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8 LONDON 2012 BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES opportunities for London businesses CompeteFor is a website that gives the business community unique access to London 2012 Games-related business opportunities. It acts as a brokerage service between buyers and potential suppliers throughout the London 2012 supply chain, encouraging equality of opportunity and providing Games-related business information. ompeteFor was launched in London last month together with the London Business Network, the organisation charged with promoting the service to the capital’s business community. Formed through the collaboration of three key London-based business organizations: London First, the London Chamber of Commerce and CBI London; and supported by the London Development Agency (LDA), the London Business Network is working closely with London 2012 and the LDA to develop CompeteFor as part of their commitment to ensure that the economic benefits of the Games are maximized for the London Business community. CompeteFor is accessed through the London 2012 website at www.london2012. com/business and is the chosen site of London 2012 for the publication of all Games-related contracts. Both the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) and the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) are encouraging its contractors to use CompeteFor to develop their supply chains. Already main suppliers such as Sir Robert McAlpine, the builders of the Olympic Stadium, have embraced the website and have published a contract opportunity on CompeteFor. The ODA have also used the website to publish numerous contracts, with the intention that their suppliers will in turn use CompeteFor to advertise opportunities of their own. The CompeteFor website benefits buyers and potential suppliers of Games-related contract opportunities alike. For buyers such as McAlpine, CompeteFor provides instant access to a wide and diverse range of suppliers who meet a minimum standard recommended by London 2012. Potential suppliers who register on CompeteFor will not only have access to a plethora of contract opportunities, but will also be automatically notified of opportunities which match their business profile. In addition, registered suppliers will have access to support services through Business Link London to help them develop their business and maximise their chance of winning work relating to the London 2012 Games. Mike Mulvey, Chief Executive of the London Business Network and his team, are responsible for helping the London business community access supply chain opportunities through CompeteFor and he believes that the system may provide a vital link between the London 2012 authorities and the capital’s SME community. “CompeteFor is a unique tool that focuses on business opportunities throughout the supply chain. These are private sector contracts that sit below the top tiers, usually of a smaller value but more relevant and of interest to SMEs. This system is specifically designed to help businesses of all sizes to get involved in an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to benefit from the London 2012 Games”. London 2012 “Registering is easy, free and only needs to be done once. Businesses are then automatically matched with relevant Gamesrelated opportunities that you can apply for. It’s that simple.” According to the Olympic authorities, there is no shortage of supply chain opportunities for SMEs. Although the ODA and LOCOG will collectively issue approximately 7000 direct contracts in the lead up to 2012, they estimate that up to 75,000 supply chain opportunities will be generated as a result. It will be the focus of the London Business Network to put local suppliers in contact with these opportunities through the CompeteFor online resource. C For more information about the London Business Network and the CompeteFor online service, visit www.london2012.com/business and follow the link to CompeteFor uk | engage ISSUE SIX 2008