Trends 2010 Questionnaire - Tony Kovach

1. Factory-built housing-wise, what would you like to see happen in 2010?

We need to embrace what works and leave behind what has changed and failed.

2. What are the challenges and the paths needed to move forward?

Frankly, the main key is for professionals to decide to leave behind what doesn't work and embrace what does work. There will always be voices opposing positive change, usually because they feel unsure or threatened in some fashion. So the typical pattern historically is: some will buy in early, some later, some later still. Think about some technological change, and think about how your, your family, friends or associates all got on board with it at different times and in their own way over time. The same will happen in our industry.

All this to say, don't take too seriously the voices of naysayers on new proven paths ahead. It is just human nature for some to hold back initially. Realistically, at some point even those naysayer will likely buy in too!

3. Many in our industry have talked for years about doing a national image building campaign, similar to the successful one the RV industry did with their "GO-RVing!" multi-media effort. If our industry can't get together on that 'Go-RVing' style image campaign, would you favor state or regional level image and marketing campaigns as an alternative? Do you think that such an effort could in some ways be more effective than a national campaign? If so, why?

Local/state and regional are the way to go! There are too many regional differences between homes, styles, prices and markets to think that a national program would work. Besides, there is zero steam behind the once much ballyhooed national effort. Check out our Virtual Louisville Housing Show, because this will provide all aspects of the Industry with a way to generate new business, improve image, etc.

4. Does this industry need natural disasters (i.e. hurricanes) to survive or thrive? Explain your position on this point.

Ross Kinzler at the WHA was correct in saying that the industry should have insisted that the FEMA units not be considered manufactured homes, we could have mitigated a lot of unfortunate publicity. While FEMA's implementation of the Katrina 'relief' was a disaster, we can learn from it. It does underscore an additional value that factory building alone can address. Conventional construction can't do rapidly enough or as cost effectively what manufactured housing can do.

All that to say, no - we don't need storms or disasters - but if they come, we are a resource that federal, state and local government should understand and embrace!

5. What can consumers expect from your sector of the industry in 2010? Explain.

See Virtual Louisville Housing Show© for a keen insight on that topic!

6. What can your sector of the industry do better? How can that be achieved?

7. Any other thoughts or encouragement you'd like to share with our Industry Readers?

Virtual Louisville Housing Show© and our related components to it hold the potential for helping all segments of the INdustry doing practical and positive steps that are cost effective. Our approach can rapidly duplicate previous proven results. Our www.MHMSM.com trade journal and the marketing and PR side of www.MHMSM.com will be a voice for positive change. There are many success stories out there, and ours is just one of them. By working with industry pros from coast to coast, we strongly believe that the best is yet to come.

L. A. "Tony" Kovach
Editor and Manager
www.MHMarketingSalesManagmenet.com or www.MHMSM.com for short.
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 847-730-3692.

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Trade Journal Publishing plus Marketing-Sales-Management systems.