There are precisely three ways to influence any organization of whatever size.
Influence can only occur:
- From within an organization,
- from outside of a given group or
- from a combination of both.
That’s the clarity of applied logic or common-sense reasoning.
Day by day, MHProNews and MHLivingNews presents facts, figures, evidence, analysis, reasoning, and specific stories.
Why?
Because it works. Reasoning and stories influence people.
Let’s be clear. Some will run from reason or will avoid topics that make them uncomfortable. But the subconscious mind, once exposed to a fact, doesn’t readily forget it. Facts and evidence may get drowned out for a time, but reality has a way of making a comeback.
Pain in the body is a signal that something is wrong. Pleasure and pain can both be manipulated. Emotions used correctly motivates, used incorrectly, can be tricked and manipulated. Humanity was created with both emotion and the ability to reason.
Carrots, sticks, and repetition are how people get attracted, maneuvered, or manipulated. But a cogent presentation of facts and evidence can cut through the noise with some, and those people can in turn influence others.
Let’s start with an example outside of professional associations, but that still matter to everyone in MHVille. Manufactured home (MH) resident groups.
MH resident groups can be right, wrong or a combination of those.
But right or wrong, MH resident groups clearly have influence. Here are a few examples:
- For years, the Manufactured Housing Consensus Committee (MHCC) has had one or more resident group members on it. The MHCC, which meets again this week, has legally established influence at HUD, under the Manufactured Housing Improvement Act of 2000 (MHIA).
- You may or may not give the MHCC a second thought. But the Manufactured Housing Association for Regulatory Reform (MHARR), and the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI), some companies, and state association certainly do. So do resident groups. Because the MHCC can influence several things that impact the HUD Code manufactured homes that are sold by the industry.
- At state legislatures, at the local governments level, or in congressional hearings, resident groups have and can make a difference for or against a pending law or other administrative actions.
Knowing this about resident groups, there are state associations that work with them as best they can.
MHARR has had contact with them too, on issues like the Duty to Serve (DTS) Manufactured Housing mandated for the Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs or Enterprises) of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac by the Housing and Economic Recovery Act (HERA) in 2008.
As those who have sat in MHI meetings know, MHI leaders have often cursed resident groups. But like them or not, NMHOA, MHAction and their state affilates are a reality. Better deal with them, or one must find a way to replace their influence with something better.
MH Resident groups matter.
As community owners in numerous states have learned, resident groups can’t be ignored. If they are ignored, it is only at a cost. So, you don’t have to like MHAction or NMHOA to realize they’re a reality that influences bottom-lines literally from coast-to-coast.
But up until recently, who has thought to challenge them in publicly in a debate? Or what about supplanting/replacing them when they won’t see reason on issues that can improve the lives of residents they claim to care about, as well as businesses like yours?
Let’s look at another example, from outside or MHVille. Political parties and candidates.
What government at all levels does or doesn’t do absolutely influences businesses of all sizes. That’s true in and beyond manufactured homes.
So, MHProNews uniquely looks at “News Through the Lens of Manufactured Homes, and Factory-Built Housing.” ©
You ignore politics at the risk of your investments of time, talent, and treasure.
You might have the best product, service, value, and the happiest customers. But government action or inaction on an important issue can strengthen, weaken, speed, slow or destroy your business.
The power to tax, and the power to regulate involve are the power to destroy. That’s based on a Supreme Court justice’s famous statement, shown below. That’s reality.
Like it or not, political parties, resident groups, associations, and media all influence government. Government in turn sets the rules that can make or break your business.
So, if you want to be successful long-term in business:
1) you have to go beyond product, service, marketing, sales and technology. You have to be aware of, and hopefully influence those, that influence others.
2) If you don’t pay attention to those outside factors, others are and will set the rules of the game in ways that will help or harm your business.
3) The same is true for homeowners. Whatever the intent of their members, NMHOA and MHAction arguably advocate for things harmful to manufactured home owners and businesses alike. Proving the harm of radical activists by a cogent use of facts, evidence, and reasoning is thus useful to all. By all, that means the vast majority of MH home owners, as well as to MH businesses of all sizes and types.
4) The same is true of both major parties. As political independents, we can say there is one thing about the Democratic platform that – on paper – is good for independent businesses. What is it? Their antitrust/anti-monopoly plank could, if used properly, make a difference for small businesses. But we frankly don’t see Democrats using it yet. Republicans – the so-called Grand Old Party or GOP – tends to be more pro-businesses. But the GOP has for years done, or failed to do, certain things that harm independents of all sizes. But now, at the federal level and in dozens of states, the GOP has a modest edge in the branches of elected government.
5) Thankfully, under President Donald J. Trump’s leadership, he is addressing issues in the GOP like the border, immigration, regulatory relief, tax cuts, tax reform, attracting more capital, putting solid Constitutionally minded justices on the Supreme Court, protecting religious liberty, job creation, helping wages rise naturally, education, etc. These are all pragmatic. They are useful to people and businesses alike. Thus, Pro-Trump candidates are thus getting our vote and editorial support.
But the point of this analysis and commentary is this.
You may be the most honest or ethical person in your town. You may have great value and service. But as ELS’ Sam Zell observed, others with no investment in your company or profession others can make, break, minimize or maximize your business, profits, and results.
