OMG!
This word will come out of your mouth often when you realize you are treading the line between being enthusiastic and being puzzled on how to scale a relatively unknown industry to you. It’s pretty simple though, I’ll take you through it.
You sent in your resume, you aced your interview, and you signed your contract; you’re starting a new job in a new field and you couldn’t be more excited. You open the big door of a multinational “AFEX COMMODITIES EXCHANGE” to mark the start of your first day as an employee. You soak in the tranquility of the exquisite office space, ooou, the reception is good, and your confidence is in check, “YOU GOT THIS”…
…that is until you realize that the commodities exchange is a specific sector which has different operations, and understanding the trading industry is pivotal. And that won’t happen overnight. Not even 99% of the articles you read online or the substantive information you stuffed into your brain during your lengthy education will come in handy.
When you find yourself in a new field like this, it’s essential to keep things in perspective. Here 3 things you need to do about working in a commodities exchange firm.
P.S You can consider this a newbie manual, especially if this is your first time working at AFEX Commodities Exchange Limited. You’re welcome. *winks.
It is a fast-paced industry
Every minute, commodities are constantly being exchanged worldwide in both physical and digitized trading systems.
This means the market is open throughout the week, 24 hours a day and people have to work around the clock — monitoring prices, ensuring availability of commodities, and creating market opportunities for players.
Each passing second matters, so if you are not a fan of being in a fast-paced environment where you need to be proactive and flexible in your thinking, with an active curiosity and interest in a wide range of subjects, you might struggle.
Also know that the industry has a strong impact on Nigeria’s economy, so consider yourself a hero in the making.
A crash course on commodity trading
Take it.
To complement your online reading, ask for in-house publications, reports, reviews, etc.
To learn fast, keep your eyes and ears alert and mind open. Pick up on everything you hear from colleagues, and read up on them.
A quick run through the basics: Commodities are raw and marketable goods, in AFEX’s case, they are agricultural products like cocoa, paddy rice, ginger, maize, etc.
AFEX is providing an organized marketplace for trading in these commodities, and by growing farmers’ markets and connecting trades, AFEX is simply helping Africa feed itself.
So next time you want to answer an outsider on what AFEX does? (you will get asked that a lot) feel free to steal that line and add “it’s like a stock exchange company, just for Agriculture” (they say that a lot here too).
You’ll need to learn more about the economics of agriculture and the dynamics of the exchange of its produce.
Work culture is everything
You will love it here at AFEX. The workforce is fueled by empathy and excellence and that shows in everything we do.
One of the first things you’ll probably notice is the productive atmosphere in a stress-free work environment.
Everyone is putting in the work, innovatively, and that’s a good driving force for employee motivation and personal productivity. Let’s not mention the remuneration and the goodies attached to it.
At the end, the ultimate guide you need to remember is to become part of the solution in crafting an inclusive digitized agriculture economy. This is what AFEX is building, and to get it done, fold up your sleeves and get to work.
