2012 and all that

There may be doubts as to whether the Chancellor’s VAT stimulus is the best way to get the economy going, given its consumer focus rather than business one, but there is another massive injection of cash taking place targeted directly at businesses that should have them salivating.

I refer of course to the 2012 London Olympics. To investigate these opportunities further a couple of us pitched up to a briefing held at Lords Cricket Ground (it’s a tough life etc…..) run by the London Business Network. There we listened to speakers from the London 2012 Forum, UKTI and even the British Columbia Ministry of Technology (I am sure I don’t need to tell you that the 2010 Winter Olympics are taking place in Vancouver).

Case studies were also presented and it was worth noting that it is not just businesses that are involved in construction and sports services that will benefit. Examples were given of small local florists and catering companies who have also won contracts.

One other point that emerged from the Lords briefing was that Olympic and sporting opportunities should persist long after the flame has been put out on the London games due to the transferable skills that will be gained in the infrastructure and support industries. There are world and regional championships being held on a frequent basis that could provide business opportunities for those that keep their eye on the ball.

I am sure that SMART businesses have already registered with the opportunities website but for those that have not quite got round to doing so the link is below.

London 2012 Opportunities

Antony on the road - "so you don't have to"

In the week before the all important pre-budget announcement that promises to pump billions into the economy, Orchard Principal Antony Doggwiler has been out and about at various business events gauging the mood and uncovering what is really happening in the business world. Remember he does all this so that you don’t have to.

Monday

Up in Coventry today manning our stand at TechnologyWorld 08, an exhibition organised by UKTI (https://www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk/) targeted at growth technology firms, both from the UK and overseas. Exhibitions are a good example of Forrest Gump’s assertion that life is like a box of chocolates in that you never what you are going to get in terms of visitors to the stand and any business opportunities that might arise. However we had many visitors to our stand and met some very interesting businesses. We also took the opportunity to talk to a number of UKTI advisors about our cost effective offering for companies setting up businesses in the UK.

Talking of chocolates, Ash’s bright idea of putting chocolates on the stand meant an increasing stream of visitors during the afternoon as energy levels flagged, such that we were soon badging ourselves “The Official Chocolate Suppliers to TechnologyWorld08”. All good fun and an event I think we would do again.