Q&A with Monica Forti – Director of International Trading at The Seam
March 24, 2009 Could you describe your position at The Seam?
My responsibility is to direct the international trading. Our International Marketplace includes all business not traded on our U.S. Domestic Trading system. This is mostly a merchant-to-merchant platform where they place their bids and offers, and my job is to help facilitate this trading. It is important to make sure that people are connected, and they know what’s going on. Merchants want to know that behind that computer screen, there is still a voice – a person whom you can follow up with, someone that will protect their interests.
What are the challenges of the position?
When people trade U.S. cotton today, they just think about the price; they don’t have any doubts as to what the quality will be. On the international side, we are working to ensure standardized quality and types, so that then it will be just a matter of getting the right price at the right time and under the right conditions.
What are the benefits of online trading in an international market?
It’s very easy and friendly, and it ensures that your offer or bid is distributed at the same time to a wider number of participants. So it is very fair, and it’s a true market value, and a wide range of people are able to benefit from it. It is another channel of purchasing or selling when there is a limited window of time, and you might need to secure as many purchases as you can.
How has your previous work experience been an asset to your new position?
I previously worked in a cotton trading company based in Italy, and I did a little bit of everything, which gave me a proper understanding of the business. I think this is very important for this position where my job is to facilitate trading. I know what the trader is facing – I understand his problems – and I try to think of ways to help him out. The Seam provides a service, and I think my experience helps me do this better.
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