Getting your business ready for Olympic opportunities
The London Development Agency (LDA) willl help many London businesses to get in better shape to win contracts through a range of schemes and initiatives.
- Is there anything that businesses can do now to prepare themselves ahead of these opportunities?
- What extra help will there be for businesses?
- How can we be sure that London's diverse business community will benefit?
- I am not sure what type of business support my business needs, where can I get help?
1. Is there anything that businesses can do now to prepare themselves ahead of these opportunities?
Yes, there is. In order to increase the chances of winning contracts, SMEs need to be in a position where they can compete effectively - or be 'fit to supply'.
London already has a number of excellent programmes in place to help SMEs develop this knowledge. A good example is the LDA's pan-London initiative, Supply London.
This programme works with SMEs and helps provide the support necessary them to become fit to supply through one-to-one business advice, workshops, diagnostics and opportunities to attend 'meet the buyer' events. More information can be on the Supply London website.
Other recommended services are provided by:
- Procurement Development Programme (PDP Tender to win)
- Manufacturing Advisory Service
- Jobnet
Businesses outside London can access support through their local Regional Development Agency (RDA). Your local RDA can be found on England's RDAs website.
Similarly, support in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales can be found on the following websites:
- Scotland - www.scottish-enterprise.com and www.hie.co.uk
- Northern Ireland - www.investni.com
- Wales - www.wda.co.uk
2. What extra help will there be for businesses?
Businesses across London are determined to maximise the business benefits of hosting the 2012 Games and to do this, timely information on business opportunities will be vital.
Plans are underway for a London Business Opportunities Network (LBON) to be launched later this year.
The Network will provide detailed information on emerging procurement opportunities, as well as networking events, links to business support services and an online brokerage service to match members with relevant procurement opportunities.
If you have already signed up for to the london2012.com e-alert, you will be automatically invited to join the Network LBON when it is launched later in 2007.
3. How can we be sure that London's diverse business community will benefit?
The LDA and other partners have been working for some time to ensure London's diverse business community can benefit more from business and skills support.
The LDA currently invests in specific support initiatives such as Diversity Works and the Procurement Development Programme (PDP), designed to support predominantly black, asian and minority ethnic businesses.
For more information visit:
4. I am not sure what type of business support my business needs, where can I get help?
The LDA funds a service to provide information and signposting to business support services via Business Link. If you have queries regarding business support or your business needs you should contact this service
Tel: 0845 600 0787 or visit Business Link London website.
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