Here in the Western World, we follow the Gregorian calendar and call this year 2011. In the Hebrew calendar, this is 5771. In the Islamic calendar it is 1432. In the Persian, it is 1389. And there are more calendars, Mayan and Chinese, and even PC and Mac dating systems! Some calendars are based on sun cycles, some on the moon, some on a combination, some on math, and some on… only Microsoft knows.
Why is this important to the Manufactured Housing Industry? Because it illustrates the essential point that there are many different points of view, many approaches, diverse understandings and interpretations, similar and/or dissimilar variations of the seemingly same reality – in the case of calendars, time. In the case of our Industry, homes and the Industry itself: how we are doing? Where are we going? How do we get there? Who’s doing what? – or not doing it, as the case may be.
Speaking of Calendars, be sure to see our Calendar of Events – it is loaded with Association Meetings, more Housing Shows at Tunica, and Tulsa, and free Webinars by Industry Pro Chad Carr for increased profits in 2011!
With calendars, there is no argument, no quarreling or dispute, no attacks, no nasty swipes at another’s perception of time. There may be a question, what does this mean? But generally there is an acceptance that each culture has thoughtful, well-considered reasons for perceiving time in the way it does. Can it be this way in our Industry as well? Or at least here in the pages of MHMSM.com?
We invite and encourage our readers and listeners to give feedback to our various blogs posts and featured articles – publicly through Disqus and/or Tweets or privately through email and/or phone calls Everyone’s contact information is right out there. You can agree with the blogger or author or not – all responses are welcome as long as they are expressed respectfully. Unlike other ezines or blog posts, we do not filter out “negative” feedback, only inappropriate language. THANK YOU to all who take time to write a few lines or share your thoughts! We welcome more of you! Yet we find that some responders are taking things out of context and reacting or swatting, instead of showing they have read the material, given it intelligent consideration, and have questions as to the writer’s meaning. This looks more like an ad hominem or “so’s your old man!” and reflects on the responder, not the writer.
Such open conversation – that begins with really listening – can transform the exchanges you have with your team, your staff or with colleagues, in a meeting, at a trade show or wherever you are.
MHMSM.com is a forum for discussion, for dialog and conversation meant to benefit and build the Industry. It is so easy to tear down or tear apart. But it is so much more satisfying to build something, and to build it together. We’re talking about American homes and our futures.
That being said, let’s get to our new contributions this month! First, we thank all you have taken time to share your responses to the Industry 2011 Trends Surveys.
And once again, we bring you “All the Best:” Top-Talent professionals from A for Allen to Z for Ziglar! We thank all of you authors, too! So let’s get started with your big line up of new articles …
Featured Articles
and Reports for Vol. 2 No. 4, 2011
George F. Allen – MH Commentary
• Whose Responsibility Is Housing Affordability?
Michael Barnabas – MHIndustry Solutions
• The Truth about Manufactured Housing
Chad Carr – Internet Marketing and Sales
• Unlocking the Secrets of the Internet – Part Four: Building Relationships over Time
Maria Cucchiara – Website Development
• Make Sure Your Website Is In Good Shape for the New Year Checklist
Tim Connor – Management
• Employee Loyalty
Tim Connor – Sales
• 52 weeks to GUARANTEED Increased Sales!
Nadeen Green – Legal, Fair Housing
• Ring in the New
Chrissy Jackson – Land Lease Community Management
• Guidelines for Living: A Complete Series for Writing, Amending and Updating
L.A. ‘Tony’ Kovach – MH Industry Reporting
• Hotels, Motels and the Image Building Campaign for Manufactured Housing
Eric Miller – MH Industry Interview
• A Cup of Coffee with… Teresa Payne
George Porter – MH Retail and Media Education
• How About Some Directions for the Directions?
Kenneth Rishel – MH Industry Finance Commentary
• Rediscover Selling
Kenneth Rishel – MH Industry Finance Commentary
• The SAFE Act in Indiana versus RTO: “Good Parks Don’t Rent Homes!”
Dave Shanklin – MH Industry Financing
• The Three Things I Revel In as a Loan Officer for Manufactured Homes as Personal Property
Joanne Stevens – MH Real Estate
• 8 Signs That Your Partnership May Have Run Its Course
Bob Stovall – Online Marketing
• Manufactured Housing – What is Your Market Niche?
Zig Ziglar – Motivation & Inspiration
• ZigOn… A Chance to Start Over
Zig Ziglar – Motivation & Inspiration
• ZigOn… Gratitude
Article by Catherine Frenzel
