Matti’s World: A Product Manager’s Daily Life and Dreams in the Beverage Business
The alcohol industry is a constantly evolving sector where bringing new products to market requires careful analysis, courage, and a touch of creativity. Norex’s Product Manager Matti Hirvonen is at his work like a fisherman by the sea—always ready to seize opportunities and navigate through challenges. But what does his work entail and what motivates him?
Inspiration from Challenges and the Power of Teamwork
When Matti is asked to describe what inspires him at work, the answer is simple yet meaningful: “You have to be alert all the time in everything you do.” The beverage business is a dynamic field where consumer trends, new products, and market changes constantly present the product manager with new situations. “Challenges make the work interesting. It’s rewarding to see when difficulties are overcome and something works better than we dared to expect.”
Although the work requires independence, Matti emphasizes the importance of the work community. “We have a really good team at Norex. You can always rely on having backup when we’re looking for solutions together.” This security and support provided by the team gives Matti strength even when pressures mount. “When problems escalate, it’s important to take the bull by the horns and focus on what we can influence.”
Peaceful Mornings and Varied Days
Matti’s daily life is diverse, and no two days are alike. He starts his mornings peacefully before the rest of the family wakes up. “I drink coffee, watch the news, and walk the dog. That’s my peaceful moment before the day’s rush.” Work days start early—often first in—at the office, as Matti enjoys his colleagues’ company. “I like being with my coworkers. Brainstorming and discussing with them is an important part of my work.”
The flow of days varies depending on the season and projects. Sometimes the focus is on quotation calculations and market analysis, other times on communication with principals. “The only constant in the workday is lunch,” Matti chuckles. “Everything else lives according to the situation.”
The Magic of Creating New Products
In a product manager’s work, developing and bringing new products to market is a continuous process. Matti analyzes markets carefully to find what could succeed. “For example, tropical flavors like pineapple are popular now,” he says, while emphasizing that bringing new products requires courage and good teamwork. “When I find an idea, I bring it to the team to consider. Together we evaluate whether it could work in the market.”
If Matti had completely free hands to develop a new product, he would choose something unique. “A vegan cream liqueur could be the next big thing. Veganism is a growing trend and consumers are looking for alternatives.” Although new products are the highlights of the work, he admits that only a small portion of them survive permanently. “Unfortunately, 90 percent of new products die within a year.”
Finnish Drinking Culture and Future Trends
Matti closely follows Finnish drinking habits and market changes. He highlights the popularity of plant-based products and consumers’ interest in new products. On the other hand, he is concerned about the impact of the economic situation: “The economic situation steers consumers toward more affordable products, but new products still interest them.”
When the conversation shifts to selling stronger alcoholic beverages in grocery stores, Matti has a clear position. “For now, the Alko channel works well. If the world changes, we’ll approach it with an open mind.”
Personality Is a Strength
The Norex work community is important to Matti. He describes it as a place where everyone can be themselves. He describes the crew as an Avengers-like gang, each with their own superpower. “There are personalities in this house. Here you’re also encouraged to bring yourself and your own character as part of the team.” If Matti were to recruit a new product manager, his advice would be simple: “Be yourself. It benefits both you and the team.”
