Stop and think for a moment. What do we get paid for, really? Isn't it for solutions? Let's imagine a school teacher. What are they paid for, if not to 'solve' the need to educate? What does a doctor get paid for, if not for the need to cure the sick or maintain better health? What do we as housing providers get paid for, if not for the need to solve one of life's most basic necessities! So Solutions are what Pay.
Anyone can point out a problem. Every problem is awaiting a solution. Every problem in life is thus an opportunity in disguise. Being a solution oriented professional is what pays.
I will never tire of reminding our vast, industry leading and growing audience that the United States of America needs some 20 million new housing units by 2030, per U.S. Census Bureau facts and projections. With incomes down and net worth lower for millions than 5 years ago, with affordable housing a growing issue, manufactured housing is potentially poised for a far brighter future than what we've seen in the last 5 years. If we are wise, we could set records in the foreseeable future that dwarf the shipment levels of the early 1970s, when we exceeded 500,000 new shipments a year.
I could ask you to make a list of the various problems your business, your career or our industry faces. Please do so. Then, turn it around and see the opportunities those problems or challenges create! The matter revolves around being solution oriented.
Vision
But there is something more that is needed. Vision is part of it, combined with the commitment and resources to see the vision through.
Someone recently sent me an email that included a long piece could be read as a back handed critique of manufactured housing associations. It raised some common things that we hear from some non-association members. Are there valid concerns raised? In as much as someone THINKs of a problem, any problem, it is begging for a SOLUTION.
As one that has personally been through every phase of the spectrum on the association matter (my not being in an association(s) years ago, being in an association but not thrilled by it, then being in an association and absolutely seeing the value even if the association is far from perfect), I 'get it' when someone
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gripes about their association,
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loves their association or
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doesn't feel the need to be in an association.
I've felt as you have or feel today.
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But associations offer opportunities that you simply won't readily find any other way. We support them, because we have 'seen the light.' Also because we strongly believe that we are better off working together to the extent that the law and common sense allow!
Ben Franklin said it well, we either hang together or we will hang separately.
Our company isn't just in the information, technology, consulting or services businesses (we are in all of those and more). We are in the solution business.
You are too.
Some solutions are easier to accomplish together.
That's one of the reasons you are here. You know that to be true deep down. It isn't just some feel good that you get from reading our articles. You see ideas – solutions – that beckon and beg you to come back, or to get more engaged, or to try those solutions yourself.
When the Manufactured Home Merchandiser Magazine folded 4 years ago, we saw a need that suddenly grew. We wanted to supply a solution, and to take it to a level that had never been done in our industry before.
We borrowed ideas from all around, and drew on talent and wisdom from where ever we could find it. The goal could be summarized like this, to help manufactured housing achieve its potential breakthrough. To be a part of the solution.
I always want to give credit where it is due, and the tag line from ROC USA – better together – is one that resonates deeply with me. We hope it does with you too. Because it is true.
You can be a solution provider in your career, your company, your marketplace(s). You can provide a solution solo, but you can provide far greater levels of 'solution' by teaming up with others. When leaders like Tim Williams from 21st Mortgage tells us that we need to pull together (to use but one example) on an issue like HR 1779, think about what that really means.
He means we need each other. He's right.
We do.
Some solutions will require change, and change means discomfort for many. But it is what it is, you don't lose weight by making no changes, any more than you gain weight by making no changes! You don't sell more homes by making no changes, any more than you sell fewer homes by failing to respond to the changes all around you.
Anyone can complain. Anyone can have ideas. There is a degree of merit to legitimate critiques or cogent ideas. But digging in and being part of the solution, that takes commitment and effort.
or anything else you can possibly imagine, solution orientation ought to be part of the mantra for success. Invest 15 minutes a day on reading here to stay abreast of issues and opportunities, and on outreaches that will build the industry's image. Perhaps 15 minutes a week is all it would take to pull together to pass critical legislation at the federal level.
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When we think 'service' and 'problem solver,' and we pull together with those who think similarly, we can and will achieve results that few would dream about today. Solutions Pay.##
PS: Check our many Exclusive and Red Hot Featured Articles for June and see the
other new stories 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.
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Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you're right. – Henry Ford
