The team at SMA Remarketing has embarked upon making the whole auction process more engaging.

Part of the process has seen a number of SMA’s auctioneers travelling to the Iowa, USA, to the Reisch World Wide College of Auctioneering, to discover for themselves how to make the whole auction process more engaging. As one of those on the training, auctioneer Stephanie Sneddon confirms, it was an amazing experience, she reflects; “I had always considered myself to be very confident as an auctioneer. With a good awareness of the product mix, a capacity to spot buyers and to run the auction through to a successful completion; the training in the USA has taken this to an entirely new level”.

Training focused upon a range of skills, business management, technology, marketing, networking and online auctions; but it was in the area of vocal training and body language that the two students felt they gained the most.

“Maintaining the bid chant, keep the whole auction centre involved, creating a vibrant atmosphere. The rhythm help to pull in bidders and to develop a real buying environment” Notes Sneddon. “It would be all too easy to say, ‘yes but that is very American’, but back in Edinburgh the whole approach works fantastically. I am really enjoying myself more as an auctioneer. I know I am more confident and feel ‘in he zone’ and this quickly rubs off to the people at the auction, more people get fully engaged in the process. We are trying to make the whole experience more entertaining and enjoyable. If everyone is happy, then it is so much easier to create a positive sale”.