The NPD team at MM Flowers are the eyes and ears of floral design that conduct the delivery of product ranges from concept design to launch. Alex, one of our Senior NPD Managers, talks us through the preparation and planning that goes into preparing for a customer presentation.
7:45am – Arrive and Settle In
The day starts early — coffee in hand, laptop open, and inbox refreshed. It’s that quiet pocket of time before the office fully wakes up, perfect for setting the tone and organising priorities for the day ahead.
8:00am – Morning Studio Check-In
First stop is the studio, where the final samples are being prepped. I catch up with the team and our grad designer to make sure everything is on track — packaging aligned, details checked, and samples ready for their close-up. Once I’m happy with how everything’s looking, the green light is given for photography to start.
9:00am – Commercial & Technical Run-Through
Next, it’s over to the commercial and technical teams. We review the summary sheet together — checking that all mixes are accurate and costs are where they need to be. It’s a mix of detail-driven conversation and creative problem-solving, ensuring we’re presenting something not only beautiful, but commercially sound.
11:00am – Studio Revisit & Final Tweaks
Back in the studio, the energy is high. This is where we make the final call on any substitutions or design tweaks, bringing in insights and commercial input to ensure every element feels cohesive. Sometimes a small change can elevate the whole presentation — that’s where the collaboration magic happens.
12:00pm – Lunch & a Breather
A well-earned break! If the weather’s kind, I’ll step outside for a short walk to clear my head and get some fresh air. A good coffee (or herbal tea, depending on the mood) helps reset before the afternoon’s meetings kick in.
1:00pm – Feasibility Session
After lunch, it’s time for a feasibility review with procurement and production. We go through each sample carefully, discussing any potential risks or challenges ahead of tomorrow’s customer meeting. It’s a great chance to identify contingency plans or suggest tweaks before presenting — collaboration really comes into play here.
2:00pm – Weekly Customer Call
The weekly catch-up call with the customer is all about alignment — reviewing project status, forecasts, and any outstanding actions. It’s also the final chance to confirm that everything’s on track for tomorrow’s presentation and there are no last-minute surprises.
3:00pm – Technical Deep Dive
Next up is a sit-down with technical and commercial to go over notes from a recent spec sign-off. Together, we review the BOM, spec sheets, and costs — making sure every document tells the same story and that we’re set for a smooth handover.
4:30pm – Presentation Room Setup
As the afternoon winds down, it’s time to prepare the presentation space. Samples are arranged, visuals printed, and the setup sheet is updated with photographs so everything looks as polished as possible for the big day.
5:15pm – Wrap Up & Head Home
With everything ready and checked off, it’s time to pack up and head home. There’s always that satisfying feeling of knowing the hard work is done — and tomorrow, it’s showtime.
