December Talk with Claire Brewerton

Christmas is coming and as we get ready to celebrate the Big Day, we're talking to Claire Brewerton who is the managing director of the Virtual Business Centre which provides telephone answering, diary management and many other services for businesses and events companies across the UK.

 It’s December – is this a busy time for your business? 
We are always busy in December, many of our clients have e commerce businesses so it is their busiest time of the year – which means we are busy supporting them and acting as an extension to their internal teams, which is what we do so well!

Christmas upon us – what does Christmas mean for you? 
I love Christmas, last year my parents were unable to get home from abroad so Christmas was very quiet I have hopes that this year may have a few more people around the dining table. And it's looking hopeful for tomorrow!

What’s on Santa’s List for your business in 2022? 
If we can be as busy in 2022 as we have been in 2021 it will be great.

And what’s on your list personally? 
Ahhh, if I tell you what I want for Christmas ….to be honest a happy and healthy family and a chance to have a bit of a break – especially as this year Christmas day falls on a Saturday so everyone in the office gets a couple of extra days off.

What has been your greatest business lesson this year? 
It has to be one of perseverance and resilience.
 

What have been your business highlights in 2021? 
Continuing to maintain our high levels of customer service to both our customers and their customers despite all the challenges. 

What have been your personal highlights in 2021? 
Navigating the new world of getting one child to university, one to college and one moving up to secondary school! We have been busy. 

What will you do differently in 2022? 
I will try to take more time to reflect on how much we have achieved over the last two years, just a few minutes each day to focus on the positives and be thankful, oh and try to have time to drink a cup of coffee before it goes cold!

Is ‘giving back’ important to you, your business or organisation? Why? 
I believe we should treat others as we would wish to be treated – whether that is personally or in business. We support charities and community organisations when we can - for example this month we did take part in Christmas Jumper Day for Save The Children. 

Will you have a nominated charity for 2022? If so, tell us about it and what you plan to do to support that organisation? Yes we have chosen our charity – watch out for some announcements about it in the New Year.

If you are planning to recruit in 2022 – share a little of your hopes around the growth of your team. 
We have an amazing team and have been able to recruit five new staff this year, and get them trained up under difficult circumstances. It's entirely possible that we'll be looking to increase our numbers in 2022.

What would be your best piece of advice for anyone in business for 2022? 
Take time each day to reflect on where the successes (and failures were) in 2021. Be grateful for the success and learn from the failures.

And finally:
I’d like to thank my family and staff for their support and positivity, I am fortunate to have a great team both at home and in the business. 

For more information visit www.virtualbusinesscentre.com