Final Thoughts

Final Thoughts
Written by John Packard
September 28, 2018
I am in Chicago for the start of the CRU North American Steel Conference on Monday. I am looking forward to attending my first CRU hosted conference. Tim Triplett and I will let you know what we learned during the conference in Tuesday’s and Thursday’s issues of Steel Market Update.
I got a note from Steve Painter, one of our Steel 101 instructors and a gentleman with plenty of steel sales experience. In the note, Steve referenced a conversation he had with a service center executive regarding the number of contacts it takes to get a customer to buy. For that matter, from my perspective, the information below could be applicable to the number of times it takes to get the PA on the phone, in this day of voice mail and internet.
- 80% of all sales are made after the 5th call
- 48% of all salespeople call once and quit
- 25% of all salespeople call twice and quit
- 10% keep on calling!
- This 10% makes 80% of the sales
We continue to have seats available for the next Steel 101: Introduction to Steel Making & Market Fundamentals workshop, which will be held in Toledo, Ohio, on Dec. 11 & 12. This is a good opportunity to give that special employee(s) an early holiday bonus, in the form of a paid registration to our acclaimed workshop. We are about 60-70 percent sold, so please inquire with any questions you might have. You can find information at www.SteelMarketUpdate.com/Events/Steel101 or you can reach out to us at 706-216-2140.
As always, your business is truly appreciated by all of us at Steel Market Update.
John Packard, President & CEO

John Packard
Read more from John PackardLatest in Final Thoughts

Final Thoughts
What's going to be the next big thing in steel?

Final Thoughts
Based on the amount of ‘out of office’ replies we’ve been receiving and the results of this week’s steel buyers’ survey, those pesky summer doldrums have arrived for the steel industry.

Final Thoughts
Maybe some of this uncertainty will get ironed out ahead of Liberation Day tariffs resetting higher rates on July 9. But if I had to place a wager, it would be on more drama and last-minute brinksmanship - whether it comes to the Liberation Day tariffs or the various Section 232s that are in the works.

Final Thoughts
What should you keep your eye on, considering the latest geopolitical events?

Final Thoughts
Not many people in the North American steel market had direct US involvement in another Middle East conflict on their bingo card. Prices weren't expected to shoot higher unless something unexpected happened. That unexpected something has now happened. And there is talk of oil at $100 per barrel. What does that mean for steel?