When I received the phone call to say it was my turn to put some words on paper for the monthly ALPA article, ALPA Northern Regional Manager, Andrea Lethbridge and I discussed about what was coming up or any pressing issues that our member and their clients might need to hear about. We had many things that could be talked about, but the theme was common, "Let’s not talk about the market, there is plenty of that in the rest of the paper".
This got me thinking about all the information that is available to everyone. In the past, clients gathered their market intel on the phone, at night, from someone that had either witnessed the sale or had spoken to someone that was there. Now, everyone has the market report available to them in real time. Most saleyards and selling platforms have real time market information whether via livestream, twitter or the system itself. The numbers on the paper or the screen, however mean little without the proper interpretation.
The modern agent needs to be able to not only gather all the information, from all the sources, in real-time but be able to interpret it quickly and get it out to their clients before the next person in the chain presses send.
That interpretation is what separates the good agent and the “Great Ones”. Great agents have developed a network of trusted sources, that change the noise and numbers to real information that will improve the bottom line of their clients’ business. Physical auctions are still the barometer of how the “Market” is reacting and its place in the modern agent options is secure.
Good luck to the future custodians of this market when the ALPA NSW and National Young Auctioneers Competition is held at the Sydney Royal Easter Show 12:00 PM Friday, 23 March 2018. I am sure of one thing you will do yourselves proud.
2018 is the 28th year of the ALPA national competition. Over these years Queensland has successfully brought the trophy home five times. Last year was a great success with Lincoln McKinlay not only winning the ALPA national competition, but became the third only Australian to win Rookie of the Year at the International Livestock Auctioneer Championship at the Calgary Stampede in Canada.
Hopefully our Queensland finalists, Nick Shorten and Andrew Carcary can replicate the success of last year’s finalists who brought home the NAB Agribusiness Team Shield, awarded to the state with the highest combined score. The last time Queensland had this honour was 2012.
For those of you unable to make it to Sydney, the competitions will be livestreamed. Follow the ALPA Facebook page for more details.
