Final Thoughts
Final Thoughts
Written by Becca Moczygemba
March 9, 2023
How many different ways can we write about pricing increases? I had to look at my thesaurus at one point in an attempt to diversify my choice of words.
There are plenty of charts and data that reflect how dynamically pricing has changed over the last month. A good explanation is key to making it digestible to customers.
Taking the time to explain the nuances around pricing can also make a significant difference.
It’s just as important for an account manager or inside salesperson to understand why prices are moving the way they are as it is for an outside sales position.
If you think about it, those individuals interface with the customer on a day-to-day basis. If they have a better understanding of the market, they can provide better service. Sure, you want the outside salespeople to drive pricing negotiations. But there are instances where it’s just as important for the supporting parties to have insight.
Supporting positions shouldn’t be just production entry and customer service. They should be foundations for building knowledge and growth. I like to think of them as the first line of defense. When something goes wrong, the more knowledge one has, the better one will be at handling situations.
I’d be curious to hear how some of your organizations prepare their staff for the next step. Looking for opportunities to improve staff development is never a bad idea. Especially when things are outside the norm.
By Becca Moczygemba, becca@steelmarketupdate.com

Becca Moczygemba
Read more from Becca MoczygembaLatest in Final Thoughts

Final Thoughts
Tariff-related noise aside, there is one basic factor keeping buyers on the sidelines. Despite recent declines, HR prices remain at historically high levels. And there is no obvious support to keep them there.

Final Thoughts
United Airlines raised eyebrows earlier this month when it provided two forecasts for 2025 – one assuming a relatively stable economy and another assuming a recession. The reason? Uncertainty around the impact of President Trump’s policy shocks on the broader economy. And it sometimes feels like we’re seeing a battle between those two narratives (stable vs recession) play out within in the pages of this newsletter.

Final Thoughts
Despite some scary headlines lately (especially about Trump potentially firing Fed Chair Jerome Powell) this is not October 2008 (financial crisis) or March 2020 (onset of the pandemic). But it sure seems like we’ve taken a relatively strong economy and poured a thick sauce of uncertainty over it.

Final Thoughts
I put some of our survey data through ChatGpt, with interesting results.

Final Thoughts
Nearly 50% of respondents to our latest survey thought hot-rolled coil prices have already peaked. And where will those prices be two months from now? Responses were decidedly split on that question.