There is a real buzz in London at the moment and one can only assume that the excitement will continue to build over the next few months. You will see a lot of articles in the press talking about the positive economic impact the 2012 Games will have on the UK economy but, you do not see many articles on how London businesses are going to be affected.
London businesses need to plan ahead to try and minimise the impact the Games is going to have so far as that is possible.
What are the issues facing London businesses?
- The internet is likely to be slower during the Games, how will that affect you?
- Internet based remote access - are there enough licences so that more staff can work outside the office?
- Staff may want to watch the Games through their office PC. How will that affect the business? Do you have a policy to deal with this?
- Flexible working for staff so that they can come in to work early or late depending upon transport disruption? Employees to be permitted to work at an alternative office location? Allowing staff to work part time?
- Holiday requests - limiting the number of staff on leave at any one time?
- Staff getting to work. Can they get to work?
- Is it likely that the Games will mean less work flow? How can costs be managed during the downturn in work flow?
- Food deliveries for the staff canteen - will they be affected?
- Is your disaster recovery plan up to date?
- Safety of your staff - do your security procedures need to be reviewed?
It is not all doom and gloom. The 2012 Games is a welcome opportunity for many UK businesses, and there may still be some business opportunities to be had. The Olympic Delivery Authority is keen to make Stratford an economic and financially viable area in the long term. Community, housing, education, retail are all part of that and that can only be a good thing.
However, there is a bit of a down side and London businesses should prepare now to try and minimise the impact of the Games.