“Mensch”
We’re preparing an article about a Jewish gentleman known by scores in the Manufactured Home (MH) industry.
In mentioning our research to a Jewish MH industry colleague, he said, “Make sure you say that he was a mensch.”
Google’s online dictionary defines the word “mensch” like this.
men(t)SH/
noun NORTH AMERICAN informal
- a person of integrity and honor
The Urban Dictionary says, “A mensch is a someone to admire and emulate, someone of noble character. The key to being “a real mensch” is nothing less than character, rectitude, dignity, a sense of what is right, responsible.”
Dictionary.com says a mensch is a “person of strength and honor,” 1907, from Yiddish, from German Mensch, literally “man, person,” from Old High German mennisco “human,” from Proto-Germanic adjective *manniska- “human” (see mannish”
Everyone, including we non-Jews (“the goyim”), can learn much from the mensch we are fortunate enough to encounter in life.
Divisions
Among the things Tony and I discuss from time to time is how governments, by accident or design, can divide people who otherwise can joyfully coexist side-by-side, absent irksome meddling.
As R.C. Williams put it about a year ago, there are professional race-baiters. It’s a term used by others besides R.C., to describe individuals who literally make money stirring up racial discord, often using a non-profit, or other operation to collect money.
Political parties are useful in some ways, but it must also be acknowledged that political parties and their advocates have the tendency to divide people into “us vs. them.”
That can happen in professional groups too.
We’re not among those who believe that every religion is equal. There are for example, Satanists, not many believers would put them on the same level as other groups. But we acknowledge that if God-Who-Created all gave man free will, then we must respect other’s right to choose.
That doesn’t imply that in politics, religion, economic or other distinctions that dialogue should be avoided.
Robust, frank dialogue that seeks truth in all its forms is to be celebrated.
So, respectful dialogue on issues that divide people ought to be embraced.
Absent absolute standards of right and wrong, how can we recognize what’s criminal, okay or what soars to the level of what is honorable?
To be a mensch – an honorable person who acts with integrity – whatever one’s personal or demographic data might be – requires standards.
Back to Basics
Many a coach has taken a struggle team “back to basics,’ Tony says. When something is awry, the basics ought to be among the first its to examine. When the industry is still at historically low levels of sales, everything that contributes to that should be evaluated.
When Tony and I met nearly 15 years ago, Tony was working in the Houston metro area. He described an impressive manufactured housing retail operation that had lots of traffic. It had leading edge tech at that time. The display made every home look as if it was ground set. Every home was staged to the 9s.
That retailer had multiple outlets.
But as impressive as that retail operation was, as high as their traffic was, their conversion ratios were low. Their sales were low.
They ended up going bankrupt.
Tony said much of their plan was fine, but when people aren’t buying in sufficient numbers to sustain a business, it’s an obvious sign that one or more things are either missing or are not sufficiently emphasized.
That retailer never became a client of his. For a fraction of the cost of their monthly overhead, they could have invested and won. They pinched pennies, and it cost them millions. It’s but one of numerous examples of ways that a firm can fail.
The word “integrity” has several meanings. One is “the state of being whole and undivided.”
Honest people can fail. Dishonest people can succeed for a time, as some criminal enterprises prove.
But ultimately every operation that has integrity – in a free enterprise system – learns to serve the public in ways that benefit the buyer, while profiting the seller. It must be a mutual victory.
That win-win requires a foundation, the basics. Every company or organization needs it.
When there’s one or more mensch in the mix, a person of integrity and honor, the odds for sustainable success arguably goes up.
We salute all people who are honorable, and who act with integrity.
With no further adieu, let’s look at the week that was, in over two dozen headline reports.
What’s New on MHLivingNews
Celebrate National Home Ownership Month, with 26 Cool Prefab Cribs, a $1 Billion Dollar Hybrid Mansion, 4 Fun Videos – manufacturedhomelivingnews.com
Celebrate National Home Ownership Month, with 26 Cool Prefab Cribs, $1 Billion Dollar Hybrid Mansion, 4 Fun Videos, President Donald J. Trump’s birthday. Flag Day, Antilia, tycoon, Mukesh Dhirubhai Ambani, India’s richest man,
What’s New on the Daily Business News on MHProNews
Saturday 6.9.2018
Friday 6.8.2018
Oil Price Forecast, and Manufactured Housing, Plus MH Market Updates
Manufactured Housing Institute Issues Alert – MHI Email Compromised
Manufactured Housing Institute Issues Alert – MHI Email Compromised
Manufactured Home Communities, Retailers, Developers Face Disruptive, Troubling Trend
Manufactured Home Communities, Retailers, Developers Face Disruptive, Troubling Trend
Thursday 6.7.2018
Reuters on U.S. Housing Price Pace, Manufactured Housing Visions
“Americans Deserve Accountability from Their Government,” Reforms, Result$, Counted, and Coming
“Americans Deserve Accountability from Their Government,” Reforms, Result$, Counted, and Coming
President Donald J. Trump Proclaims June 2018 as National Homeownership Month, Industry Reaction
Wednesday 6.6.2018
Senator Elizabeth Warren, 2020 Presidential Prospect, Threatens Wave of New Regulations
Senator Elizabeth Warren, 2020 Presidential Prospect, Threatens Wave of New Regulations
NorthStar and Manufactured Housing Radix
Tuesday 6.5.2018
Jobs, Jobs, More Jobs – What the Data Says, plus Manufactured Housing Industry Markets Update
Monday 6.4.2018
Manufactured Home Production and Shipment Report, April 2018, per MHARR, HUD, IBTS
Manufactured Home Production and Shipment Report, April 2018, per MHARR, HUD, IBTS
Truth or Consequences – Monday Morning Sales, Marketing Meeting
Truth or Consequences – Monday Morning Sales, Marketing Meeting
Sunday 6.3.2018
And that’s all she wrote, during the week that was, along with a bit of help from that other guy. ## (Headline news, week in review, recap, analysis, commentary.)
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