That’s why on the slowest day of the Labor Day weekend, literally thousands of more professionals were reading and viewing content on MHProNews than any other similar trade resource in our industry. Because we at MHProNews and on MHLivingNews keep our eyes on issues that matter to you, as well as to your present, and potential customers.
Pain, pleasure, persuasion, and honestly sustainable MHVille profits can only be achieved via reality-based action. That requires solid information. Day-by-day, we bring you the MH “Industry News, Tips, and Views Pros Can Use.” ©
For our Jewish friends and colleagues, happy Rosh.
With no further adieu, let’s look at the headlines, reports, facts, and stories that can help make you navigate business better and more profitably. Together, let’s look at the issues that can make manufactured homes more available to millions of potential buyers, who should become happy home owners. We’ll start with MHLivingNews, the Masthead, and then do the Daily Business News recaps for last week.
What’s New on MHLivingNews
Affordable Living! Before and After Video, Remodeling a 1972 Mobile Home, Under $5,000
Affordable Living! Before and After Video, Remodeling a 1972 Mobile Home, Under $5,000 – manufacturedhomelivingnews.com
The need for affordable housing is serious. Former President Jimmy Carter has publicly commented on the crisis recently. From that same era, Presidents Richard M. Nixon and Gerald Ford spoke favorably about mobile homes as much needed affordable living. The HUD Code for manufactured homes went into effect on June 15, 1976.
What’s New on the Masthead
“How Dare You…!” ELS’ Howard Walker Blast at MH Industry Professional
The Masthead
The late Howard Walker, longtime vice chairman of Equity Lifestyle Properties (ELS), and prior Treasurer for the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) had at times a brusque sense of humor. Often the best part of many association or corporate meetings are when networking and socializing occurs. In fairness, that statement applies to MHI too.
What’s New on the Daily Business News on MHProNews
Saturday 9.8.2018
Shanah Tovah, Happy Rosh! About Leaping Cultural Barriers, and Where the Buck Stops
Shanah Tovah, Happy Rosh! About Leaping Cultural Barriers, and Where the Buck Stops
Friday 9.7.2018
Clayton Homes and 21st Mortgage’s Manufactured Housing “Spies”
Clayton Homes and 21st Mortgage’s Manufactured Housing “Spies”
Manufactured Housing Production Report – After Slow June 2018, July 2018 Increases
Manufactured Housing Production Report – After Slow June 2018, July 2018 Increases
“Growth,” “Fight on to Victory,” “One People, One Family, and One Glorious Nation Under God”
“Growth,” “Fight on to Victory,” “One People, One Family, and One Glorious Nation Under God”
Thursday 9.6.2018
Facebook Recent Big Hit, More Trouble Ahead? Plus, MH Market Updates
Facebook Recent Big Hit, More Trouble Ahead? Plus, MH Market Updates
Hot MHVille Issue, Boils Among Most Americans too
Deaths in MH Communities from Trees Falling, “Get to the Root of It”
Deaths in MH Communities from Trees Falling, “Get to the Root of It”
Wednesday 9.5.2018
Like No Place Else, plus Manufactured Housing, Stocks, Market Updates
Like No Place Else, plus Manufactured Housing, Stocks, Market Updates
MH Communities, Owners, MH Independents Alert – NMHOA and MHAction Next Steps? – Part 1
MH Communities, Owners, MH Independents Alert – NMHOA and MHAction Next Steps? – Part 1
NDAs, Warren Buffett, Richard ‘Dick’ Jennison, Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI), and MHVille
NDAs, Warren Buffett, Richard ‘Dick’ Jennison, Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI), and MHVille
Tuesday, 9.4.2018
Senate Hearings, “High Tech Lynching” plus MH Market Updates
Senate Hearings, “High Tech Lynching” plus MH Market Updates
Blue Collar Worker Attitude, Outlook, Finances – Latest Data, Express-Harris Survey
Blue Collar Worker Attitude, Outlook, Finances – Latest Data, Express-Harris Survey
Main Place in MHVille That’s Cracked the Glass Ceiling?
50 States Ranked by Income, Credit – Manufactured Housing Marketers Data, Cheet Sheet
50 States Ranked by Income, Credit – Manufactured Housing Marketers Data, Cheet Sheet
Monday 9.3.2018
2018’s Hardest-Working States in America, How Does Your State Rank?
2018’s Hardest-Working States in America, How Does Your State Rank?
Manufactured Housing’s Labor Day, Celebrating Those That Do the Work
Manufactured Housing’s Labor Day, Celebrating Those That Do the Work
Sunday 9.2.2018
We’re a team, a family here. We can’t do it without you, and frankly, thousands of manufactured housing pros need what we do as independent reality checks. Our sponsors make that possible. Thanks to our readers, and to those who make this platform the runaway #1 in the industry. Make sure you keep up to date, and encourage your team members to do the same. ## ## (News, analysis, and commentary.)
(Third party images and content are provided under fair use guidelines.)
1) To sign up in seconds for our MH Industry leading emailed news updates, click here.
2) To provide a News Tips and/or Commentary, click the link to the left. Please note if comments are on-or-off the record, thank you.
3) Marketing, Web, Video, Consulting, Recruiting and Training Resources
