“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work”, Thomas Edison.
There are 2 opportunities happening today that are both very important for the region. One is the worlds biggest of its type, the other a first for the region. Today is day 3 of the World’s Biggest Multi-Vendor Cattle Breed Sale – Brahman Week. On day 1 the highest sale was $80000, just over $3.6M changed hands. Tonight 8 cities in Queensland are holding Mentor Blaze sessions, for the first time this includes Rockhampton. It is an opportunity for people who have a business idea to talk with up to 4 mentors who have done the hard yards in developing their own businesses. Potential return to the region if even only one business germinates from the session could be millions. You think that a region which appears to be struggling economically, with the number of empty shop spaces and stores closing; local business people (and budding ones) would be eagerly looking forward to today’s opportunities. Unfortunately though most will only see overalls.
“Old ways won’t open new doors”. If you want something new you need to do something new. New could be better than benchmark sale figures or a business venture developed from your idea.
I went to the Brahman Sales and talked with some of the people making changes to the time honoured cattle auction process. The giant screen in the selling ring is a recent addition and has proved to be a new revenue stream for the complex. The internet however potentially threatens the need for saleyards, could one not just ebay the whole process. Instead of a threat though the operator of CQLX views the internet as an opportunity to take the Gracemere stud bull sales to an even bigger audience and have more people attending the sales. “Try capturing this atmosphere on the net”, was a comment after a bull was sold for $70000. Even in this strongly traditional environment there is a commitment to change, moving forward. How many new doors to do you see around Rockhampton; be it the growing multi-racial diversity, internet shopping, people wanting their shopping experience to be more than just paying at a checkout; are you changing your ways to open these doors? Our region only moves forward if enough of us move forward. Look beneath the guise, see the opportunities that exist, work out new ways to grasp them, then knock on that door.