured Articles and Reports for Vol. 5, No. 3, 2013
Alphabetically by Category
COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT & FAIR HOUSING (LEGAL)
• A Four Letter Word
by Nadeen Green, JD
Many of us try hard not to offend others, particularly when it comes to “name-calling” and labels. There are words we would never use to describe people based on the color of their skin, how they worship, where they come from, or who and how they love.
• Promoting Your Community: “Only you can limit your personal growth . . .” (WOW!) …Personal Development
by Chrissy Jackson, ACM
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Are you wondering how your personal development could possibly be considered as a tool to be used in your promotion and marketing program? Then you are not alone.
• Dodd-Frank Mortgage Loan Originators and the CFPB
Robert G. Williamson, Jr., Esq.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) was created to implement the massive Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (P.L. 111-203), generally known as Dodd-Frank.
GENERAL MANUFACTURED HOUSING INDUSTRY TOPICS
•A Cup of Coffee with…Dick Ernst
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1) Who, What and Where: (Your name, formal title at the FinmarkUSA.com and where you are based).
Richard Ernst, President based in Dallas, Texas.
• Manufactured Housing's December Book Reviews!
by L. A. "Tony" Kovach
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Two new books are out by professionals with deep ties to factory built housing. Since it is the Christmas shopping season, you may want to pick one or more of these up for yourselves or as a gift to give to others.
• Shopping with Soheyla!
by Soheyla Kovach
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It was Black Friday! I did what tens of millions of others do, hit the stores, armed with those marvelous flyers and my iPhone that tells me where the bargains sought were going to be found.
• Why Will the Louisville 2014 “Show You The Money?”
by Ron Thomas, Sr.
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“Whether it’s called a celebration or a “sellabration,” there’s no question that The Louisville Manufactured Housing Show has dominated the Midwest area for over 50 years.
•Cohort Class: 15 minutes to Changing Perceptions
by Lisa Tyler
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I recently facilitated a Personal Finance undergraduate level class. The cohort-style class was comprised of adult learners with varied life and career experiences.
MANAGEMENT
• Do you know where you are heading next year?
by Tim Connor
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Well, 2013 is almost over and the new year will be on us before we know it. Are you ready?
Are your plans, objectives, strategies and goals finalized and ready to put into action?
MARKETING
• 5 Reasons You Should Start Using Facebook To Grow Your Business
by Joe Karns
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A Facebook business page can get you a larger audience, and faster. Let's see why.
1) Unlike a traditional company website (like the one you probably have right now) which is designed to succeed through driving traffic there, a Facebook business page can typically grow by itself organically simply by performing a few simple steps.
• Create Easy Growth! Easy Image Improvement!
by L. A. "Tony" Kovach
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As an often wordy guy (a habit for many writers…sorry! ;-), it is good to remember to “Keep It Simple, Smarty” or “K.I.S.S.” for short. Yes, I know the other possible meanings for KISS, but let's keep it positive and training focused here!
• Selling To – or Against – Buyer Perceptions, Part 1
by Scott Stroud
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A few weeks ago I began following a rather lively discussion unfold about whether or not the manufactured housing industry is going to survive in the recovering market. Or, as one writer put it, Is the MH industry extinct?
PERSONAL REFLECTIONS, MOTIVATION and INSPIRATION
• Lifetime Learning, Thought Provoking Quotes
by L. A. "Tony" Kovach
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My family and I were at lunch with a successful couple that are known by many in our industry. They were talking to me about their involvement in lifetime learning,
• ZigOn Christmas
by Zig Ziglar
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Most of you will be reading this a few days before December 25, the day celebrated by Christians as Christ's birthday.
Thanks to an elderly black lady who spent the July 4, 1972, weekend in our home, I committed my life to Christ and every facet of my life was radically changed for the better.
SALES
• Are you selling by the numbers only?
by Tim Connor, CSP
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For years, sales managers and sales trainers in and outside of factory built housing have been saying that sales is a ‘numbers’ game. I can recall my first sales manager telling me over 35 years ago, “If you will see enough people, you will make enough sales.”
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PS: Check our many Exclusive and Red Hot Featured Articles for December and see the other new stories at MHLivingNews.com too
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L. A. 'Tony' Kovach
ManufacturedHomeLivingNews.com|MHProNews.com|
Business and Public Marketing & Ads:B2B|B2C
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