Local Birmingham business VIVA Aspire recently benefited from the services of Barclays Marketing Manager Debbie Poole, as she spent the day working alongside the company as part of a pledge to find out "first hand" about their needs and the range of issues facing local businesses in today's small business environment.

Debbie swapped offices for the day to join Gary Blowers and Dilesh Bhimjiani, Directors of VIVA Aspire - a strategic marketing agency in Birmingham City Centre who primarily develop marketing communications & brand strategies and deliver them through a range of online & offline communications - such as web, social media, print & broadcast media. Due to a large portion of their clients being international, they are currently enjoying business success across a number of borders. Debbie spent the day meeting the team, reviewing their pitches and chipping in ideas and comments. She also visited their new business premises as their business growth requires the need for more space.

Debbie Poole, Barclays Marketing Manager from the Head Office in Coventry said, "The more we know and learn about our customers the better, enabling us to provide the right levels of support and advice when required. This initiative is taking place up and down the country and is one of a range of measures to support our Business Banking customers to achieve their goals and grow their business."

Gary Blowers from VIVA Aspire said: "This initiative has been very well received by all of us here at VIVA. It has allowed Barclays to better understand our business and the issues we face on a day-to-day basis, but better still, we have got to know better how Barclays works and what services they provide to help businesses like ours. I would definitely welcome Debbie back any time she has a free day!"