September Talk with Claire Brewerton from Virtual Business Centre

September is here. It's the month when autumn officially arrives - the autumn equinox fell on September 22. What does this month hold for you and your business?

Today we're talking to  Claire Brewerton who is the managing director, of the Virtual Business Centre based in Brinkworth, near Swindon with a team of 25. The team offer outsourced telephone answering, reception and admin services including telemarketing, customer service and much more. 

How has business been for you and your team this month? 

We have finally got all our staff back into the office – which has been very exciting and we have new clients coming on board, a busy time ahead in the run up to Christmas. 

We answer phones and order lines for several suppliers who tend to get very busy between now and Christmas (is it too early to say the C word!)

What are your personal plans for this month?  

We've had to settle three children into secondary school, college and university! A big year for us as a family and a lot of change for each one of us. 

September is also known as ‘organic’ month – do you shop, dress, or behave with green ethics in mind?  

Definitely, and we also have clients who have the same ethos and, I believe, this will become increasingly important in all businesses. 

World Gratitude Day took place this month – what are you grateful for at the moment?

For a thriving business despite the ups and downs of the last 18 months. We have come out of this stronger. And for my family, who are with me every step of the way.

Who are you grateful for at the moment? 

Massively grateful to my husband Marc who is incredibly supportive always. 

What are your hopes for business in general this year? 

A return to normal team working, a longer term strategic view of where the economy is going and meeting clients face to face again. 

Have you got any events planned you’d like to shout about – either that you are running or attending? 

I am hoping we can organise a work Christmas do – where we can actually all go out together and be sociable. It will seem such a luxury - something we may have previously taken for granted. 

Have you got any services or special offers you’d like to mention? 

With schools going back with that come the dreaded juggling of school runs. 

We can help answer phones so you don’t lose business, even if it’s just for an hour or two a day!

And finally, as a bit of fun, September marks Teddy Bear Day? Do you have your childhood teddy bear – or are you a bit of a kid with ‘grown up’ teddy bears? 

We have a couple of teddy bears at home from childhood days – I even have a stuffed cat teddy that is made of parachute webbing that my grandfather used to take with him when he flew during World War 2 – he is one of the most precious things I have and he lives well away from the children!

For information please visit www.virtualbusinesscentre.com