Tim is the business development & marketing manager at Quantum Flooring Accessories, and here’s how his average week unfolds
I LIVE in Folkestone in Kent, and my days start early. I’m usually up at six, especially with two young boys to get ready for school. Coffee is non-negotiable; it’s the fuel I need before the chaos of the morning kicks in. We usually have breakfast together, and most mornings that includes a board game.
The boys love Junior Monopoly and Enchanted Forest, the latter being the most frustrating game you can imagine. We actually picked it up from a charity shop, but they’re obsessed with it at the moment. Once breakfast is done, I either take them to school or help get them out the door, then I head back to start work around eight thirty.
My mornings are usually about planning. I map out what I need to do, check my priorities, and get on with the tasks at hand. Mondays always start with the morning meeting, which sets the tone for the week, and Fridays begin with the product marketing meeting. These meetings largely dictate what the day will look like, so they’re really important.
An average week varies, but the structure generally works like this. Monday I work from home. Tuesday and Wednesday I’m out on the road, visiting architects and clients, delivering one face-to-face CPD session a week and two online. My main focus is the southeast for face-to-face CPDs. Thursday I work from a co-working desk. It gets me out of the house, talking to different people, and gives me a change of scene. Then Friday is back at home. It doesn’t always follow this schedule perfectly, but it’s a good rhythm.
My role at Quantum is broad. Even though my title is business development and marketing manager, I get involved in a lot of areas. On Monday, for example, we had the morning meeting to review placements for the next two weeks. Then I had three back-to-back team calls with companies in Lithuania.
In the afternoon I worked through emails, pricing, and preparations for a new website we’re about to launch. On Tuesday, I caught up with CFJ, did a lunchtime CPD session, and then returned to website planning. There was also logistics for an upcoming flight. Wednesday is a mix of design review and planning for the next sales meeting, including merchandise and sampling.
There are also catch-ups with distributors and marketing teams. Thursday I meet with our product manager, Diane, once a week, to review feedback on every aspect of market design, from flooring to campaigns, then spend the rest of the day actioning tasks. Later there are meetings with a company in Lithuania and a data company. Friday I often take a more flexible approach to accommodate the boys.
Evenings are family time. We cook dinner together, put the boys to bed, and then I try to squeeze in exercise. I usually run or play squash — I’m not very good, but it keeps me moving. I used to play five-a-side football, but my knees can’t handle it anymore. On other evenings, I just chill and read, which is my way of winding down after a busy week.
ON THE SPOT
• Lager or ale – Ale
• Cash or credit card – Debit card
• Football or golf – Football
• City break or country walk – Country walk
• Caribbean or Cornwall – Wales
• Game of Thrones or Breaking Bad – Breaking Bad
• Dog or cat – Cat
• Early bird or night owl – Early bird
• Curry or fish and chips – Fish and chips
• Rolling Stones or Beatles – The Beatles
