Whats happening in the markets?

Well they are pretty flat to be honest. One week there is cause for positivity, the next its all doom and gloom. This prolonged bear market continues to cause fractures, and initiate change. One of the biggest change in the broking world is the recently announced meger (actually a takeover) between two large shops - Braemar Seascope and ACM.

There is some debate amongst the power brokers, especially those with much to lose, as to whether this is a trend that should be followed. The reasoning is that the new post boom world of shipping, shipbrokers need to be LARGE to protect themselves, or equally "prosper" - leaving the middle sized shops to die a slow death.

Its an interesting discussion because im still not convinced that the current rationalization isn't purely market forces at play. A cyclical series of events that have little to do with whats happening 'on the ground' in various broker markets around the globe.

The large (usually publicly listed) shops have many masters to serve. They also have head honchos that are juggling different growth strategies, business models, etc with an eye on the BIG picture.

On the ground however is a different story. For us 'transactional brokers' not much has changed in our parts of the world. Whilst the big guys play big guy games, most of us get down and dirty doing the job the brokers do - Fixing Ships!...

And the keys to suiccess here havent changed too much. Stay on the phones, build relationships, watch the email, carry your blackberry or Iphone everywhere....and hussle....move...work the clients and make money.

If a group of people in the same office are good at the above it doesnt make any difference how big, medium or small you are - you will make money. The problem with large shops...is that they can give good service but that service by its nature tends to be homogeneous...the same for everyone. So if the protagonists are playing a standard type of game then this is a good option. For those not so mainstream, looking for an edge (which is commonly the case) small, medium and / or niche is a very good option.

Keep rockin
VS